1) image/gimmick.
you and your music are a product therefore distribute yourselves as such, a product is enhanced only by it's packaging and promotion of the product, you need to think about all the great bands, they each had some kind of gimmick, weather it was the same haircut and suit, a hat, glasses, ripped t-shirt and safety pins or a giant inflateable pig, unless you are an exceptionally gifted band (which unfotunately are few and far between) you will need something to sell your music and create a fan base.
This isn't to say that your music alone can do that for you, but to enhance and to grow experimentation and imagination are the keys to success, experiment with different clothing, hairstyles, a mascot, create something which people will remember you by.
when you hear the name iron maiden the first thing that comes to mind is their mascot eddie, the happy mondays had bez, no one quite knows what his role was within the band but he got the audience going, def leopard ..(tragically) a one armed drummer, guns n roses.... slash and his top hat/axl and his bandanna, the list is endless of bands who wernt lucky enough to be the best from the beginning but worked at it thru trial and error.
2) if you want to be professional, act and look professional
If you are wanting your band to be the best or at the very least remembered, be professional, when approached by fans or any other member of the public, remember you are representing not only yourself but your band mates as well as your music, the decisions you make alone effect where you and your music go, make sacrifices if required, the price is never too high if you want something bad enough.
3) choose your set lists wisely
find out information reguarding the venues you will be playing at, try to find out what kind of music they usually put on, many venues will have regular clientel that expect a certain genre, this is not to say change your music style, but it's no good playing slow tempo tunes to a bunch of metalheads, keep to your more upbeat selections, if you are playing a venue which has a mixture of genres stick to your usual set list and see: number 6 below
4) love the music you play and enjoy your performance
when on stage to play your best you need to not only play with your hands but also use your emotions, if you arent "feeling" the song then the audience wont be feeling it either, don't be afraid to shed a tear if singing a sad song, make the audience believe what you are singing is true, put your heart and soul into each performance wether playing to one person or one thousand.
5) watch the audience reactions to each song
this isn't easy to do when you are concentrating on playing however having a friend stand to one side and room watch is a very good idea, get them to take note of peoples reactions to each song, are people laughing with you, smiling with you or feeling sad while you sing to them, are they dancing or are they looking like their about to launch a newcastle brown bottle at the stage from boredom.
6) learn from your mistakes and experiment
Everyone makes mistakes, it's part of life, it's also part of the learning process within a band, try new things musically after all if hendrix hadnt experimented with the cry baby and a strat upside down he wouldn't be called guitar god today, if pink floyd hadn't experimented with deep lyrics and synths if if if i could go on but i am sure you will get the jist of what i am saying, have fun and create, if it turns out wrong learn from it and try something different the same goes for performance at gigs if certain tunes dont go down well at a specific venue scrap them from the set list next time you play there and replace them with something similar to the ones that did go down well. If someone offers advice take it on board, research what they have told you and if it seems relevant use it to your advantage.
7) stage presence
stage presence is something you either have or you don't however do not dispair as stage presence is something which can be learnt from watching the greats, freddie mercury, mick jagger, slash, iggy pop all have stage presence, they make themselves known, they command the stage, it is their throne and the audience their subjects upon whom they cast their spell, hypnotising them with strange periodic movements, untangable audio and vocal sequences and over active use of microphone stands and other equipment.
8) interaction between band members
One thing that a lot of bands seem to forget is interaction between themselves, many bands have a special bond, a brother/sister hood, usually between two specific members in many cases the singer and the lead guitarist, if you don't have a lead guitarist then create a close bond with the other members on stage, mimic each other like status quo did, flirt with each other this isn't a sexual reference being flirtatious can also mean creating a connection on stage an understanding of one another.
9) interaction with the audience
The audience are your best friends, talk to them as such, make them feel comfortable around you, interact with them involve them in the performance, however they can also be your enemy, they may heckle you, hurl insults or even objects at you, and so you must command them, as in number 7 if you can hypnotise the audience you have created a memory in them which is your ultimate goal along with fame and fortune.
10) hire a roadie
many bands when they first start out don't think they need a roadie, these strange creatures (whom i am told actually live in colonies under bridges and only come out at night) can usually be found propping a bar up with a pint in one hand and thier ipod in the other (these days) they are usually musicians who do not have the urge to perform and therefore have a unique quality which makes them useful to those who do wish to perform, they can tune and clean your instruments, they are usually of large build and so have the strength to carry big amps and heavy flight cases as well as the ability to sort any unwanted attention from the audience toward the band, and best of all many will work for nothing or even just a few beers.
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