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Stage Etiquette

This blog post is an extension, or an elaboration, of my other post about preparing for your first ever gig. That post can be found here and I would recommend that you read it before you continue reading this one - specifically the ‘band etiquette’ section!


Let us imagine you have done your first gig, perhaps a few of them, and now you are looking to refine what you have got - how can you move forward? Let us preface the rest of the information in the post by saying that you will never stop learning, and there is no substitute for getting out there and doing all the shows you can - the good and the bad!



Being Quiet

One of the most underrated qualities of a successful musician is being able to keep quiet when they need to. That does not mean you must sit on the floor, facing the corner until it is your turn to make some noise - we are focusing on instruments. 


In most instances, your guitar sound should be ready to go before hand, and any adjustments made quickly during, or after, the soundcheck. As hard as it is, try not to change anything during the show! Incessant noodling when it is not required is either a sign of arrogance or or simply not being aware that it is frowned upon. 


This goes for rehearsals as well as live shows, setting up, moments between songs and even playing too much when a section in a tune needs to be kept simple. 


Taking Care of Your Equipment

It goes without saying that this applies to the equipment of others in your vicinity or backline equipment that you are using. Not only does this ensure that you can appropriately perform your duties as required, but it also helps limit the possibility of issues caused by malfunctioning gear. 


You could face any number of problems causing nasty sounds from cheaper pedalboard power supplies, poor condition cables and amplifiers in need of repair. Many guitars also have dusty pots that need a quick clean with a can of compressed air! To counteract this, make sure you check everything before you leave to go to a show, when you get home and periodically when your items might be sitting in storage for a while. There are countless things that could go wrong, and there will always be something to surprise you. Check out this blog post for some extra advice:


Treat the Crowd Appropriately

Despite some people believing that there are infinite universes, so that it is possible for anything conceivable to be happening simultaneously, it is still unlikely that you will find a reality in which you can treat a heavy metal crowd like you would a church congregation. 


You should always be acutely aware of how you come across, even if you are in the throes of passion, feeling the music to the point when you hardly pay attention to what is going on around you. Using inappropriate language might fit certain situations, but definitely not all so you must correctly judge the situation. 


There are certain bands, such as Steel Panther, or Strapping Young Lad many years ago, that have built fictional personas and deliberately push the boundaries of what is normally permitted in public - this could be leveling abuse at fans, or making deliberately abrasive comments about any number of issues. However, it is important to remember that they are employed to perform at specific events, or events that they host so any customers know exactly what is going to happen. If you are playing corporate parties at local golf clubs, it WILL not go down the same, regardless of how good you are.  


Another thing I have noticed since I started touring internationally is that different countries and continents have differing social norms that you should try to research before you go off on your travels (not too dissimilar to what you would do if you were going on holiday).


Dealing With Problems 

I would like to refer you again to my blog post on dealing with problems in a live situation, you can read it here. What I wanted to briefly discuss was dealing with issues that are not caused by you or anyone in your band. A third party and be unpredictable, even if they are known to you (friends, part of your crew). It is worth noting that in a high level band, when you would employ your own technicians, that a gig is as much their workplace as it yours. Let us look at a few case studies of issues caused by third parties, and how you can approach them with appropriate etiquette required of you.


Case Study 1

This was one of my first ever live shows, a relatively small affair in a pub local to where I lived. I was 16 and dressed like I was from the 1970s (I have fond memories of those purple flares though!). Due to the layout of the venue, there wasn’t really a stage, but more of a stage area. The few pedals I owned were on the floor at crowd level, and there was one particular woman celebrating a birthday. This particular lady was nice enough, but very drunk and constantly nearly stepping on my pedals or spilling drinks over both my equipment and myself. 


What do you do? You cannot simply allow it to happen, and you can’t go on the offensive straight away. 


In this situation, I let it happen a couple of times, just in case it was a mistake. Then I spoke to her politely after we finished a song and she was very apologetic but… it did not stop. Helping her gently move away with the help of my foot was the only thing for it - but she was oblivious and continued dancing somewhere else in the room!


Case Study 2

There is a YouTube video where a gentleman is onstage with his acoustic guitar and singing a song. Out of nowhere, someone walks up the side of the stage, pulls the performer’s legs from under him causing a dramatic fall to the floor and then walks off. 


What can you do in this situation? You should always hope that it does not get to that point, and it probably never will. A person's intentions are usually quite clear and if the performer had seen the other man approaching, he could have perhaps run away or defended himself. 


Case Study 3

This is a slightly different one. I have been lucky enough to play at many festivals, and there is usually a severely restricted set-up time before your slot, and a soundcheck is almost non-existent. The same goes the other way around, you have to pack your gear away and allow the next band to get ready - streamlining your set-up and pack down processes helps in this area.


After a big show many years ago, a young fan was up against the barrier and he was desperate to take a picture with me - most of my pack-up was done. The dilemma was if I should politely decline his request and move the last of my cables, or go and take a picture with him and potentially make his day. I decided, potentially at the risk of annoying the stage manager, to jump down and take some pictures with him. I chose this path for several reasons - one was that he would not have forgotten the moment I turned him down and the other reason was that the stage manager could not punish us for this, we had already finished our set!



Final Thoughts

Presenting yourself offstage is just as important as when you are in the spotlight. You should always make time for others, but not at the cost of anything that directly affects you. For example, if the young lad had asked me to take a picture before our set, I would have had to suggest he ask me later, as we were only allocated 15 minutes to set up our equipment. In that situation, if you finish setting up late, then your set length is reduced and if you go over the time, the stage manager might just turn off the speakers anyway. 


Do not be afraid to speak your mind either, you should always make your feelings known. There is a time and a place - if your keyboard player forgets a chord change or plays something wrong, do not announce it over the PA system!


Performing live is an essential part of the life of a musician, and it comes in many shapes and forms. Ask your teacher, or some of those at the American Guitar Academy about their experiences and see how they can help you in a way that is not directly related to playing.


Alex

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