Tips for successful live performances

Live performances are one of the best ways that musicians can share their music, showcase their talent, and connect with their fans more directly. However, live performances are not the easiest, mainly because of the changing audience.

Whether a beginner or an experienced performer, here are some of the best tips that will help any musician (or group) have a successful live performance.

Prepare for the event

The first thing musicians have to do is ensure that they are ready to take on the stage. Once musicians know where they are performing, they should plan what they need, their stage movements, the songs they will perform, and the order of performance.

They should also ensure that they are in synch with any dancers or backup singers they have.

Practice / warm-up

Musicians should never hit the stage without warming up backstage. The more they prepare, the better they will perform. They need to practice the songs they will be singing and their stage movements. If there are dance routines, this is a perfect time to learn and perfect them.

Stage presence

Showing off personality and moves on stage builds confidence for the musician, increases audience engagement, and makes the performance fun, for both the performer and the audience.

A musician should ensure that they move around the stage and engage in the dance moves along with the crew (if applicable).

Engage with your audience

This allows musicians to connect with their audience on a deeper level. The more the musician engages with the audience, the more energy they will receive in return. One way to engage the audience is to make and maintain eye contact. Musicians should also do more than sing. An example could be making jokes with the audience.

Alternatively, musicians can communicate with the audience by introducing themselves as they get on stage, cheering them on between different songs, or even inviting some audience members on stage. This creates a personal relationship with the audience and sets the performer apart from other musicians.

Create the best song setlist

Musicians need to consider their audience when creating a song setlist because that can highly determine the success of the live performance. Some of the factors musicians should consider before making a song setlist include;

• Type of audience
• The kind of feel they want to give the audience
• The setting of the performance, (either indoors or outdoors)
• The length of every song and the entire performance
• The theme of the setlist
• Song transition

Allow the performance to flow

When creating a setlist, musicians should ensure that there will be a smooth transition into the following songs. There should also not be long moments of silence between songs, because that reduces the audience's energy. Some things a musician can do to ensure their performance flow include;

• Having all equipment set up correctly before the performance
• Involve the audience
• Improvise and adapt their performance to the audience and venue
• Keep going even if they make a mistake

Create moments in their performance

Apart from listening to music, live performances should also create memories for the musician and the audience. Musicians should give their audience an unmatched experience and a sense of belonging.

Musicians can do that by adding a slow emotional song in between high-energy songs. This will catch the audience's attention and allow them to create a deeper connection with the musician on stage.

Don’t make mistakes obvious

While every musician dreams of delivering perfect performances, that is almost impossible. Mistakes will happen, but most times, the audience will be deep into the performance and might not even notice the errors.

Musicians should do their best to ensure that they are not obvious to the audience (or exaggerate them), whether performing alone or with a group.

If they cannot contain or hide the mistake, they should turn it into a funny, memorable moment for the crowd and move on without changing their energy.

Choose the right outfits

Whether musicians perform alone or with a band, having the right outfit is critical for stage presence. It makes the musician feel confident about themselves, in addition to attracting the attention of the audience.

Always prepare for an Encore performance

Musicians should always expect to over-deliver, and that’s what an encore allows them to do. It ensures that they finish their performance on a high note and leaves the audience wanting more. It could also be a final opportunity for the musician to interact with their audience.

It takes a lot of courage to master live performances. While these tips will help, musicians should always ensure to have fun on stage and be confident.