September 3, 2024
About the Author: Cameron Hayes
Learn The Songs
It sounds obvious, but the first place to start when preparing for a live performance is to learn the songs!
If you’re an original artist playing your own music, then you’ll likely already have the songs written that you’re going to play, but if you’re a cover band or tribute act, then there may be some material to learn before you think about anything else.
Not only do you have to start off by learning the music, but also think about how you are going to learn the music.
Will you be playing everything completely by memory to allow you to fully immerse yourself in the performance, or will you be reading sheet music/charts so that you can recall a large repertoire over a longer performance time?
Sound Selection
Once you have the notes and lyrics under control, you’ll need to start thinking about your sound selection.
If you’re a guitarist, think about whether you’ll require the use of effects pedals to create different sounds, or if you’re a keys player, what patches will you need to save ahead of time?
You may require different instruments to achieve all of the desired sounds as well.
For example, a guitarist may need to use both electric and acoustic guitars at different points throughout the set, or a keys player may need both keyboards and synthesisers to achieve all the textures needed.
Rehearse
Once you’ve got the notes and sounds somewhat under control, it’s time to get together as a band and rehearse!
Book a rehearsal studio or meet up at someone’s house if you can manage with all the equipment required, and practise playing the songs together.
This will feel drastically different to jamming along to the songs at home on Spotify, as real humans play and interact with each other differently.
This will also give you the chance to think about your sound levels – are you too loud or too soft, and are all of your different pedal presets at an appropriate volume?
For Solo Acts
Even if you’re a solo act, you should still try and rehearse in a rehearsal studio or at least at home through some sort of PA system to give you the same feeling as a live performance.
Anyone who’s played live before will know that singing through a microphone through a PA system on stage will feel drastically different to strumming along on your couch at home.
Get used to how the microphone reacts and where to pull away or get in close through different sections in your songs.
Play for Friends!
Have you scheduled a practice at a rehearsal space in the near future?
Why not invite some of your close friends or family along to watch you play to give you a practise run at what it feels like to play in front of real people!
Soundcheck
A big component of live performance is doing what’s called a soundcheck before the concert starts, to allow the musicians and sound engineers time to setup the stage, run through a few songs to get a rough mix for the PA system, and to ensure that everything is working as intended.
Many musicians can be very laid back about soundcheck, often not taking advantage of the time to fully run through all of their sounds to ensure that everything is set to go for the performance.
Arrive at the venue in plenty of time to unload (this can be easier said than done after finding parking, carrying your gear to the venue, up stairs, and into the band room), unpack, setup, and then finally, soundcheck.
Ideally, it’s nice to have some time in-between soundcheck and your actual performance to relax and hang out with the rest of the band, or other friends and family that may be in attendance.
Have fun!
Once all of the hard work and prep is out of the way, it’s time to get on stage and have fun.
Remember this: people enjoy watching performers in their element and enjoying themselves much more than watching an awkward bunch of statues staring down at their feet for 45 minutes.
Have fun, and your audience will too.
