Tips for Bands & Showcase Producers

by Ken Westover

I went to another showcase of local bands recently. I like showcases because I can discover bands I like without having to suffer long through those I hate. But I came away shaking my head yet again at the missed opportunities by both the local bands and promoters.

Would you like to know which bands I liked? Which I hated?

So would I. But there was no way for know or remember band names as they were not displayed. If and when names were announced, I either missed it, forgot it, or couldn't tell which name went with which band. Such a waste. Of my time, and of an opportunity for local bands to become better known.

Instead of just complaining about it, I decided to write what I, as a musician AND common audience member, wish bands and showcase producers would do.

Three Tips for Bands:

1. The band name MUST be visible from the back of the bar.

If you don't understand that a successful band is a "product", then you also won't understand why the group never manages to pay its bills. A product needs a name so people can look for it, ask for it, tell their friends about it. Nameless = penniless.

Ever see pictures of bands from the 1960s, with the group name emblazoned on the bass drum head? Those bands were smart: 40 years later, their name lives on in pictures, while you, whoever you are, likely languish at the bottom of the food chain. It baffles me the way bands proudly display the names and logos of the manufacturers of their gear, but hide their own name and have no logo. Look at bass drum heads, speaker bottoms, amps, the heads on guitars, the back of synths facing the audience - all places you advertise for others for free.

There are talkers and doers. Most people talk about how creative they are; doers SHOW their creativity -- consider doing so by getting your name visible in a unique and interesting way, easily readable from a distance. Select lettering that is easy to read. Avoid flowery script and lean towards clear block lettering. Make sure the print stands out against the background in high contrast. Grey on black may look interesting at home, but it may not be legible in gig lighting. Place the name everywhere -- bass drum heads, speaker bottoms, amps, the heads on guitars, the back of synths facing the audience. (You know why I repeated it? because if it was obvious, you'd already be doing it.) Put the name on 2’ x 3’ posterboard and prop it on an easel. Make a banner to hang on the wall behind the stage. Anything goes, as long as people can read it.

2. Be visually memorable. Have a visual hook.

Quick: Name the band where all the guys play wearing their street clothes!
Here's another opportunity to display your creativity and individuality. Instead, bands promote logos of clothing manufacturers and sports franchises.

Who's the singer who wears cowboy hats all the time (sure there's a few, but a few you can name). Who plays/played wearing glasses with thick, dark frames? (I can think of three, two guys one woman.) What band played wearing tailored suits and ties, and all had the same haircut?

If you look generic, you'll be perceived as generic. How do you feel about generic things? This is the entertainment business. Entertain! If you must wear Levi's and T-shirts like so many other bands, consider at least having the band name on the shirt.

3. Move around. Work the audience.

If you just get up and play, you're not much more than a juke box. Maybe a juke box filled with originals, but still not enthralling to watch. And jamming for each other on stage for prolonged periods is just plain rude.

Acknowledge the audience! Talk to the people. Move for the people. Be expressive. People want to know who you are. They want to like you. They want to see you having a good time. You set the mood of the house. You can be dim bulbs or neon lights. Which would you pay money to see?

Suggestions for Showcase Producers:

I wish whoever puts on a showcase would provide a scorecard, because we common folk (and particularly NEW fans) can't tell the players in the lineup without one. One way would be to give ticket holders a slip of paper with band names when tickets are taken. The bands should appear on paper in the order they play, and a brief description would help to identify each group (like number of members, whether women or men, odd instruments, musical style, whatever).

Another idea is to have the list in the form of a ballot, and invite audience members to vote for a favorite local group, where people could put one in a ballot box and take one home (they get two at ticket-taking time). Vote tallies could provide the opportunity for one last plug for the event when the results appear in local papers. Of course, bands will try to stuff the ballot box, which makes for good press and maybe greater attendance.

A simple "program" (8.5x11 paper folded in half) with band name, brief bio, and contact info would be even better. You might even give (or sell) promotion credits (or put ads) on the back. People want and need to know the names of the players. Help them to help you!

Ken Westover
e-mail: cliffcan@indra.com

 

 

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