Whether you’re a veteran in the industry or an up and coming act trying to improve their live performances, you will know the importance of being calm and comfortable on stage in front of a large audience.
You can never have too much practice or advice so hopefully these tips will help you along to completing a performance that has people talking for months if not years.
Preparation
What you do before the show is critical to its success. Most artists have a routine they religiously follow so consider compiling your own. Some useful tips include;
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water before your performance and making sure you’ve had a good night’s sleep.
- Try not to eat within an hour of going on stage. Some professionals also completely avoid consuming dairy products on the day.
- You are going to be expending a lot of energy over the course of the show so make sure your body is prepared.
- Warm up your vocal chords by performing a range of notes beforehand. Tenor to alto and then up to the first soprano usually works.
The 10 Second Rule
It has been said that the first and last 10 seconds of any show can make or break your entire performance. We would tend to agree so make sure that you start strong – this would be the worst time for you to make a mistake. Once you’ve found your rhythm and the crowd have settled in you can begin to relax.
Use the Space Available to You
The only reason you have to sit or stand in one space is if you’re performing a hypnotic acapella that requires you to really concentrate on your vocals.
Your audience will be far more engaged with you if they have to follow you around the stage. There is no need to go overboard unless you’re performing an energetic dance routine but anything is better than standing still.
Be Aware of Your Body Language
This is the biggest clue for your audience on how you’re feeling throughout your performance. If you’re performing an emotional ballad then that emotion should shine through and be visible in your movements and facial expressions.
Don’t be afraid to open up and really connect with your audience by maintaining eye contact. Also remember to maintain good posture at all times as it will help with your vocals.
Perfect Your Backing Track
If you’re going to be using one then it needs to be perfect. You should know it inside out so that you’re not caught off guard on the day. If your backing track needs work then ask around to find information on great backing tracks and where to buy them. Thousands can be found online so you’re sure to find something suitable for use.
As we said at the beginning, the more you practise the more confident you’ll become and this will become noticeable in your stage presence and the quality of your performances. In no time at all you’ll be giving Jimi Hendrix a run for his money.