Photo by Marcus Neto on Unsplash
If you want to make a big impression on stage, then you have to treat yourself like a brand. Your goal should be to figure out what your customers want and then deliver it. Your customers, in this case, is the audience and what they want is to be entertained.
This means that simply playing your instrument probably won’t cut it. After all, if the audience simply wanted to hear you play, then they would have just listened to the recorded version of your songs. They obviously came to experience something more, and that’s what you’re supposed to give them. Of course, this doesn’t mean that your set has to be as wild as The Who’s controversial “My Generation” performance in 1967. The goal is to simply to make it as entertaining as you possibly can.
Start with the right gear
Needless to say, getting the right kind of guitar is one of the most important things you need to consider. After all, if your instrument prevents you from playing properly, then no amount of on-stage gimmicks could ever make up for it. Besides, string musicians are already prone to injuries anyway due to the way their instruments have to be played. The last thing you want is to get injured simply because you picked a guitar that you can’t play comfortably.
Next on the list are your secondary tools like your guitar strap, cables and effects. Of course, if you’re playing an unplugged or classical set, then you’ll need a reliable guitar chair or stool as well. The cool thing about these things is that they come in all sorts of shapes, colors, and sizes so you can use them as accessories to add to your overall vibe on stage. The only limit to the effect that you can create is your imagination (and budget).
Dress the part
What does Daft Punk, Jimi Hendrix and Bob Marley have in common? They all have strong personal branding, which makes them memorable to audiences. Aside from the type of songs that they put out, the way they dress and present themselves makes it immediately clear to people what they are all about.
What about you? Does the way you currently present yourself help you create the image that you are looking to portray? If the answer is no, then now’s a good time to start shopping for clothes and accessories that would help you do so. After all, if it worked for some of the biggest names in the industry, then it should work for you too.
Have fun
At the end of the day, however, the most important thing is still enjoying what you do. If playing on stage makes you genuinely happy, then you won’t even have to make a conscious effort to deliver an impactful performance. Everything will just flow naturally and your audience will surely love you for it.
