datamusicata

I am still on Orcas Island and will be doing a show tonight which I will talk about on Monday. Last year my show here was standing room only, so we’ve moved it to a larger space, but I still want that SRO thing, so I am doing all that I can.

We put up posters in all the places we could and, in an effort to get even more people to come to the show tonight, I even went out to do this open mic, which is what I want to talk about.

The show was to start at 8 pm, but the fellow running it decided to wait as the room had not filled up. First mistake. If you are the host and the shows are advertised to start at 8, then start them at 8. If there is no one there, then the folks that were hoping to see you will definitely be on time for the next show.

Last night the host wanted to do a set before the open mic, so he waited until he thought that there were enough people for him to entertain. Second mistake. The best way to reach the audience, as the host, is to intersperse your songs throughout the evening. You will hit more of the audience that way, and you make the other performers feel better about their slot.

If you have a sign up sheet for the performers, put it in an obvious place with a sign that points to it and make periodic announcements before the show that there is a sign up sheet and tell them where it is.

Another very important thing to mention is that you would appreciate courtesy to the performers. Suggest that if folks would like to talk, that they take a table at the back of the room, thereby allowing the people who actually want to hear the music to be able to do so.

And don’t forget to suggest to the musicians that they extend the courtesy that they themselves would like to receive to the performers that are on before them and request that everyone stay the entire evening, not just play and take their entourage and leave. That’s bad form, rude and also doesn’t serve anyone. You learn from every performer you watch. Is there anyone who already knows it all and doesn’t have any more to learn?

Last night there was a band that sat right next to the stage. They were going to go on last and so they had to wait to perform. They talked so loudly during my set (and during which time the entire rest of the room was quiet) that I could not hear the guitar in my lap.

To me they demonstrated that they were not only rude, but unprofessional. They missed the opportunity to learn from a person who has been doing this for almost fifty years.  Even though I have been doing thisfor so long, I still learn from every single person I listen to. It is part of how you get better. Not to mention simple courtesy and sensitivity to other people. Now back to what you can do as host to make things better.

Advise all the performers to please get their instruments out of their cases and have them tuned and prepared before the next act is announced. That way there is an actual flow of music and momentum instead of the disorganized and unprofessional mayhem that could ensue.

One of the easiest ways to do this, as the host, is to start the show, sing a song or two at the most, then introduce the first performer. Then while the first performer is on the stage, you locate the next performer and make certain that he is prepared. If there is more than a simple performer change, then do another song and talk to the audience while this change is taking place. That way the entertainment never stops and the focus stays on the stage.

Which brings up another point. After an hour or so of open mic people, take a five minute break. This allows folks to use the facilities and to buy more food and drink. The owner will be pleased as punch.  Do this every hour, just for five or ten minutes.   It will make everything work better.

Remember, your job as the host, is to make the whole show go smoothly and in an entertaining fashion. You do this and the crowds will grow and the owner will be pleased and you will make MORE money. And you will gain invaluable experience about putting a show together and making it work. Arc, momentum, destination, arrival; these are all things that you take into account even at an open mic.