There are many delights that come along with teaching my music biz class at the College of Charleston, but one of the coolest things I've gotten to do recently is see my students play shows with their bands. I'm fortunate enough to have a class chock full of talent, but it's been great to do something I haven't gotten to do in some time - walk into a venue to see a band I've never heard before and walk out thinking that I can't wait until the next gig. The whole thing has been a big reminder of the jaw-dropping, knee-buckling, oh-wow-I-love-this-amazing-band power of live music.
Now, I say all the time on that playing live is the best thing you can do for your music career - and well, it is! However, many a musician has ducked the stage, thinking that someday a time will come when they are convinced they can play the perfect show. The thing is, that day will never come - and what is a perfect show anyway? A perfect show isn't about hitting every note, playing in your dream venue or playing with the perfect bill. A perfect show is instead really about playing like you mean it - and convincing everyone in the room that you really do. Think about your own fav shows. I bet of all the things you love about those gigs, you never once say, "and no one made a single mistake!"
Does that mean that you should start booking shows when you don't even have a set? Nope. But it does mean that once you've got the songs, you can't hide them away forever. If you're waiting out playing live until all of the stars align just so, well, stop it. Book a show, get out there and start showing everyone what you're all about. Your fans-to-be will thank you for it.
Not convinced? Consider these five reasons you need to be in front of the crowd.
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