Performance

The job of a singer is often to be the front-person for a band. Often, a singer/songwriter becomes the singular spokesperson and salesperson for their music. To many, this becomes an onerous, cringe-making activity, rather than the joy that public performance should and can be. Even if you consider yourself a songwriter or guitarist first and foremost, (rather than a singer) you’ll need to make the vocal delivery of the song your primary objective. In Aotearoa, we are quite a shy and reserved bunch by cultural definition. We tend to be uncomfortable with the brash, in-your-face razzmatazz of American ‘entertainers’ and the aloof, holier- than-thou ‘don’t you know who I am?’ stereotypes of Brit rock-Gods. Instead, we veer towards shoe-gazing with nothing to say between songs, making jokes about how nervous we are and/or how much we ‘suck’, under-rehearsing and blaming ‘lack of practice’ for substandard performances and at times, even getting angry at, or ignoring, an audience. No wonder Pearl Bailey said “it takes ten years to learn how to walk on stage”. Sadly, our discomfort at being ‘exposed’, or the centre of attention onstage my stem from the misperceived notion that, to be confident in your abilities and good at something, means that you’re arrogant, ‘up yourself’, too good, too tall a poppy or ‘showing off’. True, there are some people who relish being the centre of attention and seem to see it as their birthright to receive applause and recognition for what they do – regardless of their performance’s merit. Making assumptions like ‘extroverted performers are making up for a lack of substance’ or, ‘talented musicians need to be falsely humble and self deprecating’ is also dangerous. It is ‘ego’ that says we are less than others as well as ego that says we are better. Neither is true on a fundamental level. But, it helps to be realistic about what our strengths and weaknesses in live performance are. A good way to gage this is by videoing your gigs and/or reading the room (NB: this does not work if you are partially sighted like me!) ACDC still video and critique every gig! Think of the great live performances that you’ve attended and try to list the elements that worked well (e.g. how comfortably did the singer move onstage? were there costume changes? video backdrops? good intros and between song banter? were the rest of the band acknowledged and allowed to shine?) Did they mesmerize? Magnetize? hold attention? How were you made to feel? Were you offered an access into another world? You don’t have to become a totally different person onstage, but it helps if you can present a personality of some kind – either ‘you on a good day’ or, a more theatrical Bowie-esque character or persona. Note to the quiet/shy types: ‘broody and mysterious’ must be done incredibly well to engage an audience. Be 100% committed to putting on a show rather than just ‘getting through the gig’. Talking to the band instead of an audience is rude. It’s like turning your back on someone in conversation. Even if the clients of corporate gigs are ignoring you, the universe is still listening. Reading lyrics onstage is totally uncool too, you’re not a news anchor Few artists like to be told what to do. I’m lucky that I love to dress up and was complimented on my ‘frockage’ rather than being ‘told’ to make an effort with my appearance (clothing and make up are all tax deductible expenses lest we forget) so enjoy the ride! As Justin from The Darkness said, “If a job’s worth doing, it’s worth overdoing”. An attitude and presence of ‘command’, owning and delivering the songs is useful. Try pretending it’s the first time you’ve ever sung the song. It may very well be the first time someone is hearing it, so, you better clearly indicate to them why exactly that particular song is going to change their life and how each word is vital to the meaning and story of the song/spell. If a song isn’t going to change someone’s life, then why bother singing it? Especially if it’s a standard or cover version you’ve sung many times before, approach it with an open heart and mind and it will reveal itself and come out differently every time. There is no such thing as tired songs, just tired singers. You need to have loads of energy, even on the ballads. Anything more than a Redbull may be overkill. In those 3 to 5 hour long gigs, nervous energy can be harnessed and used rather trying to deaden it with drugs or alcohol (which can create a barrier between you and audience). The expression ‘the show must go on’ is particularly true when you are under the burdens of emotional tension and arduous circumstances. Bad sound is no excuse for a bad gig, neither is the claim that you ‘cannot hear yourself’ or were heckled. A great way to rise above destabilizing circumstances is to ‘lose yourself’ in the music and to chose someone specific to sing to. Anything else would be short changing the punters (even if you’re gigs are free!) Each time you perform you can learn something about what works and doesn’t work in relation to your voice, your stagecraft and your songs. Some gigs that changed my life were: Bjork, Jeff Buckley, Leonard Cohen, Gomez, Nick Cave, The Cult, GW Maclennan, Tori Amos, Cassandra Wilson, Paul Kelly, The Buzzcocks, Kasey Chambers, Dick Gaughan (to name a few!) ALL for different reasons. Yours? caitlin@caitlinsmith.com