How not to do a live goth/industrial show...
After a few years of seeing new bands completely miss the boat on this, I figured it was time to post.
1) Unless you are one of the top 3 industrial bands in the scene, it is NOT acceptable to hit the stage an hour after the posted performance time. You're not that important, people will not stay and wait, you should be glad we showed up to begin with, freakin' play already.
2) No amount of lighting, fog, costuming, fake blood, strobes, projectors, or army nets will make up for a lack of talent or rehearsal. If you can't get up on stage with yourself and your instrument ONLY and sell it to the crowd, then you're not giving a true performance. Special effects will wow and amaze the audience for all of three minutes, and then you've got another 42 minutes to add something more substantial to your show. Spend more time on your writing and rehearsals...only add in the theatrics when you don't need them anymore.
3) Seven minute long intros featuring cliche samples and spooky music only serve to bore the audience.
4) Make eye contact. I spent time and money to come see you play, and I'm standing five feet away from the stage...and you're acting like I'm not there. Fine, I'll stay home next time.
5) If you don't know how to properly use your equipment, then it shouldn't be on stage with you.
6) About 90% of musicians are not talented enough to submix from stage. Chances are, you're in that category, so let the sound man do his job already.
7) Soundcheck. Seriously.
8) There are some exceptions to all of the rules above. Chances are, you're not one of them.
1) Unless you are one of the top 3 industrial bands in the scene, it is NOT acceptable to hit the stage an hour after the posted performance time. You're not that important, people will not stay and wait, you should be glad we showed up to begin with, freakin' play already.
2) No amount of lighting, fog, costuming, fake blood, strobes, projectors, or army nets will make up for a lack of talent or rehearsal. If you can't get up on stage with yourself and your instrument ONLY and sell it to the crowd, then you're not giving a true performance. Special effects will wow and amaze the audience for all of three minutes, and then you've got another 42 minutes to add something more substantial to your show. Spend more time on your writing and rehearsals...only add in the theatrics when you don't need them anymore.
3) Seven minute long intros featuring cliche samples and spooky music only serve to bore the audience.
4) Make eye contact. I spent time and money to come see you play, and I'm standing five feet away from the stage...and you're acting like I'm not there. Fine, I'll stay home next time.
5) If you don't know how to properly use your equipment, then it shouldn't be on stage with you.
6) About 90% of musicians are not talented enough to submix from stage. Chances are, you're in that category, so let the sound man do his job already.
7) Soundcheck. Seriously.
8) There are some exceptions to all of the rules above. Chances are, you're not one of them.