Strategy Question

[BigBird]

I am starting a new band, and things seem to be going well. We've been playing for about a month together, already have about 5 songs completed but not perfected, and everything sounds really good.
We want to plan our first show (we would open for someone else with about 8 songs) for about a month from now, but I can't decide if this is a good idea. Like I said our songs are complete, but not perfect. We would like to play, but my concern is that if we play a bad show, no one will be interested in watching us again. I really don't want to give a bad first impression. I know when I see a band once, unless they really catch my attention, I never care to see them again. However, if I like them the first time I'll still respect a bad show of theirs and blame it on an off night. Do most people think the same way? DO you think its o.k to play a couple of shows where things aren't 100% ready just to get things moving. I mean we know the songs but things aren't yet perfect. However, to really poerfect things i bet would take about 5 months of regular practice.

Any opinions? My main reason is that I want to take my new band very seriously, and don't want to get a bad reputation, but I also want to play out as soon as possible.

Thanks,
-Bird

[Crimson Warlock]

There is no such thing as "perfect." Something will go wrong in every show, even for veteran bands. The difference is in how the band deals with them.

What is it that a band does to catch your attention? Is it their musicianship? Their stage show? Or do they appear to be regular people who are having a good time doing what they do?

If you can play through your material without serious problems, start playing gigs! Who cares if one chord here or there is flubbed, or if a lyric is forgotten? The key is not to freeze, not to focus on mistakes, and to play as if you meant to do that.

Cover up for each other's mistakes, but don't draw attention to them. The audience is 90% unlikely to notice mistakes unless YOU make them aware of them.

[Outkaster]

I would agree with Crimson up there. The way to deal with mistakes is play through them with confidence. If you do it with authority than some people may not notice. Remember more often than not people do not necceasrily notice if you made a mistake, its just how you come out of it

When you start gigging it really takes a long time to get better and tighter unless the musicians are seasoned. One thing that happens is your so focused at hanging on that any song can become a train wreck. I used to have to cover a guitarists mistakes who could not remember what key the song was in and it ended up being one more thing to do. I mean you do not want to be covering peoples mistakes but getting out there and playing a lot will give you the confidence to deal with crowd, money, equipment and anything else that has to do with gigging it just takes time.:)

[TeleScreamer]

You'll never be good enough to gig until you really start to gig. That's what I think.

What we did in the beginning:

- we always played as open acts, like you said. Sometimes we supported bands that were WORST than us on stage. That was a good thermometer.

- We did some gigs on places that were not so popular (outdoor art festivals, hotrod meetings and some other events where music was not the main thig around), so there was not many people watching. Of course it was not very very cool, but those 3 gigs were good enough to get used to stage things (setups, sound equalization, our presence on stage, etc).

We called this our "secret gigs" or "onstage rehearsals". We never called many people, only people who could give us some decent feedback after the gig.

It worked for us, maybe it will work for you. Just .02

[Outkaster]

Originally posted by BigBird
I am starting a new band, and things seem to be going well. We've been playing for about a month together, already have about 5 songs completed but not perfected, and everything sounds really good.
We want to plan our first show (we would open for someone else with about 8 songs) for about a month from now, but I can't decide if this is a good idea. Like I said our songs are complete, but not perfect. We would like to play, but my concern is that if we play a bad show, no one will be interested in watching us again. I really don't want to give a bad first impression. I know when I see a band once, unless they really catch my attention, I never care to see them again. However, if I like them the first time I'll still respect a bad show of theirs and blame it on an off night. Do most people think the same way? DO you think its o.k to play a couple of shows where things aren't 100% ready just to get things moving. I mean we know the songs but things aren't yet perfect. However, to really poerfect things i bet would take about 5 months of regular practice.

Any opinions? My main reason is that I want to take my new band very seriously, and don't want to get a bad reputation, but I also want to play out as soon as possible.

Thanks,
-Bird

I also wanted to add that I have a bunch of new competant musicians but they need to become a band. It came up last week after a show, people were worried about mistakes. We were sitting around and going over a show I told them it takes time. Im also told these guys that we can practice in the basement forever but playing out, getting tight and learning to work off each other musically takes time.

[discount star]

True, there is nothing like getting your feet wet in front of a live audience. I agree a band can really gel with stage experience. However, I think it is important the band feels confident when you DO go out and play live. I know you're itching to gig but it may be wise in waiting an extra month or so to tie up loose ends, such as beginnings and endings that can really make a difference in a live performance. If you are opening for another local act, you should take that stage KNOWING you are a tighter band than them. Also, keep your setlist short. While it is fun to play and jam, leave the audience wanting more. Best of luck.:cool:

[norskhostfest]

ABSOLUTELY START PLAYING GIGS! there is nothing like experience. plus, my band lived by the "EARN WHILE YOU LEARN" mantra! but, as was pointed out earlier, sometimes taking a few gigs in off-the-beaten-path venues is a good way to iron out kinks and get used to things without looking stupid in front of many people.