It’s been a while since I’ve performed live with a band. I did a few house concerts last year; acoustic shows with me and my guitar telling a bunch of people reclining on couches and pillows about my songs and entertaining them…sound easy?
Not really.
I’ve performed on a stage since I was fifteen. I always thought I could get away with having some great songs and being able to knock people out with the power of my voice.
Yeah, it might work for people who know me and are already fans, but what about those who don’t have a clue about my live capabilities? My live shows, because they are rock shows have lots of energy. Whether it’s me and my delivery or the energy  between me and my band on stage; that’s a given…but what about the connection with the audience?
As I was planning the release of Monsters, I came across a dude named Tom Jackson who’s a live performance coach. I was arrogant enough to think…WTF? I’ve been performing for twenty years; I know what I’m doing…I don’t need help….but then that little insecure voice reared its ugly head…but what if you do? So defensive as all hell, I watched a clip of one of Tom’s videos. In that minute or so, I was so intrigued I immediately ordered the set…the echoes of the great Kiss shows I had seen the month before fresh in my mind.
Not only did I watch Kiss perform, I watched them closely. No, it has nothing to do with my huge lovecrush for Paul Stanley (although it didn’t hurt). I watched their movements and their actions, and I don’t know if their whole show is choreographed (and I use that term loosely, it’s rock and roll after all), but seeing two of their shows within weeks of each other, I noticed similarities between the two. But, with that being said, within each song were “moments” that took my breath away. I knew they had been doing something right when Lee, my other half, who is definitely not a Kiss fan (so he says), couldn’t stop talking about the shows for days afterward (I actually caught him listening to my Sonic Boom CD the other day, although he denies it).
I know Kiss are master performers, so I wondered if all the flashpots and fire and platforms and platform boots and hairy chest…oops I mean great music didn’t bias me just a little bit. So I set out to do some research. I bought a Bryan Adams live at Budokan dvd. I love Bryan yes, but his stage show is night and day to Kiss (I’ve seen him live twice). But…watching him, and being a little more educated from the TJ dvds, I was blown away. Bryan’s an amazing performer. Then I watched the closing ceremonies of the Olympics…lots of different acts; lots of huge stage stuff, and one performer who will remain nameless, left me so cold by her 2 song performance (and they were big hits, high energy songs) I needed to go stoke the wood stove and get the dog to snuggle up to me under my binkie blanket. Unfortunately, most of the acts were like that for me, and I was keeping an open mind this time I was wanting them to entertain me. But several things happened, although the songs were great, and the musicianship excellent, there was no connection with the audience. Too manic…too boring. I could go on. I was yelling at the tv…go see Tom.
You are so fortunate to be up there…and you suck!
I thought back to all the acts I saw over the years and wondered why some stuck out and some bored me…Kid Rock for example…I am not a big fan. I find a lot of his lyrics offensive, but Lee is a huge fan, so I got him tickets when KR was in town. OMFG. I was blown away. Yes, his band was awesome, yes, the guy can entertain (he’s actually pretty sexy in a dirty sort of way), but he worked it. I don’t know what he did (well I could if I dissected it), but he hooked me.
But as a performer myself, the best thing of all was those shows left me excited and inspired for my own show, and as I learn from Tom and incorporate his tips into my own show, I feel even more inspired.
I hate rehearsing, it sucks. For me it’s like pulling teeth. I know the songs, the band knows the songs, let’s get ‘er done…but now, as I plan my stage show more carefully, and think about how each song is going to dictate those moments in the show, I am pumped. I am so excited to take it out there. My idea is not to just perform, but make it an experience my audience and I will never forget, so they will come back to see me again and again.
