How To Talk Onstage Between Songs

[@BenIrvine11]

Im totally confident to sing and play guitar onstage, but the talking between songs is what i cant do

[@rebornstillborn]

Me too man, it's nuts. During a song I have zero fear and go balls to the wall with everything (punk band) but between the songs I feel like an awkward kid.

[@concernedcitizen3579]

I'm a lead singer in a band, who puts all the pressure on me to fill awkward silences. It's frustrating because there are gigs where there is no crowd or a few people who aren't engaged and that's when the silences are awkward. When the crowd is engaged I can think of all kinds of stuff but coming up with something to talk to a crowd of random individuals is hard for me. It's amazing because I've seen bands where the guitar player or bass or even the drums engages the crowd but with my band it's all on me. The other tricky part is my presense and talent in the band is the only reason we are getting numerous gigs at New venues. They were playing the same 3 dive bars before I was in the band to no crowds. The bass player will turn to me in awkward silences and remind me how there is dead air as if I didn't know lol anywayshad to vent that. It's frustrating not being able to bullshit off the top of my head.

[@iawhitaker]

It's easier than you think. Just say something like "the bar staff look like they could be working harder". Or if the audience are being boring start tapping your mic and say "is this thing on"?

[@ashleyfaye6048]

Exactly why I’m here 😂 I know how to perform but I’m a big introvert so talking is like 😅

[@jimtalltheislandbrothers6639]

@@concernedcitizen3579 It is possible that they are looking to you because they feel since your arrival in the group things have progressed and secretly they all know it is because of what you do. Take it as a compliment and work on it. I agree it is hard especially if the crowd is dead.

[@lowellirish]

"CAN YOU HEAR ME OUT THERRRRRRREEEEE?!!"... Ummm, yeah dude, there's only 14 people in the pub, and we're 12 feet away! 🤣🤣🤣

[@ColtonJohnsonBrice09]

"I didn't get a wink of sleep last night, women were bangin on my door all night long, I finally got tired unlocked the door and let them out" Works every time..

[@Scott_McNamara]

“ it feels like you’re working without a net, but the fall isn’t that far”. Brilliant

[@havable]

Here's a good tip for getting used to talking on stage: take a drama class. That way you have to talk without hiding behind your music. It will build those skills, especially if you can get into improv theater.

[@goljom]

Dont talk, don't try to be, just spread your stuff like an unstoppable madman, invite the audience in your crazy universe.

[@samramjam]

so the singer in my band was getting his guitar set up between songs and for some reason i asked the crowd of like 40-50 people if they wanted to hear a joke (i had nothing in mind) so i said the first thing that came to mind and said the interrupting cow joke and it scared a couple people in the front. never doing that again 💀💀

[@seabreeze3906]

Excellent tips. I saw @Wanderers perform, one of the cymbals broke, during a song. The sax player left the stage, came back with a bag of new cymbals, and the drummer installed the new cymbal, while still playing. Band kept up the energy, business as usual, and dealt with the tech problem, without drawing attention to it.

[@azmike3572]

There's a clip of B.B. King actually telling a short story while he changes a broken string himself!

[@checkedoff]

Thanks! To me good stage banter helps distinguish between "people good at playing music" and "professional musicians". I like the examples. Would be fun to see an entire video of actual bad stage banter or the artist not saying anything breaking down how it affects the crowd's experience.

[@jondanque7]

So my band and I had our first casino gig last Saturday. Guess what happened? There was some dead air in between songs. I think we did pretty well. People were dancing and clapping after every song. But the manager told us that i (the vocalist) looked nervous on stage and couldn't handle the crowd. I wasn't nervous at all. I just ran out of things to say in between songs.lol. Thanks for this video. This will surely help me to do better on our next gig!

[@CraftyMusicTips]

Good stuff. Sometimes it’s good to start the next song straight away just for pacing reasons but also to break up the chatter. Having to think about filling up the dead air may come across like you’re trying to, but having said that: it’s a great exercise in doing so, and the more you do it the more you’ll get comfortable in the process. Keep up the good work!

[@aaronjademusic5197]

GREAT information! For several years, I’ve played as a solo acoustic act for Beach bars and such and realized that the vacationers weren’t there for me. I was basically background noise. I could 5 songs deep without a single clap. So I became numb to have ANY interaction. However, just last week I scored 2 big shows further inland and now I’m learning about stage presence. I’ve got a lot to learn but I’m more confident after watching your video. Thank you!

[@havable]

In my town, a sign of respect is that the audience isn't talking over you in the bar. They are *way* too cool to clap. But if they're quiet you know you got them.

[@garyjohnstonemusic]

Been there man. Here in Scotland, playing the late night bar/club scene bands get zero applause or even response unless you coax it out of them. You sometimes need to be an amazing musician AND part stand up comedian in order to stand out at all. Competition is fierce, but it's all fun 😁

[@scottastill865]

Cool info. 👍 I always struggle with talking. It’s out of my comfort zone, but I know I should do it more. I’ve worked on it for ages, and occasionally nail it, but it’s an ongoing process.

[@CraftyMusicTips]

Indeed... Glad it was helpful mate - keep it up!

[@worsethanhitlerpt.2539]

Its good to make an anectdote about an obscure song before you play it. Then people might pay more attention. Then again I never gave a shit about the audience their response is never a good indicator of how well I played

[@mathewmolk2089]

@@worsethanhitlerpt.2539 The audience is the reason you are there. You better give a shit about how they like you or you will not be there again.

[@tylermoore6675]

As a songwriter, guitarist, and singer, I appreciate all the tips in this video. Thanks for posting!

[@kelly2558]

I’m doing weekly open mic’s right now as a springboard to music career of some fashion and I have found that when I make a comment where I try to sound cool but I’m actually out on a limb I always sense I’m being called on it. I find the most comfortable thing is to just be authentic and keep it brief. Over time, I might make the comments longer or more in depth but it will be most important to be authentic, like the songs I choose.

[@havable]

Scored a gig at North By Northwest in 1996. We played at this Pizza joint that wasn't really set up as a venue, and their lights went out. We happened to have a bunch of candles on hand so we put them up all over the stage and carried on. Wound up missing half of our 1/2 hour set but we managed to get it rolling despite the panic. I was talking the whole time but I don't remember what about.

[@jackwilloughby239]

I think it's good to take a page or two from Comedians, not just Jay Leno or Richard Prior, but since the days of Vaudeville, there was always a comedian to warm up the audience. They later were absorbed into the MC job. But for a long-time comedians opened for Miles Davis, and a lot of Rock Concerts back in the day had Comedian Opener's, so the old time Musicians kind of had firsthand experience at how to make an audience laugh and relax. Every band has a natural comedian in it, or a straight man like Paul Shafer. So really all you got to do is banter with the bandmates sometimes, natural path of least resistance.

[@robnoxious8594]

I like saying "Thank you, Louisville and goodnight" after the first song, regardless of what town I'm in.

[@craighoyer6543]

I was a sideman/solo for 10 years and then found myself a band leader. It was a 4-piece group that did some original arrangements of top-40 tunes. I played keys/key bass, and M____ played guitar/sax. There was a lead singer who was a beautiful young lady, and a drummer. We all sang. There were always instrument and setting changes and stuff to do between songs, so I not only wrote set lists, but assigned the between-songs patter to each band member individually. I suggested they tell jokes or personal anecdotes or audience interaction or just be aware and silent. Later on I was in a band that used National Enquirer articles reaction between songs. Very fun.

[@JordanLennon]

Awesome work brother, thanks for having me on :)

[@rewIndustry]

ladies and gentlemen, i have suffered for my music, now it's your turn -- neil innes

[@okeifheron637]

It’s my first time learning about set list

[@kepps]

I appreciate this video...though I never had issues speaking in front of a crowd..it's important to me to have some structure to know or at least have an idea what I'm going to say whether on or off script. Big up👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 great video

[@topnotch4564]

"Be Present!!!!!!!!!" Love it!!!!!!

[@thommann8732]

That was great! I run a high school rock band and I was looking for a clip like this to help the vocalists with their onstage banter, and what you have put together here is perfect!! Also nice to see Jordan , we played a gig in Adelaide few months back, he used to a gun!

[@ChrisScian]

Narrated in a very sincere way., and the way the points were laid out with interviews and comedic material made for an interesting and entertaining video.

[@mathewmolk2089]

Remember the crows is the reason you are there. Treat them like friends,,,,,Talk to the crowd the same way you talk to a guy (or girl) sitting next to you at the bar. ---- Even if it's scripted make it seem natural. - Remember laugh and the world laughs with you. - Cry and you cry alone. STAY UPBEAT! (And for God sake don't spend 5 minutes between songs tuning guitars and turning pages in your cheat book and deciding what song to do next. STICK TO THE SET LIST or you are going to have a 14K train wreak. One more time, Make it seem natural and spontaneous,

[@jkerman5113]

I love the Grateful Dead's stage banter, especially in their old 1966 tapes. Never occurred to me that there was an art to it. Also, I saw a band one time and in between *every* song they've read out a ChatGPT-generated joke about laundry. It was real silly but the crowd loved it. Or you can just be Chuck Berry - "EVERYBODY SAY 'OLE!'"

[@diogoalmeida4115]

I would compile in this sentence. Practice at home that you're on stage. Imagine with all of the confidence how you'd interact with the audience (be realistic). On stage do the same. Now I know that on stage is completely different and u get nervous. But remember that the audience doesn't control you. YOU are the performer, YOU controll them. So command the crowd. You don't need to be very dramatic. You can only say hi, ask if they can say it back, introduce the band, say some stupid shit, even if you dont get a good answer, do it with confidence

[@irenapvp5365]

Great video, thanks a lot! You really put work into it and it shows!

[@joelglaser5657]

Excellent! Thank you for sharing.

[@ShawnWilkieMusic]

Best part of this video was the practice side of things, but also presence.. Cool.

[@colauty2598]

Whatever you do it's gotta be done with confidence in yourself, making audience feel part of your act gets them part way to being somewhat forgiving, rambling unfunny jokes a NO NO, this vid makes a lot of sense, nice one !!

[@worsethanhitlerpt.2539]

Onstage you should be aloof but not a total asshole. Dont kiss ass to the crowd they will turn on you

[@colauty2598]

@@worsethanhitlerpt.2539 Totally agree about kissing ass, but nothing wrong with engaging with the crowd, Beatles did it ?

[@worsethanhitlerpt.2539]

@@colauty2598 Engage the crowd but dont be a cheesy dork constantly talking to them. Never do tired cliche things like "should I play an original or a Cover???"

[@colauty2598]

@@worsethanhitlerpt.2539 Totally agree !!

[@mathewmolk2089]

@@worsethanhitlerpt.2539 If yuoy playing there for money it's obvious that particular audience is not into originals. = Kind of hard to get them singing along with a tune they never heard before.-

[@Lanman106]

Fantastic tips! I hope to cut my teeth on some live shows this year and I don’t want to fall apart in between songs. Lol.

[@ginamaria3570]

Veryyyy helpful! Thank you!

[@stevefeatherston4977]

Thanks for the tips!

[@justcount]

Yes very helpful , found I'm doing some of thoes already , good ones work Thank you for all the tips ... Count

[@patricianaggayi8397]

Thanks for this

[@jimbowithit]

This is good and entertaining!

[@KevinKlampe-zu7pi]

It was very helpful, appreciate it!!!! ❤ Thank You!!!!

[@MustafaBaabad]

Thank you! Cheers from Indonesia.

[@allisononyoutube5794]

Absolutely helpful! Thank you ❤

[@thaddeusvergeldedios6190]

Thank you so much! This is gold.🙏🍻

[@edlist9213]

Great video. Very helpful. Thank you.

[@mariawil888]

love this

[@darlenecarruthers-shelton837]

Thank You

[@lyricalreignmusic]

Great video! Talking is definitely the hardest part for me but it definitely gets easier with time!😊 Far from perfect but easier!😂

[@tyjuarez]

I saw WAR live. They adapt the spoken parts of Spill The Wine to be city-specific, and it sounds like a cheesy thing to do but it's so hype in person.

[@prschuster]

I try to remember something about each song I can say. If you have a quick wit, sometimes a one liner comes to you.

[@AL92660]

Good info. Thank you!!

[@TheSingingDoctor325]

This was very hgelpful - thank you.

[@SoraiaLMotta]

thank you

[@goldacunit9464]

Good video!

[@artemisdarkslayer]

Talking between songs is definitely something I need to work on.

[@RadnaMusic]

This was really really helpful

[@telecasterbear]

I grew up just playing cover songs and not worrying about talk between songs. I don't look for that when I go to see a band. Some people want to hear talk. Silence is ok, said the nice red bear.

[@pedroarellano4266]

Thanks, mate!

[@artbyporschia]

Wow! So well done, thank you!

[@andysmith6156]

I have been doing this fulltime for 40 years and I'm awful at this. HELP!!!! I'm all ears.....

[@crafttonez]

great tips , thank you

[@joequintana5546]

I use a lot of comedy in between songs but I have a bit of a dilemma. I live in Puerto Rico and Spanish is my second language. As much as I can actually speak enough Spanish to hold a personal conversation, I have not been able to successfully speak Spanish to my audience because I stumble on words, pronunciation, and fluidity. When I perform at Resorts, Hotels, and Tourist Areas I can speak English and everything flows perfectly and I can get the audience involved by making them laugh and sing along and dance. I make it a fun show. But when I have a Spanish speaking audience it is so unnatural for me to speak and I feel I become boring because I don't have the same dynamic strength as I would if I could just speak English.

[@microwaveableselfie3421]

Just yell more and smile, mispronunciation/accent is attractive and memorable

[@johnmaoriroyalmusic3797]

I talk about the song, the lyrics, the dark lyrics, the lyrics of light. Sometimes I tell a story about changing the lyrics of a cover, eg. Springsteens i'm on Fire, I tell the audience that I can't sing, Hey lil girl is your daddy home, na not for me. talk about life, make it fun, be fun, feel the fun. Practice at work, on the bus, in front of family, practice talking and talk from the heart.

[@brainstormingredligh]

If everyone wants to have a master class in talking in between songs what's John Farnham concerts he's amazing at it he's a total natural

[@MarkellosVicente]

👏👏👏👏!!! 🎉

[@dbass4973]

go to a nearest theatrical masterclass or just pay for a couple of months of the actual acting/performing training you don't need to become Ryan Gosling, they'll just show you the basics and it will be more than enough. you'll have more overall 'stage presence' as well

[@KingMedulla]

Great content by all standards. Keep doing the good work What's the name of the cartoon? can someone help me find the name? It's really funny

[@tinekewolfswinkel1164]

Steven Tyler is The Simpsons, but there is also a shot from Southpark

[@jeffsworkshop]

Thanks for all the tips, public speaking isn’t easy. I can sing and play freely but talking to the crowd is just a bitch for me.

[@jadelesidi]

Q have you ever considered doing stand up bc you are hilarious 🤣 Sidebar: That Fyre Festival guy is bold af 😆

[@CherylG-e6p]

I'm worried cause I'm a bit of hard of hearing, what if i miss what someone in rhe audience calls out like good banter but i miss the joke then will come the dead silence

[@IlliaLevchenko]

Thank you!

[@Soulcritic]

The vow of silence, works! I don't want you to talk between songs! The Grateful Dead never talked between songs, it took them 20 minutes to pick the next song! GD are the biggest cult band in America! Legions of Deadheads!

[@throckmortensnivel2850]

When in doubt, shut up and play. One way to learn how to talk to an audience is to go out to poetry slams, or stand-up comic nights. A lot depends also on the situation. Playing in a bar on Friday night, you won't make any friends by trying to talk to the audience. They don't care about you, and they don't want you interfering with their table chat. Once you become famous, no problem. People will then be more receptive to your between song talk. If you really want to get a rise out of the audience, make fun of someone's date. That works. You might consider employing a little muscle, just in case. Doug Bennett, from Doug and the Slugs, did that all the time. I had a conversation with the guy who used to protect him, and asked him if it had ever got dicey. He told me once, in a small town, a guy with a good load of alcohol, got a bit aggressive, but the best bouncers don't bounce, they calm the situation, and he did. So try it out, but be careful.

[@LochlannK]

I’m a complete rookie at this. Playing and singing is already nerve wrecking, talking…oh my goodness, I’m gonna be sick.

[@mathewmolk2089]

Over 60 years playing for money.....Everybody has stage fright when they first start out,,,,,and get used to it. It still happens to me every now and again after literally hundreds and hundreds of gigs . Remember, without that audience you would not be there. They are your best friends, Treat them like that,,,,,You are n different then anybody else so get ou there and entertain the audience!.

[@iansavage1666]

Nothing else than four band members all talking at the same time

[@seabreeze3906]

@@iansavage1666 yes, silence is better than that

[@GaryMeadowsMusic]

I usually just want to hear the music, not all of talking. Sometimes, a little about the next song.

[@asksocial7281]

Chris Martin from Coldplay is the best at all time at doing this

[@letrichiebe]

Blink 182 they are natural comedians Mark Hoppus and Tom Delonge. There’s banter can go too far but that’s what makes it funny

[@lorenazure7116]

If the band Im playing has a gaff kf sorts, I tend to announce as a bit of humor to the audience by saying...dont try this at home folks, we are professionals!

[@soundslikejuliet]

wish u had included a female frontwoman too but this was v helpful!! thanks for the encouragement & experience

[@CraftyMusicTips]

My fav 2 females in this context are @katemillerheidke and @sarabarellies

[@abouttheedge4152]

'Nobody's going to die if i say the wrong thing' I dont know about that in 2024.... allso. Me. I might die. From embarrassment 😅

[@M.RiskiAbadi-zd3jr]

Huyy😮😢😢😢

[@mabellatfishingblues5381]

Struggle here

[@seabreeze3906]

#jordan lennon

[@YourFavoriteJudy]

Pro tip: say something racist and the crowd will go wild and never forget you

[@DAnthony14]

Lmfaoooo I just screamed 🤣🤣🤣 thank you so much for this 🤣🤣 I was having a rough day 🤮

[@kailaniandi]

Don't say anything. Never tune your instrument when on stage(if you must, do it quietly). No one likes that 'song'. You're welcome

[@buskman3286]

If you never tune (guitar) on stage, then at some point you will be out of tune! BUT mute the guitar output (if plugged in) or step away from the guitar mic when tuning.

[@chucklesm2391]

Be like Jerry Garcia and say NOTHING.

[@johnqpublic2013]

Banter has always been a waste of everyone's time. Keep your set crisp and tight. They come to hear the music, not your yawn.

[@izzey0729]

depends

[@lucymorrison]

this person has never been to a Tegan and Sara show

[@buskman3286]

I disagree. Use banter just as you decide which song to use based on the audience. Sure, if you're a famous performer, playing to a regular setlist is fine but if not, you actively adjust the set based on audience reaction. Do the same with talking. Sometimes you might do an entire set with no talking sometimes you talk a bit (not more than, say, a minute) between songs occasionally - NOT between each song. You adjust the songs AND the talking to fit the situation.

[@onechord1837]

Thank you!!

[@pedroarellano4266]

Thanks, mate!!

[@ishmamulfarhadelin]

Thank you ❤️