How to RULE THE STAGE!!! | SpectreSoundStudios

[@Gongasoso]

"We want a performance that's going to inspire people, to go home, pick up their instruments, and practice." This is your best advice ever.

[@michaelolz]

I loved that. That was great!

[@Ppstate32]

"Drummers, that's 1 2 3 4 + 1 more" I'm dead

[@Morgan3000]

zan colja I’m a drummer and I think his is funny as hell

[@roykhau3675]

"oh hey everyone, thanks for coming to the show" - Rob Scallon

[@marcmercader2627]

He is badass

[@sergioavila6232]

I read this as Glen was saying that😂

[@BeatsAndMeats]

Here's a tip I learned from Tim Sweeney that revolutionized my last bands live performances: Put up mirrors in your practice room in front of you, so you can see what you look like when you're playing. It's better than video cuz you can work on things in real time. And it teaches you to stop looking at your instruments all the time. Total game changer and it costs very little money.

[@TheOmnisProject]

That’s actually a really good idea

[@gaminggeek3030]

Nice advice dude, thxs a lot. 👍

[@JA-ut8fi]

Dude that’s genius, just like how dancers dance in front of a mirror, same thing!

[@amamediaq]

Last thing Glenn said has happened to me last year. I was at a show of a pretty unknown band. They were playing in this ragged underground-punk joint. Their music isn't the best I've ever heard and they probably won't be "the band of 2018". But that didn't matter. What matters was the sweat that was litterally dripping off the ceiling because EVERYONE in this very very tiny room moved. I drove home that night thinking exactly two things: 1) how am I going to pay for the trip to Berlin to see their next show two days later 2) FUCK I need to find people to make music with. And that's exactly what I did the following weekend and it was the best I did last year. I never would have that kind of motivation if it wasn't for this one show.

[@axbrax5697]

Amaroq whats the name???? Im from berlin so please tell mr their name.

[@axbrax5697]

@GMG 85 hahahaha but no, DTH is almost the opposite of the discribed, not underground, very well known, and usually big concerts. i have seen them five times by now and am a fan since i was four years old

[@HaydenofEverything]

Step 1: Know your material Step 2: Don't have mud-tone Step 3: Get a good bassist (no matter how rare)

[@benguitardrums9569]

Don’t jump into the crowd and pummel a fan, then get back onstage and say: “Thanks To the lame ass security, I’m going home.”

[@davidmcaninch4714]

Met Fan Axl Rose.

[@Jimboy1611]

Ben Guitar&Drums - before floor slamming a microphone, destroying it instantly.

[@Jimboy1611]

Ben Guitar&Drums - before floor slamming a microphone, destroying it instantly.

[@kaiser7695]

Don’t fight fans in general. It’s really stupid how people do that.

[@jmormon1508]

so, watching this on my phone with headphones, and it started buffering right at the moment "tentacle porn is life" thing came up. my room mate came up behind me, saw that (and only that), and now thinks I found a metal-themed hentai podcast. Probably laughed harder than I should have.

[@jmormon1508]

I didn't correct him until I spent 20 minutes telling him he needs to give "Fricker's Djentacle hour" a chance.

[@planesofrealitymusic547]

this comment just made my day! HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

[@Mrdzakyfauzan]

John Mormon HAHAHAHHAHAHA!!

[@kristeyannnyt7004]

John Mormon, that needs to be a real thing

[@NaNa_W4NT5_F3MNM5]

HAHAHA, I can't breathe. XD

[@baconbitz7937]

I'm a bassist, but I have one question... how many is five?

[@maj.peppers3332]

I'm a bassist, I can answer this. It's something greater than four (I think), but if my memory serves me right, it MAY be less than six

[@guitar19971]

Don't worry it's very simple: five is four more strings than you as a bass player will ever need.

[@ajrockel3838]

Another bassist here - like a bass has a 4 strings, I'm pretty sure it's an extra string

[@rhyhood9328]

Hey! At least you got to one!

[@MrInitialMan]

The number of semitones the tone is lowered when the first and third valve are engaged.

[@mikewellington2738]

Angry Glen is back...been waiting for this!

[@michaelfjmusic]

Same here!!! XD

[@ianalderman9290]

Same here too man! Took the words straight out of my mouth!

[@chrischronic100]

"inspire the people to go home, pickup their own instruments and practice.." Perfect ending, well said Glen.

[@mcbrodz1663]

“Inspire people to go home”

[@LukeGibsonSS]

100% agree with all of this. Every show I play I try to improve my performance, had a show Saturday that could have been a disaster, two songs in a fight broke out in the front row moshpit, I had to stop the song and calm things down before we continued, but I kept the engagement up. Another few songs in someone came flying onto the stage and fell onto the guitar pedal midway through a song, after it became apparent that the guitar wasn;t coming back anytime soon had to call a stop again until we could get it fixed a whole 5 minutes it was out due to one of the patch cables being damaged, and so I performed a song with the crowd acapella and made general banter with the crowd, when the guitar came back on we welcomed back with a loud applause and I thanked everyone for sticking with us. Then went on to playing the rest of the show with a very good response and feedback afterwards. But I love engaging with the crowd and egging them on. I really can't understand why some find it so hard. I like to tease them with things like "What do you think guys? Do you think they deserve another song?" "Okay let me hear you if you want another song" usually returned with a medium applause "What was that? I said do you want another fucking song?" place erupts and riff comes in, maybe it can feel a bit cliche, but I guess that's because it works and it works like a charm every time. I also try to remember to thank any other bands, the venue etc. and ask the crowd to cheer them on. I think it's good manners, although I have to admit it's easy to get caught up in things and to let it slip from time to time. If any bad happens I always try to put a positive spin on it. I also usually go into the crowd and spot if someone knows the words put my arm around them and let them sing it with me jump around and mosh with them, there's lot of lyrics I'll make eye contact with people in the crowd and sing the line to them, one line to one person, one to another, always gets a lot of smiles. During the last song I typically get the whole crowd to crouch down on the floor with me before the drop and the entire place erupts into a crazy mosh pit. It's something I don't see done successfully by many bands that aren't playing to thousands of people, let alone little unknown ones playing to small crowds of 50-500 so it's something feel very honoured by when people who've never seen or heard me perform before is willing to engage with me on that level. I usually end shows by thanking everyone for being there, telling them sincerely how amazing they were, hoping that we can come and entertain them again soon and that they should give themselves a round of applause which always gets a great reaction. Another point to add to this list is a tip on stage presence that isn't often talked about, and that is posture, I think movement can be overrated because there are plenty of people that run around on stage but don't command any presence at all, and other people that move very little but commands loads. In fact movement done badly is just embarrassing and cringy and can make people feel uncomfortable, Much more important IMO is posture and confidence. I typically stand in what are called power positions legs wide arms wide open or in a very expressive pose, fist raised or pointing out, chest out head up, I change to more closed positions during certain parts of songs that are meant to convey pain/weakness/defeat kind of imagine it's sort of like performance art, but then burst out back into a power pose if the song drop back in or if that's how the song ends, by raising up before thanking the crowd and noting the end of the song.

[@janhruska6183]

Wow man, that's very inspirational stuff, thanks a lot for sharing that!!

[@Giofergom]

Awesome to see someone really down to earth judging wacken metal battle. Last time in Brazil, the judges were basically sell out jornalists, that only vote for the band that would pay more, or bands that they were friends with. Not a surprise that we got smashed in germany with a poor and embarresing performance.

[@crimsun7186]

Considering what Glenn tells at the beginning before he starts...There's no difference between any of these.

[@Giofergom]

Ah, nope. Canadian judges will judge performance, song writing, everything. Not how huge the band's bank account is. This is a know fact, in fact, that's exactly why Brazil don't have metal battle anymore.

[@crimsun7186]

Giovannii Gomes Yes, they do. It just so happens that Brazillians are so busy worshipping foreign bands that they forget to look at what their own country has to offer in terms of music.

[@Giofergom]

Crimson Sunrise You 're damn right about it. We struggle trying to get people to at least aknowledge the bands we got. We run lots of street crews like Underground Union and stuff. Unffortunally people only love what's already famous, like Angra and Sepultura.

[@sansocie]

Sorry. Hope you keep fighting.

[@DChunk]

"You can't go balls deep all the time!" -Glenn Fricker 2016

[@hyperbiscuit2284]

EPIC BASS SOLO TABS: 0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0

[@BigJoeCool3681]

🤘

[@Meta9871]

You can make that sound cool if you're good.

[@willesposito9165]

Watch a Metallica performance of something like Harvester of Sorrow from the last five years or so and then watch a performance from 1989 on the Justice tour. I love Metallica and enjoy both performances but the 1989 performance is filled with so much more angst and aggression than the newer performances. Now I don't expect 50 year old multi-million dollar James Hetfield to approach the song the way 25 year old Het did, but it is interesting to note the elevated and different energy and the impact it has on the performance. Just thought this would be relevant to the topic. You gotta smack 'em in the face with energy and passion.

[@SoLDMG]

This... Is so true. My favorite example of how to be on stage is For Whom The Bell Tolls from the Live Shit, Binge & Purge video. "Ay friends, you got sum arms to show me don'chu?"

[@UndercoverRat]

I noticed this comparing Whiplash from young and old Metallica. I was kinda sad about it to be honest.

[@KaiserWolfhetze]

The guys from metallica are getting old and they already seen and lived it all. When yourre young you have to take more bullshit and are still full of fire. Now they can sit back and relax, they already proved themselves

[@thane1326]

I rule the stage because I'm the singer/bassist, but since you can never hear the bass, I get to cup the mic sometimes. We sound fucking awesome.

[@emmywillow6599]

Thane David you're trolling, I assume.

[@jayv3394]

Emmy Rota don't worry he is

[@jdillo16]

Here's something for the guitarists out there. When you're practicing at home, USE A GODDAMN CLEAN TONE! It may sound incredible thru your cranked 5150 but it will cover up all your mistakes. Your metal playing will sound borderline hilarious when you're practicing but you'll actually sound good live for fucks sake.

[@TheMostwanted5]

Interesting tip, how'd you find this out

[@Rainnnny]

I find it to be the exact opposite, when you play clean you can't hear your mistakes and you think that you are playing well. Very good example is sweep picking, everyone can sweep on clean tone, now try doing it with high gain.

[@jdillo16]

+Jermaine Riley Here's what happened. I had a a meeting with my local university's guitar professor to talk about a guitar minor. I had two audition pieces prepared, one of them being a Paul Gilbert song. He asked me to play it, so I plugged into the amp he had in his office, and even with the gain all the way up (I tested it) that amp was suuuper clean. I guess that's what I get for playing a shred song for a jazz guitarist, especially someone as ridiculously proficient as him. I had quite a wakeup call realizing that I was sloppily muddling through the alternate picking bits. I was always practicing on the lead channel on my amp and I never picked up on the fact that my technique needed more work. Now I practice almost exclusively on the clean channel and my playing has vastly improved, and much faster than I could have imagined.

[@jdillo16]

+Edgaras K I think that's true for heavily palm-muted bits, especially, but for fast legato and alternate-picking, the closest reproduction of the sounds your strings make I think is more transparent and helps bring your mistakes out. I think I know what you mean though. With a lot of gain unwanted harmonics are more apparent than with a clean tone.

[@VoodooChiilld]

Agree, but articulation is only one aspect of good guitar technique. The second is good muting. So what if you can hit every note if you play sloppy, unclean (is that a word?) and you can hear string noise in between every note? It's actually better to practice muting on big volumes (so you can her everything) and with distortion, but no effects. I still suggest everyone to practice with clean tone but I don't thing that's the muting will be more useful while playing live shows. Most beginner bands I see on stage usually don't have problems with hitting the right note, but every time when the song ends or one guitarist stops playing you can hear this horrible noise and feedback... Really painful....

[@petergrant2030]

Not sure if you’ll ever read this but thanks so much, Glenn. I had this really big gig, and this video really helped me out more than you could ever know. Thanks so much and keep making videos, we love you man!

[@freepadz6241]

this channel just keeps getting better and better

[@eddyguizonde401]

being in a 3 piece band for over 10 years as the guitarist, we found that we needed always more. more synergy, more interaction, more experience... you name it, we needed it. the only time we drew the line was adding someone else. the fit wasn't right. so we worked on our sound. we sound as big as a 5 piece by covering the entire frequency specter: i'm lead, so i get the mids and highs, the drums get the lows and highs, and the bass gets the lows and mids. we sound coherent because we overlap only slightly. my bassist has a very cheery and happy personnality and a hardcore harsh voice, but can rap. so on stage, i become the sarcastic and deadpan bastard with death vocals and rock vocals. stage banter means that we are 3 individuals working as one team. due to small stages, we don't walk around everywhere, but we frequently interact with one another. that includes the bassist putting his bass between my axe and my arm and playing through me, me shoving my guitar between his legs... we're not the most proficient musicians, but we fake it by working on our showmanship. i get out-shredded by most guitarists. and that's fine. it's not a dick-measuring contest, and in a punk-metal band, who cares if you play like paul gilbert? most shredders i know can't do sweeping minute-long solos behind their heads, crouched between their bassist's legs, or on a roadie's shoulders. if you're the lead player, make sure you're also the lead attention grabber on stage. only musicians get what you're doing. for a non musician, grab their attention any way possible. my drummer juggles his sticks, my bassist touches the audience, and when it's my turn, i ham it up by looking like a guitar hero. when you hit a bum note (and you will), don't get paralyzed. the audience won't be able to tell. roll with it. don't do a sloppy performance, but don't flinch when an error pops up. it's live music, not a record. finally, HAVE FUN! my band was never the most successful, but i can tell you we are memorable. we might all be in our mid-20's now, but we still act with the childish innocence of a 12 year old on a sugar rush onstage. add to that jokes, banter, gags, and skits, and believe me, people remember. even if that means you the musician asking a friend to pelt you with radishes from behind the mosh pit, and you popping a radish in your mouth like nothing's happening.

[@RogerRaleigh]

Have fun !

[@inthexis2088]

Love your content, man! Been thinking about starting a band (not metal, but more of a theatrical alternative/punk band), and even though your videos cater to metalheads, I've actually been getting a lot of advice and how to compose myself and my future band mates on stage and off. Thanks!

[@BeyondNowhereBand]

How's the punk band going?

[@edwardchester1]

Played dozens of shows over the years and always been aware of the core points in this video but it's always good to be reminded, and in such an entertaining way.

[@L.A.W.Studios]

Thanks for mentioning dynamics as one of you major points.."no loud without the quiet" etc..I'd just add light and shade (both lyrically and musically), minor and major, low end emphasis and high end emphasis, slow and fast, melodic emphasis and percussive emphasis etc.. you get the point.. All the bands I've been in have employed these aspects, they work wonders.. Dude..another good episode!

[@lincolt]

I need to watch this video every day, so these words are carved into my existence. Thank you, Glenn.

[@Meta9871]

On point and zero BS, classic Fricker. Keep em coming!

[@gaminggeek3030]

Dude, I clicked on this video thinking that it was going to be another KZbin know it all but this guy actually knows his stuff, LISTEN TO HIM!

[@The_Other_Ghost]

The 43 dislikes are all from members of shoegaze bands.

[@justarandomlittlemetalhead7058]

Fake ASMR and funeral doom

[@hskmmk116]

Sadly, only a handful of bands actually have a reason to exist in that genre. Kevin Shields almost single-handedly concluded shoegaze.

[@blueskiedanclear-1]

@@hskmmk116 dut dut dut dut

[@aixide]

@@blueskiedanclear-1 vroooow

[@JanoJams]

I am willing to bet they are in the Lil naz army!

[@hate123321]

I don't know about other viewers, but I always find your advice inspiring. Especially the raw, stiff-kick-in-the-ass way you put it - it's a reality check that most musicians need from time to time, for better or for worse. Keep 'em comming, sir.

[@M0odez]

You forgot step 6: Don't drop kick people from the crowd off the stage

[@theabsolute23]

+Brendan Mather I can't decide if it's too soon or not...

[@obnoxiousfandomname813]

M0odez @ @ @ The Story So Far

[@mr.breakfast_3theoneandonl25]

Tell that to Billie Joe Armstrong

[@manswounded1677]

Mr.Breakfast_3 The one and only billie joe jumped off the stage, then kicked the guy

[@coryncahill2053]

woops

[@ClaysGuitarCorner]

Glen i gotta say, you hit the nail right on the head. now the points u made i think dont just apply to metal bands but in fact all bands. i was in a country band (i quit about a month ago due to singer ego) but he could of really used this advise. He refused to use a set list and was always late to leave to get to the gig and late to start the show. the rest of the band had to pretty much go behind him and wipe his butt and save him from looking stupid. we would always start the show with the same song so that was a no brainer but then after that the entire show he would make up off the top of his head. problem with that is he would tell me (the lead guitar player) but wouldnt tell anyone else so i had to go into panic mode and really quick yell the song to the rest of the band while hoping they heard me over all the drums and my lead work. sometimes they did sometimes they didnt and if they didnt we would have a sour sounding intro due to them trying to find out what song we are playing. and if that happened he would stand up there yelling at everyone saying to me they suck and he cant understand why they cant get it together. now understand these are guys in there 60s who have been playing longer than him and i's age put together and pretty know what they are doing. its just real unprofessional and the dead time between songs was horrible sometimes almost a minute of dead time. anyway enjoy the show and hope to seeing more band tips in the future. thanks, clay from Southern Oklahoma USA

[@SpaceCowboy57]

Oddly enough, you can learn a bit about number 4 from talking to experienced DJS and EDM guys. One of their main focuses is dynamics of tempo and building tension and release.

[@BillLarkinmusic]

What i like is that beyond the jokes and bass players etc... You give great constructive critism, advice and knowledge and insight to improve.Thanks Glenn for the great channel.

[@Dinoman99888]

I should be studying for my history exam but Glenn just put out a new vid...

[@KinProductions]

It's funny, Glen.. My band and I were actually playing at the Winnipeg rounds for the Wacken BoTB and I don't want to sound cocky at all, really, but I believe we put up quite the performance.. We were tight and we actually thought we had a chance.. The only thing is our front-man is a singer; not a screamer. We were the lightest band on the bill and we feel like for that reason, they didn't let us go on to the next round. You may find the band (that is, if you even want to see what I mean by what we believe we did at that show) if you search up Five Hundred Pound Furnace.. We've had the chance to Open for Trivium and Steel Panter and we have footage from those two shows. I honestly would like your personal opinion rather than the opinion of some random guy who probably only wanted the heaviest bands to move on.

[@yugoxgc]

"You want to be Voltron. Not the freaking Gobots" Gasp... He's speaking the language of my people O_o

[@Trivette_williams]

I loved the last line you said... thats like the most important thing a band should do

[@agingcomfortably]

I laughed so hard at the shoegaze line

[@carolinehatton3982]

Shoegaze was the coolest thing ever. So everybody who hates slowdive, my bloody valentine and ride, go get a life.

[@cMaXeJIJIo]

Rest, Repose should put this video on repeat for at least a week.

[@thomaschambers3588]

Totally agree , banter with the audience and moving on stage is a must otherwise your band looks amateurish and boring , spice it up tell a joke or flirt with some of the audience members. Need any inspiration see a steel panther live video or somethings glam rock/metal front men/women usually are the best at the whole entertain the audience during songs .

[@sionhumberto]

Good points...i will link it to my friends in Costa Rica. They find your videos useful for what they are doing in music over there. Thanks!!!!

[@jinzo664]

Don't diss Shoegaze Glen. It's a very different, more intimate form of music. It creates a different experience and atmosphere than a heavy metal show.

[@adamhecht7308]

Omg Glen, you just nailed what I have been feeling going to local band performances.

[@larskiker8295]

hey glenn have you ever thought about using an extra "distressor cam", i find it amazing to watch as your anger and passion rises on these kind of videos. Greetings from G ermany

[@SpectreSoundStudios]

+lars kiker hmm. That might be a great idea.

[@jdpegg]

hell yeah glen, go for it

[@JohnCerbone]

Love your insights. They apply to other performers as well..Thank you.

[@Darryl_xtx]

Man these rules could apply to any live performance. Hate going to performances that don't apply these things

[@marguskiis7711]

Most of people love boring bands. Go to some metal fest, if you dont believe me.

[@rayrussell9162]

been playing shows for over 15 years now and i can honestly say you hit the nail on the head. when i played my first show when i was about 15 i was a bumbling idiot on stage..obviously first time on stage will do that to most people. but in later bands when the music got a lot better i started moving around more and interacting with people and could tell a world of difference. everything you said will get more and more people to bands live shows.

[@KeistasZmogelis]

I sing and play guitar. So, I can't move around, or headbang or dance, because of the mic stand. How do I make myself look interesting? Any tips? I feel the music, and If I only do one job, I have a far better stage presence.

[@AnarchistMetalhead]

stand out like The Curator from Portal even if that means wearing a grandfather clock

[@Nghilifa]

James Hetfield & Dave Mustaine sing and play, and they manage to move around and headbang just fine. Just take a look at Metallica playing "Battery" in Toronto in 1986 (the whole gig is on youtube) , James fuckin headbangs his way through most of the set.

[@MichtyMaxx]

Yeah, I agree with Rickyboy there. Headbang and move around when there's a guitar solo or main riff, just make sure you can get back to the mic or step up to a backup singers mic (if you have one). Other tips are just go nuts, like rub your guitar on your crotch or point it at the audience. Be creative and have fun. Also get the other band members to move around more and it add to the band's good use of the stage.

[@Theolppoman]

Watch Lost Society's live performances on KZbin. They move a lot and their singer also plays guitar. They have amazing energy on stage

[@diazzsama]

grab your mike, leave some of your guitar part, then whole stage is yours.

[@AmagrasMUSIC]

Well said Glen. Bravo!!!

[@MrDman60644]

i love how he always makes fun of drummers.

[@MrJogle345man]

Dylan Langley and bass players too

[@marcothiboutot8279]

I like the '' Play like its your last show'' whatever style or show that your doing,,, do it like its your last one,,, one of the greastest advice. Do it with your heart.

[@OdaKa]

The url for this video, tho...

[@edwarda.casimiro9808]

As always, Mr. Fricker, you hit the nail on the head. I have seen an awful lot of cover bands on my night job, and it's the ones who have these five points down that are asked to come back at least twice a month. Thanks for getting the word out!

[@ARR0WMANC3R]

I'd say the last one doesn't fully apply if you're a vocalist on tour. If you put 110% into it every night, you're going to lose your voice. Know how to give a passionate performance without overexerting.

[@roksum41]

More of these, please and thank you!

[@Yksinainensusi1]

Great video. Really gave me inspiration for a live performance. Now if only I had an active band that didn't fall apart partly because of a fucking relationship problems within the band. That's what you get for having a band with a mixture of boys and girls, I guess. Sigh.

[@atcordice]

You give real information that is useful to all genres

[@mattdoesstuff8987]

This video is getting a like just because of the Voltron joke.

[@rickmcconnell5380]

I couldn't agree more - have a set list, engage the audience, play your ass off no matter how many people are there, incorporate dynamics in your songwriting, and maintain a professional demeanor both on and off stage. Always love your videos, Glenn!

[@adlerdefender8067]

Anthrax has all five... they are amazing live

[@DANTVSVERGIL]

More great advice. Thanks Glenn, I'll send this video to all of the band members. I'm sure they'll greatly appreciate it.

[@curbowman]

I've written Spanish subtitles for this video. How can I send them so you can add them?

[@SpectreSoundStudios]

+Alex Lopez you should be able to afford them directly! I've just enabled community contributions for this video

[@curbowman]

Subtitles sent, captain!

[@curbowman]

Maybe you should ask that to the seminal thrash bands who were born in Florida. Or ask any metal band about how great their Latin American fans are. BTW, Spanish is the unofficial 2nd language in both the US and Canada, and all projected data predicts Spanish will be their most extended language in the future; so you might as well invest some brain cells in learning ESPAÑOL instead of scratching your head wondering why the world changed that much while you were sleeping for the last 40 years.

[@curbowman]

RED ALERT: dumbass detected. Abort conversation, not worth it.

[@warrebrits7196]

+-T-X-M- dude wtf what does it even matter to you?

[@corywilkinsmusic]

Very few things make me more jealous than the fact that pretty much everybody can easily put in a DVD of their favorite band performing live and watch exactly how the best performers do it and I can't. It just blows my mind that more people don't take advantage of this resource that doesn't cost you any more money than you would've spent anyway since you were going to buy the DVD of your favorite band. Hell, step it up a level or two and hire a live music producer. It'll cost you quite a bit more money, but they'll help you develop a 45 to 60 minute show and it'll look so much better than what most bands are doing on their own you'll make all of that money back within a couple of shows. Totally worth it.

[@wingnutofcoolness]

I think Glenn is actually Penn Gillette 's alter ego. Or maybe his long lost twin.

[@austinlewis5443]

Great video. Definately showing this to my band. Thanks!

[@jaimacpherson1082]

Hey Glenn look at your Chapman Ghostfret vid. Someone was telling you they had something they could send to you for free! hit them up!

[@jaimacpherson1082]

It was a floor pod that they never use.

[@SpectreSoundStudios]

+Jai MacPherson ok

[@kklau4715]

Thanks Glenn for sharing your wisdom!!!

[@timtamtheturtleman4598]

When my mum tells me to go to bed 2:55

[@abqfreedom6601]

I know it is 3 years after this video was posted...But this was phenomenal advice!

[@AlexH4774]

Dude, wtf! I thought you would at least show a bigger hand to me! I can't even see how many fingers that is!

[@MrDeadcorn333]

Very Inspiring video. As a bassist in a 3-piece Grunge/Metal band it's absolutely NECESSARY for me to be jumping around, Singing my harmonies like I will never be able to use my voice again and borderline punching my bass on stage. Nothing feels better than dragging your amp off stage and sitting on it outside the venue still shaking from the performance. For me, It is a drug that I'm not willing to give up. I know this is just a KZbin comment from a "Joe Blow" Bassist, but Playing your heart out even if it's to no one is one of the best feelings this world has to offer. It certainly beats the hell out of standing still during the whole show. So my advice (even if you don't want or need it) is Act UP on stage. Even if it's acting a fool. The fool is always remembered.

[@Johnnydontdid]

As much as I would like to smugly sit back and say, "I'm not dancing around like a monkey; I'm a fucking musician, so it's all about the music," the facts just do *not* support such a claim. The sense humans use the most and most accurately is sight: 90% of what an audience experiences at a concert is VISUAL. That even applies to going to a symphony performance: if a symphony performed and the entire brass section was wearing white shoes and tapping their feet in sync in an obvious manner, that's what most people at the performance would remember, the white fucking shoes going up & down, no matter how amazing the orchestra was. Now, assuming I'm familiar wif Glenn & his set of musical ethics (which I think I am, as watching all of his videos revealed we see eye-to-eye on *many* topics), I'm pretty sure he's not telling anyone to choreograph a group tribal dance during a breakdown. I'm also sure he's not telling anyone to "pander" to the audience or to be unauthentic or anything of the sort. What he *is* saying is that while writing good songs; practicing individually as well as a group; and making the best use of the stage time you're provided are all basically no-brainers and the basis of a great band, the physical performance aspect of a live show is also *very* important and must be worked out and honed, just like the strictly musical aspects of the show. There are some cases in which technical requirements (lots of pedal-hopping, being tied to a mic stand if yer the lead singer playing an instrument, etc.) severely limit the scope of the physical performance, but moving around onstage is *not* the only visual a band can provide their audience at a concert; it's just the cheapest, easiest visual. One option is to hire a lighting director and have him/her design a light show for you. With the technology available today (and assuming the venues yer playing aren't absolute dives and actually have decent, modern gear they upgrade on a semi-regular basis), a lighting director can use software to create your light show; give you a file on a flash drive; and then you give the flash drive to the lighting guy at the venue. Then, assuming yer not playing to backing tracks or sending time code from the drummer's metronome (or tempo map) to FOH, all the lighting guy at the venue has to do is use the cues set up in the flash drive file at his discretion, based on what he hears you playing. Another option is to make some sort of video/imagery to play either on a big backdrop screen or front-of-stage scrims during your set. If you wanted to get really crazy, you could have a video DJ creating the visuals live, which is pretty cool because a) he reacts to the sounds yer making and can help increase the intensity or vice-versa; and 2) the video aspect of yer show will never be the same thing twice. You could always do a combination of any of these ideas for *really* wacky visuals.

[@lb9817]

Thanks for the tips, man. Actually gonna play with my band on the last day of school. (amongst the songs is of course School's Out by Alice Cooper)

[@stevenwynn2640]

Practice like you're playing a show. Don't just go over songs! Have some idea about what you want to say between song breaks.

[@edhead76]

Simple but so smart. Thanks for the tips!

[@emilelocas5496]

It took me 2 min to get the drummer joke, that is maybe because I am a drummer...

[@jakobole]

The breaks and dynamics help ALL kinds of music - from techno, to jazz to classical, to pop - you name it. It's one of the things I take great pride in enhancing when mixing. Identifying where we need to let of the gas, and where to hit hard, and enhance it.

[@CrNgLrD]

4:08 that setlist looks like a winner to me XD

[@SpectreSoundStudios]

+5rotflol :)

[@rift2045]

I often just listen to these vids and I happened to notice that as well. Had to go back and rewatch to catch all the other visuals hahaha. I want to hear some of those songs.

[@tferraro1474]

Would you have told Van Halen to not do an encore when they were opening for Black Sabbath?!? How about Jimi Hendrix when he opened for The Monkees?!?!?

[@xXRogueFloppersXx]

Yes?

[@tferraro1474]

Rogue Floppers I don't believe you... even you are not convinced of your own answer...

[@xXRogueFloppersXx]

Thomas Ferraro Um, no. If you're an opening band then fuck off and keep the show moving. I saw Slayer with Exodus and Suicidal Tendencies opening for them. Those were killer bands and Exodus is my personal favorite of all of them, but if they were playing an encore into the other bands sets and slowing down the show for them then I would be pissed. If your band is really good then the headliner will call you back up on stage for THEIR encore.

[@tferraro1474]

Rogue Floppers uh yeah... #derp

[@xXRogueFloppersXx]

Thomas Ferraro Good argument.

[@stijnkraft]

Here's a thing that works for me as someone who goes to concerts regularly. If you're not a band that wants to appear 'angry' on stage, as some heavy metal bands may do (which I think is quite... childish, often. But that's another story) and if you're not the kind of people who want to be 'entertaining' towards the audience, just make fun that you are having fun playing together. That comes over too. I've seen bands who were quite limited when it came to their audience engagement, but you could see they were having a great time together and it was a joy to watch. So, according to me, says I, it has to be either one of those. Either be engaging or show that you actually love what you're doing. Or both, that's perfection.

[@TotalSinging]

The reason that doesn't happen is because a good majority the current generation are a bunch of no expression, cellphone staring automatons that lack personality and character. Being a "rock star" is taboo. "I just gotta be me and be spontaneous dude". Bullshit. Entertain people. That takes preparation and planning. "Winging it" simply doesn't fly on stage. Do the work because somewhere out there another band IS doing the work and they will smoke your ass on stage.

[@Evilwhiteclownpunk]

"a good majority of the current generation are a bunch of no expression, cellphone staring automatons that lack personality and character."... are you referring to the audience or the band... or both???

[@SpectreSoundStudios]

Please watch Friday's SMG Viewer's Comments for my reply on this.

[@TotalSinging]

+Evilwhiteclownpunk - both to a degree. I deal with 30 and under musicians on a daily basis. I see a consistent lack of character, panache, style, inventiveness, and a willingness to step outside what is "cool" to be an entertainer. They are so hung up on being "serious musicians" they've totally lost the concept that live music is also entertainment. People go to see bands to be entertained; to have both their auditory and visual expectations met or exceeded. This seems lost on most musicians and bands I deal with who are essentially "shoe gazers".

[@TotalSinging]

+Kevin Richards Rock the Stage NYC I should add to this that I see this a good amount of over 30 musicians as well. They're too "cool for the room" to let go and have fun. Never a smile, never a sense of "I'm having a blast playing this music". This is partially the fault of the audience too who do not see demand they be entertained. an example: The Beatles learned how to entertain an audience by having to play sometimes upward of 12 hours a day when they were slogging it out in the seedy bars in Hamburg Germany. The drunken Germans would yell "MACH SHAU" (make show) at them and the band would have to respond otherwise things would be thrown at the stage. Now I'm not advocating that for bands today, but audiences aren't demanding to be entertained so the bands have no need to give it to them.

[@UndercoverRat]

What you are saying is bullshit and a stupid generalisation.

[@thegoatgotmilked373]

Shared the video with my band. Very helpful information!

[@RCAvhstape]

What about shoegaze? SHUT THE FUCK UP!! LOL Hint: your metal show should be like a Glenn rant. That's entertaining.

[@izaacmiddleton7414]

Amazing video, I go back to it every couple of months as a reminder, keep it up!

[@ticktwot]

Disappointing that you'd support such a thing as a ticket resale battle of the bands. You (quite rightly) repeatedly call out bands who think engineers should work for "exposure" but this bullshit culture starts from nonsense like this. The battle of the bands generally use local venues and charge twice the price as normal, whilst pressuring bands to fill the venues with their friends and family (rather than a promoter doing their job and finding people that actually like their music). If it was less normalised for bands to be required to purchase tickets for their own gigs or pay straight up fees for "exposure" then they would have more money to pay sound engineers and also a little more self respect, maybe. TLDR: fuck wacken and their shitty ponzi scheme.

[@basic212]

Hey Glenn - Major thrill to get to meet you on Saturday night. I was the guy who got Morgan to take a second picture of us together because the 1st one was blurry. Anyways, just wanted to say thanks for taking the time to stop and chat. Hopefully you can make it down to some more shows in Toronto soon. Eff you!

[@SpectreSoundStudios]

+Kevin Keast thanks for saying hello! Always great to meet you guys!

[@0x777]

Rule 6, don't try to learn some sort of choreography. First of all, 10 out of 9 times it just fucking SUCKS. And if I wanted to see 5 guys jump in sync like they're some sort of Lord of the Dance on Speed, I would go to a fuckin' boyband concert!

[@MsPrestige2009]

I love this guy's enthusiasm, excellent video😎

[@jackmenzies8445]

this guy is so cringy

[@IrishStewGuitar]

great advice, great show man. my sons are in a metal band and i explained to them that if they play support to any other bands,it is the support band's job to blow the balls off any band on after them.they are only a local band but no longer play support as nobody could follow the show they put on.have you heard of the Isle of Man TT race?no warm up lap,no parade lap.you're on the starting line-lights go green-clutch out and light the fucker up- no mercy,no turning back to start again.rip it to bits from the start.put on a show-which is why people came to see you.peace man

[@zorbitalz]

Excellent video. I've played in a few battle of the bands and they never give criteria. This was extremely helpful!!

[@blksheepramirez]

Watching this video 3 hours before playing in front of a small crowd of 60 so thank you for this, it’s very much appreciated!

[@matttaylor1449]

Couldn't agree more with that closing statement. I've been to a loads of local shows where i've walked out feeling inspired at the end. Great point.

[@gedinofficial]

Omg hell yeah! This video is really going to help me and my band! Thanks for this video and the one with not sucking in a band!

[@bsal7736]

Got the lead in Rent in Houston. First time in a play and I needed this.

[@baldzillabill]

Thanks for the Voltron reference!! Awesome!

[@pmpin8ez612]

Great video Glenn! EVERY WORD IS TRUE!!!!!

[@tjexplore8059]

I just discovered your videos and they are honestly the most helpful and funny videos on KZbin. Keep making them they're amazing

[@pipex654]

Thank you Glenn, these tips will help my band a lot.

[@janubotes9073]

Thanks for the straight forward advice you've inspire me to practice harder and start a band