The best of a PA
Introduction
Your PA is a big chance to get your tracks heard by new people so don't blow it!
Read on for:
Being Prepared
Announcing yourself
Making an entrance
Keeping it moving
When things go wrong
What to do after the PA
"Use the stage, all of the stage! Talk to the crowd, involve them in the performance and above all enjoy yourself."
MC Donae'o
Being Prepared
Make sure you know what time you're supposed to be at the club to soundcheck.
Get there early enough so you have plenty of time to run through your tracks and check the mic settings.
Also use this time to work out where vocalists and any dancers you may have are going to take their places on stage.
Be cool with the sound engineer. They can make or break your PA so don't upset them - even if they are wearing flares and a sweaty t-shirt.
It's important to let the promoter know if you can't make it.
Make sure you have their contact details, because if you're late then all the other soundchecks may be late too which can make you extremely unpopular, before you've even started.
Find out what time you're due to perform and then let your people know so that you get the maximum amount of support.
To be on the safe side, tell them it's half an hour earlier. When it comes to your actual performance make sure you are there early.
Not only will it give you time to prepare for the PA but also other acts might drop out and you'll have to perform sooner than billed.
"Relax and say a prayer."
Mighty Moe
Heartless Crew
Make An Entrance
From the minute the engineer, promoter or your manager says "go", be ready and poised to make your entrance.
Even if the venue is fairly low key and half empty, try and imagine that it's the biggest gig of your life in a huge arena and an audience of millions watching on TV.
Don't just stand up on stage with your head down and your hand in your pocket like you're waiting for a bus with a mic in your hand.
This is supposed to be entertainment son!
Take yourself and your music seriously and other people will too.
Talent spotters don't need a huge crowd to recognise quality.
"When we first came out on stage they weren't really feelin' us but when they heard what we had to offer everyone was on it!"
More Fire Crew
On supporting The Streets
Announce Yourself
There's nothing worse than a shy entertainer.
Walking out on stage and saying nothing?
Unless it's part of the performance it's not a good move to let silence take hold.
PAs are the best way of promoting yourself and your music so take advantage of the moment and talk to the people dem.
Listen to how the pros do it.
Tell the people who you are.
Acknowledge the audience, ask them a question, big them up or shout out some brethrens.
If the track you are about to perform has a story behind it, let the people know.
It may stick in their mind later, long after the music has faded.
"Be polite and funny and loud and clear!"
Bushkin
Heartless Crew
Keep It Moving
If you're performing more than one track, then make sure they're all on one CD with a short gap of a couple of seconds in between or better still some kind of sound effect as a link between the different tracks.
Long silences between songs due to poor mastering or the venue's sound engineer having to find x amount of different CDs does not a make good impression or maintain excitement.
When Things Go Wrong
Mics break, speakers blow up, mixers die and engineers go missing.
These are just some of the things that can go wrong when you're ready to enjoy your big moment.
If the worst comes to the worst and you're standing on stage in complete silence, break into an acapella, get one of your boys to beatbox or get the crowd to clap out a riddim for you.
The show must go on seen?
So just maintain the energy level and avoid standing there looking shy and alone.
"Say the speakers have blown. Apologise and do your best to improvise."
Mighty Moe
Heartless Crew
Be Nice To People
Try and see yourself as a business.
Carry yourself in a professional manner and be polite and respectful.
The reason for this is that it's a small world and the music industry is even smaller.
Promoters don't always have time to be at every event they're involved with and they often rely on feedback from other people.
These can be barstaff, cloakroom staff, bouncers and engineers.
Even more importantly A&R attending boring PAs will often end up having a drink at the bar and asking the staff if they've seen any quality artists lately?
A good impression made by you can mean you're still being talked about and recommended, weeks later.
"Making friends in a venue is always good advertising."
James Baker
Venue Manager
After The PA
Before you either celebrate hard or drink yourself into a state of amnesia, it's time to get some names for your mailing list.
If the PA was a success then any names you collect now will be potential supporters of your next gig.
If the PA didn't go down so well due to nerves or technical difficulties, then maybe the situation can be recovered with a quick mail out including a track that shows off your true skills.
"The best way to compile a mailing list is by getting your staff to go around chatting to people in the club asking for their name, number, address, e-mail address etc."
Steve Gordon
Twice as Nice
More... from How to...
Rehearse for a PA
http://www.bbc.co.uk/1xtra/1xmusic/performing/rehearsep01.shtml
Promote live PAs
http://www.bbc.co.uk/1xtra/1xmusic/promotion/gigsp01.shtml
Set up your own PA
http://www.bbc.co.uk/1xtra/1xmusic/performing/nightp01.shtml
More... from the web
大象传媒i What's On: Searchable for venue details
http://www.bbc.co.uk/events/livemusic/
(c) 大象传媒 1Xtra 1XMusic 2006