Always Be...Perfecting Your Craft

Tales from the stage, the power of adaptation, and the ins and outs of a performer’s life are the backdrop for this week’s stories. Dave and Paul reminisce about their recent gigs, highlighting the value of resilience when faced with onstage hiccups. Paul’s recent gig cancellation due to health is a sobering reminder of the balance between personal well-being and maintaining a band’s reputation. The duo dives deep into setlist dynamics, analyzing song placement, audience engagement, and the importance of visual elements in live music.

Shifting gears, your two favorite weekend warriors bring attention to the nitty-gritty of live performances, from ensuring singers are visible and connected with the audience to the intriguing behind-the-scenes look at the use of teleprompters as safety nets. Observations from recent concerts, including a notable sound debacle with the opening band Living Colour, highlight ongoing challenges in the industry. The episode wraps up with a story from the Rochester Opera House where sound issues during a SpongeBob run posed significant challenges. Dave’s hands-on intervention, tuning the room, adjusting speaker volumes, and eventually enhancing the overall sound quality, underscores a performer’s commitment to excellence, regardless of recognition. Press play, and remember…Always Be Performing!

• 00:00:00 – Welcome to Gig Gab 392
• 00:01:03 – Paul cancels gig due to exhaustion from back-to-back performances
• 00:03:11 – The band’s ability to handle unexpected moments during live shows
• 00:05:26 – Regular drummer returning, transition back to the original lineup
• 00:08:24 – Preparing for the next phase with reintroducing new material
• 00:10:30 – Audience Opinion: Should Bands Change Set Lists Regularly?
• 00:11:48 – The Dilemma of New vs. Tried and True
• 00:13:25 – Mid-tempo songs struggle to engage the crowd.
• 00:16:34 – Changing up the tempo requires crowd energy and connection.
• 00:19:11 – Check out “Cover Band Confidential” for more tips and advice.
• 00:21:26 – A homeowner-built stage impresses with its sturdiness and design.
• 00:24:14 – Adding new songs last minute for a high-expectation gig
• 00:25:58 – Eliminating the crutch of cheat sheets for better focus
• 00:28:20 – Learning from Gary Cherone’s stage presence and performance techniques
• 00:34:50 – Phish using teleprompters on stage for the first time
• 00:37:01 – The intricacies of in-ear monitoring and cueing systems
• 00:42:46 – Struggling to fix the unintelligible sound
• 00:45:54 – Balcony sound fixed, enjoying a successful performance
• 00:47:24 – Discovering a Sound Issue at the Beginning
• 00:47:34 – Frustration with Sound Quality in Live Performances

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