I'm contemplating a live performance

sour

Hi guys

I am eager to get some advice on the my following 'situation':

For the past month I have been contemplating with the idea to do a live show, however I have ABSOLUTELY NO clue of what to do, where to go, and how to go about the aforementioned predicament.

What aggravates matters is the fact that I am a self-taught, solo act. Anyone who has listened to my work will probably have a fairly lucid perception of what to expect/what I comprise of. And that leads my to the next enquiry: can I do a live show just by playing my track and singing to it? I mean my work is mostly electronic, with some sporadic guitar here and there (actually I use the piano quite frequently).

Is it possible for me to do a show? AND if the answer is yes, what venues would accommodate my style? Granted some songs are slightly more...profound.

Also, quite relevant, I live near Cape Town.

AAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNYYYYYYYYYYY help would be sincerely appreciated.

** Note: it is near 4am, so excuse any errors, spelling mistakes etc.

Riaan-Combrink

Its not impossible to do such a show, but one needs more information.

Are these original songs, or covers you intend doing? What kind of genre are you working in? Any performance experience whatsoever? Do you have a Facebook page or website where some of your music is available for venues and booking agents to listen to?

Also have a look at this thread - some relevant issues in there:
http://www.guitarforum.co.za/performance/profitability/

DaFiz

Hey sour. Just go ahead and do it. I've recently found a pub that's looking for a laid back Sunday afternoon gig, and I'm going ahead with it.
Not a 'polished' act at all, I'm going to play some old braai songs and hope they like it.
Where about in CT are you? If you're in Blouberg maybe can can take the stage when they boo me off. :-[

sour

All my songs are original. My very own little creations. But like I articulated, my stuff is predominantely electronic, therefore I am quite unsure of what venues would even consider me. Also, bear in mind I cannot play an instrument (YAAAY).

And to answer your questions Riaan:
Mostly electronic/alternative
I have no performance experience (hence the enquiry)
And yes I do have a Facebook page where one can freely listen to, and even download, my stuff.

So I am absolutely new to the scene. Also, I did read that thread you posted and learned quite a lot, it is just that my main 'predicament' if you will, is that my songs are mostly electronic.

And yeah DaFiz I am actually near Blouberg, but if they boo you off I might get a tomato to the head ??

For some clarity; this is the type of work I do (please, for the love of Moses, don't expect something awesome, I am still finding my place):

[deleted]

Basically it sounds like the kind of thing that would go down in a club. In my mind it's like a rapper and a DJ doing a performance which must be common because even I've seen a show like that around here(and I think I'd enjoy your music more). Send your info to the clubs in Cape Town and perhaps make it look a bit more interesting and make a bit of a website or blogspot or something and give some info on yourself. Time how long you'll be playing and get the sound sorted. Perhaps have someone to help you with that on stage or talk to DJ's and get advice from them. This is all common sense advice, so excuse me if it's a little obvious.

Bob-Dubery

Do some dry runs.

Get your backing tracks set up on whatever you intend to use for the live performance. Play them, sing over them and play what ever instrument you intend to play live (if any) and see if it all works and if you can actually get through the songs in one go.

DaFiz

My mates "One Arm & The Bandit " play some good ole rock at the Viper lounge in Marine Circle on Wednesdays & Fridays and are asking for some easy laid back stuff on a Sunday afternoon.
While it's a biker pub with dudes that are into their old time biker rockin' I'm going to ease the Sunday evening in with just an acoustic guitar and my Neil Young/David Gilmour/Moody Blues/Eric Clapton/Bread/CSN tunes.
Coz there's no motorcycle racing I'll give them some sad songs to make em cry in their beers... maybe even some old blues by the Grateful Dead or John Mayall.
If they chase me outta there some electronic keyboard music might even go down.
Pop in anyway for a cold beer and have a chat with the proprietor, he might even be able to slot you in somewhere. ?