How to Engage the Crowd When Playing Live (5 Tips for Solo Acoustic Solo Gigs) 

At smaller venues, the Manzanita acoustic band always has a bowl full of (inexpensive) colorful maracas (that I get from The Oriental Trading Company) for a very reasonable price. This allows and we encourage, the audience members (of all ages) to be "a part of the band" . It keeps people at the performances longer and WOW!!! when their children get up and start shaking the maracas and dancing and performing with the band - you guessed it - the parents phones come out to take photos and again they start to love the band and they stay longer and give more tips too. Really has worked well. And another aspect is that if there is a particularly energetic adult or kid(s) you can always tell then they can take their maracas home with them for being such a awesome part of the band. This cements the band in their minds as a band that really cares about them (and we do) and they are sure to talk to all their friends about how much fun they had at a Manzanita performance! Try it!!

My last two gigs, I did the “you could have gone anywhere… thing. It was absolutely fire. Staff and guests-applauded. Thanks!!!

Here’s the absolute BEST tip anybody ever gave me, but there’s a back story you have to tolerate first… The scene: my first EVER open mic night and I was really nervous. I asked the host if I could go on first before the crowd grew too big. I played my first song and the din of the people playing pool was louder than the PA and the host was sitting at the bar chatting to some guys, completely oblivious to my efforts. One lady was watching me and she was the only person that applauded at the end of my first song. Song #2. Now I’m even more nervous. Only that one lady was showing any interest, but the pool playing crowd and the host were completely ignoring me. I was meant to play 3 songs, but after my second, my small amount of confidence was shattered. I thanked the ‘crowd’ and skulked off to put my guitar away. It was a full minute before the host realised there was nobody on stage. The lady approached me while I was putting my guitar away and told me she enjoyed my set. Moving ahead a few days, I was relaying this story to a professional musician friend who gave me the absolute best advice ever, and here it is: If there’s only one person in the audience that’s enjoying what you’re doing, you just need to play to that one person. Had I known that gem of knowledge at the time, I think I would have played my 3rd song and come away feeling MUCH more satisfied.

Thanks for posting. All of us need to be reminded. 🎵

Dude, these tips are all excellent for even large bands, I'd say 5 Fantastic Tips For Any Solo Artist And Frontperson. Excellent job, thanks.

Tip #4 is gold. I used it last week and the venue told me no one had ever asked that. They were really appreciative and I booked a few more gigs with them. Thank you, Jason, for sharing your experiences

Hey Jason, I just wanted to thank you for taking the time to film these tips. I think one of the most valuable tips is what you said at the very end. I find myself being my worst critic and for a few months it kept me from wanting to perform. Blocking out that negative energy is something I have to work on and I appreciate you talking about that. Rock on man 🤘

Great tips. Here's one that kinda goes along with the last part of this video.. Sometimes things can go a little haywire. You have to keep going and don't let it get into your head. At a recent solo acoustic gig at a winery, I felt like I was struggling a bit. I was forgetting some lyrics and repeating verses. I was messing up with my looper, hitting the start/stop switch too early or late. Or stomping two loop buttons by accident. In both cases I stayed calm . Kept singing and stopped the looper but kept playing, restarted my loop etc. Here's the clinker lol .. Nobody really noticed. I was blowing it up in my head just obsesing on a few flubs. I even had people complimenting me afterwards on my set and handed out some business cards. So I don't think these little mistakes that can happen in a 3-4 hour show are as disastrous as they can feel. 😊

Thank you for taking the time to make this video, we appreciate it😊

Great advice some of which I learned the hard way . Love the cat

All great ideas! Our best way to engage people is to ask them who their favorite band or artist is and then do a song from them.

After several decades I'm just now realizing I've been closing my throat when going higher, and that causes strain. It's been different to get used to, but I just finished a weekend of 3 pretty major shows, 3 nights in a row, and my voice doesn't seem to be sore at all... ... My voice changed,,,, and now I am getting it... but I still catch myself going into throat clamp mode... but I also now realise the implication.... In a matter of days, I and sound more relaxed,,, At 60 dude, I am having much fun with music .... and my rock and roll history is completely out there... but you summed it up.... we, musicians have no choice.... rock and roll forever..🙂

Another tip ...know your lyrics and know your songs. This is the only way to sing with conviction! Do not read from a computer or sheet music. To be a professional performer you need to act like a professional performer. This will only make you a better musician.

Great video mate , really good advice

I make my own backing tracks with drums, bass and rhythm guitar. It will definitely help add more dynamic to your sound

I play a lot of nursing homes so the, "You could have gone anywhere," line won't work most days but I love the advice and appreciate you taking the time to help others to do what they do better and bring in a few extra $$ and build better relationships. Like I tell our daughters, relationships are where it's at. They are the key to any successful career in music. ✌👉

These videos you do are just amazing, man. Thank you for taking the time to help us put our best foot forward. Your wisdom and experience is so universal, its almost a disservice its only being used in the context of live band performance. Keep it up!

Very helpful!

Watched this video while getting ready for going out to play live at a local open mic. It has been helpful with some great tips! Thanks!

I'm diggin the acoustic solo advice. Thanks for posting Jason.

Great tips especially that last one. SO true. I have a very high voice which impresses everyone but actually I have anxieties about song selection, my appearance, my between song banter, etc.. Thanks for this video. 8)))

I started to feel great anxiety about an upcoming gig watching this. My mind focused on all the negative and I started comparing myself to my peers and heroes. Then your message at the end hit like a ton of bricks. Allowing that grace is what leads to a more enjoyable experience for both audience and artist. Thank you for the video and advice, it was incredibly insightful and reassuring.

(1) show collective gratitude; (2) engage the audience; (3) promote something (e.g. products, staff, atmosphere); (4) be prepared to switch up the material; (5) exploit a dynamic range

Thank you for these ideas. I had my first paying gig 4 weeks ago and stumbled on this video a few days beforehand. Your tips made me more confident.and I ended up getting asked back. I'm here reviewing this again before my 2nd one.

I would like to see how you go about learning a new acoustic song, and how you manage to remember it. I go like a rabbit in headlights when people watch me LOL.

Thank you for the TIPS and most especially the MOTIVATION, sir.

My friend was in the movie Rad as one of the BMX rider's

this helped a lot i’m a hip hop artist but the tips you gave still helped me a lot and have mounts of stage presence

Hey Jason! Love this video! I know you are a heavy metal guy, but I really love when you put out acoustic videos. Keep those acoustic vids coming!

Great video - particularly the last part about not being too critical of your performance. This is me 😊

Thank you -- This is very invaluable esp for those who are starting to implement live performance in their routines!

I'll try your tips, dynamics Will be part of our next show thanks a lot 🤟

Yer a gem, Jason. A true ambassador from and for the metal community. Awesome advice.

Thank you for sharing! Some good ideas in thee for sure! I LOVE the "we" concept with the venue (as well as the audience).

Thanks, it's nice to have some go to tips for engagement in the bag. Especially when you're not sure where the audience is at. It's probably a healthy way to keep your head out of the rabbit hole of guessing if they like you. As you said they may be there to get a beer, watch a game, etc.

Great video Jason.Your videos are great as i am starting out as a solo accoustic musician and your advice on the basics is great.I am based in Canberra Australia so thanks for a great channel.Check out a great company called Maton guitars.They use a piezo mike blend pickup called the ap5 pro and i highly reccomend having a look at these guitars as they are wonderful for live stage performace and my current maton is a real workhorse.Your setup sounds good so keep the videos coming and please sing an aussie song in your set if possible.huge crowded house fan and i like some acdc also.😊.Cheers.

I started cheering as soon as you said. "BMX movie" Great song. Great job. Great video. Thank you.

Thanks for the tips! I did my first paid gig last saturday with some buddies!

Love this Brother! Great content and you can tell the sinsarity and passion you have about this. I am in Jax,FL. Next time I am in Tampa I will find where you are playing.

Thank you for the video Jason, it is very inspiring and helpful! 😎👍🎸

Great advice and words of encouragement. We have to be ourselves, be unique!

Your Professionalism is outstanding my friend well done.

Super helpful, my friend! Thanks for sharing.

My go to trivia for some Monkees song (or usually different drum) is mentioning that the writers mom invented Tipex.

I watch your videos from France. I play solo gigs and you help me so much. Thank you !!! Sorry for my english 😅

Good tips that are even more important than musical skills and talent.

Good tips! Dynamics is something that a lot of solo performers are missing. From song to song, yes. Don't play 3 slow songs in a row and put folks to sleep. But also within a song itself. Quieter on the verses, build up to a chorus, quiet back down, etc. Just strumming chords and singing at the same volume and intensity gets monotonous to the crowd. I also love the tip about comparing yourself to others. Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses, get up there and have fun and the crowd will react to it.

These are some very unique and helpful tips, thank you!!

You are very inspirational.. i actually want to do this some day.. Thanks for the tips

Again Solid advice Metal Sage, We appreciate it. Thank you for caring enough to share your experiences. Been thinking about playing out on purpose for a while now. Right now it's been on the fly raw feel good acoustic stuff. Doing your own thing should resonate with many peeps. Keep Strummin

Back in the day i did an outside patio gig in Memphis for Crawfish season. We would pack it out. I did a LOT of these same tips. We made lots of $$ and so did the Servers. I sold a lot of drinks from the. keyboard suggesting shots and drinks. Servers LOVED me 😂.

Great tips Jason. Thanks so much!

Jason, you have been such an amazing resource! Thank you so much friend!

Thank you very much for your tip it'll help me a lot!

Very cool advice Jason, thanks so very much for sharing.🙏

This helped me get started awhile back thank you!

simple yet wonderful advice..thx

Thanx, it helps me a lot.. greetings from Switzerland.. bless you..

Great video Jason, nothing like this on RU-vid. Very helpful!

Hi, thanks for the tips...about to look for gigs,I'm a singer(solo) using tracks and a partybox 100 along with my phone or tablet.

Love it. Great advice, especially at the end

Thank you Jason This is a major problem for me Really appreciate it

Thanks much! Great thoughts & 🎉tips!

I dont Gig for a "living". I Gig for fun because i enjoy playing Live. Building a Relationship with the Venue is probably the most important Tip IMO. I developed a relationship with a Venue where i play EXCLUSIVELY 2 times a Month. I bring a killer show with a variety of Musicians that join me including a 1st chair Violinist for the Wisconsin Symphony on Electric Violin. We play everything from Johnny Cash to Judas Priest. Point is, i work as much as i choose, put a few bucks in my pocket, and have a great time. The Venue loves it, and now the Customers know me and look forward to my shows. Engagement is HUGE as well.

Just starting...thanks for the PRO tips.

All good stuff, Jason.

thank you !!! more gigs to come !

Just started experimenting with a looper.

Really good tips !

Tip number one in the very most important whether you're a solo gig for a full band: DO NOT DRESS LIKE AN UNMADE BED. 1- DRESS WELL * NO SHORTS * NO T-Shirts * A HIP BUTTON-DOWN SHIRT * COTTON SLACKS IF IT'S HOT OUT. THis separates the pros from the amateurs! Keep your chops up! -Peace

Dude! You played the song from RAD! That’s some killer nostalgia! I have a RAD T-shirt.

Hi Jason, Great video can't tell you enough that the things you pointed out are so important. You should see about playing over in Osteen Fl at Foxhead. They would love your music. It's got the same kind of crowd as Boothill Saloon in Daytona Beach. Great people. Also, The Swamp House Tiki Bar and Grill Restaurant at Highbanks Marina on Highbanks Rd in DeBarry FL. They would love you there as well. Have a great day. Kim Kesler a fellow guitar geek.

Excellent tips!

Great tips 👏

Great tips!!! Thank you so much!

Hey Jason, I appreciate what you have to offer and your tips. I have recently started performing again after taking a long time off. This is the first time I’ve been playing acoustic guitar and singing. I’ve found some immediate success but I have hit a brick wall. I’m learning to keep my options open and learning what not to do. Thank you for your videos and best to you. 🤘😎👍

Thanks for all the killer tips! Sorry to hear about The Forge/Crowne Irish Bar ... sad news.

Thanks Jason! This was really helpful to me. :)

The dog and then the cat are kind of cool, and then the pool , I have original acoustic songs that I'm trying to make a set with maybe get a second guitar and voice involved , but the question is the original music?

Love the video I've took ALL these tips on-board some I was already doing and I had 2 awesome gigs this weekend with more bookings from it 😁🎤

That's right

I've been doing my live looping solo gig for quite a while now. Most of the stuff in your vid I already knew but found two or three points that I hadn't really thought of. Great video! Thanks for uploading! I just subscribed! 👍🙂

So underrated channel! Awesome stuff!

RAD!...that dropped me into rathe deep nostalgic rabbit hole. Probably not the intended take away from this video, but Im gonna consider it a bonus and say thank you for it none the less... Now then, I'm gonna start this video over for the 3rd time in a row and try this again...🤯 I think I'll skip the intro this time around though. Lol

Great video bud thanks

That's some good advice. Nice voice too, Bryan Adams cover? All the best

The 6th advice is the best one !

Hi Jason, is that Boss ME 80 you're using? If not, what ME board are you using? Thanks!

thanks for sharing this, I'm learning!

This is incredible advice! Thank you! Especially at the end about not being critical about your live performances! Rock on!! \m/

Thanks bro🎯

Do you have the songs memorized? I have about 120 songs I know all the words or can mumble through.... thank you lock down... I think on a very good day, i sound a wee bit like you on the vocals, but I am very messy on the guitar.... generally no effects, nylon or steel string and bang, bang, bang 🙂 yep and i do the drift away thing, and a lot of rock and roll... a good tip to wow a crowd, ' Lion sleeps tonight!' La bamba (using same chords) CFG... then slide into Shake it up baby...... I do a lot of medleys... I am not the best entertainer in the neighbourhood, but man when i rock, i rock.... and then the singing is overlooked🙂 NEVER GIVE UP! As far as voice is concerned, after jamming and playing and singing for many years, I only found out the other day, something i was aware of but could not pin point.... DO NOT TENSE YOUR NECK, all the teachers tell you sing from the diaphragm , but they dont tell you, DO NOT TENSE YOUR NECK.... Jason I have listened and watched plenty of these videos, but i have to say, you nailed it... I learned a lot... and remember don't get on stage high, get high on stage.. whichever is your poison... you can only really read a crowd if you are sober.... one of the tipsyou should have shared... and if you wanna remain mysterious, don't hang around after the gig.... always be polite, but aloof.... Elvis has left the building 😀

20:50 appreciate you for that..

I`ve bought two new acoustics, two sets of small but loud speakers, a couple of new mics, some fun effects, and a mixer. My God I can`t wait to move ...supposedly April now...so I can practice and sing again. So sick of waiting and being around these negative people.

You are a good dude 🫶

Dude that loves and plays heavy metal but plays live acoustic gigs in venue, man we are on the same boat 😆😆. But you have a lot more experience and knowledge so I want to learn more from you especially about tone and pedals. Subbedd 🤜🤛💪

Thank you✨🎶☀️

Oh am a solo hotel music and I think I had a gap between me and audience, thanks

Dude, you did a song from Rad! That is freaking epic! 🤘

ty for this