For a lot of artists (vocalists, specifically) performing cover songs feels like copping out of the artistic process in a lot of ways.
And really, why should you sing covers of familiar tracks, when you've spent so much time creating your own?
From a sales perspective, that's an easy question to answer. Just ask your booking agent!
The short answer is that live entertainment, like any other solution in business, is simply a way of solving a problem. In order to understand why you have to position the solution, it becomes critical that you understand the customer problem.
For example, if your client is a large corporate, and the person responsible for bookings is an internal events coordinator who has been tasked with providing entertainment for the company year end function, the will have very specific objectives. It's unlikely that any of them will revolve around your latest EP.
Realistically, their objectives will be geared around gertting the most cost effective performers to engage staff in an interactive way. They will also be considering how to fluidly coordinate entertainment around formalities like the CEO's horrifically long speech and close of the bar tab.
What this means in terms of a performance, is that often your set will be broken up into stages, much like the composition of a well written letter.
Intro- Before Key Address\During Entree
This should be warm and engaging from a lyrical and vocal perspective. The first few words of the song should be familiar enough to the audience that they are pulled into your performance from the onset.
I prefer ballads, because the last thing you want to do is get the dancefloor going before the program is ready for it. It is EXTREMELY difficult for an MC to make the circle smaller, once you have made it bigger and the MC is your biggest stage ally. Deviations from the program are equally problematic for the event organisers and are a sure fire way to ensure you don't get rebooked.
Its always great to go full drama in terms of an entrance when performing your intro ballad. Try playing with dramatic lighting, alternative entry points and acapella intros to gholden oldies such as, "At Last", " Ain't No Sunshine", "Feel Good"or "African Dream" The trick here is to choose a song that people know and know well. Your second into song should be similar in style, tempo and theme and if you're allowed enough time for a third an own composition will flow well.
Body- Can begin during Dinner, but usually begins after Dessert
Unless you are a SAMA award winning artist, a huge part of the job is performing during dinner in order to maintain the flow of the event. It can be extremely difficult to maintain the attention of a plate clashing crowd, but maintain you must, because this is one of the only selfish times you have. Alternate between familiar ballads and own compositions and begin to increase the tempo slightly.
People are usually at their happiest because the program has ended or the most irratable because the are more formalities. At this point, your ability to keep the audience engaged is paramount because you'll be competing with conversations, noisy cutlery and bathroom breaks. However, a showstopper, is a showstopper, so position yourself accordingly. Make people want to shush their friends, put their knives and forks down and ask for an encore.
Conclusion- Last 2-3 songs
This is usually quite rewarding. By now you should've established report with your audience and its safe to pick up the tempo.
At this point, its critical that you warm the proverbial bench for the DJ, should there be one.
Make sure you discuss the switchover with the DJ and ensure that your last song and his first song flow well in terms of energy so that the audience is not left feeling disjointed or confused.
Have fun, dance (REHEARSE) and remember why you're there. Its guaranteed to have everyone remembering your name and at least one of your compositions. A good book I agent will position your merchandise.
As long as you give every performance your very bes, you're not selling out. You're merely demonstrating an understanding of what you are there to achieve on behalf of your client. You're also sharpening your performance skills by engaging outside of your comfort ones. Oh, and you're making money. 🙌. If you're an artist who wants to do more of that, check out ROAR Talent!.
