Three Kinds of Gigs

It's important to know, as a performer, the difference between a restaurant, a bar, and a concert, and how to treat them when you're performing. Some people I've played with could never get some of that straight, or else they didn't care, and the result was pretty frustrating on my end.

To the uninitiated, it would seem simple: just play the song stupid. Nothing could actually be further from the truth and if you're missing out on that as a performer you'd be doing yourself a disservice.

Bar Gigs

True Confessions: When I was younger (mid 20's) and playing rock music in bars, I often made what I now believe to be a big mistake. I'd come out like gangbusters on the first three tunes like it was some kind of a concert (secretly I probably was just wishing it was a concert). I've seen others do this and in my decrepit old age I've learned the error of my ways. It's a bar gig - you've got three or four hours to play. Eight or nine o'clock in the evening is definitely not the same as 11:30. Bar audiences usually want to be eased into things instead of being hit over the head. And it doesn't necessarily mean playing different repertoire. Later on playing in a variety band, I learned how to play the same songs differently in different parts of the evening ("Brick House" can definitely be played with varying amounts of enthusiasm depending on the hour - yes, I've played "Brick House" a hundred times or what seems like it anyway). Also - if you can "read" your audience and play to them, it's a big help. This is something I'm terrible at. "Reading" one person that I know well is challenge for me, much a less an audience. Being in a band who can successfully play to a bar audience and whip it into a frenzy by altering song sequence and feel, I've always thought, is a lot of fun.

Concerts

Concerts on the other hand are a whole 'nother story. Usually you've got 45 minutes to an hour to do your thing and win over anyone who's there. Pacing and a finely honed set list are definitely in order in order to showcase your best stuff. Standing on a stage in front of a festival crowd is no place for a leader to turn around to the band and say "what do you guys want to do?" and yet, this has happened to me. It's amazing to me that a leader that could be so good at bar gigs and suck so bad at concerts but I've seen it and lived and it's not pretty folks.

Restaurants

Currently I have the pleasure of providing background music for a brunch crowd on Sundays at a fine local eatery. Many folks in the music biz call this a "wallpaper" gig. You're really just providing atmosphere for people to enjoy their food. They're definitely not there to hear me. They're there for the prime rib, oysters, etc. Surprise of surprises though - some of the restaurant crowd actually listens to what I'm playing. I know this for a fact. Really, no joke. They frequently walk up and say things like "What was the name of that tune? We've been trying to figure that out." That's how I know.

It's really kind of a funny gig - there's rarely if ever any applause. Occasionally someone will get drawn into the music and be inspired to clap but it's pretty rare. All in all I'd like to think that what I'm doing really adds value to their whole restaurant experience. As far as I know we're not chasing anyone off anyway.

In bars and restaurants, I think that the music is really an accompaniment to some other purpose (more so in restaurants, naturally). But if you ever get to play a concert or a recital where you are the only or the featured act you can be assured that whoever is there is there to see you. The pressure is on. So plan and rehearse to that end.

Keep on swingin'!