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I've been fortunate to play with two very, very good frontmen. The singer/guitarist in my previous band, for all his faults, was excellent at reading audiences and had appropriate banter on tap. We had good on stage chemistry and I found it easy to play to his antics - I was usually the butt of his jokes and the audiences loved it. In my current band, our singer/BL has charisma in bucket loads. Most of the band (we're usually 13 on stage) are static and glued to iPads (long story but basically they're not dedicated musicians in the same way as most bands are) but he makes up for it. He talks to the audience, and makes a big deal out of talking to the band as a whole and individuals within it. The drummer and I (with much more live experience) try and work with him to provide a more visual element. I don't have any music in front of me, which I think goes a long way to connecting with the crowd (I have a 'cheat sheet' to my side out of sight of the audience). Being such a large line-up, space is an issue and limits the movement I can make. We just played our self organised festival and he did this which certainly kept the audience engaged! In my opinion, anything that gets between performer and audience (big music stands are my personal bugbear) has the potential to disengage, as does a band that is not clearly enjoying themselves or that is not performing. Some eye contact with the crowd is essential. Smiling or laughing, interacting with other band members and some kind of movement are all part of the performance that allows the audience to connect and enjoy.

I’ve got a Behringer TO800 Vintage Tube Overdrive, which is their version on the Tube Screamer. It’s good. And very cheap. The only worry that people seem to have about it is the plastic chassis, but if it’s going to be always on, that doesn’t matter quite so much.

I've swapped out the pickups for Toneriders in a couple of my P basses - an immediate improvement in sound, and the cost of them makes it a complete no-brainer! 😎🤘🤘

Not the best band and not the best singer. However she can hold the crowd pretty good. Daryl

There goes my plan to buy, store and then sell Hiscox cases, to fund my future musical instrument purchases. Unless ... "For Sale. Pre-RUF Hiscox Case, for your pre-CBS Fender. " Yes, I think that I am on to something. More seriously, RUF sounds like a great fit for the Hiscox legacy, and I am pleased to hear that their product will continue to be available. Thank you for sharing that good news @matrycy.

Thanks for good wishes... I've run out of tlrts (reaction icons).

After all these decades of doing shows, I'm still struggling with smiling and looking like I'm having a good time. Daryl

I find a good old wireless walkabout goes down well. I also get up to no good during songs which have long, bassless sections - I pretend to sleep, or I naff off for a sit down and pretend to be on strike. Just clowning around basically. People seem to like it. Plus the basics - engagement with the audience - making eye contact with folk and nodded along with them bopping around - sometimes my hat gets borrowed - let 'em - I don't get precious. And for the final couple de gras - if the police come in for a venue check, be ready to play something like Breaking The Law or I Fought The Law etc...

I might tell 'em who's coming next for example, 'IT'S WHAM! TIME' or after 2 or 3 classic 80s songs I might say, 'with all this going on, we need some Spandau' Just before the Bucks Fizz number I sometimes recount my audition with them but mostly me and the keys player are just laughing all the time

I think you've nailed it there. I've done some successful gigs with a great front person and the crowd have lapped it up even though the band were embarassingly bad and played with and seen great musicians who never really made any attempt to reach out leaving a sterile atmosphere with a disinterested audience. I'd way rather play with a great front person with an okay voice than a great singer with no personality on stage. Band interaction is good though. I try to be a foil/straight man for the singer. My duo partner and I kind of heckle each other between songs, the first time we do it in a set the audience wonder what is going on but then get that it is an act and often join in. It has to look natural though most of the 'moves' have started up on stage as a spur of the moment thing but when they have had a reaction become part of the set. One female singer used to try and put me off playing bass when she wasn't singing, just as a tease. The audience soon picked this up and seemed to love her for it.

I've heard some wild excuses for playing mistakes but this has to be the best. Noted and filed for future use. 😀 But seriously, glad you're on the mend. Take it easy.

I've just got a second dep gig with a local band 'The Gowertones' on Saturday after a successful first outing a couple of weeks ago. Turns out the 'vaguely familiar' rhythm guitarist is none other than ex Wales rugby coach Mike Ruddock, and the 'really tall, could be a rugby player' vocalist is, indeed a Wales international with 11 caps, Kevin Moseley. Great bunch, no egos, just enjoying the music.

In both my gigging bands the singers are very good at bantering with the audience.

Harley Benton Shorty does. I bought one when they came out and it blew me away - I don't know how it is possible to make a bass that is so good for the price of a night out. The tone, through my set-up, was very similar to the gorgeous woody tone of P bass in Santana's Europa. Out of preference for a bit more bite I changed the stock pickup to a Tonerider and it is now awesome. I have sold off most of my basses, including an MIJ Mustang, but keeping the HB Shorty for my Precision flavoured moments.

Lily, Rosemary And The Jack Of Hearts - Dylan

Ha ha, I think you do protest too much, you do many more than a 'couple' of crowd peasers in your set They are also placed where they should be; mainly at the end of the second set. I'd happily gig that lot. That's actually a set of well known songs from a band of people who know their audience and want to entertain. They also hang together as whole so consciously or not you've decided to give the audience a good time. You guys are very clear who 'your' audience is.

Hi, Free State Revolution are seeking a bassist to fill a busy schedule of gigs throughout the year. We play a mixture of pop, indie and rock music through the decades, all covers. Based in Herts, Beds and Bucks area, if this sounds interesting, check us out on Facebook Instagram and if it seems interesting get in touch. thanks Mark Quote

I find that constantly shouting out "How ya doin' Glaston-berry!" Always works.

Jack of Shadows - Hawkwind

The Ripper! - Judas Priest