So over the last few weeks I have been thinking a lot performance - and as an artist what I want to achieve when I take to the stage and what an audience wants…or rather what I think an audience wants or expects.
Any performer, I feel wants to take the audience on a journey, connect with them and share the energy and emotion of their material with them.
Many artists have a nightmare story or a wake up call in terms of performance. Mine was when I was about 14 - I was preparing for a jazz gig and working on some Billie Holiday repertoire. We had a rehearsal and I sang my first song.
I was really chuffed with myself and whilst I was still floating on my “performance high” my Jazz teacher asked me why I felt the need to be at 120% all the time and whether I had considered reigning it back a little.
He then went onto tell me it wasn’t about all me having the best time, it was about me giving the audience the best experience. Ouch…Sometimes the amount of emotion we give can be too much and actually I find if I try too hard to convey something it can be counterproductive and it is possible that I end up detracting from what I want to say.
For someone like me who is overly emotional in everything (!), taking the emotion out is actually really hard. But on the advice of my vocal coach, Jenny May (www.expressivevoice.co.uk), I recently decided to work on exactly that: the “less is more” approach to vocal delivery.
I almost had to tap into a “numb” feeling, which was quite a challenge. But focussing on paring back and giving less than normal was actually quite impactful.
But sometimes just being carried away with the moments of passion – with the band can also be amazing.
I have to say I love the extremes, and I do believe if you are totally in the moment and genuine the audience are always on your side.
A key element in any performance is commitment. Audiences are receptive and smart. And one thing I have learned from personal experience is an audience feeds off your energy. If you go through the motions, you lose them, but if you really stand by your convictions, the audience come with you - the wave of intensity and overriding emotion win.
I suppose what I really want to know from you is what kind of artists and performances you enjoy? What bores you and what reels you in?
And if you are an artist what works for you? Personally, I love working on technique and delivery - but when I get up to sing I tend to leave that at the door and go with the flow.