The #1 Rule of Live Performance

By Chris Robley
March 2, 2012{ 4 Comments }

iStock 000014981774XSmall The #1 Rule of Live PerformanceMolly and I just spent the better part of last week at the 24th International Folk Alliance Conference in Memphis, TN.

Hundreds of showcases each night. Dozens of panels, workshops, and films during the days. Thousands of independent artists.

It’s always really inspiring; and the takeaway lesson is always the same– the most important thing you can do when you perform live is to keep a positive attitude no matter how many people are in attendance, and no matter how you perceive the audience’s response.

Why is it so important? Well, in a nutshell– you never know who is watching.

But for a little more context, here’s an article I wrote after attending last year’s Folk Alliance conference. Still true!

-Chris R. at CD Baby

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About Chris Robley

Chris Robley has written 495 posts in this blog.

Songwriter, producer, poet, blogger, person, & marketeer.
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  • http://www.facebook.com/people/David-R-Haworth/1466004861 David R Haworth

    I remember Springsteen commenting that they always played their best even if only to ONE person. = his winning attitude. After all it’s always you and one listener, isnt it? even if there are 10,000 of those single individuals.

  • http://members.cdbaby.com/ CD Baby

    Totally!

  • Wolfrimbaud

    Wrong. The number one thing is to make sure you’ve got real talent first, otherwise get off the stage. Too many pretenders in the world now. All these blogs do is encourage mediocrity.

  • Mick Simon

    This takes me back to a band I used to see live quite often in London. Sadly they have since split, but they used to play energetic shows to packed audiences in smallish but very popular venues and had a great rapport with their audiences. A few months after I moved away from London I was really pleased to hear they were playing a tour date near to where I was living, some 2-3 hours away from London, and went along. I think there were 5 of us in the audience in total, yet the band, who must have been really disappointed, played an amazing set with an energy and drive that left me awestruck. They will live long in my memory for that and I hope I could do the same in their position.