The Audience

There’s something deeply impressive to me about events where there is a large crowd focused on one object.  Whether it is a charismatic speaker, a television screen, or a band on stage, I think cooperation and coexistance begins where a large group of people can find something they have in common (while of course, maintaining everything that makes them different).  I have very often in my life, probably more than most given the amount of concerts that I go to, been on the large crowd side of an event like this.  I’ve seen some incredible things—1200 people in a venue made for a thousand, all chanting the same line rhythmically and starting at one figure in the center of a stage.  And as cool as that was, I had no idea what it was like on the other side.

I got a glimpse into the receiving side a couple of nights ago when my band played a sold out show for about 250 people at a locally famous, though small, venue.  There were a lot of nerves coming in—first ever headlining show, and worries of whether or not we were going to bring the crowd that the venue expected us to bring, and so on.  Everything fell into place though (except that we didn’t get to sound check), and we stepped on stage. 

From there everything changes.  Playing music is a surprisingly multi-dimensional endeavor.  First and foremost, you have to play the right parts—sing in pitch, play in time, play the right notes, and from a keyboard perspective, make sure your set to the right sounds, make sure all the sounds your playing (because sometimes there are multiple at one time) are balanced and none are too loud, and so on.  Also, you have to make sure your amp levels are right, and your stage volume is controlled, while at the same time making sure you’re balanced with the guitars, bass, and drums.  Then you’re watching your bandmates play and making sure you’re communicating.  And finally, you have to play with some soul.

In the midst of all of that, it’s hard to even pay attention to what people in the crowd are doing.  This past gig though I tried a new strategy that I’ve heard works for some big players—pick someone in the crowd and just play to them.  Watch what makes them react, watch what they aren’t feeling, and act accordingly.  I always thought that was for the musician’s sake—then he or she doesn’t have to get nervous about a whole crowd, instead it’s just one person.  Now, I don’t think that’s it.  I think it’s more that the one nameless person you pick in the crowd is just like all the others—when music, or speech, or anything is that loud and that in your face, I think everyone responds pretty similarly.  Work that one person and win them over, and you’ve the crowd on your side.

When it all comes together it’s a beautiful thing, because at the end of the day you’re bringing people together.  Nobody really remembers the notes you played or a particular song or solo, in the long run.  I think it’s all about the feeling you get when you’re with a bunch of people and everyone is just feeling the same way—for me, at least, there’s a sense of security with so many similar thoughts around me.  I can only hope to be one of those who create moments like that, in return for the chances I’ve had to experience them, so far.