One thing I’m noticing at local band gigs, is that I’m noticing that a lot of bands & solo musicians seem to be shy of people, when they’re out gigging. Evidence of that:  1) After the band gets done playing their show for the night, and a fan walks up to them and say, “Good job”, the musician will just look at him/her like, “Really? I played that good?”, not saying much after that. 2) After the show, the band will usually stick around for a while, but they’re usually outside smoking cigarettes or they’re just hanging at the bar with their fellow musicians 3) After the show, the band usually packs their gear and they just leave right after their performances (I’ve seen this too many times).

I can go on with the list. Those are just a few clues that bands don’t even care or if they’re shy of their own fanbase.

You see guys, with my own gigs, I want my gigs to be quite an experience for everyone. I have this rule called, “the no disappointment” rule. I won’t leave the show, until everyone who came out are smiling and happy. The fans drove all those miles to see you and they pay all that money to see you. So the goal is, you want to make going to your show worth it for them. All the time. It doesn’t matter how many fans come out. You must be humble and approachable to all of them.

If you want to earn more respect toward you as a musician and a band, stick around after the gigs and hang out with the fans who came out to see you. A lot of bands appear to be isolated from the fans, and you don’t want to be like that. Hang out and chat with the fans. Sign autographs and take photos with them. Have a few drinks with them and even make friends with them. I’ve done all of that. They reward you by supporting your music, and you need to reward them in return by offering your love and friendship to all of them. I appreciated my fans, and still appreciate them all now.

I’m also welcome of all feedback after performances, I would say more than just a simple, “Thank you”. I would say stuff like, “It means a lot, glad you enjoyed it”. After my gigs, I don’t pack up and leave like a lot of musicians appear to do. I stick around for a while. It’s a good thing to do and it’s respectful.

We’re not rock stars guys, so get over yourselves and your huge egos. Unlike the indie and major labels, where they make bands feel isolated from the fans with barricades at concerts and backstage passes to meet them or guest lists, as a local musician and unsigned, we don’t have any of that stuff. We can talk to anybody we want to. Local bands isolate themselves from their own fans after gigs because they want to play, “rock star”. They only let certain people talk to them who they think are deserving, which is disrespectful and wrong, in my opinion.

I miss going to the shows, and interacting with the fans after my performances, and I want to be doing this all over again. Soon. Hopefully. I appreciate anyone who really enjoys my music.

Kev