Very helpful to solo performers too! Thanks again damo! X

I've been gigging for 25 years, and I can say that these are absolutely critical. I don't care who you are, or what genre you are, this is what you need to be doing. I've heard these tips in one way or another over the years but never have I seen them so well organized and presented. I'm going to write down the list and print it on a huge banner to display in my studio.

Awesome video and great points, the effort put in here really shows!

You can put your band name on the bass drum to get the name out

Finally someone who knows the business.

Ok, so I’ve watched the video and tried shouting “I AM DAMIAN KEYES” during my first song, but it seemed kinda pointless.

1. Close your eyes 2. Listen to this guy. 3. Littlefinger?

Finally someone teaches these kids something about stage presence cause I️ look at some bands and just be like....what are u wearing....etc all of that is extremely important

We've been wanting ideas on how to tighten up our live set, as people seem to be responding. well to us. This is the best video we could have found. Props Damo, thank you for all of your helpful knowledge and advice!

0:50 *1. DON'T PLAY VENUES TOO BIG* 1:27 *2. FILL THE SPACE ON STAGE* 2:02 *3. THINK ABOUT YOUR STAGE CLOTHES* 2:21 *4. DON'T PLAY FOR TOO LONG* 2:54 *5. USE TIME ON GIGS WISELY* 3:36 *6. OPEN YOUR SET STRONG* 5:06 *7. TELL PEOPLE YOUR BAND NAME* 5:49 *8. AVOID PLAYING COVERS* 6:40 *9. FRONT THE BAND CONFIDENTLY* 8:21 *10. MEET THE AUDIENCE*

I don’t even have a band and I doubt I’ll even have to ability to but I like watching these videos and dreaming

I've seen a followup guy to a band who just played acoustic guitar and sang called Myles Knight, and I found him to be better than the 4 other bands that had played after him. He had a great connection with the audience and had some funny stuff to say and was just relaxing and super down to earth and was super nice to the audience on his way out. The singer of Ruby Tuesdays spoke to me that night too and he was super nice too, I think being polite and on the same level as your listeners is a huge part of getting people to enjoy your band a lot more, that's the way I see it anyway.

Point 6 is an incredible point and something I already do. Too many bands/artists don't do this. Great video.

I dunno why this video doesn't have a million views. I am yet to find a video on here that explains better than you in a down to earth manner regarding this issue. Thanks a lot. This was very helpful and all upcoming bands needs to hear this!!!!!

This is an excellent video! SO well done and killer advice. We are a full-service talent agency and we could not agree more with this information. What does Damian do? Is he a booking agent or consultant? Man! This guy is good!

Seriously good tips. People tend to like my jokes. But I think You're right. I should leave them out and just be direct. I tend to play three - four hour solo gigs quite often. But, for the full band gigs (which can also be three hour sets) I'll scale back the humor a bit and just keep the music flowing. Thanks for this.

Different cultures, I guess, but here in MX you most definitely NEED to play at least one cover when starting a new band. The craziest the crossover, the better: cumbia-symphonic, hard rock-lounge, bolero-jazz, you name it.

Great advice! Thank you my man!

Wow, very nice advice, thanks a bunch. Let me add some nice feedback. I play with two underground metal bands for some quite time now and we never learned about stage presence of the band. This has resulted in a lack of structure and organization in our live performances making them go somewhat randomly. Our music si not the worst (I hope), but sometimes, ppl would tell us that the music was fine but not all of us looked engaged, or that we made too big of a pause here and there, or that the way we danced to the music was awkward. Since the whole band is pretty much just pot-heads doing what they like (smoking pot and playing metal) we never really thought about it that much and said things as "We will just naturaly wing it and we ll see, it will at least be authentic." Yea, our shows were definitely authentic xD I can already see how this could improve our shows in a really short time and I'm gonna try it rn. I will translate the points back to my native language and present it to the potheads. (I also like weed, sorry :D) Wish me luck!!

I now feel more confident for my first show. Focus, patience, and hope!! Thank you!!!

Love it. Especially #3 and meeting with some resistance.

Good and to the point. Great job

Cool tips, that's what we are doing about the gig. Greetings man 🤘

Hey Damo, once again awesome video! I'd love to see you make a video about how a band can go from getting a slot supporting bigger bands and how to work your way up the ranks. Is there need for a manager? A label? Thanks in advance :)

Thanks for that, Damian. Really useful points. The 'black clothing' issue is a classic. Many times I've had that conversation. Do you look cool in the photoshoot? Sure! Do you disappear into the backdrop on stage? Absolutely!!

This is great stuff man. I appreciate you sharing and gave me great insight to my personal music. Cheers and many blessings. MC

Thanks Damian, plenty to think about

your channel has really grown congrats man

Soooo nice your tips....soooo nice!

As the frontman of my own band, I can say that fronting the band confidently is key. Sometimes it’s very nerve racking to get up on a stage and talk to people but ever since I’ve been doing that the shows just feel better. Better crowd interaction, more CD or merch sales, and an overall sense of success. These tips helped me out so much and now I’m going to be using the same tips at our show tonight.

Another great video -- I find myself putting your advice into practice every week as I find new (old) videos of yours. Peace from Texas!

Crap, I hit a person during the show before you said metaphorically :(

This is the best video I've seen on the subject! Thank you

Its my firs time performing (im a new lead) and im really nervous and now im here at youtube watching videos like this

Never played a show were we played 20-25. Its always been 30-45 min always at the request of the person booking the show.

Thank you !!!

Thanks Damian Rock on !!

good tips, so many forget to use the space on stage effectively and I am also very guilty of forgetting to tell people who I am :)

This is amazing advice! Thanks so much.

this is so helpful. great video tol. thanks

About to play a major gig, thank you for this advice

Good advice specially for keyboard players who hidden back on stage

Concorde2 is my favourite by a mile too. Seen everyone from Biffy Clyro ("back in the day") though Hell Is For Heroes and Toyah Wilcox there ;)

Thanks Damien for the wonderful Ideas. WOw

Really useful, thanks 🙏🏻

Appreciate you for this 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

so many good points. point 7, totally agree, bands never say who they are.

Just joined a band..so this helps!

Superb practical tips, thank you!

Thanks Damian, always really inspiring!

Damian your videos are helping me very much. I’ve been taking your advice on how to run my band’s social media and how to set up gigs more effectively and I’m beginning to feel an extra layer of confidence and motivation from you. Thank you :)

5:39 Declan McKenna 💓💓💓

Great video mate! Awesome venue too

Excellent! Thank you.

Wow! Looovvvee this! Thank you soo much! 🙌

Hello from Kansas City, just started watching your vids today

great video, i would like to see more on this topic.

Amazing advice

You help me so much bro thank you

Tip #4 We are a local cover band. Most of the gigs we play want us to do three sets at 1.25 hours long. We have even been asked not to take a break at all.

AD.3 I would say the more important is to be consistent in terms of clothing throughout the band. I've seen the shows where everyone was wearing just a black t-shirts, with no logos on them and it looked cool, and it wasn't some beginner band, it was actually one of the biggest and most popular bands in Poland. But when one dude is wearing Metallica t-shirt, the other is wearing a hoodie, and the third person is wearing a shirt, it's just inconsistent. Just have your dresscode.

You need a top 10 tips to hold a camera steady.

This video should be called top ten tips for original bands.

very good tips- thank you

Thanks, very helpful

Very insightful - The least I can do is like and subscribe :)

#6 is the best advice ever..

Thank you, you’re amazing

Good stuff. I’m Mista Trick

brilliant video.

I've played there a few times with different bands over the years.

amazing !

Is it ok starting out with covers and then taking them out as we finish writing originals?

These are great tips

great tips

I loved this video! I recently joined a band and will definitely use these tips during shows! Also, What advice would you give for a new member of an already established band.

Thanks for the video …

0:51 skips the BS.

cool video bro!

Great tips! What do you recommend for a four hour gig. You can't play for 30 minutes and then be done.

Hmmm. Not sure about a couple of these...

First post covid gig next month so why not have a watch?

Nice!

"point 2" *squeak*

can't tell you how many times I've been at festivals and seen a band member walking around right after they just played, Usually I would say hi or give them a high 5, and a lot of times they would ignore me

Must admit that this video doesn't come off as 'ways to improve your gig', but rather 'ways to improve your sales pitch'. An audience appreciates being treated as an audience, not as a customer. All of the jargon is better suited at a merch table.

20 minutes? It takes 10 - 15 to set up.

You should do a video on why bands should tone down on being narcissistic arseholes too. Too many cocky kiddos thinking they’re special.

Cool 😎

Point 2: Why not sit on the amp?

imagine fucking it up in the pit and you just slam into one of those support beams lol

I like the cut of your jib

2:18 - a bit of color? But... I only wear black. All the time.

a little tip for video production (base on the most videos like this on youtube) you put your behind the scenes/bonus clips at the end of the video otherwise u give cringe

Gg allin punched people in the face

You can't wear pink clothes while playing Black Metal

not wearing all black? seriously?

1:40 basically you dont want to see Maynard from Tool lol

Don't play covers... Umm, that works, only if you're not a cover band...

Good grief,, who plays 25 to 40 minutes ?? How about 4 hours ?