I’ve learned this: audiences don’t just want music. They want a cohesive, shared experience.
And that experience is shaped by what you say and do when you’re not singing.
Honestly, what happens between the songs is just as important (if not more important) than the performances of the songs themselves.
Those in-between moments are where the real connection happens.
If you’ve ever thought, “I’m not great at stage banter,” or “I just want the music to speak for itself,” this week's podcast episode will change your mind and give you some ideas to implement into your sets.
But if you want a quick win, here are a few things you can try that came up in my recent conversation with Tara B. on the podcast:
Tell the story behind the song.
Give your audience a reason to care. Set the stage before you start.
I used to share the story about a song I wrote from a hospital bed.
Just hearing that setup made people sit forward in their seats. They wanted to hear every word. If I had just jumped into the lyrics, they would have missed half the meaning.
Involve the audience with a sing-along.
It doesn’t have to be cheesy. Tara went to a show where the performers had the audience sing old TV theme songs.
They even lit up the crowd to make them feel like part of the act. Simple ideas like that leave a lasting impression.
Ask questions that spark connection.
Ask the audience something easy. Where are you from? Who here remembers this song from high school? Who’s celebrating something today?
You can even have them turn to their neighbor for a quick chat. It creates warmth in the room that your songs can’t build on their own.
Offer a small giveaway.
You can do something as simple as handing out a CD to the person who traveled farthest. It makes people feel seen.
Plus, it’s a great way to mention your merch without sounding pushy.
Make your last song a personal moment.
This is the perfect time to stand in front of the stage and look them in the eye.
Invite them to come talk to you after the show. Tell them where to find your music or merch.
Your final impression can carry a lot more weight than the highest note you hit.
Audiences are not judging you like other musicians do. They’re asking themselves how they felt. Did they connect? Did they feel something real?
If you want to get better at this, try performing for your family or a few close friends WITH the in-between moments included. Ask for honest feedback.
Or record yourself and watch it back. It can be uncomfortable, but it’s one of the best ways to grow.
Or plan out some in-between moments and include them on a livestream to see how they land.
I’d love to hear your favorite “between the songs” moment. What got a great response from your audience? Hit reply and tell me.
And remember, for even more, Listen to my latest podcast episode with Tara B. We go deep on all the ways to create an unforgettable performance that sticks with your audience long after the show ends.
Always in your corner,
<3 Bree