This is Seal in concert. The image was taken at his July 29, 2012 performance in Nashville, TN.
There were 851 tickets sold. The venue holds about 2500.
It didn't matter. He played his ass off.
That's one of the things that makes him a professional.
You'd think handing a similar situation like this would be obvious. But it's not...
I talk to acts all the time who think they do better in larger venues, with a large crowd. And I've seen acts insult the audience for not being more into the show.
"You need to make some noise and get into this!! You're as quiet as church mice out there!"
Not good.
I get it that it's a disappointment when turnout for your gigs is light, but just to be clear, as the act on stage, you have two jobs regardless of the venue you're playing or how many people show up:
- Put on a good show.
- Give people something to get excited about.
If you can't do these things in a small venue, you'll never do them in a large one.
A ticket buyer doesn't care how many other people are there; he wants to see a good show. It's not his job to get you excited about making that happen.
If a small turnout can happen to Seal, with 20 years of radio hits behind him, it can happen to anybody. Share stories (good and bad) about your low-turnout gigs below...
Funny timing for this post. I was just reminded of the anniversary of a show like this. Five years ago I showed up to do a gig at a 200 seater on a weeknight. 2 people showed up. Just 2.
They weren't yet fans of any of us, but had driven two hours to see the show for their anniversary celebration.
The other comics and I did the best show we could and they had a great time. That same couple since has hosted me for house concerts, attended lots more shows, bought everything I've ever released, and introduced my work to their friends and family.
Posted by: Phil Johnson | July 31, 2012 at 10:00 AM
My band were booked in a really nice venue earlier this year. It was a really last minute Under 19's night. Only a few (5 maybe) turned up. We were on first. We decided to just go as nuts as possible for fun.
Dramatic intro kicked in, got to the first heavy part, I stretch my legs fairly far apart, feel something in my knee click and fall forwards flat on to my face. At this point, the laughter from the 5 or 6 people watching was louder than anything coming from the stage. My bandmates were also laughing. They thought I was joking.
Had to play the rest of the set on a chair because I couldn't move my leg. Went to the Docs, turns out I ruptured a muscle in my leg somewhere.
Posted by: Tony | August 07, 2012 at 06:20 AM