Metal Monday: What Makes A Great Metal Show

posted in: Rock

Thinking about what format of the metal music experience is king, the live setting has to be near the top (if not the top) of the list. Concerts are arguably the most pure and sacred aspect of metal music, and more often than not, a live performance can set a band apart from their peers. Sure, every band can play live, but not all metal bands can really put on a show while they rock the audience’s face off. Some acts are revered for their legendary live shows (Gwar and Alice Cooper for example), while others are notorious for their lackluster performances (not throwing anyone under the bus here). Whatever the case may be, how you play live is a pretty huge deal for metalheads. So, how do you put on the best metal show possible? Well, here’s some things you should think about when you’re preparing your stage spectacle.

First, You really should know how to play your music, and play it well. Missed notes, flubbed solos, etc. are completely inexcusable. You should know how to perform your band’s music upside down, backwards and inside out. Well enough so that you can have a little freedom with your band when performing. Extended solo? Sure, just give the rest of the band the nod and you’re off! Want to change up the vocal harmonies in the bridge? Great idea, just make sure the rest of your band are also on board!

This brings us to our next point: You need to deciding what you’re going to play live, and how you’re going to play it, ahead of time. Hearing bands play all their biggest hits exactly as recorded is cool and all, but it’s way more special to hear unique, live versions of those songs paired with some special old songs or maybe a cover. This is especially true if people are seeing your band for the second, third, fourth, etc. time. Would you really want to see a band play the same set the same way all the time? Likely not. Why make your fans do the same?

Once you think you’ve settled on what you’re playing, you can start focusing on the “how” part. As a general rule of thumb, more stage energy is better; things like funeral doom, however, don’t really make sense if the band members are running around like maniacs. If you’re a thrash metal band, you had better headbang. Few things are duller than seeing a bunch of dudes on stage looking unenthusiastic about playing their own music. If the members themselves aren’t stoked about playing for me, then why should I be excited to watch them play?

One of the more overlooked components to a live show is the fashion/design aspect. More often than not, band members already look fine, but you should always do the “who is this guy?” test to make sure that none of your band members look like they’re not supposed to be there. In addition to looking like you’re all actually in the same band, it probably doesn’t hurt to wear functional clothing. If you’re wearing super tight jeans you can barely walk in, there’s a pretty great chance you’ll also not be able to move around the stage very well either.

Lastly, you have to be able to think and act on the fly. Not all crowds, venues or shows are the same. If a crowd starts chanting for you to play a certain song, you should consider playing it (whether you do or not is totally your call, obviously). Unrehearsed stage banter and crowd involvement almost always add to a show, even when it’s not particularly fun, at least it will be memorable. Getting the crowd involved does multiple things that are really important in a live setting”it keeps the audience engrossed and helps the band connect with their fans.

What say you, bands and fans? Are you ready to rock the night away and nurse your bangover the next day? Well, if done right, that’s exactly what should be happening.