What makes a successful music event?

Setlist: Every successful performance is typically backed by a structured setlist: an assortment of songs to be performed usually in a chronological order to the tone and/or energy of the song itself to establish an atmosphere within how the audience will be engaged - typically the first few songs may be more well known and/or energetic to the audience to engage them. The middle of the setlist may have less rehearsed, newer songs potentially at a lesser energy than before, however the finale may be built up as a crescendo of performance with a dramatic finale to be impressionable.

Rehearsal: is compulsory within the band as to not have any irregularity in song structure and reduce potential for any errors to be made, as well as establishing the dynamics and relationships between each instrument and respective player within the live setting - understanding when to dial back and when to be more explicit in your own performance as a band member.

Venue choice: can undermine certain aspects of performances whilst also creating different opportunities, typically the more receptive and popular a band is, the more venue opportunities they may have access to, being able to perform at larger more established venues for more income and larger audiences - which should always be considered, as to not undersell tickets However despite the contrast this has with smaller venues, newer bands who may perform locally may have more opportunity to interact with audiences and build up the engagement they initially need to typically then perform at larger more impressionable venues. The type of venue and/or show is compulsory in if a band should or should not perform for the day of the performance, if a venue is holding a show for i.e punk music, and the band performs black metal, it won't work out. The reputation of your band and your values should also be considered, if the associated acts may have harmful beliefs, messages - it would not be in interest to perform with those associated acts. 

Gear: in my opinion is subjective to your own capabilities of creating your own sound, however, if you were to play smaller venues without the support of any sound engineering you may want that higher output amplifier, cabinet etc. Typically certain genres will also demand certain effects, capabilities for your equipment to have also. At the end of the day your instrument - such as your guitar, is the way you converse yourself through in your performance - you want to be comfortable and secure in knowing you can voice yourself through your playing and understanding how you articulate this in your own gear. In preparation every musician should make sure to also supply themselves in case any string, battery, stick etc breaks or no longer works during the performance.

Attention: As a band you should actively advertise your shows by means of social media, connections, friends - family etc, trying to establish your band image whilst doing so, this makes your band more impressionable in how you will be known and hopefully establish yourself early into the local music scene. Starting out it may be advisable in performing at potential lower rates for local venues as you really want to establish yourself to the public and make connections in associated acts, venues etc. However moving onward as you start to get more engagement there will be more opportunities to expand your audience and reach into potentially more venues, whereby at this point you would have to consider potentially paying for marketing to advertise your band and potential shows - as typically the more tickets sold the better.

Setting: Typically the setting of the stage and the band's presence should be established, this can be amplified with preparation in lighting such as with the use of a dmx, imagery of the band may be a present section as well as in more expansive performances - pyrotechnics, dance routines etc. 

Engagement: As not only musicians but performers, a crucial element of a band's presence and receptiveness is in how they acknowledge, interact with the audience - typically by the front person however every band member's communication with the audience helps establish a closer relationship and more intimate memorable dynamic such as with call and response, movement, proximity etc.

Clarity: Stage monitoring and sound checking should be implemented to help with the clarity of performing allowing for every member to be in a familial range, not disrupting or drowning out others in the live mix of the music; members of the band should still be able to hear themselves clearly.

Communication: between member dynamics can also be integrated into the performance such as call and response between each other etc, a property of blues for example - in a live performance heavily emphasises the call and response relationship between the vocals and lead guitar. Another property of this communication is also in stage presence itself - if members were to be isolated, not interacting with each other or the audience the performance may seem more alienated and deemed more boring.

Networking/engagement: is a priority in establishing the reputation of your band and expanding engagement, allowing for more capabilities in expanding your fans, audience, connections etc. Interacting with the audience after the show helps secure memorability and closeness between your band and your audience - potentially even receiving feedback in what to improve upon in your performances whilst gaining an insight into the artistic success and impression you have established. This also is a really intimate gesture which may support the experiences of fans alike when meeting the performers...for example: