We love feedback. Especially when the insights come from the professionals who do it daily. Here is Steve McNulty’s take on improving the guest experience at your music venue.
I was thinking about great times I’ve had listening to music in iconic places. Landmarks like Duval Street in Key West, Ski season in Colorado and the French Quarter in New Orleans. What tied these experiences all together was the crowd participation. Getting people up on stage for some contest or sing along. Drunk people love to sing along. I remember being in Vail Colorado. The entertainers would bring people up on stage for sing-alongs and a dance contest. The crowd would vote for the winner. The venue or bar would give away cheap tequila to help the party and reward the winners. People love free drinks and it helped create a fun, party atmosphere.
Another thing I noticed in most of these places. Managers, bar staff and servers were also on board with creating a fun, party vibe. They clap, cheer and sang along for the entertainer. This helped create excitement and energy in the room.
If everyone worked together, bar managers, staff and entertainers. We could take the entertainment program to another level!
Here are a couple of things that both parties can do.
Servers/Bartenders/Managers
•Don’t be afraid to clap/cheer/sing along. Get excited about the music program, even if you have to fake it.
•Don’t be afraid to buy a few drinks for guests, work with the performer to have some giveaways.
To make a music program successful we must be willing to work together hand in hand.
Performers
•Find ways to get people involved. (Buying a couple of tambourines is an easy start.)
•Learn some classic songs and sing along songs.
•Be engaging, talk to the crowd. Have short, funny conversations with your audience.
Take some time to discuss marketing and promotional nights. Let us work together so that we can take the entertainment program to another level!
Do you have any insight on how to make cover shows more engaging? Leave us a comment.
