Rick Ross Show Opening Act Audition--Thurs, May 15th --- Live Concert, Fri, May 16th
WHAT IS LOOKED AT IN AN OPEN MIC SHOWCASE?
When we have an open mic, talent search or showcase event we tell
the participating artists to come do their show. Often we are only
asked how many songs can be done. We often answer "do your
best show" in the time allotted and don't worry about the number of
songs. Many unsigned artists don't seem to understand what we mean
by that. And they also wonder why they don't "win" any talent contests.
Yet, they are out looking for paid shows.
What is the difference between doing songs vs. doing a show? And
by extension, what are promoters, talent agencies and
showcase judges looking for from an artist that sets one performance apart from another? Obviously you have to have some talent or skills (they are not the same).
Here's what Bama Hip Hop considers at our programs.
- Stage presence (commanding personality, attention getting, hard for people
to look away, "all eyes on me"),
- Appearance (looking the part of the role you're playing, fresh clean fashion,
not tired looking or dingy, alertness)
- Crowd control/interaction (who else besides the folks who came
with you were on the floor or dancing at their table to your music,
audience picking up your hook and singing along)
- Vocal delivery (could understand what you were saying, breathing, good mic technique, projection of the voice vs.shouting in the mic),
- Lyrical delivery (did not miss lyrics or forget lyrics or be off timing with rapping over their full pre-recorded song--we consider this a form of lip-synching),
- Physical delivery (energy level, stamina, motivation),
- Choreograpy (everyone knowing their role or their place on stage,
coordination and timing, awareness of what others on stage around
you are doing, movement that helped the song come alive, use of props),
- Production (recording levels, originality, feeling),
- Showmanship (being larger then life, star quality, delivering beyond what
the audience expects often referred to as "getting more bang for your buck"),
- Entertainment value (how broad an audience would be attracted to your
presentation, would they be likely to spend money on tickets to
your show, are you leaving them with something more than they came with emotionally).
- Professionalism (are you clean and sober when you hit the stage or high and staggering, are you goofing off on yourself and others, showing respect for the equipment, DJ, moderator, judges, sponsor and audience,prepared and well rehearsed, press kit and CD at the ready--no magic marker labels, not disturbing the peace, ready to adapt to an unexpected situation with class rather than with attitude like when your home burned CD won't play and you have to do your song without music)
You can sell a lot of CDs but if your stage show sucks, and word gets
around about that, you won't be working very much and your fanbase will go elsewhere. You have to be able to translate, transfer the energy,
emotion and excitement people hear on your CD to the stage and go one better when you're doing it live. When the public comes to a show they are looking for the same or bigger thrill in person from you that they get when your song is coming out of their stereo. If you can't deliver on that then your career will suffer.
Take a second look at the artists who haven't had a hit song in decades or those who never had a hit
but still pack large halls with people because they put
on a helluva show. Live performances sell music. That's the
difference between doing songs and doing a show.
And that's our view on what makes a good performance impression.
OPEN MIC--OPENING ACT AUDITION THIS THURS You know the way it's done.
*up to 8 minutes on the mic
*original songs only, no remixes, no mixtape joints
*you get only one time on the mic--no collabos: if ya boi wants to help with your song then he can't come up later on to do his own song--you in it together all the way or you go solo
*no lip synching--if you rap or sing over your entire song you lose points so we better be able to hear your voice clearly
*come with a show--a well planned, rehearsed presentation. The selected artist will perform in front of a crowd of 1,000 people. Act like an Opening Act.
*your name must be on the CD. No name, no performance.
*come with your best material for your show--if the DJ not feeling it you may get put on "BLAST"
Check-in signup begins 10 p.m. Showcase begins at 12 Midnight. No registration fee. You must perform live to be considered. No email or mail-in submission.
$5 general admission to Studio 231 with proper ID. Age 18 and older. No ID, No Admittance.
Studio 231@ 231 E. Broad Street, Gadsden, AL. down the street from Ronnie Watkins Ford car dealership. For questions or travel info send email to bamahiphop@yahoo.com or phone 256-282-0799.
Open Mic is a Bama Hip Hop event. www.myspace.com/bamahiphopnetwork and www.bamahiphop.homestead.com
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