
Making announcements on stage is an art form that’s about more than just introducing the next song. Whether you’re fronting a band, are part of an acoustic duo, or perform solo with your loop station, good “emceeing” can make the difference between an “okay” concert and an unforgettable one.
But what makes a great presenter? And how can you as a musician get better at it? Are announcements really necessary? Here are some tips, tricks, and a few important no-gos for your next live show.
Why are announcements important?
The music may take centre stage, but live concerts are all about the connection between the artists and the audience. A successful set is more than just a sequence of songs.
The moments in between are equally important, if not more. The transitions between songs are your chance to lead through the evening and build a personal connection with your audience.
With good announcements, you can:
- Create an atmosphere: Depending on how you present yourself, your audience will be put in a different mood – relaxed, excited, or thoughtful.
- Build up suspense: What happens next? A skillful announcement increases the anticipation for the next song.
- Strengthen your brand: Your presentation is part of your overall appearance. It helps you be perceived as an authentic artist.
- Solving difficult situations: Good announcements can save stressful moments, whether it’s a technical problem or a quiet audience.
The basics: What makes a good presenter?
Successful announcements should be spontaneous, authentic, and, most importantly, fitting for both the band and the audience. The following fundamental rules are crucial:
1. Be yourself
Don’t try to sound like someone else. Feel comfortable in your own skin. In your language. In your presentation. If you’re authentic, people will feel it. Your humour, energy, and character are the bond between you and your audience.
2. Engage with your audience
A good presenter creates a sense of togetherness. This can happen through eye contact, a funny anecdote, or a little interaction. My tip: Address the audience as if you were talking to friends.
3. Timing is everything
Your announcements should be neither too short nor too long. Nobody wants to listen to a monologue, but offering a dry “The next song is called XY” without any further context is a missed opportunity. Find the right balance!
4. Be structured
Announcements do not have to be spontaneous. Plan ahead at which points of your setlist you want to say something and why. Impromptu ideas are great, but good planning can help you stay on top of things. Keep the overall dynamics of the show in mind when planning your announcements.
5. Don’t try to conceal problems
If a technical problem occurs or you make a mistake, don’t sweat it. Own the situation, talk about it, make a joke out of it, and show that you have it under control. The audience loves it when artists appear human.
6. “Read” the audience and address them appropriately
Not every presentation style works with every audience. Are you playing in a small bar? You can be more direct and personal there. A festival audience, on the other hand, requires larger gestures and announcements that carry all the way to the back rows.
1. Question: Who is here?
- Smaller gigs: More closeness and dialogue. Ask for names, birthdays, and experiences, and make casual small talk with people.
- Larger gigs: Announcements with lots of energy and a clear voice. If you’re not yet super confident as a presenter, little jokes or questions to the crowd (“Do you want to dance with me?!”) can be a good starting point. But try not to overdo it, as this can become too impersonal. Adele, for example, is a master at creating personal moments in huge stadiums, while constantly aware of the fact that a lot of people are watching her.
2. Question: What suits your band?
- Do you play melancholic indie folk? Then thoughtful statements about the lyrics are authentic.
- Do you play loud rock? The announcements can be bold, cheeky, and self-confident.
Like the band Bilderbuch at Open Flair, for example:
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Interactions and gags: how to stand out
Interactive announcements create a special connection. A few tried and tested techniques will help you do this:
7. Ask the audience questions
“Which of you have ever been to one of our concerts?” would be one of the standard options. But it can also be more personal: “I love ice cream. Even in the middle of winter. Who here also loves ice cream?” Questions like this encourage people to join in and (literally) break the ice.
8. Create inside jokes
Did something extraordinary happen today? A little mishap, a special moment for the band or the audience? These little stories carry through the evening and give the show a unique character.
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9. The right amount of humour
Humour can be great, but it has to be on point. Don’t reel off lame jokes. In the vast majority of cases, you won’t do yourself a favour with those. Stick to your style. Are you a natural-born comedian? Fine! If you aren’t, don’t pretend to be one.
10. Put your songs in context
Instead of just naming the title of the next song, you can tell a short story: “This song was written when we almost got lost on a totally absurd trip to Sweden…”. That brings the song to life. You don’t have to explain the lyrics of the song. It’s about creating an atmosphere.
The most common mistakes and how to avoid them
Even experienced musicians sometimes make mistakes when making announcements. Here are the most common pitfalls – and how you can avoid them:
- Too much talking: The audience is there for the music, not for endless rambling. Keep it short and crisp.
- Not being prepared: Just talking away often comes across as unstructured. Plan which songs you want to emphasize and how you want to create transitions.
- Mumbling into the microphone: speaking is not singing! Look into the audience, speak clearly and with confidence.
- Ignoring the audience: If you barely interact between songs, the audience will feel left out. That doesn’t mean you have to talk all the time. But if you show that you’re aware of your audience and comfortable on stage, people will notice.
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Finally, here are two alternatives to standard announcements in case you don’t feel comfortable with all of the above:
1. Alternative options: If you don’t want to make spoken announcements between songs, try to create musical transitions, for example.
2. Announcements don’t have to be spoken: You don’t have to talk. You can also rap or sing announcements if you like, or do something completely different. Be creative: Apsilon, for example, uses video interludes to transition between songs:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DF0pVa7aqSI
3. Study other artists or presenters that you like.
Experiment with a few of our tips at your next show and find out, bit by bit, what suits you and your band. It’s not about being perfect, but about making the moments between the songs just as special as the music itself. And who knows – maybe your announcements will even become a trademark that people love!
How to make announcements on stage: Tips | Your feedback
Do you want to share your own tips for making announcements or have you experienced any funny situations on stage? Let us know with a comment!
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Mike Evans says:
If you’re in a band discuss which band members like and want to do the announcements and are able to talk infront of an audience (which is different than playing in front of an audience). Don’t assume or think that only the singer or band leader can/ should make them. Particularly in amateur and semi pro bands, the members are likely to have day jobs and some may be more conducive to talking to strangers because of their day jobs so would be better suited than others.
Mike Thomas says:
Name check the band members but make it relevant – the singer after a special song, the drummer after a solo, the bass player after a particularly intricate song (or the solo in The Chain!), etc.