Talent is a big part of the talent review process, but there are so many other qualities that make a performer standout and shine in the spotlight. Below are the qualities we feel are important when evaluating talent. Believe it or not, we can assess performers very quickly on these qualities. A performer with his/her head down and closed eyes, no facial expression, no stage movement, no audience engagement and no dynamic energy will score poorly in an overall talent assessment. The best way to score favorably is to do a lot of gigs, and get comfortable performing to all size crowds in all types of venues. Your confidence level will shine, and it will be evident to the audience. Sometimes the smallest gigs can end up being your best performance. I love to tell the story about a band that performed at the 2015 Yankee Homecoming, to nothing but empty chairs. People arrived throughout the day claiming their spot on the ground for the evening concert, and they had no plans on watching the current concert going on. In this situation, it is easy to tone down your performance and take it easy on stage, however, the band actually performed to the empty seats as though they were filled with hundreds of people. This is not easy to do, but you must never show how discouraged you may be with the show outcome, and at all times should put on the best show you know how.
Stage presence/personality
- Does the performer move around the stage and take the mic off the mic stand?
- Does the performer show respect for band mates and others on stage with him/her?
- Does the performer lift off the ground or show movement to the music at any time during the performance?
- Does the performer make eye contact with the audience?
- Does the performer engage with the audience and get them to respond to his/her music?
- Does the performer feel the music and move rhythmically to the music?
- Does the performer look like they are enjoying themselves all through their performance?
- Does the performer naturally respond to the music?
- Does the performer have confidence and command of the stage?
Likeability
- Does the performer genuinely show they care about their music?
- Does the performer show they care about the audience’s acceptance and enthusiasm for their performance?
- Does the performer smile and show their everyday personality on stage?
- Does the performer perform as though they are the only one in the room, and ignore the audience?
- Does the performer stick around to engage with potential new fans?
- Is any of his/her performance forced and unnatural?
- Does the performer show they are having fun before, during and after their performance?
- Does the performer show they are down to earth and approachable?
Genuine passion
- Can you visibly see the performer’s passion for his/her music and their love for live performing?
- How real are the emotions the performer shows on and off the stage?
- Does the performer want to keep playing?
- How willingly does the performer engage with fans
- Does the performer smile and demonstrate positive energy when he/she is performing
Connection
- Is the performer connected to the audience or could he/she just as well be performing to an empty room?
- Does the performer comfortably make eye contact with the audience?
- Does the performer get the audience participating in their performance (clapping, singing, and dancing)?
- Does the performer talk to the audience and interact in two-way communications?
Setting goals and building a One Sheet and resume is important to staying focused and showing growth as a performer. We see performers who month to month show they are growing, while others perform the same songs they did six months prior and don’t seem to challenge themselves. Have a plan and focus on how you can get more attention in such a competitive industry. If you are a writer, keep putting out new songs. If you are not, find someone to write for you and get into the recording studio. Be aware of all these qualities and score yourself following each performance. Then ask others to score you and see how the assessments compare.