Chapter 14: First Show and Managing Expectations

Posted by admin on April 13th, 2010 | 1 Comment »

Our first electric show as a band was exactly as it sounds, our first show.  Now, this was a great first show, we had a blast, loved playing at the amazing venue that is “The Stage on Herr,” but for the most part, myself included, we were all just trying our best not to fuck up on stage.

This is to be expected however, and this is where the “management of expectations” lesson needs to be learned.   I realized after the show that even though it was a great success for our first show and we had a great time and loved being there, I still felt disappointed.

And I felt disappointed not for any reason except that I had unrealistic expectations for how our performance was destined to go.  There is a difference between lame expectations (where you set your sights too low to prevent yourself the pain of dissapointment) and unrealistic expectations where you believe that somehow you are excempt from the realities of this business.

The proper expecatations that I should have from here on out are radical expecations.  Just like my radical plan, totally achievable ONLY if I work my ass off and believe in myself.  Not pie in the sky unrealistic and not lame as to prevent myelf from being disappointed.

Here were the realities that we were facing as a band:

1) We had only three rehearsals before this show.  One where people learned the material.  The second where we practiced the material that we learned.  And the third where we did a full run through with minimal stops and some serious spot checks.

2) Because my musicians had just learned the material, they had to read from charts.  Nothing wrong with this, it’s necessary and common, but not as conducive to flow, spontaneity and celebration as if the material was memorized and played 100 times before.  (This is obviously the next step.)

3) It was the first time we had ever run through the material without stopping.

So what would radical expectations look like:

1) That we play the music solidly without making too many mistakes (accomplished)

2) We enjoy ourselves and sound great regardless of whether or not we have the material in our blood (accomplished)

3) We have a great time playing and connecting with the audience regardless of the fact that we are still shaky on the material (accomplished)

4) We gain new fans, build relationships with them and develop a great relationship with the club owner and promoters where they like our show and want us to come back. (accomplished)

5) We make sell/give away merchandise to 20% of the total amount of people there.  (We did about 40% in terms of money and about 70% in terms of how many people left with a CD)

If the above expectations are radical for a first show, then we even exceeded them and the show was a great success. So, where would my disappointment come from?

My ego’s unrealistic expectations that we would be transcendental on our first performance, that every song would sound amazing and near perfect, that we would create magical moments multiple multiple times and leave the audience begging for more.

It’s all possible, with time and practice…stay tuned.