A Singer Walks into a Bar…

I am a musician. I think I’ve mentioned before that I play the oboe with a local civic orchestra. When I go out I enjoy a good live performer from time to time. I have friends who are amazing singer/guitar players and who play local venues in our area. I’ve seen this done well so I know it’s possible. They set up their performance area; microphone, speakers, stool, and instrument. Their music is easy to listen to and compliments any gathering you are having. They sing and play just enough in the background to be pleasing and just enough in the forefront that you can’t miss them. My question is, who in their right mind thought blasting a bad karaoke singer or cover band while you’re trying to dine and mingle with your friends was a good idea?

It’s not. You can’t hear what others are saying, everyone spends the night straining over the food to hear a word or two, and inevitably odd sentences were heard that didn’t exist because someone missed a part of their conversation. Most often the noise that’s drowning out the friendly chit-chat isn’t even worth the attention it’s striving for. I understand that a musician is trying to make a living but they might be more successful if they weren’t screaming over dinner.

Bar and restaurant owners take it from a Certified Meeting Professional who is trained to give an audience a stellar experience so they return again and again. Turn it down. The audience wants to be entertained. They want to engage with the performer but will tune out and eventually leave if they can’t carry on a basic conversation or if they are put off by the quality or volume of music.

The performer can be heard, trust me. Put them in a location on one side of the room so if someone is more hard of hearing they can opt to sit on the opposite side. Provide more quality sound not louder volume. Offer slightly better equipment or understand how to mix sound (or hire someone who does) so the actual tone coming from the equipment is more pleasing to the ears. This will elevate the experience for the performer and the patrons.

It doesn’t hurt to educate your audience from time to time. If you have regulars, they eventually are trained, and train their guests, to respond in the appropriate way. Introduce the performer and tell the patrons a snippet about them and their style of music. Encourage them to applaud after a performance they enjoy or consider tipping a performer to show their support. Inspiring these behaviors in the patrons will keep good performers coming back and create a better experience for everyone including yourself as you experience an increase in sales.

Don’t forget to also educate the performer. Let them know what types of patrons you have on different nights of the week. You know who comes to your establishment and they’re not always the same type of people night after night. Provide feedback you hear from your patrons in a helpful way. Let the performer know when they are hitting it out of the park and when they’re falling flat. The performer doesn’t know what to improve if they’re never told what the audience is thinking. Feedback is important. It doesn’t have to be a negative thing.

Hopefully you have had a great experience with weeknight performers. I know there are many like my friend out there. Ideally you’ve had the pleasure of hearing him! The next time you are at a restaurant with a live performer that’s too loud don’t just tolerate it, ask the owner to turn it down. And, if you have enjoyed the music you heard, let the performer know. Providing your feedback could improve the evening for everyone.

Do you have a story about your experience with a live performer at a restaurant? I’d love to hear it! Share it here or send me an email.

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