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USA Festival From the hedonistic ashes of Woodstock rose a new, socially conscious kind of festival, where big-name artists joined forces to raise money for family farmers in the US, performing before a crowd of 80,000 people.
Live sound in the great British outdoors Supplying, rigging and operating PA systems for outdoor events in the UK takes a special combination of expertise and meticulous organisation. When it’s your gear sitting there slowly soaking up the rain, you probably don’t want to be relying on someone else having a Plan B.
The Role of Musical Director in Theatre The role of Musical Director in theatre productions is invariably demanding, but what happens to the stress levels when you add sound engineer duties to the mix?
On stage More than 50 years after the BBC’s legendary music and sound effects department was founded, five former staff members decided to take their pioneering techniques to the stage.
Choosing the right power supply for your pedals Batteries are simple and effective as a power source, but if you have more than one or two pedals or high-current devices, they can be costly and inconvenient too. The answer may be a mains power supply, but there are still a few issues to get to grips with.
Types & technology Gradually, stage tuners have crept into our lives, first as helpful counsellors if we had to tune in a working men’s club while the bingo was on, and now as implacable minor gods. We take a look at some of the many models available.
Early Genesis for the modern keyboardist Forming a tribute act can be challenging when it comes to getting the sound as close to the original band as possible, and approaching the keyboard rig for a Genesis tribute certainly proved tricky.
Showcasing new talent The annual CMJ Music Marathon has a reputation for showcasing new talent, attracting over a thousand bands and 100,000 music enthusiasts to their gigs across Manhattan, as well as hosting various events, including appearances from big-name artists. We find out what it's like to perform there and how to get involved in next year's marathon.
Acoustic guitars on stage Amplifying acoustic guitars for live performance is an inherently compromised process, in which one attempts to reconcile the need for volume with inevitable loss of the true character of the original sound. Has the amplified acoustic in fact become a different instrument?
Jeff Wayne's musical on tour Thirty years after Jeff Wayne first put H.G. Wells' science fiction epic to music, he and his musicians prepare to embark upon a 2009 Anniversary Tour to celebrate his 1978 recording, along with a full supporting cast, a barrage of equipment and a multitude of special effects.
Making the most of your backstage area The state and size of dressing rooms can vary immensely, from the luxurious suite with all-modern amenities to the square metre of space in the WC out back, so here's a few tips to help you avoid pre-show panic.
Techniques & Tips What do you do when you need acoustic and electric guitar parts in the same song... and you're the only guitar player in the band? Well, how about a separate 'fake acoustic' output from your electric, for a start?
Stage Techniques Norah Jones, Michael Bublé, Harry Connick Jr. and others are the vanguard of the increasingly popular jazzy pop genre, and one that takes some special sound skills to keep it up close and personal.
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Techniques & Tips For soloists, pre-recorded backing tracks can seem like the perfect way to expand and enhance a live performance, but taking the time to prepare them properly is essential.
Stagecraft For soloists, pre-recorded backing tracks can seem like the perfect way to expand and enhance a live performance, but it's important to know how to use them effectively.
Stagecraft A trem-equipped guitar that won't stay in tune can turn what should be a joyous experience into a miserable and frustrating one, but most tuning problems can be solved using just a little logic and ingenuity.
Stagecraft Ableton's Live software brought a whole new way of working to digital audio workstations, perhaps for the first time making the manipulation of audio during live performance a comfortable experience. Our US correspondent Craig Anderton's solo gigs have been based around this software for the last few years, so if you are contemplating stage performances with Live, this guide is essential reading.
Performing Techniques At any given time, there are hundreds of significant music-related contests in progress all over the world. We take a look at how they could help you to further your career as a performing musician.
Play something we know! For many musicians, performing a cover of a song is the biggest form of sell-out there is, but overcoming this trepidation and making the song your own could really help you get in touch with your audience.
Stagecraft An important part of performing live is to be as prepared as you can possibly be. We show you how to avoid those last-minute panics and offer tips on organising your live rig.
Stage Techniques Why hide behind a mic stand when you can enjoy freedom of movement on stage? Now that headset mics offer comparable quality to hand-held designs, you might find that using one improves your performance.
Craig Anderton Don't believe the hype... or do believe the hype? One user finds out that for live performance, the Digital Les Paul exceeds expectations — but first, you have to tame it.
L-Acoustics dV-DOSC rig • Yamaha M7 desk Amplifying an open-air opera provides a very different technical challenge to the average rock gig. Accepting the role of Sound Director, rather than running one his his own rigs, Performing Musician's PA correspondent ends up working with an L-Acoustics dV-DOSC rig, a Yamaha M7 desk and Roland digital multicore.
Stagecraft How often have you seen a highly competent band, with perfectly good songs, and yet still found yourself yearning for something extra to keep you interested? Chances are the missing ingredient was dynamics.
Stagecraft Trying to get the set list 'right on the night' can be a real challenge for many bands. Do you kick off with all your strongest material and risk boring the audience later on, or do you pace your performance and go for a slow start that allows you to build up towards a big finale? We asked a number of performers, covering a wide range of musical styles, about their approach to this important aspect of live performance.
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