Home | Editors | Features | Columns | Photos | Regional | New Groove Road Trip | Tour Journal | Venue | Levels | Ghosts | Homegrown | Inaudible | CDs | Charts

You Are The Eyes Of The World!
Cam Duffy

Jam bands are extremely interesting beasts. There is a certain amount of intensity that goes along with being in a jam band and much of that intensity comes from the audience. As a member of the audience at any kind of musical show, you hold the power to make (or break) a show. If the venue is small, like a bar, the band can see the reaction to their tunes first hand. If the venue is larger it usually means the band has a following of some sort but they still require reaction from the audience to make it really special. There is nothing worse for a band member, than playing your ass off for however long only to have most of the interest of the audience focused on the pool tables at the back of the room. So here now, for your reading pleasure, are the 5 basic rules of audience membership as I see them (IMHO):

1. Enjoy the music being presented. Do not yell out requests for your favourite tune unless you are sure the band will play it. It can be fairly uncomfortable from a performers stand point to to take two minutes between songs to explain that you don't play that particular tune or bands music. More often than not, whenever I have played a small venue there is always someone who thinks that that you are a juke box and that in your 100 song repetoirre, you don't play anything they will like.

2. Participate if you are asked to. It can really be a lot of fun to have the audience sing certain parts or yell out things on cue (I'm thinkin' Wil-son !!, or the crowd at a Dead show singing Not Fade Away long after the band has finished).Participation can be as simple as clapping time with your hands. It can have a very emotional effect for both band and audience but above all else - it shows the band that you are interested. The more interested you are - the more interested the band will be in providing a special night of music.

3. Cheer like a maniac. Last weekend is a good example from MudStik land. We played a small bar (and I do mean small) that didn't have many people. There was a general announcement made at the start that the show would be taped so please make as much noise as you can. I know for a fact that five people going nuts in a small room can sound like fifty on tape but after playing like crazy people for over three and a half hours (taped), the crowd response was less than great. It's not that they didn't like us (many said they did - unsolicited) but I think people feel that if they show any kind of emotion for music in a bar, everyone else will throw them out on their butt ! Trust me this is not the case. In fact the opposite usually happens. If a few start hootin' and hollerin' after tunes then others will follow suit. Pretty soon it's the one's that aren't hootin' and hollerin' that look odd.

4. Dance, dance, dance. If the band is a good jam band, chances are the tunes they do are going to groove. If this is the case, then so should you. I have been known to jump down off the stage and dance up a storm (complete with guitar) because the folks at the front were dancin' the sidewalk clean. Dancing is a distant cousin of the audience participation thing. If you're grinnin' and dancin' it means you're having a good time. If you are having a good time it must mean the band is as well ! See how this all relates to itself ?

5. If you liked it - let them know. If none of the above appeals to you because you are just a music lovin' wallflower, at least tell the band (between sets or after the show) that you really liked what you heard. I can tell you there is a lot of practise that goes into being improvisational and when the band peels off a particularly good tune or show they like to know it was worth it. Jammers are not mind readers. Just because you are there doesn't mean you appreciate the tunes (hell, you might have just missed your bus and have to hang around) so be appreciative and show it.

Along with being appreciative goes the support of a band. Many bands like ourselves don't have much disposable cash but stuff always needs to be paid for anyway. That's where the merchandise comes in. If you like the band and they have something for sale (tapes, shirts, good bud or whatever) buy it ! Chances are the item(s) won't be that expensive and it gives everyone a warm fuzzy feeling all over. A week later you still have a momento of a good night and the band is delerious with the knowledge that their tape, shirt or good bud is in circulation for all to enjoy !

Being a good fan is really not that tough. It does require you to show up, be polite and respectful and above all else - have a blast ! The next time that band you so enjoyed comes to play your local (and they will be back if the you want them to be) you will all have a connection that keeps growing ! Now get out there and have fun, dammit !

---

Cam Duffy can be found lying in the fetal position on his jamroom floor in Beaverton, Ontario contemplating the lost chord!