"For optimum amp tone onstage, plug your amp into your own AC outlet.." - Eric Johnson DOING GIGS
In my opinion, there are two kinds of performers:
1 - Concert performers -- who do well in front of a sit-down audience
2 - Club performers -- who do well in a noisy atmosphere
Next you have to consider if you are going to be performing your own material or covers or both.
If you decide to do covers, here are some good tips:
1) The song should really move you.
2) Make
song your own, otherwise after awhile you'll just feel like "parrot" for someone else's material (and to me there's far less creativity in that - just my opinion mind you).
3) Cover Songs are great ice-breakers and shouldn't be overlooked as great tools for any songwriter to use. Do covers, from artists who lend to your style in one way or another. Opening with a recognizable cover song really helps an audience relate to you and get an idea of where you're coming from as an artist ... and also helps them relate more to your originals, too.
Selling yourself:
Get your Bio / Demo ready for Concert Promoters & Club Owners.
I've read a bunch of stuff about preparing demo submissions for venues, with bio's and clippings and stuff like that - but I'm sure there's more to it than that?
You don't need much. No club owner or mgr. is gonna want a 20 page book on you, nor will he/she be impressed with elaborate artwork and/or printing. Just a single sheet of paper that briefly and concisely states what type of artist you are, what kind of songs you play, how you interact with an audience and where you've played or are playing ... and a CD with either 3 or 4 whole songs, or 6-8 songs that each fade after a minute. That, along with a congenial introduction and followup calls will be enough.
Performance anxiety can be an issue. Fortunately, most musicians overcome this in a short period of time - I've found that going to open mics, just getting up there and doing it has helped immensely. Find a supportive group of people in your genres'scene.
