South Summit's Top 4 Tips For The Perfect Showcase

1.Prepare ahead of time

We’re lucky to have performed at a few different music industry festivals in the past before SXSW, and the biggest tip is to make sure you and your band know exactly what you’re going to play. We don’t usually write our whole sets for our own shows, we like to go with the flow of the crowd, but for these quick showcases, it’s very important to know exactly what’s coming next. Also, with showcases generally being very short (20-30min), you need to be very concise. Set up a timer in the jam room before to make sure you can fit everything you want into your showcase set time. Get in the rehearsal room, figure out your set ahead of time, and write down hard copies to take on stage.

2.Be uniquely you

During your set, you want to showcase everything there is about your band. Industry professionals are looking for a band who not only plays good music, but who is unique and stands out from the rest. Is there a certain thing you love to do in your live show? Do you engage with the crowd in a certain way? You should make time for these in your showcases.

3.Play a range of music

Showcases are not your typical set. Usually bands would finish with their main songs, but in a showcase, industry professionals have 30 different places to be at once, so they will most likely be floating around most venues, not watching the whole set. You want to put your “best” songs throughout the set to increase your chance of those people liking what they hear and sticking around! Mix it up with song selection too, don’t forget to show off your broad range of music and sounds. A showcase is - showing off what you can do.

4.Practise!

Get in the jam room, get as tight as possible. You want the set to come as second nature, know it like the back of your hand. Get your parts down and work as a team with your band to put in the best performance you can.