For the final performance, the band plans to wear suits or clothing to the same level of formality with blue ties as to fit the theme of Electric Blue. It would be ideal to balance the amount of people on each side of the stage so the audience’s attention is equally spread. To match the band theme, we’ve also asked for blue lights throughout our set. Our movement as a band is minimal, I think I’m the only member who is swaying or nodding. The awkward quiet gaps between each song need to be shortened or filled in with interaction through the vocalist preparing a script. To shorten the time generally, we need to rehearse the full show with instrument changes and record each. With this, we should discuss the order of songs we’re performing as we want to play I’ll Be Missing You, followed by Coolio’s Gangsta’s Paradise and then The Cranberries’ Zombie as to build up momentum and band morale.
The sound on stage was unbalanced. One of our guitarists couldn’t hear themselves for the first two songs and our keyboard players felt their playing couldn’t be heard. Also, in Zombie, the distorted guitar should overpower the clean tone. The lighting in the mock performance was the same for every band but should be changed by Monday. My personal sound stays the same, I maintain a warm, clean tone for my bass. I think the guitar parts were loud enough, but my bass part during Gangsta’s Paradise should overpower most parts. The bass in that song is a key part. I can turn up my bass levels without touching the amp or signal the sound technician by pointing up or down.
Our band’s structure was perfect aside from in the second song. In the second song, our drummer ended a few bars early due to lack of focus and not knowing the structure properly. Our interaction on stage was minimal, I nod to the drummer as to say ‘good to go’ and smile at band members when we sound good for reassurance. In Zombie, the distorted guitar signals where I should begin a verse and I maintain eye contact throughout them playing the short melody as to maintain focus. I need to study the lyrics to perform with confidence and ensure no mistakes will be made, even with nerves. Our count-in before I’ll Be Missing You is a bit delayed and could use some work or clear signalling from one of us. I think the clean guitar tone in Gangsta’s Paradise could be changed to be less harsh and Zombie’s clean guitar tone should have phaser enabled.
I believe I played my part during the first two song to a high standard with some note duration issues during Gangsta’s Paradise. I need to ensure the first of the two notes don’t ring out. The chorus I played in this song was a clear signal as the beginning and continuation of the chorus which I assume the guitarists follow along with the vocals. In I’ll Be Missing You, the drums were too fast and so the band played the song while struggling to keep up. No particular part got to shine because the panic got to us about the speed of the song. My part was fairly easy but should ring out appropriately to what feels right. My tone was fitting as both songs were okay with a clean bass tone.
Targets:
- Work on the second song, specifically on structure and tempo with the drummer.
- Do a full run-through of the set with a script for pauses during instrument switches and tone adjustments. Have a script for Ashton and myself so we’re prepared either way. The biggest gap between songs should be from Gangsta’s Paradise to Zombie as practically everyone is switching instruments or changing their tone.
- Practice and research vocal projection at home and apply both in rehearsal.