7 WAYS TO RESCUE YOUR GIG.
WHEN THE CROWD DOESN’T GIVE A SHIT.
Every band, no matter how slick or seasoned, ends up staring down the barrel of a dead room at some point. Let’s show you how to flip the switch and get the crowd energised.
FROM PATHETIC SHITE TO EPIC GIG NGHT
You know the scene, a handful of punters glued to their phones, the bar staff looking bored and that one old bloke in the corner who’s only there because his darts game got cancelled. The gig you were all hyped up for turns out to have the energy of a funeral buffet.
It’s brutal. It’s deflating. And it’s exactly when most cover bands fold.
But not you. You’re a fucking War Machine. You don’t just survive dead rooms, you weaponize them. So, let’s explore those 7 no-bullshit tips for turning a dead pub crowd into a bunch of mad, chaotic fans.
1 – CHECK YOUR EGO AT THE DOOR
First off, you need to accept that the crowd isn’t always the problem. Sometimes you’re off your game, sometimes the sound is shit, sometimes the venue is just a bit crap. But your job is to fire up the flames, no matter what.
If you’re playing like you feel like you’re owed something, then the crowd will smell it. They’re not there to rescue you or simper, they’re in the place to be entertained. So, ditch the sulk, shake off the entitlement and get to work.
2 – READ THE ROOM LIKE A PRO (ESSENTIAL PUB GIG ADVICE)
Don’t just stare out into the void and hope for a miracle. Watch what little energy there is. Are people chatting? Are they half-watching you? Are they ignoring you completely?
Adapt. If your opening salvo of bangers is bombing, it’s time to switch tactics.
Practical Move:
- Abandon the setlist, just for a song or two. Pull out a tune you know always gets a big reaction, play it even if it might not be cool.
3 – DON’T BREAK THE ICE, SMASH IT TO PIECES
You want to jolt people out of their apathy? Talk to them. Not in a “So, who’s celebrating a birthday?” cruise ship way, but in your own voice. Tell a quick, funny story about your worst ever gig, or how you nearly didn’t make it tonight because the drummer accidentally set fire to his jacket on the train. Make it personal, make it real, make them laugh.
If you’re feeling brave in your big boy pants, then get off the stage and play a song from the floor. Walk around and look like you’re having fun, because then they’ll start to loosen up too.
Practical Moves:
- Call out the venue in a cheeky way (“I heard this place gets pretty wild on a Thursday. Let’s prove it.”)
- Dedicate a song to the bar staff. They’ll love you for it, and sometimes that’s all it takes to get the room going.
4 – CROWD PARTICIPATION, NO AWKWARD MOMENTS ALLOWED
Forget those awkward “everybody clap your hands” routines. Instead, give them something easy and irresistible. Start a singalong on a chorus everyone knows, but don’t force it, just drop the volume and see who bites.
Challenge the crowd: “Bet you can’t out-sing the band on this next one.”
If it’s dead, embrace it: “Alright, looks like we’re playing for the hardcore few tonight. So, what you lack in numbers let’s all make up for in noise. Who’s with us?”
5 – PLAY FOR THE ONE & WIN OVER SMALL AUDIENCES
Sometimes, the room just isn’t going to turn. That’s reality. But there’s ALWAYS at least one person watching with interest, even if it’s just that old couple, the barmaid or that lone punter at the bar. Play for them. Throw out the energy and make their night.
They’ll remember you and they’ll talk about you. That’s how legends start, one fan at a time.
6 – CAPTURE THE CHAOS WITH SOCIAL MEDIA FOR COVER BANDS
Even if the gig feels like a write-off, film a song or two. Sometimes, the weirdest, emptiest gigs produce the rawest, funniest moments. Share it with your followers and be honest, “we played to five people and a dog last night. Still tore it up”.
People love that shit. It shows you’re real and you’re in it for the music, not just the glory.
7 – DEBRIEF & MOVE ON (YOUR ESSENTIAL BAND SURVIVAL TIP)
After the gig, don’t let the mood fester. Have a quick, honest chat, think about:
- What worked?
- What tanked?
- What could you try next time?
Then let it go. You’re not defined by one dead room, but you are defined by how you bounce back.
THIS IS THE FINAL WORD
Dead rooms are a rite of passage for every serious cover band. They build grit, sharpen your instincts and make you bulletproof for when the big crowds show up.
So next time the vibe is flatter than a week-old pint, remember that legends aren’t made when the room is packed and the energy is easy. Legends are made when you turn a lost cause into a night to remember.
Now get out there and make some fucking noise.
Want more brutal honesty and practical cover band tips? Then grab your copy of YOUR BAND IS A WAR MACHINE, the only handbook that tells it like it is, with all the firepower you need to outplay, outshine and outlast the rest.
