Scouting at a live show as an A&R

Many budding A&R Scouts begin their journey into the industry through the world of fandom. Our love of music is the reason we decided to explore the industry side in the first place. This can make going to a live show wearing a ‘business hat’ difficult. How does one keep an objective ear present when we genuinely enjoy nearly all live shows we attend?

Having attended The Great Escape this year, I created a spreadsheet with helpful perimeters to keep in mind while I assess the myriads of talents across the weekend.

The Obvious

While it may seem mundane or even borderline pointless, keeping the details of elements such as the date, time, band/artist name, and show length can help contextualize the show after the fact. Some of us prefer daytime events outdoors, others at the barrier in a blacked-out sweaty underground club. It’s important to note where these venues take place and the time to help paint an accurate picture of the event once you’ve returned home.

Stagecraft

Okay, now onto the real stuff. What was the stagecraft? The lighting set-up, was it intentionally minimal? Complex? Sometimes the difference between a good performance and a great one is the understanding the artist has of the importance of their stagecraft. From design to lighting and props. Artists falling under the singer-songwriter category are often able to escape through the concept of ‘minimalism’, but when Kurt Cobain sang with Nirvana at their MTV unplugged, the minimalist nature was very much realised, from the arrangement to the candles engorging the stage. It is these little differences that can make the biggest lasting impact.

Interaction

How did the lead vocalist interact with their bandmates, was it professional? Playful? The devil is in the details, and something as simple as forgetting to introduce your bandmates can be indicative of a selfish performer. Did the musicians seem to enjoy creating together? Was their connection genuine or can you see through the façade that is often veiled over disconnected bandmates? When the musicians you watch on stage enjoy themselves and lose themselves to the music, it evokes the crowd to do the same, and can again be the difference between the good and the great.

The Fans

One of the most integral factors of a band or artist’s success is their fanbase. Who were they? What was the demographic? At showcase events that happen at festivals such as The Great Escape, the crowd can often be full of industry professionals afraid to open themselves up emotionally to the vulnerability of a performance, standing stiff and contemplative. How

did these ‘suits’ react as the performance went on? Were they hypnotised into letting go and enjoying themselves fully? Did their steely gaze turn into a childlike grin? The emotional response of both the fans and the potential ones is crucial to understanding the potential an artist or band might have.

Emotional Response

Ears ringing, beer most likely sticking to your shoes, how did you feel once you hit the fresh air leaving the venue? Were you moved? Energised? Were you forced to confront some tough emotions you’ve been burying for too long? Your emotional response is maybe the most important factor to account for when scouting. Trust your gut, if you felt as though you

were lucky to witness something special, you’re probably right.

Final Questions:

Two questions I ask myself as my head hits the pillow after a gig [or multiple] are ‘Was the gig worthwhile?’ and ‘What would I rate it out of five stars’. Sometimes a gig can be worthwhile without the presence of a genre-bending fantastic act, and that’s okay. Music serves us in so many different ways, and it’s vital to understand that you can enjoy a gig without going all in on signing the act you saw. Providing a rating through the star system

can be controversial, should we ever limit the vulnerability shown on the star to a five-digit scale? Maybe not, but for personal use it can serve to offer you a comparative look when comparing acts you’ve seen over a long period.

No matter what capacity you arrive at a show in, I encourage you to remember the following points. The artist you have seen has dedicated hundreds of hours to learning their craft. Be curious, and kind, and support their bravery no matter what you think of them as an artist or their performance.