🎻 What do you love to see in a good performance?

Hi Reader!

This topic has been front of mind for me this week as my duo, Shannon Lee, had three different gigs over the past seven days.

What makes a good performance? And then also... what makes a great one?

I love both being on stage and also getting to observe other groups and their stage dynamic from the audience! Here are some people and groups that have stood out over the years to me:

The Friel Sisters:

The sisters themselves of course are related, but their whole band is a tight-knit chosen family on and off the stage, and it shows in how well they all play and banter together! Not only that, but they have a gift of sharing their family with the audience and inviting you into being a part of it for the evening.

Tony McManus (also Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas):

They have a gift of storytelling in between sets. All of these musicians have been playing for years, and a lot of their audiences have heard most of the sets they do. But it adds a whole new layer when they share the story behind the tune and why it's one they've chosen to play or compose.

Kevin Crawford and Colin Farrell:

These two know each other's playing so well that it's like listening to one unit -- their phrasing is so in sync!!

Liz Carroll:

If you know her, you know she's one of the kindest, warmest souls out there with more than a little dash of humor and fun to her personality! It comes through in all elements of her performance -- both during sets and in between!

Of all the above examples, the prime thing that stands out to me is it's not just about the level of musicianship. I think playing at a professional level makes for a good performance.

But the great ones take into account the moments in between the sets -- they invite the audience into the story and create a shared experience.

And the more you play with someone, the tighter your set can get!

Bear and I have only been playing together as Shannon Lee for a little less than a year, but even at the start I felt a close bond with him -- someone who gets it and knows how to listen, react quickly, and keep things interesting!

(It's doubly nice that we're partners on and off the stage!)

There are always things we can improve, and each gig provides its own lessons even when they go well. But that kind of thing excites us! We're able to celebrate what we've done so far, and then also have another level to work towards.

I'm curious to know, Reader -- when you're playing your music for someone else, what factors do you take into account? What makes a performance feel good, great, or absolutely stellar?

Here's to pushing ourselves to our next level, while also celebrating what we've learned so far!

~Hannah