"Stage presence"

I think the main two things are confidence and connection with the audience. Everything else should flow naturally from those two things -- whether it be coordinated stage moves or just intensity in your face.

You can improve it, I think. Some of it just comes with experience. Some of it is knowing your parts so well that you don't have to think over-hard about playing them right and you can have fun. Some of it is just remembering that you're there to play for an audience of people, not just yourself, and that the audience wants to have fun and watch you have fun (or be really emotional and serious, depending on the music).

But no, I don't think it's a good idea to force too much jumping around or movement if it doesn't feel natural. You might find that exercise helps you have more energy on stage.

I don't know; I used to think it was just about looking attractive or being charismatic, but then again, I've known quite a few people who were amazing when you met them, but it just didn't translate onstage.

I've been told that I have "stage presence" which is an odd compliment - someone actually said that after our last gig, which I thought, in terms of performance and technical problems was one of the worst one's I've ever done, and was having a miserable time onstage, someone said that I looked very "comfortable" and "natural" onstage which was the last thing I was feeling, but I guess I've learned to fake it.

Then again, I really *like* being onstage. It feels like a relief to go on and get it over with after the horror of standing around waiting with pre-gig jitters. So I'm just so happy to be onstage that it shows. It's helps that it's one of the few places where it's absolutely OK to be as attention seeking as you like.

I think some of the keys are - smile. Or not so much even smile, but have an expression on your face that shows "I'm having a better time than you are!" Whatever you do, try not to look self conscious. Just act like being onstage is the most natural thing in the world. It doesn't matter if you're standing stock still, so long as you don't look like you're standing still out of fear. If you dance or move, do it like you're feeling it, not like you're doing a routine that you've learned (even if it is a routine).

So I guess the art of "stage presence" is looking like you're Feelin' It!!! even when you're not feeling it.

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I've seen Kim Deal onstage, and she's someone who can just kind of *stand there* onstage, and yet still, you can't take your eyes off her because she's smirking in that way that you know she was born to do this.

I think the number one rule is, if you're having a good time, the audience will have a good time. (Though how you express that good time is up to you.)

I mean, it's pretty crucial to remember that the audience is there.

In my band, it's funny because we try to coordinate our outfits beforehand, and we never have any luck. But then, we turn up in our street clothes, and we're dressed pretty much the same anyway.

Presentation is important. You don't have to wear uniforms, or matching outfits or any of that crap. But it is important to look like you are A Band, not some random conglomeration of people that just shuffled onstage together.

I couldn't pull off a Jenny from Rilo Kiley cutesy look. I think I need to go for something a little more sexy maybe? We all like the way Blonde Redhead looks on stage, with their fancy Italian suits and Kazu's well put together outfits. I just wouldn't want us to come off looking like we're ripping off the Hives or something.

http://www.artistdirect.com/Images/artd/amg/music/bio/505473_velvetunderground_200x200.jpg

However, really, I do think that a band's "look" should grow out of/be an extension of their aesthetic, rather than something imposed on or forced.

The Lollies were a very bubblegum, power pop guitar band, which we expressed through bright, often primary (or dayglo pink and purple) colours, lots of stripes and bold prints for a cartoony look. Shimuras are more subtle, more eccentric, thrown together from samples, hence the "ballgowns and wellies" ecclectic look.

It's not even so much, what do you want to look like, but what do you want to get across? If the music is sophisticated, suits would be a good look, if it's more earthy, perhaps jeans and plain shirts with coordinated accessories?

http://static.flickr.com/18/24023703_e0464de968.jpg?v=0

http://www.madolan.com/engagement/goodandevil.jpg
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Sure he can. Haven't you ever seen a band where the drummer was exciting to watch?

I will talk to the audience sometimes between songs, but neither of the other band members ever talk. This is a problem if I break a string, because there will be an extended silence while I am changing it.

This is a situation where you just need a back-up plan in place, like asking Sarah to have a story ready to tell or a list of gigs to announce at least.

Have you considered skin-tight lycra?

i think the thing for us is that we're all always concentrating fairly hard. its not that songs are so complicated, and we also pay lots of attention to one another, but i can definitely believe that some people would want more panache, etc. i figure it becomes easier the longer you play together, and the more comfortable you become onstage.

(And why I have better luck with groupies than dates?)

Of course when this translates back to a close-up version, such as in a music video, then it looks poseur and ridiculous. So don't forget how to be normal-sized cool, in case you make a video or somesuch.

I'm worried that this is going to make me do it as an act to play to the audience, rather than when I feel like it.

This is a fine line to walk -- it's still performing and performing by nature involves doing things you don't necessarily feel like doing every time.