Karaoke Forums

I did karaoke exclusively for a while (not to the extent that most of you have) but now I’m in a covers band (bass player, classic rock, country, oldies, variety) so since I had karaoke, we decided to combine the two, playing three one-hour sets with half-hour breaks and offer karaoke on breaks.

We figured that this would put is one step above the other bands, as so many venues have karaoke instead of bands, or karaoke one night and bands the other, we just figured we’d try it and see what happened.

The band-forum folks were all negative about it, some stating that they’d tried it and there were problems, one being that when the band took the stage the karaoke singers thought that they could come up and crash the live music, and a couple other nightmare scenarios, but we’ve not experienced any of this, maybe because our audience are over-forties crowd, and they’re a bit more mature and respectful than younger folks.

Anyways, I came back here (after not having been here for a while) and have seen that in addition to karaoke hosts, there are a few musicians and sound guys here, and I thought I’d pick your brains on the subject.

First few gigs, first break we had singers, last gig, nobody sang on the first break, but I realized that I didn’t put the books out before the first break, so I decided next gig, I’ll put the books out and do a bit of promotion before our first set so people could look in the books and get their cards ready before we break.

I also decided to sing a couple songs myself, and our sound man likes to sing karaoke, so we have a couple guys to get things warmed up.

Any other ideas? I could use all the help I can get to make this work.

Thanks so much.

Marko

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Hate is like taking poison, hoping the other guy gets sick

We did it with the live singing from 7 to 9 followed by karaoke 9 to midnight and it was a big hit. At least for one night then our singer took off and we went back to straight karaoke. Don't know how it would have played out. Sometimes the band is a novelty and brings in a crowd so the owner books them for every week and then it's been there done that and no one comes.

Another show that ran for years did it the same way--first hour was the live show followed by karaoke. i'm not sure about combining throughout the night as many karaoke singers don't really want to delay their turn for a band.

There was a fellow before us at our venue who combined the two but he was a one man band and would intersperse the karaoke between his songs all the while playing his guitar along with the singer and harmonizing. Some people loved it and some people hated it as he really took away from the singer, often making fun of them in the process.

You could always try band karaoke so it was always you playing but sometimes singers got to do a song with the band. That is very popular in some places around here.

Yes, band karaoke is very popular and a great idea, but we just don’t have that many songs, at least yet, and I don’t think that’s the direction the band is heading.

Understand that at least a few karaoke venues around here, the singer walks up to a table, the host hands them a cheap mic, and they sing, not even being able to hear themselves, and typically an inadequate PA.

With us, they get to go to the stage where the band plays, vocal monitor, good PA, lighting (two Chauvet 4bars), and just a better overall experience. But they only get two half-hour opportunities to sing, but so far that’s been enough, as we still have to play break music, but I’m hoping it catches on more as it becomes more familiar to them.

And last gig where nobody sang the first break, I sang a couple songs to warm people up, and even those who may have had no interest in singing counted that as an experience rather than just break music.

As I said, this is a new band offering karaoke, completely new to this area, so nobody’s used to it yet, but I’m hoping it catches on.

Possibly we can start earlier having karaoke even before the band starts, but I’m thinking that typically, at least in my experience, people aren’t ready to sing right away until they have a few drinks, so that might not even work.

Again, I don’t know, which is why I’m here picking your brains on the subject.

Thanks for the response; much appreciated.

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Hate is like taking poison, hoping the other guy gets sick

Live Band Karaoke is a great idea, but it's not my thing. There's a place by me (in NYC), that has been doing it for years. The place is called Arlene's Grocery (yes.. it is a Bar/Club, not a Supermarket). The reason it's not my cup of tea is because their selection is very limited. They have a song list of about 300 songs, and the have the printed lyrics for each song (for you to sing from). I went a few times with some friends, and it was always jam-packed. The reason I haven't tried it is because they don't really have songs that I'm familiar (and comfortable) enough with to sing.

I like your concept. Sure, other bands and musicians will hate on it; but if it causes your band to be in-demand, I think it's great.

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Jeff Wheeler, moonlight DJ/KJ

I think it's a good selling point to bar owners, who will feel like they are getting two types of entertainment for the price of one, but I can't see it drawing in anyone extra to the venue. I would guess that most karaoke singers, would prefer a whole night of karaoke and most of the bands followers would be perturbed by an out of key singer crooning away in the breaks.

Two senario's I could think off: what would you do if your karaoke singers a) chose several songs from your set list or b) in some cases were better than your lead singer?

Also karaoke tracks are expensive and bands in my opinion don't make enough money as it is.

I understand your reasons for not doing it but Band karaoke on the other hand I think would be an excellent idea and would be a great way to fill up those empty dates on the quiet nights, especially in one member has experience in hosting and the mindset of a karaoke singer.

2 half hour sets, only allows for about 14 karaoke songs, it's not many. So to fill the spots, advertise it like mad at the start of the night and if you have a non band member who can mediate between the band and the patrons whilst you are on stage all the better. They can take song requests, invite people to the stage during the break and perhaps sing to get the ball rolling.

You could always start earlier and add the karaoke on at the end of your gig.

If you are out and about on the karaoke scene in your local area, I would personally select one or two good singers and offer them a half an hour guest spot (If you are lucky they will bring proud family members and friends to your gigs, which = more beer money and potential new fans of the band). With the bands equipment you should be able to hide the lyric monitor so the audience can't see it and the differing styles between a band and a guest solo artist (rather than on mass karaoke singers) could lead to a more balanced type of entertainment.

Thanks for the feedback.

I agree, this setup would not be for the karaoke crowd, as, as stated, two half-hour slots is not enough time. One time we actually went back up late because a couple regulars wanted to sing, and the crowd was cool with it (not that they didn’t like the band, but probably didn’t keep track of the time), so we rolled with what the crowd wanted.

Almost all of those who did sing karaoke had obviously done it before, as they knew the songs almost without looking at the screen, and a couple already knew how much to drop the key. I’m assuming they came to the bar for karaoke another night, or sang karaoke elsewhere.

And all but one sang pretty well. One girl simply sang too soft, mostly bad mic skills, and a couple folks did indeed have really good voices.

As for them competing with our lead singer, I have to say he’s pretty good, but not “all that”, but he also has a lot of stage presence (which most karaoke singers don’t), and we all dress up a bit and try to put on a little "show", and we have like, three-part harmonies on about every song, which is our other selling point, as most bands in this circuit lack in the vocals dept, especially harmonies.

So anyways, it’s not really half-&-half, but mostly band, and just a little taste for the few karaoke singers who are there, or for those who are inspired by the band to go up and see what it’s like.

I also observed that the audience did seem to enjoy the karaoke singers more than just break music, as their attention seemed to focus on the singers, but I can’t say I’m positive about that in all cases.

As for regular band karaoke, where the band provides the background music for the singers, that is a very popular, but I don’t think we’ll go there. The money would be great, haha, but we’ve got day jobs and just want to perform.

Thanks again for the feedback.

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Hate is like taking poison, hoping the other guy gets sick

We've done it with one of our bands and I'll tell you the best way to do it is either before or after the band plays, not on breaks. When doing it during breaks, you end up with the problems like you mentioned. People who just think it's a free for all and want to grab the mic from or join the lead singer on stage. I've also seen people start chanting for their friend to sing instead of the lead singer. It just doesn't go well.

If you do it before or after the band plays, it can be a big hit and a lot of fun. I think after the band is probably the best because by that time people are liquored up and are in the mood to sing along anyway.

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DJ Tony
Let It Rip Karaoke

I've been in and out of working bands for 20 years now as a vocalist and guitarist.

I got into the karaoke biz 12 years ago while I was between bands, and have been doing it ever since.

I have one of my regular venues that often books me to do karaoke/dj on the same nights they have bands.

The bands normally play from 9 to 1, and i'll play DJ/Karaoke during the bands breaks, and then from 1 till 2:30 when the bar closes.

I like it because I get paid the same money as a regular show to basically sit around and drink free and listen to a band.

Of course, whenever i'll be at the club on band nights, I announce it during my regular nights, so many of the regulars show up and are just chompin' at the bit to sing a song during the bands (usually 15 minute) breaks.

Not only have the people who come to see the band not been bothered by it, but usually they get in on the karaoke, too.. and it's really given what I do with karaoke a lot of exposure to folks who otherwise would be turned off by the idea of karaoke.

Don't see why it wouldn't work as a band alternating sets between playing a set, and then doing the equivalent of a set of karaoke.

Strict Karaoke Snobs and Hardcore Live Music Aficionados will hate the idea.. but people like that are living on the fringe of reality, anyway.

For the rest of the bar going population who go out just to have fun, listen to music, get wild and have a good time.. it will be well received.

I've also been in large clubs that will have both going on.. usually karaoke inside, and a live band on the patio.. and patrons will bounce back and forth between the two.

I personally wouldn't want to do both.. mostly because after 45 minutes of jumping around and singing with a guitar hanging around my neck, i'm ready for a nice 15 minute break to sit down, have a beer, say 'hey' to friends who came out, etc.. last thing i'd want to do is go right into a stack of requests that had piled up and all that jazz.

Couple suggestions --- limit your karaoke library that you offer and exclude any songs in your bands repertoire ( or even by the same group)

You don't want your karaoke competeting with your BAND --a twist is to have one of your band members play along with the karaoke track and singer ?
drummer / guitarist / etc. making it fun.

There isn't a "karaoke singer" alive who would like this setup ..but I assume that is not your target audience anyways. The casual singer / ex band member / or front man wannabes will LOVE the idea

good luck

The casino's around us will do a karaoke singing contest that is band based. No monitor, just a sheet with the lyrics. No practicing with them before you sing in front of everyone. They usually have 3 radio personalities to judge the singing and stage pres. Goes over well when they do it.

We have a band called RocKaraoke that is just that, karaoke with a band. They actually do weekly shows and tour around the area as well.
Some also run karaoke in between sets, some work ok, others don't.

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

Live band karaoke is making a small comeback down here in Southern Florida but I dont see it as a permanent thing. I actually attended one last week at a place called the Blue Martini. The setup was killer! The stage was behind and above the main bar and the lights, etc were pretty awesome.
The band, on the other hand, was pretty average at best and only had a list of about 75 songs. I was there for about 2 1/2 hours and heard at least 4 or 5 songs sung three times each. That was pretty lame.
I think it might work if the band had more songs to choose from and it wasnt every week. Perhaps every other week or once a month would be more sensible.

Here ya go..................The originators of the live band Karaoke genre....been doing it since 1993...........and of course they are from Portland, Oregon...........the source of ALL KARAOKE GOODNESS.......

http://www.karaokefromhell.com/index.html

I've been going to sing with them for over 5 years now at all of thier most recent venues...........including in front of 500 at their one appearance at Portland's BITE OF OREGON FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL.

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"You know that I sing the Blues and I do not suffer fools. When I'm on that silver mic, it's gonna cut ya, just like a knife"-The SWINGCAT

Wow! They've got a great list of songs.
Singing 'Born to Run' with a live band would be unreal.