@mcnallyconsults

Yes. Or it should be.

I once met with the manager of one of the most successful bands in the world. We discussed how the new orthodox stated that artists had to have a one on one relationship with their fans. I swear the colour drained from his face. His point – expressed very succinctly – was that the worst thing he could imagine happening with his band would be fans thinking they were getting to know them – or the band getting to close to them. As he put it – the reality can never match the hype. To him building and sustaining the mystery was sacrosanct.

And for him he was right. There are certain artists its better not to know that well, and for some the whole point of it is to be distant and out of reach – and their fans expect this as well.

If, for whatever reason, you are unwilling to maintain a close and regular relationship with fans so be it – after all most artists didn’t factor in being their own PR department as part of the creative deal.

However do one thing after every gig – no matter how tired you are, no matter how inviting the rider (you can only wish) and no matter how far it is to the next gig.

Go out to your audience and hang with them as long as they want you to. Ask them their names. Remember their names. Be nice. Be sincere.

And the next day send a note out to the fans (you did get their names and emails didn’t you? Sure. That goes without saying). It doesn’t have to be War & Peace – just a respectful note acknowledging their support and that you are grateful for it. Just observing these niceties – basic respect in fact – will be a start.

Far too many years ago I went to a Lemonheads gig at Brixton Academy. Afterwards my mate and I hung around. In a window above the stage door Evan Dando suddenly appeared and played an acoustic set to us fans in the alley. By then he could not ‘one on one’ with every fan – there were thousands – but he gave us something we would never forget. And in return we gave him loyalty. It’s two way traffic.

A different story and a different genre. I’d love to think non-country artists could do this.

Dierks Bentley is a major Country artist. Even at the time of this story he was a million seller. He was playing at the CMA Festival in Nashville. He came into town on his tour bus. He did TV & radio promo in the morning. He signed autographs for fans in a convention hall for a few hours. He soundchecked and did a few more interviews. He played a main stage set to over 100,000 people. He then went to a small club outside the arena and played an entire acoustic set to about a 100 plus fanclub members. At about one in the morning after every fan had hung out and had their photo taken with him he got back on a bus and went off to play a frat house party at a local college for fun.

That is not just great work ethic. That is showing major respect to your fans.

Last year he did a gig in London to 200 people. He did the same thing. Hung out till everyone had said hello.

Like I said at the start – if your not wired that way go some of the way. Find the degree of interaction you are comfortable with.

Just remember. It really is all about the fans.

Or at least it should be.