If you land a slot in music showcase, don’t just show up and wing it. Trust me, I’ve seen way too many folks crash and burn by thinking “eh, I’ll just vibe.” Here’s my no-nonsense guide to crushing your set, looking sharp, keeping your banter tight, and actually making connections that might not ghost you the second the lights go up.

Honestly, if you do this stuff right, you’ll look like a pro and—fingers crossed—get some actual career momentum. I’ve helped more artists with showcases than I care to count, and the basics never change.

Set List That Slaps

Let’s be real, people’s attention spans are shot these days. You gotta hit ‘em with your best, high-energy songs. If you’re a ballad person, pick your most upbeat ones. No snooze-fests. I’m serious. These sets are usually 30 minutes, so plan for about seven songs. Think mid-tempo to uptempo, keep the energy up, and for the love of all things holy, start and end with a banger. Melodies should be catchy, vocals need to pop—don’t pick the ones where you mumble in your lower register. Show off!

Covers? Yeah, sprinkle in a killer one if it fits, but don’t overdo it unless you’re also there to entertain, not just promote your own stuff. And don’t you dare test-drive new material. This isn’t rehearsal—it’s showtime. Stick to what you know you can absolutely slay.

Dress Like You Actually Care

People will judge you by your look before you even play a note. Not even joking. Pick an outfit that makes you feel like a rockstar, stands out, and fits the vibe of your music. You’re selling yourself here, not just your sound. Bring some style. It matters.

Banter: Keep It Short and Sweet

Nobody wants to hear your life story between songs. Work out a couple of lines ahead of time—just enough to let folks know you’ve got a personality. Here’s how I’d do it:

• Song 1: Just start. No intro, no nothing—hit ‘em hard.
• Song 2: Seamless, right into it.
• Song 3: Quick “Hey, I’m [Name], so stoked to be here in [City]!” Maybe a fast story about the next song.
• Songs 4–6: Only a sentence or two of intro, if anything. Keep it moving.
• Song 7: End with a bang and a thank you. “You’ve been awesome!” “Come say hi!” Whatever fits, just don’t drag it out.

Networking Isn’t Optional

Do your homework. Stalk—uh, I mean, research—who’s gonna be there. Who works with artists you admire? Who could actually help you? Reach out before the event. A quick DM or email, nothing desperate, just “Hey, I’m playing at [Showcase], would love for you to check it out.”

If you can swing it, show up early and try to get some meetings or promo going before the chaos starts. And don’t just hide backstage—mingle, meet other bands, talk to industry folks. Sometimes your biggest break comes from a random hallway chat.

Following Up—Don’t Be Weird About It

Business cards are still a thing, believe it or not. Grab ‘em. Take a selfie with people if you’re worried you’ll forget names (I always do). After the showcase, actually follow up. Shoot them a quick email, remind them who you are, maybe reference some in-joke or moment from the night. Don’t wait for them to reach out—they won’t.

There you go. Nail this stuff, and you might actually stand out. Or at least you’ll look like you know what you’re doing. Good luck, superstar.