Get On Stage in 2022: 10 Ways to Beat Stage Fright

This is it. The moment you’ve been looking forward to. You’re about to step out on stage and perform your best songs. But suddenly, you feel nervous, your hands get clammy and, once you’re actually up there, it’s almost like singing feels ten times harder than usual. Are they enjoying the show? Do you sound good? Will you mess up? All these thoughts contribute to stage fright, which is common among all performers. It doesn’t matter whether you’re playing for your friends and family or a large group of complete strangers, stage fright can happen at any time and really take the enjoyment out of performing. Here are our top 10 ways to beat stage fright so you can finally get on stage in 2022 and rock it with confidence!

It Happens to Everyone

Whenever we experience feelings of anxiety and stress, it can be quite isolating. Watching confident performers on stage can give the impression that you’re the only one trying to beat stage fright. Rest assured; you are not! Everyone you look up to, including world class vocalists have experienced stage fright at one point or another. Being an artist requires us to be vulnerable in our performance. As humans, we are not used to baring our vulnerabilities in front of a large crowd of people, so it’s natural for the experience to feel overwhelming.

Sometimes, simply remembering that other people go through this too is enough to make you realise that you can also overcome it.

Practice, Practice, Practice

Performing on stage is completely different to practicing songs in the comfort of your own home or during your adult singing lessons. Once the nerves kick in, it makes you more likely to make mistakes, forget lyrics, and it can be generally harder to project your voice under stress. Having a solid practice routine will provide the antidote to this. Even if you are nervous, your muscle memory will kick in and you’ll still be able to put on a great performance. So, before you get on stage in 2022, make sure you know your repertoire inside and out.

Not to mention, if you don’t feel well-rehearsed, that alone can add to the stress.

Work It Out

Anxiety is a natural response when our bodies nervous system thinks we are in danger. Back in the day, you would work off the adrenaline by running away from a mammoth or a lion, but in today’s modern world the sources of our stress are invisible and are not always posing a physical threat. That doesn’t mean that you can’t get rid of it the same way! Exercise is a fantastic tool to reduce stress. So, go for a quick jog, do a bit of yoga or even up the intensity with a quick HIIT workout to release some of that stage fright.

On the day of your performance, try to avoid caffeine and other stimulants that may make it worse.

Just Keep Breathing

The breathing exercises you’ve picked up in your adult singing lessons can be amazing to help you relax before a performance! Always include them in your warmup. Just a few minutes of breathing slowly and deeply helps to decelerate your heart rate and deliver oxygen to your brain that helps you think clearly.

Get to Know Your Surroundings

One of the reasons we experience stage fright is the fear of the unknown. If you can, visit the venue you will be performing at beforehand or, at least, arrive early before your performance. Ensure you have time for a thorough sound check and that you are comfortable with the space around you, as well as the technicians and other musicians you’ll be working with. This way, you’ll know exactly what to expect when it comes to the big night.

Develop a Pre-stage Ritual

A great way to beat stage fright is to develop a pre-stage ritual! This is your own special routine that will help you get in the right mindset for the performance. Now, it may take some trial and error, but if you make a note of what makes you feel comfortable, you’ll have a great ritual in place soon enough. This could be some affirmative words that make you feel good, a playlist you listen to in the car on the way there, your favourite warm up exercises – whatever makes you feel at ease and ready to take the stage.

Practice Audience Interaction Before The Show

When you’re practicing for your upcoming performance, don’t forget to include audience interaction! You’re not just playing the songs like a human jukebox – it’s important that the crowd feels welcomed and engaged. So, practice in front of a mirror as if you are playing live. This will help you get an objective perspective of your performance and create a show you are truly confident in.

Work On Your Mindset

The thoughts running through most singer’s minds are usually along the lines of ‘what if I mess up?’ or ‘what if they don’t like my performance?’. Try to think of it in a different way. These people have come out to see you tonight. They could’ve been anywhere else, but they chose to see your show, which means they are excited to see you. They want to hear what you have to say, so go out there and enjoy the show! This is your moment, your time to shine and a chance to connect with others through your music.

Develop an On-Stage Persona

Sometimes, one of the ways to beat stage fright is to separate your on-stage persona from who you are in your everyday life. You’ll notice that many artists are far more flamboyant, loud, and vivacious than they are as their regular selves. Think of who you want to be on stage and start creating an image around it. Everything from your outfit to your audience interaction and the emotion you put into your songs will help you get on stage with more confidence.

Remember, Confidence Comes With Time

Like everything else, confident performers develop over time. Don’t give up if you feel overwhelmed after your first show. Take the above tips, implement them again and again, and keep practicing your performance art. Play at open mic nights, book local shows, perform in front of friends and family – all of these will be valuable lessons for you to grow your confidence. Remind yourself that everyone starts somewhere, and you will get better with each gig. Just like your vocals are getting better with each lesson and each practice session!

Rock Your Next Show With London Singing Institute!

Do you want to give your best performance to date? Explore our adult singing lessons and courses. We can help you develop your voice, perfect your pitching, and give you safe and healthy techniques used by world-class professionals. By practicing with qualified, experienced coaches, you will be ready to get on stage in 2022 in no time at all.