Top Ten : Things to not talk about on stage

I will not name names, but a friend of mine has been known to get political on stage. In all honesty his views do not bother me at all. Perhaps because we have similar views. All the same. Don't do that.

Unless your shtick is to be offensive (done that) there is no need to offend your audience or worse yet the people who hired you to play. I imagine you want to play there again and have your audience come back and say good things about you to their friends.

With all that in mind here is my top ten list of things not to say about onstage.

1. Politics - We live in a diverse group of political opinions. Unless its your schtick its best you do not know theirs and they do not know yours.
2. Religion - Unless your in a religious band, then by all means talk it up, but most clubs are hiring to you entertain not win converts.
3. Judging people - So you have an issue with a group of people, say Pop Musicians, as far as you know half your audience loves Pop Musicians, you potentially just told half your audience not to come back.
4. Insulting the venue - Insult the venue or their audience they will probably not have you back. Or even worse other venues will find out and they will not hire you either. 
5. Insulting the Audience - Same reasons as above.
6. Insulting other musicians - Seeing a theme here?
7. Profanity - This is mostly just a personal one for me and it certainly has its exceptions. It is probably appropriate for a metal band. But if you have any diversity in your audience try to avoid it.
8. Apologize  for bad chords or words - They did not notice it until you just called it out.
9. Belch - Gross!, Are you drunk? Don't do that either. People are there to drink and hear music not to see you get trashed.
10. Complain - No one want to listen to it. Best case they will tune out, worst case they will leave.
11. Talking too much. - Talking is good, it engages the audience. Too much talking they will get bored. Once again there are exceptions. I have seen BB King tell some incredible stories on stage.

Ill do a post in the future on what are good things to talk about .