How do you communicate like a rock star?
Bruce Springsteen is a good place to start. Here’s the trailer for his forthcoming Netflix special “Springsteen on Broadway“:
I saw “The Boss” on October 22, 2007. Chicago. Magic tour. Second song of the encore: “Born to Run.” One of the greatest concert experiences of my life.
There’s nothing quite like 20,000+ people singing every single word of a song at the top of their lungs. It’s an unrivaled, shared human experience. While TV shows and movies can reach millions of people in one sitting, there’s something about the attending a concert and singing together that creates a magical experience.
Beatles. Stones. Zeppelin. Hendrix. Joplin. Bon Jovi. Rock stars know how to communicate in a way that draws us too them. Some are larger than life. Some speak from the heart. Some are just so cool, they pull us in. And they offer every communicator some very good tips for inspiring a crowd.
Here’s how to communicate like a rock star:
Tell a story
Pearl Jam’s “Better Man” is a song about a woman who settles for the man she has because she doesn’t think she can do any better, according to lead singer Eddie Vedder. The song resonates emotionally because we all know people or have been in relationships where we settled. It’s a song that continues to stand the test of time.
Get vulnerable
Melissa Ethridge‘s Grammy Winning song, “Come to My Window” was released shortly after she publicly announced she was a lesbian. It’s a love song about how much she would endure because of the love and happiness she feels around her love interest. The song became a powerful gay rights anthem. Speak to something so personal and powerful and you may find it becomes part of a movement.
Own the room (stadium)
Queen‘s performance at Live Aid was legendary. Part of the reason is because lead singer Freddie Mercury compelled, inspired, and demanded the audience engage with him. He works the stage. He pumps his fists. He sings with every fiber of his being. The performance isn’t about him. It’s about the audience. And the cause. If you want to inspire an audience, expect to get physical.
Inspire them
Fleetwood Mac‘s “Don’t Stop” was penned by Christine McVie to communicate with her then husband, John McVie, about a forthcoming breakup. Despite the pain and turmoil, she’s offering a message of hope and inspiration. Create a simple, but powerful message, and repeat early and often.
https://youtu.be/TXNJOb9fm6I
Slow it down
Bruce Springsteen’s “Born to Run” is a classic American story – a desire for more, pure love, coming of age, and a future. What I love about the stripped down version of the song is the audience interaction – the clapping, the invitation from Bruce to sing with, and the whistles. This is a sacred, shared experience. No fireworks. No explosions. No glitz and glamor. Sometimes you have to just stand in front of the audience and invite them to sing along with you.
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