Be yourself on stage: How stage presence is created

Stage presence - this word sounds big, professional, almost intimidating.
But it's often much simpler: it's what happens when you are completely yourself - and are seen to be.

Many musicians ask me in music coaching:
"What can I do on stage to really reach the audience?"
And my answer is usually: less is more. Presence doesn't start with a gesture - it starts with your inner attitude.

Here are three honest truths about stage presence:

1. you don't have to do "more" - you can hide less
If you try to portray something on stage that you don't feel, it falls flat.
But if you're honestly there - with your music, your lyrics, your energy - everyone feels it.
That's not a trick. It's presence.

2. your energy counts more than your perfection
A wrong note? It can happen.
But if your gaze takes the audience with you when you're there - that moment will stick.
That's stage presence, not stage performance.

3. preparation brings security - security brings freedom
The more clearly you know your songs, feel your set, go through your technique, the freer you will be in your performance.
Don't just practise the music. Practice feeling comfortable with your performance.

I remember a gig where I had everything planned out - and yet nothing worked. Technical problems, stress backstage, everything went wrong.
But I took a deep breath and decided: I'm just here now. Not perfect. Really. And that gig turned out to be one of the best of my year.

If you "function" on stage, you are interchangeable.
If you live on stage, you become unforgettable.

Kind regards