HINRGDJDEAN...
With regards to the 'what do patrons look for in karaoke?' question and how to keep a venue: Here's my no cents worth in true SWD style heheheh.
Audience enjoyment of the gig will depend on which demographic they belong to and the venue itself.
Venues vary in the clientele they attract - as I'm sure you're aware already. Clubs vs Pubs is the first part. Then there's RSLs vs Sports (Leagues/Soccer/Tennis, etc) clubs, small pubs vs large ones and so on and so forth.
Clubs would be where karaoke would do well more often than not, I'd say. Pub gigs are harder sometimes simply based on what besides karaoke the venue provides to its clientele. If it has a bistro / restaurant would be great as it means likelihood of more customers and the chance to provide vouchers redeemable there for incentives to customers to sing as well as provide business to the venue as I'm sure Music Addict will agree.
If, on the other hand, it's a venue without so much as that, providing simply somewhere to sit as you down your beers and maybe a television idly playing whatever's on - whether a horse race or simple prime time viewing, the clockwork drinkers are probably only there for the enjoyment of a drink in simple peace and quiet. Karaoke would be an unwelcome encroachment into their lifestyle and probably not be beneficial to the venue at all - especially if it has a reputation to overcome or is not easily spotted or readily gotten to; whether by public or private transportation.
I'd suggest advance advertising of karaoke in these sorts of places (free standing signs outside) in order to firstly, alert passers by of 'Karaoke!! Coming soon to [insert day name] nights,' (and hopefully attract them), and secondly, to soften the blow to the clockwork drinkers and ensure their loyalty the rest of the week if not on karaoke night, rather than seeing them disappear altogether.
Getting the staff onside early on and maintaining that relationship is also crucial, I feel, to the longevity of a karaoke gig as it is also an adjustment for them having to talk over the noise. If they're used to bands, it can still be different as bands tend to have a PARTICULAR sound or style whereas karaoke varies not only in genre of songs but quality of singers' voices. I've met many bar staff who resent karaoke with a passion except in venues where there are consistently a majority of good singers.
With those issues out of the way, it really comes down to an extensive list of songs to choose from (both contemporary and from yesteryear), fair song rotation, friendly and professional hosting, and good quality sound.
A short list of must haves yes - but a lot to go into each of the points. The song list must have loads of songs that are WELL known, for example. Otherwise, people will be limited to the few well known ones on a list, soon become bored with coming and finding less predictable and more enjoyable ways of occupying their time. Professional hosting means being forever courteous, polite and not hogging the mic all night. Basically, doing the job in a way that far excels how any schmo from the audience could do if they were allowed to host for the night. That kind of thing.
So that's my take anyway for what it's worth. Hope to see you and Bridget at one of your gigs soon, Dean. Cheerio.

Submitted by Johnny B on 02-10-2005

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