What's YOUR hook?

[MidwestStateofMind]

As a performer you have a lot of things you have to worry about but the main thing is: "Will people like my music?" As a cover band, which I am not in nor will i ever be associated with, you don't really need a hook, or for lack of a better word, a "gimmick". As an all original band though you have to be creative and make people want to come to another show to check you out. What are some of the things you have done or do that are successful? So far what has worked for us is spacing out the shows as to not over saturate. Obviously you have to have good music but that's not always enough, as any performing/touring all original band would know!

[Ronnie]

I wear some CRAZY shoes!
On the wrong feet, too.

[kpchronic]

Its all about presence and audience inclusion. With free form jazz, its easier to play to the mood of the crowd. Side Note: No amount of pelvic thrusting will win over your listeners.

[ChaseP]

Side Note: No amount of pelvic thrusting will win over your listeners.

~ I LOL'd
As for getting people in... promote promote promote.
Online: Facebook, Myspace, PureVolume, battleofthebands (.com), forums, blogs, and your own website. If you have your own website make sure it is a quality one, bad ones make you look amateur no matter how good you are. My band's site (in my signature) may not be the best out there but it is good enough that it doesnt turn people off.
Offline: talk with friends, coworkers, music shop owners and shopper, and passersby. Show posters, show brochures, band leaflets and business cards, merchandise - sell it and wear it.

Make the show good, be active on stage, play it like you mean it, and talk to the crowd. Be excited and be confident. Light shows never hurt.
Do freebie or benefit concerts to attract crowds. It may sound like you get ripped off, but you get followers for life.

[Mr. Burns]

My thing to do is challenge the first person I make eye contact with to a high five contest. Clearly I win every time.

[Llyndwr]

QFT

~ I LOL'd
As for getting people in... promote promote promote.
Online: Facebook, Myspace, PureVolume, battleofthebands (.com), forums, blogs, and your own website. If you have your own website make sure it is a quality one, bad ones make you look amateur no matter how good you are. My band's site (in my signature) may not be the best out there but it is good enough that it doesnt turn people off.
Offline: talk with friends, coworkers, music shop owners and shopper, and passersby. Show posters, show brochures, band leaflets and business cards, merchandise - sell it and wear it.

Make the show good, be active on stage, play it like you mean it, and talk to the crowd. Be excited and be confident. Light shows never hurt.
Do freebie or benefit concerts to attract crowds. It may sound like you get ripped off, but you get followers for life.

This man knows what he is talking about, and remember, any publicity, even bad, is good...