Good vibes reign in live performance.

When someone is having a good time on stage, in full comfort, clearly expressing themselves, the audience feels it.

When someone is nervous, struggling, or frustrated, the audience feels that too.

We all have emotional antennas. We're wired this way—to be aware of the state of others as a survival mechanism.

This is part of what people mean when they talk about energy. We can feel each other's energy—the emotions that we're experiencing, what we're going through in the moment, through the filter that is the space between self and other.

When we're performing live shows as artists, our job isn't just to make great music. It's to send a message via energy.

While that message can vary wildly in content, let's scope it down: many people go to live shows to change their state, to feel good, to move something in themselves. The music we perform, and the energy we bring to the stage, is what can catalyze that change in someone.

When we have fun up on stage, the people in the audience have fun. It's contagious.

I've experienced this over and over again on stage. When I perform with my band High Tide and we're having a good time, we receive such a warm reception from the audience. People dance and come up to us after the show, saying how great of a time they had listening.

But when we're stressed about logistics, whether we're playing the right notes, or if there's unmanaged tension in the band—no bueno. There's a block in the energy flow, and even if the audience can't quite place it, there's a feeling of "not-quite-rightness."

I've seen this translate to everyday life too.

I know that when I show up with a positive attitude, that energy transfers. I've been experimenting this year with the commitment to show up positively irrespective of external responses. Not always easy, and I don't always succeed, but I do see a marked difference in how I relate to work colleagues, bandmates, and friends.

Quick rambly anecdote: A couple of weeks back, I ran into a woman I had met months ago at a party. I re-introduced myself (she didn't remember me, lol), and I took my shot at making a friendly connection with her. In the moment, I didn't feel anything coming back: her eyes were looking elsewhere, she reciprocated few to no questions, and I took that as a lack of interest in chatting. All good, nothing personal.

I saw this same woman again at an event I performed at. After a quick exchange and goodbye, she mentioned: "You always bring such good energy! Let's hang out sometime. Please message me."

It struck me. Even though my evaluation of previous interactions showed no interest, groundwork had been laid. I was able to build a history of showing up positively. That builds trust in people. After all, how many of us put on masks for an event but can only wear that so many times? Showing up consistently builds trust in others that your state of being is not momentary but a part of you.

Here's my takeaway: as much as you can, show up positively. Don't do it for external rewards. Do it as a policy for yourself. You are planting seeds both within you and in your community. With time, those good vibe seeds will sprout into a little garden.