What do you do if you have to go on stage right after someone with over 1 billion Youtube views?

About a week ago I went to Acoustic Night, a concert of interesting acoustic guitarists accompanying the Musikmesse in Frankfurt.

The line-up on April 8, 2016 was: Igor Miagtchenkov, Wolfgang Bernreuther, Shane Hennessy and Casper Esmann, Tarq Bowen, Ulli Bögershausen, Tatyana Ryzhkova, Sungha Jung and Phil X.

Shane Hennessy and Casper Esmann

I was a bit late so that I missed the first two acts and started listening to Shane Hennessy and Casper Esmann. Two young fingerstyle guitarists to watch out for. Shane Hennessy blew me away with his song ‘Avenue’! Listen to that bass line and you know what I mean:

If you don’t have headphones, then use this link here.

Tatyana Ryzhkova

After Tarq Bowen and Ulli Bögershausen inspired the audience, Tatyana Ryzhkova went on stage. The lady born 1986 in Belorussia is one of the most promising young classical guitar players out there.

With currently over 1.1 million Youtube views, she is gaining popularity fast. Here’s a live recording of Tatyana at the Acoustic Night:

Sungha Jung

After Tatyana, a young guy named Sungha Jung got on stage. According to his Youtube views it’s very likely that you already came across one of his videos. The South Korean guitarist counts 1.2 billion Youtube video views. Not bad for a 19 year-old.

On his website (which is surprisingly oldfashioned, but this is a different topic) Sungha appreciates Ulli Bögershausen from Germany with the words: “Last, but certainly not least, I can’t thank Ulli Bogershausen enough for being my musical inspiration.”

Here’s Sungha Jung performing at Musikmesse 2016, I reckon at the Lakewood booth:

So, what do you do if you have to go on stage right after Sungha Jung, who has more than 1 billion Youtube views?

This was the situation of Phil X, the last artist of the Acoustic Night. Phil X is the current guitarist of Bon Jovi. Of course Phil is an awesome rock guitarist, however he is not a trained fingerstyle acoustic guitarist.

What did Phil X do?

He took his acoustic guitar, imagined it was an electric one and performed (voice + guitar) rock songs. Originals and cover versions.

He did not choose to be like or try to outperform the other guys. He chose to be himself and to do the thing he’s best at. Play Rock, entertain and throw in some elements of comedy.

This was a nice contrast to the other performances and completed the evening in a very entertaining way. Heads up to Phil X!

Here you can see his performance. It gives you a good insight into his entertaining qualities and maybe holds some ideas for your own show!

So, what do you do if you have to go on stage right after someone with over 1 billion Youtube views?

Just do your thing – and Phil would say: „KICK THE SHIT OUT OF IT!“

😉

PS. Read a recent (Nov. 2015) interview with Phil X, if you want to know more about him.

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