Touring as an opening, indie, or rising act can be brutal. Tough crowds can spoil a night, and when you’re on stage baring your soul to a disinterested crowd, it’s easy to become disheartened. 

Yesterday, D12’s Kuniva took to Twitter to share some superb advice the late Proof once gave him ahead of a show with a less-than-packed crowd.

Concentrate on who is rocking with you. Proof once said while we were about to perform in front of a rather light crowd. “Fuck who ain’t here. These people showed up for US. So we gonna perform in front of these few like we would in front of thousands. These are your supporters”

— 🏁KUNIVA of D12 🏁 (@KunivaD12) January 3, 2019

First off, “Concentrate on the people rocking with you,” is good advice regardless of if you are a musician or just a person going about their personal or professional business. Give your energy to the people and things giving you positive energy back. That’s the easiest way to keep your head and wits about you.

In the scope of music, this advice is pertinent to rising artists. Other salient advice: have a unique live experience so fans never forget you, perform over live tracks instead of your own vocals, and remember to win over the people if you are an opener. A good live show will secure you fans for life. Happy touring.