In today’s hyperconnected world, live streaming has become one of the most powerful tools for musicians who want to reach their audience instantly and authentically. Whether you’re a solo artist playing guitar, part of a full band, or experimenting with electronic music, streaming lets you perform from anywhere (your bedroom, studio, or living room) and bring your music directly into the hands of your fans.
Unlike traditional gigs, geography is no barrier: friends, family, and new listeners around the globe can tune in to experience your performance in real time. Even better, you have complete control over your creative presentation, from your lighting and sound setup to how you interact with your audience.
Plus, with the right preparation, live streaming isn’t just a way to perform; it can become a key part of your growth strategy, helping you build your brand, grow your following, and monetise your passion. With just a smartphone and an internet connection (and maybe a few extras!) you’re ready to go live. But to truly make an impact, there are a few important things to consider. In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to choose the right platform, optimise your audio and video setup, promote your show, engage your audience, and even turn your streams into revenue.
Choose your platform
There are several big platforms that are available to use for free, and that you're likely to already have an account with. Facebook, Instagram and YouTube are all social media giants with a free live video streaming feature, allowing you to reach all your followers - live!
It's a good idea to start with the platform where you have your largest audience, and expand from there. Software such as Restream allows you to stream to multiple platforms at once – alternatively there's always the option to download the live video you made and upload it to your other platforms afterwards for people to watch it back later.
Facebook also offers the option to can create an event in advance, invite people to attend, then finally live stream directly to the event page to make sure everyone knows when the stream is happening.
TikTok also deserves special attention for musicians. TikTok Live gives you a highly engaged, globally distributed audience, and its format encourages spontaneous, intimate performances that can build a loyal fan base quickly. Plus, musicians can monetise through TikTok’s virtual gifts and, in some regions, even sell merchandise or tickets via TikTok Shop.
Light yourself well
One huge mistake musicians make when filming themselves at home is backlighting! Your audience won't be able to see you well (or at all) if you're backlit, and it's likely they won't stick around if they can't see you performing. The easiest way to achieve sufficient lighting is with natural daylight. Position yourself in front of a window and rest your phone against it for the best naturally-lit look.
If you're going to stream during the evening when natural light is not an option, make sure you're lit well from the front. You could achieve this with a lamp, or if you're serious about live streaming often, invest in a selfie light for the ultimate Instagram-ready lighting set up.
Make sure your performance space is presentable and projects the right image. A plainer background may make for easier viewing, but don't forget to inject some of your personality and style into your surroundings. The viewer wants to learn something about you - let them in some personal stories, hobbies or interests, and they're likely to become more invested in you as an artist.
Get the sound right
If you're using your phone to record yourself, it's likely the microphone is on the bottom of the device. So, standing the phone up on its end on a hard surface will make it difficult for the phone to pick up your sound well, and your audience may hear distorted audio. If you've got a phone case on, this actually helps by lifting the microphone up a little and improving the sound quality. You could also get around this with a tripod, or even a friend holding the camera.
It's best to record in a quiet room with as little background noise as possible. Even though it'll be tough to achieve studio quality audio at home, little things can make a big difference! Choose a room with carpeting if possible, and without too many reflective surfaces (like the kitchen or bathroom). Close the windows and turn off the heating if it's noisy, and let your family or flat mates know you need some quiet for half an hour while you're streaming.
Before you start, make sure everything is in order. Check the video looks smart, well lit and interesting, and that the microphone is working and capturing a good level of sound. You could even try having a practice of the set up you're going to use with a friend watching online.
Step up your audio
If you want to take the next step and record a more professional audio feed, you'll need some extra equipment: a computer, a camera, a capture card and an audio recording interface. This could be well worth the investment as live performances are set to be difficult for some time. Spend some time getting your equipment set up and get the best sound you can.
You'll need to use software such as OBS Streamlabs, which also allows you to stream to Facebook and YouTube at the same time.
Another good trick: record your audio first in high quality, then play it back while you “perform” live. Viewers still feel like it’s a live show, but you benefit from polished sound. The trade-off is less real-time interaction, but it’s a smart way to balance quality and performance.
Promote your performance
Make the most of your virtual gig by getting as many people watching as possible. Promote it in advance on all your channels and give your followers the link they'll need to watch you. Tell them what time you'll be on, how long for, and what you'll be playing. Consider creating an 'event' on Facebook or scheduling a live stream on YouTube, which will let your subscribers know what you're planning. If you have a mailing list, send the link out to everyone in advance.
Don't forget to tell your friends and family too, as they'll be keen to support you and may bring along their own friends and family who are potential new fans for you!
Post reminders in advance of the performance, and updates on any details, set list choices or special guests you might have. Respond to people who ask questions quickly, and consider posting the response so other followers will have the same information. Let everyone know why you're performing, and why you want them to watch. Maybe there's a new song you're going to reveal, or a requests section you want everyone's input on - let them know.
Monetise the gig
There are many ways to make money from a live stream. On TikTok Live, viewers can purchase virtual gifts (using coins) and send them to you, which convert into actual earnings.
Other monetisation options include:
Joining TikTok’s Creator Rewards Program, which pays based on engagement and performance.
Hosting ticketed virtual concerts or exclusive live shows.
Selling merchandise or digital products during your stream, potentially using TikTok Shop (where available).
You could add a virtual tip jar via PayPal or GoFundMe and encourage people to contribute, or plug your album or merchandise sales via a link in the video description to make money this way. Twitch has an in-built tip jar feature too. Chat to the audience about how appreciated tips are, most people are happy to pay a small amount for free entertainment online, especially during trying times. Don't be afraid to ask!
If you're racking up the views on YouTube, you can monetize your videos there with adverts. Be careful here if you are playing covers though, as YouTube can flag the video as containing copyrighted material, in which case the revenue will go to the rightful owner of the track. They can even do this with acoustic covers now, not just original songs.
Connect with your audience
Live streaming is not just about performing — it’s about building community. Start each session by greeting your viewers: introduce yourself, talk about what you’re doing, and why this performance matters to you.
Encourage interaction: read and respond to comments, take song requests, answer questions, or invite people to share stories. These little moments make your stream feel personal and can deepen your relationship with fans.
At the end of the show, thank people for tuning in and, if they gave gifts or tips, let them know how much it means. Preview what’s next — whether it’s another live, a new song, or merch drop — and tell them where to follow you for updates.
Things to Watch Out For
Copyright Risks:
Be careful about what music you play during your stream. According to some creator guides, using commercial, copyrighted tracks without permission can lead to issues.
Platform Requirements:
For TikTok Live monetisation, you may need to meet certain criteria (e.g., follower count, account standing).
Internet Connection:
Your upload speed is critical. Use a wired connection if possible to reduce the risk of dropouts or lag.
Booking Consistency:
Make live streaming part of your routine. Regularly scheduled streams help build habit and loyalty among your audience.
Analytics & Growth:
After each stream, review metrics like peak viewers, engagement, and gift activity. Use that data to refine future shows (set list, length, promotion).
Backup Plan:
Have safeguards: a backup audio source, a secondary camera, or a pre-recorded piece you can play if something goes wrong live.
Accessibility:
Think about making your stream accessible: use captions, moderate chat, or invite feedback to improve the experience for viewers who might need support.
