App for live performances and tipping – sfougara.gr

Other topics
1

Hello everyone! :waving_hand:

I’ve developed a free app called “Sfougara” (σφουγγάρα), designed specifically for people who perform live and want a more direct way to communicate with their audience during the show.

Through the app, audiences can:

🎤 Find live performances near them.
🎶 Send messages / song requests during the live performance.
💳 Leave a tip quickly and easily from their mobile.

It’s completely free to use. If you’d like to try it at your live performances, you can find out more here:

:backhand_index_pointing_right: https://www.sfougara.gr
or on Google Play for Android

I’d be delighted to hear your thoughts, questions and any feedback!

3 Likes
2

Vassilis, welcome!

I’m glad you’re trying to support artists, each in their own way.

I’m trying to understand exactly what you have in mind. By “performance”, do you mean a regular event in a physical venue with an audience, or some kind of online livestream? In the latter case, it makes sense, although there’s always a comments section below the live video (and, I think, donations too, if that option is available).

In the former case, though, I don’t think replacing live, face-to-face communication with digital communication is helpful. The best thing about a live performance is for people to take part, and the most disheartening thing is for them to be fiddling with their phones. Participation means not only watching and (quietly) singing along, but also the people at the tables getting to know one another, talking to the musicians and requesting songs, and, if they want, leaving some cash; then, after a little while, getting up to dance—even if they don’t know one another.

Also, one correction: “sfoungara” is when a band plays in the street but not in one fixed spot. Instead, it goes around the venues, plays one or two lively songs, collects the tips, and moves on to the next venue. What the site’s description refers to is “the hat”. And of course this applies to all types of music, not just rebetiko—the street has room for everything, from classical and jazz to traditional and έντεχνο music (and not just music, of course, but all the arts).

3

Thank you for the welcome and for your comment.

The app’s vision is centred on live, in-person performances, and its creation was prompted by the meagre remuneration for the time, effort and working conditions involved.

Agreed, nothing beats live communication. Musicians are there to play music; communication—or at least equal communication—can’t really happen under those circumstances anyway.

My experience is that, usually, those in front of the “stage” take precedence, while most people talk amongst themselves or are on their phones anyway. As for tips, there’s usually no question of that; in such an exposed setting, someone who intends to give a lot of money—a €50 note—and has had a few drinks is probably the only kind of person who would tip. Someone who wants to give the musicians €2 wouldn’t dare, while someone who wants to request a song usually either doesn’t dare or isn’t heard.

The app isn’t designed to keep the audience occupied during the performance (not that they were waiting for sfougara to start using their phones :slight_smile: …); on the contrary, during the performance it can give them an opportunity to show their appreciation, either through a comment or a tip. In addition, musicians can follow the comments if they want to, without being obliged to respond through the app, as they can reply to comments or tips live.

So, as far as the audience is concerned, it helps people find live performances nearby, while also enabling communication and appreciation for anyone who doesn’t have the “nerve” or the “standing” to do so.

For artists, it enables communication with the audience—it doesn’t have to be interactive—and provides financial support.

I’m not familiar with the term “hat”. I would choose “sfougara” anyway, as it is more inclusive and includes buskers as well.

I created and maintain sfougara without expecting any profit. If the community finds it useful, all the better. The aim of the post is for people to get to know it and give it a try.

2 Likes
4

Thank you for the prompt and detailed reply.

I agree, but it is also our responsibility to demand decent pay, working conditions and social security contributions that correspond to our work. Not that these conflict with the paperwork, of course.

In combination with what you mention afterwards about the front row and so on, do you perhaps have live music venues more in mind? Because this is not really something that applies to tavernas, meze restaurants and so on.

That isn’t true; any contribution is sincerely welcome and appreciated. All right, let it at least be a banknote—hence the reference to “cash” (from €5 upwards; these days, €3–5 is the charge added by the venue per person for the music, that is). Nobody gives €50 except at festivals or in posh establishments, which I have no experience of.

Unfortunately, this is something venue owners have managed to achieve over the years: pocketing the waiters’ tips and turning cash tips into complimentary drinks… In both cases, the boss benefits instead of the employee.

That is true, but it would be better to fight against it rather than reinforce it…

I respect and applaud that; in fact, it was the first thing I thought of when I read your announcement. Many of us are introverted, shy and have different social skills… But even so, instead of encouraging social interaction, I think we are making it easier for people to withdraw.

Personally, I find it difficult both as an audience member to approach someone who is performing and as a performer to stay in touch with someone in the audience with whom I have interacted. But this is something I try to overcome in various ways (and I enjoy it every time); having all of this mediated through a screen would not help me.

Thank you very much; I recognise the best of intentions!

1 Like