One of my music goals for next year is to perform some of my chiptune live for an audience. I know of a few local music venues I could likely get booked at, and I've started working on a set of gameboy songs that are more rhythmic and danceable (as much as I love making cute, jazzy NES tunes, I don't expect there to be as much of an in-person audience for that).

I'm too awkward to like the idea of being chiptune "DJ" where all I do is press play on my laptop or gameboy, so I've been using LSDJ's live mode to give me something to do. That way it's more interactive by forcing me to cue each section/instrument, but also more error-prone unfortunately. Additionally, I'd like to incorporate some instruments, probably just my synthesizer to start (because it's electronic and I don't want to deal with getting a mic for my accordion or mandolin). In one of my tunes so far, I have a solo section in the middle where I can let LSDJ loop while I improvise on my synth, and in another one I'll play the melody, etc.


ANYWAYS,
I know several people here have played chiptune songs live, or been to live chiptune shows, so I am curious what advice any of you have.

- What are common technical difficulties or challenges that arise? (in particular for GB/LSDJ music) and how can those be avoided?
- Is it difficult for chiptune to sound good when blasted out of a PA?
- Tips for good stage presence?
- Things to avoid doing?
- Do people actually like hearing chiptune live?