ShowBird Artist Interview

A well-maintained schedule, quick response times, and a low rejection rate ensure that bookings run smoothly. But Benny also creates an unforgettable atmosphere during his performances: he plays requests, actively engages the audience, and adapts on the spot to what people enjoy. This way, he consistently delivers a party that people will remember for a long time. 

The numbers behind the success

The figures speak for themselves. Benny's growth shows how dedication and a customer-focused approach translate into real results.  

• Bookings: From 4 bookings in 2019 to 65 in 2025
• Customer satisfaction: 94 reviews with an average score of 4.9/5.0

How would you describe yourself as an artist?

"I describe myself as an all-round singer. I perform at parties and events and have a broad repertoire. It is mainly in Dutch, but I also sing English songs and even a number of Spanish ones. I actually enjoy performing different styles, so I don't limit myself to a single genre.

What makes my performances unique is that I don't work with a fixed program. I don't use a predetermined setlist where I know exactly what's coming. I have about twelve hours of music on my computer, and people can indicate in advance which songs they like. I tailor my performance accordingly. Basically: You ask, we deliver.

In addition, I focus on creating a pleasant atmosphere. I involve the audience in the performance and adapt to the situation. I am not necessarily an artist who wants to be in the spotlight or perform on big stages. You are more likely to see me at people's homes, at a barbecue, or at a sports club. Just informal and fun."

How did you end up at ShowBird?

"About ten years ago, other artists advised me to explore online platforms. At the time, I was still affiliated with an artist agency, but I soon realized: what that man does, I can do myself. So I started looking for websites where I could present myself as an artist."

"I was affiliated with an artist agency, but soon I realized: what that man does, I can do myself."

This actually went surprisingly well. Soon I was getting one gig a month, which eventually grew into one ging a week. I was advised to join Plugify, because at the time it was the platform where customers could find you.

I joined relatively early, while the platform was still emerging, and received a lot of bookings. Then I thought: besides Plugify, there must be more platforms in the Netherlands. That is how I discovered ShowBird, just before COVID. I had already built up good reviews on Plugify and received good reviews. Fortunately, I was able to transfer them to ShowBird. As a result, I appeared on the first few pages of the search results right away. So, reviews were an important success factor for me."

"Reviews were an important success factor for me."

What is your motivation?

Many artists aim to become famous. That is wonderful, of course, but that is not my goal. I don't aspire to become the most famous singer in the Netherlands.

I simply really enjoy making music. I sometimes compare it to sports: some people love playing football; I love making music. Some footballers earn their living from it, and I earn money by singing. And I try to do that as well as possible. It's really that simple.

What I do consciously, however, is look for places where other artists might be less active. That is often where the opportunities lie."

You seem to take a pragmatic approach to your artistry

"That's right. I come from the business world. I am not a full-time artist. I also have a job on the side, and I have a commercial mindset in that regard. The tools I use in my work, I also apply to my music. 

For example, I analyze who my clients are. What they want to hear and what they enjoy. I adjust my pricing accordingly, as well as my performance. The moment I notice something isn't working during a performance, I change it. That is the advantage of having a broad repertoire.

"I analyze who my clients are, what they want to hear and what they like. I tailor my performances accordingly. If I notice something isn't working, I change it."

In recent years, I have also taken steps toward further professionalization. For instance, I now work with a sound engineer. I noticed that singing, sensing the audience, and simultaneously managing and adjusting the sound became too much. With a sound engineer, I can focus fully on the performance and the atmosphere."

What do you think is the key to success?

"The bottom line is that you need to know your customers well. You need to understand your target audience and what you can offer them. In my opinion, that is the key to success.

"The key to success is knowing your customers well. You need to understand your target audience and what you can offer them."

Many artists focus on a single style or genre. I, on the other hand, try to remain flexible. That is why I offer various acts. I have a piano act, a duo act will be added soon, and I also sing in a band. This way, you appeal to different target audiences.

And ultimately, you must always remember: the customer comes first. It is their party, not mine. People organize a party because they want to have a good time. Some love it when an artist takes center stage, but most just want a great atmosphere.

"The customer comes first. It is their party, not mine."

For example, I think it's perfectly fine if a second microphone is brought out and someone from the audience sings along. To me, that's part of the fun.

For the amount people pay for your act, they have certain expectations. Apparently, I manage to meet them reasonably well. If I were to suddenly charge three times as much, the expectations would immediately be much higher."

How do you experience the music world?

"To be honest, I had always thought the music world was full of competition, hate and jealousy. But it really isn't nearly as bad as I expected. Especially within the artist community.

At ShowBird, for example, we’ve had a number of artist get-togethers. If I can, I always attend. I genuinly enjoy meeting other artists. And it’s practical too: if you can’t make it one time, you can refer someone else. So I would definitely recommend other artists attend as well."

Do you have any tips for other artists who want to get more bookings?

"I think it is important to understand how the platform works. That is why I visited the ShowBird office a few times with the question: can you help me, how do I get more bookings?

Then we discovered that—because I come from Friesland—I live far from many performance locations, and that distance plays a role in the algorithm. Moving was not an option, so we came up with the idea of setting my place of residence slightly more centrally. I did that, and it indeed turned out to have an effect.

Additionally, your calendar is really key at ShowBird. I try to keep it up to date weekly so that I have to turn down as few requests as possible. That helps enormously to stay visible and get more bookings."

Benny Bakker demonstrates that success revolves primarily around flexibility, entrepreneurship, and understanding your audience. He consciously chooses performances where atmosphere and interaction take center stage. With a broad repertoire, a practical approach, and a sharp focus on his clients' wishes, he manages to create an experience every evening that resonates with the audience. Whether it is a garden barbecue, a party at a sports club, or a birthday celebration at someone's home, Benny Bakker always adheres to the same principle: it is about the people organizing the party and the memories they create that evening.