It began in Japan in the early 1970s: groups of people in bars would gather around a new kind of machine that played pre-recorded backing tracks. A microphone was included in the set-up, giving singers the chance to be a “star” for a few minutes. The machine, called the Juke 8, was pretty crude, using eight-track cartridges and a coin-operated timer, but after a slow start its popularity rocketed in bars in cities such as Osaka. Karaoke (which means “empty orchestra”) was born. Soon, soundproofed “karaoke boxes” were emerging, private rooms where people could sing their hearts out without disturbing others – or embarrassing themselves.
The man who invented the Juke 8, Daisuke Inoue, never patented his invention and missed out on a fortune. Soon there were many rival machines on the market. Before long, TV screens showing song lyrics were part of the package, and the number of songs available expanded into the thousands. The karaoke boom spread across Asia, and it became hugely popular in the Philippines (of which more later). By the 1990s it had spread worldwide and the karaoke night had become a fixture in British pubs.
Karaoke takes bottle
Karaoke comes in many varieties, but there is usually one common denominator: drink. Karaoke is a social event, a chance for people to let their hair down and unleash their inner divas and rock stars. Alcohol helps people to shed their inhibitions. All of which makes it an ideal form of entertainment for pubs and bars, where it has been shown to increase takings and customer numbers. Singing has also been shown to improve people’s sense of wellbeing. It fosters a sense of togetherness among disparate groups of people. In short, karaoke makes you feel good, and that feelgood factor will rub off on your pub or bar.
The popularity of karaoke has fluctuated over the years, but it seems to have undergone a resurgence in the past decade, perhaps thanks to TV shows such as The X Factor and The Voice. Developments in technology have brought digital karaoke systems on to the market, streamlining the process of song selection and vastly expanding the number of songs available.
Getting pubs and bars kitted out for karaoke
So, what does a pub or bar need for a karaoke night? First: a room of a reasonable size, ideally with a raised, well-lit area that can be used as a stage for the singers. Your pub furniture will need to be flexible so that it can be moved away or re-arranged to accommodate the equipment, the screens, and the singers and spectators. Give customers the option to stand or sit, depending on their preferences.
Licensing for any kind of musical performance in pubs and bars has become much simpler since the Music Act of 2012 was introduced (and updated in 2015). The Act states that any premises can host live music (which includes karaoke) as long as the audience is under 500 people and it takes place between 8am and 11pm; the premises must also be alcohol-licensed. Be sure that your event does not create a noise nuisance as this could risk your premises licence. A PRS PPL licence is required for any kind of musical performance, including karaoke – this collects royalties on behalf of songwriters and performers.
Hiring equipment for a karaoke night is straightforward: there are dozens of hire companies across the country that hire out the gear – microphones, mixing board, screens to display song lyrics, lighting, and the software and playlists. If your pub has a good, powerful PA system, this can be used – otherwise, speakers can be rented. You can present the event yourself, or hire in a karaoke DJ.
Karaoke for private functions and private parties
Increasingly, pubs and bars are creating specialist rooms for karaoke. These can be hired for the evening by groups of customers celebrating birthdays, hen nights, work outings, and so on. Drinks can be brought to the room by pub staff to order. Karaoke rooms are also a popular option in some Chinese and Japanese restaurants, where food, drink and singing come together to create a memorable experience.
If you choose to create a specialist karaoke room, it’s worth investigating other examples to see what kind of ambience they create: mostly these rooms try to create an atmosphere of cushioned seclusion, with low lighting, warm colours and soft furniture such as padded benches. The Old Queens Head in north London has opted for a tropical vibe for its karaoke room, with long soft benches, low tables and palm-tree friezes. One possible model to follow is that of successful karaoke chains such as Lucky Voice, where benches, disco-style lights and pink décor create a party atmosphere (props such as hats and plastic inflatable guitars are also provided).
The advantage of specialist karaoke rooms is that customers will feel less inhibited in a private space with only their friends and colleagues witnessing their performances. It also leaves the rest of the pub or bar free to carry on as normal. Revenues from hires and from increased drinks sales should soon repay any investment in equipment, furnishing and fitting out.
If space permits, you could even consider hosting a “live band” karaoke night. Bands such as Rockaoke can be hired, who come with a repertoire of hundreds of songs, giving customers the rare chance to sing in front of an actual band (lyrics are displayed on a monitor on the stage). Specialist karaoke nights are popular, too: hip-hop karaoke has even made it as far as London’s Tate Modern art gallery, where it is a regular part of the entertainment schedules.
Karaoke nights will of course need to be promoted and advertised: social media is an effective method – your pub or bar’s Facebook page can feature photos and musical highlights from recent karaoke nights and the dates of forthcoming events.
What are the most popular karaoke songs?
There are no official charts, but Lucky Voice says that Let It Go from the Disney musical Frozen is currently its most requested song. Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody is also a favourite, a kind of vocal obstacle course that only the most able singers are able to successfully negotiate.
Frank Sinatra’s My Way, too, is a stalwart of the karaoke circuit – though the song has a dark history. Karaoke is hugely popular in the Philippines, where it has become part of a macho culture in which singing “properly” is of paramount importance. Frank Sinatra’s My Way has unfortunately been associated with several murders, reportedly because the singers were singing out of key – though it’s possible that the killings simply took place in the feverish atmosphere of karaoke bars with My Way coincidentally playing in the background.
Thankfully British karaoke culture is generally inclusive, welcoming and forgiving: it takes a brave person to get up and have a go in front of a room full of people, and the joy of karaoke in our pubs and bars is that such bravery is usually rewarded with praise and applause, whether the performance is good or terrible. Anyone who has taken part will confirm that nothing brings people together quite like karaoke.