Del Nilppeznaf Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 Whats the average amount of time you guys play for a regular gig ? Here in Ireland it's about 2 hours.... had a regular spot for a few months recently doing 3 hours..it can get like too much hard work if you ask me. Have done residencies abroad where would be doing 5-6 hours... with help from visiting musicians most of the time. didn't the Beatles used to play really long hours in Hamburg..... thoughts on ideal length of a Gig ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon S. Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 Usually around 45 minutes to an hour. Bands that play at the Honky Tonks downtown usually play at least 2 hours(some 3-4). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thejtl Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 I've played anything form 15 minutes to 5-6 hours. My ideal time for a gig is about 1 to 1.5 hours if I'm just going to showcase my own material. Maybe two hours at the outside. Of course, these days I read from my novel and play in the same set (long story. See my sig.) and I've put out 5 records of original stuff, so I have the material to fill the time. If you want to hit it and quit, 45 minutes or so. I really learned to play playing 3 1.5 hour sets in a night. It all depends on where you are in your career. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluesKing777 Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 45 minutes would be ideal for a solo acoustic guitarist/singer without repeating themselves and losing the audience's attention, but in the real world, well??? Any longer and there is bit of a danger of becoming a bit of the furniture.... BluesKing777. P.S. Mance Lipscomp played from sundown to sunup on Saturday nights and only had a rest when shots were fired! But he had the shuffle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onewilyfool Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 I do about 1.5 hours at my morning Cafe Gigs......with one 10 -15 min break.....my fingers are shot...lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EuroAussie Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 Here its always two sets of 50 mins each plus encore, so with a 10 min break in middle it almost always works out to 2 hours. Which for me is just right, although if the evening was really rolling we would throw in a few more songs and stretch the 2nd set out by half hour. Its important to finish when on top, learned that from an experienced performer. If you finished your set on a high, play maybe one or two more songs, but dont overdo it. Leave the audience gasping for more, which means returning for the next gig. There is an element of flirtation and teasing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ParlourMan Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 We play about 35-45 minutes to close off an open-mic night regularly, plus the encore so 45-50 minutes. A longer gig would have two sets or about 35 minutes, not really interested in playing longer. I can't imagine playing 5/6 hours, I'd never give my attention to a single act for that kind of duration. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scratch47 Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 I provide background noise on a monthly basis at a small lakeside restaurant. Typical duration is a set of 30 to 40 songs: 6:30pm - 9:00pm including a 30 minute break (7:30 - 8:00 or so). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tpbiii Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 Common set times are 30, 45, and 60 minutes. Non-festival gigs are one or two sets -- festivals, 2 or 3. We've been known to jam for 14 hours, more or less straight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeremy Morton Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 My gig length is two 50 minute sets with a break in the middle. Sometimes I will do three 40 minute sets if they need more length. Next month i have a couple back to back gigs, that makes for a tiring night. JM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larryp58 Posted January 20, 2012 Share Posted January 20, 2012 I'm pretty much in line with the others. Normally two sets about 60 minutes each with a 10-15 minute break in between. Some nights, when I'm in "the zone" I'll play an extra hour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
struma6 Posted January 20, 2012 Share Posted January 20, 2012 3 40 minute sets with a 15 minute break between sets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrplefty Posted January 20, 2012 Share Posted January 20, 2012 Whats the average amount of time you guys play for a regular gig ? Here in Ireland it's about 2 hours.... had a regular spot for a few months recently doing 3 hours..it can get like too much hard work if you ask me. Have done residencies abroad where would be doing 5-6 hours... with help from visiting musicians most of the time. didn't the Beatles used to play really long hours in Hamburg..... thoughts on ideal length of a Gig ? Del, I read in a Malcolm Gladwell book called "Outliers" that The Beatles did a summer in Hamburg playing 8 hour gigs at a time. I believe it was 7 days a week, but that is the part I'm fuzzy on. And to answer your original question, my gigs are usually 15-20 mins. I will try and get more time out on the mic if there are not many people waiting at the local open mics. Haven't quite made the professional gigging music scene yet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZuWa Posted January 20, 2012 Share Posted January 20, 2012 I think in most big cities you get one set, 30 minutes, no longer than 45 mins unless you are the main act. Main act plays one 60 min set. (We are talking bars and clubs, not MSG). At venues where you are the main act and only performer you have to have three 45 mins sets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotto Posted January 20, 2012 Share Posted January 20, 2012 Our typical gigs here on the Florida gulf coast are 4 hours - and that is way too long. Very tough on the fingers and vocal chords. Of course the venue managers are not musicians and do not understand what it means to play an instrument and sing for 4 hours. When you think about the biggest name acts out there, no one performs for over 2 hours, yet these little local venues want and expect a 4 hour performance. It is one of the primary reasons I use light strings and have the action as low as possible without getting fret buzz. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vincentw Posted January 20, 2012 Share Posted January 20, 2012 Our typical gigs here on the Florida gulf coast are 4 hours - and that is way too long. Very tough on the fingers and vocal chords. Of course the venue managers are not musicians and do not understand what it means to play an instrument and sing for 4 hours. When you think about the biggest name acts out there, no one performs for over 2 hours, yet these little local venues want and expect a 4 hour performance. It is one of the primary reasons I use light strings and have the action as low as possible without getting fret buzz. Where are you on the coast? I'm from Pensacola and used to have a house gig at Harbordocks in Destin. Yep ... 3-4 hour gigs. But it was great!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Del Nilppeznaf Posted January 21, 2012 Author Share Posted January 21, 2012 Our typical gigs here on the Florida gulf coast are 4 hours - and that is way too long. Yea.. 4 hours is too long..... seems like around 2 hours is the average... good to know. I'd idealy like to do 45 mins..10 min break then 15 min... and get paid 10 times what I do now 2 hours is cool... obviously with a break... and we do it for the love of playing for people, don't we?... and yea the owners and punters don't realize the amount of effort required to play and sing for that amount of time.. especially if you have gigs on consecutive nights for an extended period. I had read also the Beatles doing 8 hours a night 7 nights a week (with the aid of some little pills) now that would learn you how to play as a band... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scratch47 Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 Yea.. 4 hours is too long..... seems like around 2 hours is the average... good to know. I'd idealy like to do 45 mins..10 min break then 15 min... and get paid 10 times what I do now 2 hours is cool... obviously with a break... and we do it for the love of playing for people, don't we?... and yea the owners and punters don't realize the amount of effort required to play and sing for that amount of time.. especially if you have gigs on consecutive nights for an extended period. I usually spend most of the day practicing; then packing, driving to the gig; unpacking, setting up; playing, packing up, driving home; unpacking, and checking the tip jar. Yes; most of us do it for the love of music and the people we play for, regardless of their appreciation. Doesn't matter. It beats what I used to do for a living which paid pretty well, but provided much less in the way of satisfaction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotto Posted January 23, 2012 Share Posted January 23, 2012 Where are you on the coast? I'm from Pensacola and used to have a house gig at Harbordocks in Destin. Yep ... 3-4 hour gigs. But it was great!! Vincent, sorry fo the delay in responding. I live in Destin and our regular gig is at Fudpuckers on the Island. I live just a few mile from Harbor Docks. Where do live now? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scratch47 Posted January 23, 2012 Share Posted January 23, 2012 Vincent, sorry fo the delay in responding. I live in Destin and our regular gig is at Fudpuckers on the Island. I live just a few mile from Harbor Docks. Where do live now? Stationed in Fort Walton Beach at Hurlburt Field several years ago. Is the Hogsbreath Saloon still around? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotto Posted January 23, 2012 Share Posted January 23, 2012 Stationed in Fort Walton Beach at Hurlburt Field several years ago. Is the Hogsbreath Saloon still around? It is, but depending how long ago you were here, it may not be in the same place. It used to be on the island, it is now located in Destin. The current location is very nice and is still quite popular. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EuroAussie Posted January 23, 2012 Share Posted January 23, 2012 Ooo, are you referring to Hogsbreath Cafe ? I remember one omy ex's worked there in the 90's back home in Australia ... lordy they made a great steak, marinate for 24 hours n' all ... tasty. It is, but depending how long ago you were here, it may not be in the same place. It used to be on the island, it is now located in Destin. The current location is very nice and is still quite popular. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scratch47 Posted January 23, 2012 Share Posted January 23, 2012 It is, but depending how long ago you were here, it may not be in the same place. It used to be on the island, it is now located in Destin. The current location is very nice and is still quite popular. As I recall from the early 80s, it was located at the base of the bridge going into Destin from Ft. Walton? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scratch47 Posted January 23, 2012 Share Posted January 23, 2012 Ooo, are you referring to Hogsbreath Cafe ? I remember one omy ex's worked there in the 90's back home in Australia ... lordy they made a great steak, marinate for 24 hours n' all ... tasty. This was/is the Saloon version EuroAussie. Wasn't a chain then; maybe now as it was the place to go back in the day. I recall entering the establishment more often than I recall leaving... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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