Opinion needed on 10 minute, 2 or 3 song setlist.

[Decoyx7]

Ok. So my band is playing in this talent show thing with several other bands, in a musical/talent competition.
Our performance cannot go over 10 minutes, and you play three songs each. It's quite a bit unorthodox, but you could play with two songs as well, as long as it doesn't go over 10 minutes.
Also...we're playing for a pretty varied audience. Usually bands who play catchy, or well known songs win. But my band is very much torn on what to play, but no matter what, we're playing YYZ.

I suggested:
1. YYZ by Rush
2. Breaking the Law by Judas Priest
3. Pinball Wizard by The Who

The guitarist wants:
1. Battery by Metallica
2. YYZ

And our singer and rhythm guitarist wants:
1. Peace Sells by Megadeth
2. YYZ

[fmoore200]

YYZ
battery
Peace sells

But won't you only be able to play two, b/c of time constraints?

Then:

YYZ
Battery

If you could convincingly pull off those two I can't imagine you not winning.

[seanm]

If the people who win tend to play catchy or well know songs, YYZ is sort of a strange choice. You will win over the half dozen musicians in the audience but it is not really Rush's most famous or well know song.

I'm not saying you shouldn't play it, just don't be surprised if you nail YYZ and lose to somebody doing a sloppy versions of "Hell's Bells"

[fmoore200]

Originally Posted by seanm

If the people who win tend to play catchy or well know songs, YYZ is sort of a strange choice. You will win over the half dozen musicians in the audience but it is not really Rush's most famous or well know song.

I'm not saying you shouldn't play it, just don't be surprised if you nail YYZ and lose to somebody doing a sloppy versions of "Hell's Bells"

You think so? Idk, but I feel that if band A plays a simple song well and band B plays a song that the audience can tell is difficult and they nail it, the audience would be more impressed with the more impressive (i.e. difficult) of the two, everything else being equal.

Or maybe I'm too idealistic, lol

[bolophonic]

Originally Posted by fmoore200

You think so? Idk, but I feel that if band A plays a simple song well and band B plays a song that the audience can tell is difficult and they nail it, the audience would be more impressed with the more impressive (i.e. difficult) of the two, everything else being equal.

Or maybe I'm too idealistic, lol

Your average audience is only going to want to hear music that they have already heard a million times over.

[fmoore200]

Originally Posted by bolophonic

Your average audience is only going to want to hear music that they have already heard a million times over.

That makes me sad... :'(

[jmattbassplaya]

Play Brown Eyed Girl and Party in the USA. You'll win no matter what.

[dave64o]

Originally Posted by Decoyx7

... Usually bands who play catchy, or well known songs win....

If you want to win, this would most likely be the formula. The people who vote that way would think YYZ is a bunch of noise.

And I say that having been a Rush fan for more than twice as long as you've been alive.

[Etchbass]

Originally Posted by fmoore200

That makes me sad... :'(

me too, fmoore, me too....

[Decoyx7]

[quote=dave64o;11551688]If you want to win, this would most likely be the formula. The people who vote that way would think YYZ is a bunch of noise.[quote]

Yeah, maybe. But like was also mentioned earlier, it's voted most on talent, but whatever. People are ignorant.

[seanm]

I think you have a choice: you can play to win.... in which case you have to play the game and play songs you think the judges/audience want to hear. Or you can play to have fun: in which case play the songs you want to play and can play well.

[cjmatt]

Originally Posted by seanm

I think you have a choice: you can play to win.... in which case you have to play the game and play songs you think the judges/audience want to hear. Or you can play to have fun: in which case play the songs you want to play and can play well.

He is right. Either you play to have fun and throw down like the rock stars you are.....or you play what will be a crowd pleasing, winning combination of songs.....most people are not musicians.....sadly they don't base talent on your solo as much as on your singer having a convincing smile.

[jimmybass300]

Originally Posted by jmattbassplaya

Play Brown Eyed Girl and Party in the USA. You'll win no matter what.

+1