The Longest Set?

[skidrawk]

Last night we played a private party. We combined all three sets into one and played over 40 songs in less than three hours. We didn't take any breaks - I had a cup of root beer and a bottle of water so sip from. I sang two songs. Anyone else have any marathon gigs to share?

[Rick Nicak]

Did a wine bar gig one time where I did 3 hours. Think I played "Continuum" 3 times

[kickstand22]

I played a reunion gig with some of my ol' buds. Haven't played with them in YEARS. Rehearsed 6 times over 3 months and played from 9:30-1:30 with no breaks....there was some guitar changes and stuff, but no "breaks." I started getting kinda tired and asked the drummer if we were gonna take a break, that was at 1:10.

[PastorofMuppets]

bands routinely play 3 hours straight with no break here.
these bands are the most popular of the cover bands
the normal masses of cover bands all take breaks.

but there are a few here that once the party starts it dont stop for three hours solid

[RustyAxe]

Two hour continuous set is the absolute tops for me. If they want 3 hours of continuous music they can hire a DJ for all I care. I ain't a human juke box, and sometimes I have to take a leak, y'know? Just to comment on your 40 songs in under 3 hours ... we often do 12-15 songs per set (45-50 minutes with 10-15 between sets) ... so we do between 50 and 60 songs in a night.

[justabass]

Minimum 4 hour shows here in downtown Nashville. Last night was 10:15pm to 2:30am..Straight through. Unless someone you know comes in and wants to sit in no breaks. Normal for here though...

[MikeyFingers]

The longest continuous set I've ever played wasn't really that long, probably like 90 minutes. But I've done a few nights with three 1-hour sets, but that's with breaks in between.

[uglyrumor]

Once played over six hours with no break, and only three times that the music stopped. Jammed out of Dark Star into and out of other songs all night. Some of the other players were relieved, but I was the only bass player. I think my fuel that night was a strong start with Hashish. Some of the other guys still tell me that was the best time they ever had. I was very much "in the moment", so don't really remember very much, other than that I didn't leave the stage for over six hours. Mostly Grateful Dead.

[masterfader87]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lymIESHess

[funkingroovin]

Not a marathon set,but last summer I had to play "W/or W/O You" for 43min. for the dollar dance at a wedding. No joke. The bride's favorite, and we had to play it again last set.

[MEKer]

And of course The Grateful Dead probably have the record on long sets for those who remember.

[Johnny Crab]

Originally Posted by PastorofMuppets

bands routinely play 3 hours straight with no break here.
these bands are the most popular of the cover bands
the normal masses of cover bands all take breaks.

but there are a few here that once the party starts it dont stop for three hours solid

+1
This is how we operate. If the audience is "ON" then we are too until the owner tells us to quit. All our gigs are recorded on a Zoom H4. The long timestamps I recall are 3 hours and 46 minutes and a 4 hours and something minute show.

The marathon shows help prepare one for the days with two gigs in one day.

[SlingBass4]

2-2.5 hours is about the longest *I* have done. That's pushing it IMO. 1-1.5 hours is perfect (depending on the juices of both the band and the crowd). IF folks are jazzed and having a ball - the sky's the limit. BUTT, everyone know what opinions are like...

[Elrend]

We did a free-improv thing for 2 hours straight, I fell asleep in the backroom almost right afterwards.

[BillyC]

We play 4 hours straight with no breaks all the time.On St. Paddys day in Savannah we played 7 and a half hours straight with no breaks except for 5 min. when the NY Fire Dept. bagpipe band paid a visit to the bar....Ran to take a leak while they were playing,then hit it again when they stopped.

[::::BASSIST::::]

My band played a big car show gig this past February where we played from 10:00am until 8:00pm. By 7:00 we were totally fried. We did get breaks though.

[seanm]

I believe three hours straight is the most for me. But our practices used to be three or three and a half hours straight, no breaks. So I was used to it.

[EdHunter]

2 1/2 hours as pit band, playing Michael Jackson stuff for a school play. Doesn't quite comapre to soem of the marathons you guys have been on, but it felt like I was sat there forever.

[DizzyExiled]

does playing drums and singing for the Rockband 54 song setlist count?

[Phalex]

This Friday and Saturday we're playing a club that insists on 2) 90 minute sets rather than the usual 4) 45 minute sets. Really not a big deal, except that they have a brewery on site, and I usually have to pee before break time rolls around.