How long is a set?

WookieeForLife · #1 10-25-2008, 01:57 PM

Our band has came up with 6 original songs and can cover 10 other songs. We've been together for awhile now. Im wondering how long is a set? How many sets does a band typically play in a night?We have a number of new original songs we are working on. How many more songs will we need before we can gig? Thanks in advance.

Oraflora · #2 10-25-2008, 02:13 PM

IME, a set is between 45 minutes and one hour.
A blues band I am in plays one hour, 1/2 hour break, repeat.
3 sets with breaks = 4 hours.
A set usually consists of 10 songs.

You have enough for a full set, if there are other bands playing before or after you, not enough for a whole night at a club/bar.

**Stumbo** · #3 10-25-2008, 02:26 PM

A set for us is 45 min with a 15 minute break.
The last set would be an hour.

You can also ask around town at bars and such what the "normal" routine is for their live music.

You can always lengthen your covers, especially if they are good dance numbers. Also, for a 4 hour gig, if the first hour is sparsely attended, you can repeat a few of the tunes you played from the first set.

WookieeForLife · #4 10-25-2008, 02:32 PM

We wouldn't be playing by ourselves. It would be like a medley of all diffrent bands.

GianGian · #5 10-25-2008, 02:44 PM

I would say an hour would be OK. Generically, how long the show should be really depends on the style.

WookieeForLife · #6 10-25-2008, 03:14 PM

The style is like a metal.A couple punk songs, and an acoustic. Dont ask, its the guitarists idea.

Jazzdogg · #7 10-25-2008, 03:17 PM

My band typically plays three sets in the course of a four-hour gig. During the first set we establish a groove, identify tweaks we want to make to the stage and PA set-up, and give the audience a sense of who we are while we read their mood; set #1 usually lasts 45 minutes, followed by a 10-minute break.

Set #2 usually lasts about 1:15, followed by a 15-minute break; it's a high-energy set with lots of dancing. The final set is all-out and lasts until the end of the gig; the crowd usually demands a few encore songs after the end of the third set, but some clubs want all music to cease at a prescribed time.

We bring three set lists and a list of alternate songs we can substitute depending on who's playing/singing on a particular night, crowd reaction, and so forth. We generally come to gigs prepared to play about 60 songs, but seldom play that many; it's always nice to have options.

Baryonyx · #8 10-25-2008, 04:13 PM

It depends, and it plays to be flexible. My favourite routine for sets is:

Play 50 mins, take 10 mins out

rinse and repeat!

RustyAxe · #9 10-25-2008, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WookieeForLife

Our band has came up with 6 original songs and can cover 10 other songs. We've been together for awhile now. Im wondering how long is a set? How many sets does a band typically play in a night?We have a number of new original songs we are working on. How many more songs will we need before we can gig? Thanks in advance.

We play 45 minute sets. We plan our setlist to have 15 songs per set, and we may or may not get to all of them. A typical night is three sets. We play acoustic "roots" and traditional music ... real laid back stuff.

You might be able to pick up multi-band gigs in which you only play one set.

GianGian · #10 10-25-2008, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WookieeForLife

The style is like a metal.A couple punk songs, and an acoustic. Dont ask, its the guitarists idea.

Metal I would say about 1 hour is good for a "festival" kind of thing. And between 1 + 1/2 and 2 if you are headlining.

acleex38 · #11 10-25-2008, 09:00 PM

We did a couple of 1 hour to 1:15, 2-set gigs. Then we switched it to three 45 minute sets. It has worked much better for us.

metalmariachi · #12 10-25-2008, 09:15 PM

A friends band goes on at 9:30 pm and ends at 2:00 am no breaks.
They will have some one sit in for bathroom runs, or play one person down . Other than that it's non stop all the way.

Yes they are all exhausted when they finish. But the audience loves it.

MM

acleex38 · #13 10-25-2008, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by metalmariachi

A friends band goes on at 9:30 pm and ends at 2:00 am no breaks.
They will have some one sit in for bathroom runs, or play one person down . Other than that it's non stop all the way.

Yes they are all exhausted when they finish. But the audience loves it.

MM

THAT

IS

AWESOME

I want to do that. I wonder if I can talk the band into it.

Deacon_Blues · #14 10-26-2008, 04:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WookieeForLife

We wouldn't be playing by ourselves. It would be like a medley of all diffrent bands.

How many other bands would play? Would they all be playing on the same stage after each other?

I guess you will not have to play more than one set, or 45 min, guessing there will be a few other bands. If you'd only be two bands there, you might play a longer 90 min set or two sets with a short break. I doubt 16 songs would be enough for a 90 min set though. It of course depends on how long they are...

I once played a non-stop gig with another band. We played for 45 mins, then they continued immediately after that on another stage in the room, then we switched again etc. That was pretty fun.

atheos · #15 10-26-2008, 05:03 AM

Don't know what's the thing in States but here in Finland a typical setup for a gig is 30 - 45 minutes for warm-up band and 1 - 1.5 hours for main act but that can be less if there is no "main act" but just a few "equal" bands. Festivals are always exceptions and every festival is different so no rules there, generally they're 30-45 minutes (bands starting every hour and 15-30 minutes for change). I'd say it' good to have 30 and 45 minute sets and an 1 hour set later when you have enough original songs. Longer sets are usually for big names and cover bands. Then there are those house bands that play multiple sets per night but that's more a blues/jazz/cover band thing.

Just avoid playing covers since you have originals. Please. There are cover bands for that purpose. No covers in 30min set and only one carefully selected and well re-arranged piece in 45 and 1 hour sets. IMO you should play 90-100% originals or 100% covers but nothing in between - that would only leave an impression that you just don't have enough decent originals but you're not a cover band either - just a big mess. In a bad way.

nsmar4211 · #16 10-26-2008, 09:36 AM

Cover band-our sets are usually 45 minutes with a 15. If it's a weird timing or if we go over on music or if someone does announcements etc we just shift the timing around......either way we end at the time we're supposed to (noise ordinance usually set that)

As for doing all night no breaks...... we only have one lead singer and that would *kill* her voice. Jams I've done are like that (no breaks) but you're rotating people so it's not like everyone plays te whole time straight

.

OP has enough music for one set..... you always do want to keep something in reserve. We waited until we had 40 songs before looking for full paying gigs

.

Implosion · #17 10-26-2008, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atheos

Don't know what's the thing in States but here in Finland a typical setup for a gig is 30 - 45 minutes for warm-up band and 1 - 1.5 hours for main act but that can be less if there is no "main act" but just a few "equal" bands. Festivals are always exceptions and every festival is different so no rules there, generally they're 30-45 minutes (bands starting every hour and 15-30 minutes for change). I'd say it' good to have 30 and 45 minute sets and an 1 hour set later when you have enough original songs. Longer sets are usually for big names and cover bands. Then there are those house bands that play multiple sets per night but that's more a blues/jazz/cover band thing.

Just avoid playing covers since you have originals. Please. There are cover bands for that purpose. No covers in 30min set and only one carefully selected and well re-arranged piece in 45 and 1 hour sets. IMO you should play 90-100% originals or 100% covers but nothing in between - that would only leave an impression that you just don't have enough decent originals but you're not a cover band either - just a big mess. In a bad way.

What he said. (Saved me the trouble of writing my thoughts down)

mfgl · #18 10-26-2008, 10:19 AM

Around here at metal shows its usually 4 bands each play for 30 minutes to an hour and then they are done for the night. If your just playing a local club with other bands like yourself your fine i would say , If it were me Id play a couple songs, throw in a cover , play the rest of the originals, if you have time left play another cover and say thanks. Best thing would be to go see other bands there and see what they do. Hell last time i went to see Opeth they only played 6-7 songs...of course they were all like 12 minutes each

fretlessman71 · #19 10-26-2008, 10:20 AM

We either play 3 1-hour sets with 30 min. inbetween, or 4 50-minute sets with 20 min. breaks (on Fridays when we go longer). I think I'm spoiled - I had never heard of a band who was allowed 30 minute breaks before!

mfgl · #20 10-26-2008, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Just avoid playing covers since you have originals. Please. There are cover bands for that purpose. No covers in 30min set and only one carefully selected and well re-arranged piece in 45 and 1 hour sets. IMO you should play 90-100% originals or 100% covers but nothing in between - that would only leave an impression that you just don't have enough decent originals but you're not a cover band either - just a big mess. In a bad way.

As someone who goes to shows and doesnt play them...Nothing is more boring then listening to music you dont know at all in a club with less then perfect sound. I for one enjoy hearing a new band play a song i know so i can tell how good they are. After you played in y our town a few times....sold a few cds at the show...maybe no covers is fine...people pay money to go out and have a good time and sing along/headbang whatever. I think it would help to get the crowd get into it if you play something they know when your brand new.