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Bands alternating every song. Would this work?

#41
Two separate stages, or areas might work... otherwise, handing instruments to one another and getting the drummers swapped over could be, umm, interesting... and they'd need to rehearse the heck out of it to stand any chance at all, imo.

If they DO decide to go with it... please say you'll video at least the change-overs for us! :D
 
#43
I've seen this before at songwriter showcases. In that instance, each singer-songwriter brought a guitar to accompany themselves and that was it. While it was a good way to get in front of an audience for them, the constant changing pretty much erased every iota of energy and momentum.

I suppose it's something different to do, but I don't really understand what you're hoping to accomplish.
 
#44
skwee said:
If I was tasked with this, I'd make everyone be plugged in at all times: No A-B, everyone who isn't playing keeps his/her instrument strapped on, and make sure there are stools enough for everyone.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I double upright and electric with both plugged in, all I have to do is mute, put one down pick up the other, change channel and unmute, and that takes far too long to be doing every song.
 
#45
Really bad idea.
Here is something I was involved in a long time ago, that worked well. Find songs that both band do. When it comes time to change bands, Band A starts the song. Band B members come on one by one and take over for their Band A counterparts.

Once during an auditorium stage gig, the first band finished up by getting some feed back going during a guitar solo and turning out the lights. We came on and went from the feedback back into the guitar solor and brought the lights back up, then finished the song.
 
#46
Gravedigger Dav said:
Really bad idea.
Here is something I was involved in a long time ago, that worked well. Find songs that both band do. When it comes time to change bands, Band A starts the song. Band B members come on one by one and take over for their Band A counterparts.

Once during an auditorium stage gig, the first band finished up by getting some feed back going during a guitar solo and turning out the lights. We came on and went from the feedback back into the guitar solor and brought the lights back up, then finished the song.
Click to expand...


Now these here are some good ideas. The OP needs to share these with his brainstorming friend and maybe he can expand or modify his idea into something that makes sense.
 
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#47
If I am in a cover band, I want to make $$. As much as the market can bear, for the least amount of work. So in any cover gig, I want to show up before my gig with just enough time to get a good sound check and make sure everything is working correctly. Then after my set I want to pack up and go home. In the OP scenario it seems like a band member would be actually performing on stage the same amount of time they would in a normal arrangement, but would be required to spend at least a set's worth of extra time at the gig. Would I do it? Maybe.....how much extra will I get paid?
 
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#48
this is the musical equivalent of stephen wright's joke about going on a road trip with a friend where they split the driving, switching off every quarter mile...
 
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#49
Is this a two hour gig or something? Just alternate sets. Alternating songs is hitting the point of diminishing returns unless you're playing in a contest for $$$ on a live broadcast as in the big band days, and each band has a stage. Visually, there's not much exciting to me about a mob on stage.
 
#53
Update: The gig took place last night. They modified the procedure somewhat: instead of the bands alternating each song, it was every 3 songs. The changeover worked a couple of times when the drummer started the tune, which gave the rest of the band time to get on stage (both drummers remained onstage the whole time). But otherwise, it slowed the momentum, especially when people were dancing. And it must have been a nightmare for the soundman. One group had more members and was much louder. I wouldn't do a show this way unless the stage was big enough that everyone could remain in place and let's face it, most bars don't have that kind of space.
 

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