• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Bar band Gigs are too long

#121
kinda late to chime in, but our band its all we've ever done is 4 hour gigs. except for other occasional multi band events. when we get hired for a party we tell em 4 hours. otherwise they want to pay you less. the work is the year hauling. sometimes I get pretty tired in the 4th set. At at those tired times when you're pushing thru tunes, its then that I feel like a real musician. doing it till it hurts.
 
#122
glenb73 said:
I would much prefer to play 1.5 hr set (15-17songs) and call it a night. But in all the bar bands I been in they wanna play 35+ songs for 4 hours. To me, its not fun after a while and it becomes a real chore to have to play so many songs.
Even real super star legendary bands, the usually play 20-22 songs tops and thats it.
Click to expand...

I would just be happy to have a bar gig. I've always wanted one.
 
#123
In Europe, gigs were 2 45 minute sets max, the festivals were 1 set.. I personally have decided not to play gigs that require that amount of effort. For me, it's not worth the hassle. BUT.. ;)
I was told there are 3 reasons to play:

1. You're learning a lot,
2. Getting paid really good money..
3. Enjoying it..

If it doesn't fall in that criteria, why erode your love of playing for poor pay and unnecessary frivolity?

P.S. I would play a gig of standards for 4 hours.. If the circumstances were right! ;)
 
#125
the yeti said:
you absolutely do not have to. honestly, with an attitude like yours i'm surprised you have the opportunity to be so put upon.
Click to expand...

+1

I am 51 years old and still get excited about gigging. Maybe it is just my passion for music but it seems like 45 minutes sets are over in about 15 minutes. Yeah, at the end of the night hoisting a 9 pound bass can take its toll and I feel a little sore but the love of being out and trying our best to entertain overrides that soreness, anyway, that is why they make Alleve. Take two with a beer during load in and your covered for the night. :D

I am blessed to have a cool wife who lets me keep a very small amp in the living room, when we are watching TV and commercials come on, I use this time to listen to the music on the commercial, recognize the key and play along for ear training.

Hi, my name is Crash and I am a Musicholic. :p
 
#126
In my neck of woods, west central Pennsylvania.

Bar gigs are usually 3 hours with 2 15 - 20 minute breaks

Sometimes, it is 3-1/2 hours or 4 hours

Festival gigs are normally 2 - 3 hours

Opening act gigs range from 45 minutes to 1-1/2 hours

Special event gigs and weddings, parties, etc. are 3 - 4 hours
 
#127
Seriously, playing for an empty bar even for one set stinks and makes you question why you left your basement. The solution is to get more people to the show. With a room full of people having fun you'll have more fun. At the end of the 3rd set you'll still be exhausted, but exhilarated at the same time. In fact if there is a room full of people and they beg you to play one more, I bet you'll do it.

So get promoting!
 
#130
masterFlash said:
Seriously, playing for an empty bar even for one set stinks and makes you question why you left your basement. The solution is to get more people to the show. With a room full of people having fun you'll have more fun. At the end of the 3rd set you'll still be exhausted, but exhilarated at the same time. In fact if there is a room full of people and they beg you to play one more, I bet you'll do it.

So get promoting!
Click to expand...
Even if you get people to show up, I am sorry to say that for most of my friends nowadays, they might stay 1-2 hours at most, they ain't hanging at the bar for 4 hours, hence that last set is nobody left but the drunks.... I honestly would like to play right after dinner 8:30 to 12:00 if I had my way. With breaks of course...
 
#133
I want to thank the OP for starting this thread. I know some of you lack patience with those of us who consider the bar band scene a grind, but this thread has really helped me to crystallize my own feelings on this subject. It's something I've been grappling with recently because I quit a good band last year after deciding I'm not cut out for 4 hour gigs that get me home at 2 am. It was a blues trio and we were getting $100 a night a piece so it wasn't an easy decision. Since then I've just been laying low, doing a lot of writing and composing music on my computer.

But of course I'm getting the itch to perform again. Like some of you I have a good day job (I work in IT) so money is not my primary consideration. I woke up this morning knowing exactly what I want to do. I'm looking for a duo/trio type situation playing blues, light jazz, and maybe some classic rock covers. Venues would be coffee houses, restaurants, wine bars, happy hours, private parties, farmer's markets and whatever else comes our way. I think if I find the right partner(s) we can still make a few bucks and have a good time doing it. That's the hope anyway.

So thanks guys, I love TB, but this particular thread has been very helpful to me the past couple of days. Good luck out there!

Tony
 
#134
CrashClint said:
+1

I am 51 years old and still get excited about gigging. Maybe it is just my passion for music but it seems like 45 minutes sets are over in about 15 minutes. Yeah, at the end of the night hoisting a 9 pound bass can take its toll and I feel a little sore but the love of being out and trying our best to entertain overrides that soreness, anyway, that is why they make Alleve. Take two with a beer during load in and your covered for the night. :D
Click to expand...
Not a good thing to do for the long run. :atoz:

I suggest a much lighter bass, better shoes (something with more cushion like Nike Trail Runners) with inserts and possibly one of those comfort mats to stand on.

Your back will feel much better at the end of the night and you probably won't need the pain pills. :)
 
#135
glenb73 said:
so i gotta stand up there for 4 hours to entertain a bunch of people (who arent even listening anyways), get home at 3am in the morning....for like $25 ? LOL no thanks, not fun
Click to expand...

This is why I've given up on playing in public.
It's all for me now. Sure, I don't get jerked around for rehearsals and make $25-$60 a weekend schlepping gear back and forth.

But then again, I don't get jerked around for rehearsals and make $25-$60 a weekend schlepping gear back and forth.
 
#136
We used to play 7 hour gigs in the clubs in Underground Atlanta in the '70's. Brutal. One of our strategies was to play some tunes for ourselves..ones we dug but didn't care if the club audience was into or not. Kind of our own inside joke. Kept things from getting grim when the audience wasn't paying attention.
 
#137
glenb73 said:
so i gotta stand up there for 4 hours to entertain a bunch of people (who arent even listening anyways), get home at 3am in the morning....for like $25 ? LOL no thanks, not fun
Click to expand...

Most cover bands usually do alright around my area especially playing on big events or on Holidays like New Years and St. Patricks Day. They do not get rich by any means but a majority of who play in a cover band just love to play and perform. It's the local bands who play originals who get screwed by bars/venues and promoters.
 
#140
richntiff said:
So you play crap songs for 30-35 minutes? :D
Click to expand...

Nope. They are playing real music, big difference. I've never consider a band that plays entirely covers a band. If your bitching about playing your music for three or four hours a night then quit playing in front of audiences. If your in a "cover band" then you have already surrendered to the masses and must abide by the rules.:)
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back