Breaks between sets...

If we play a really long gig (4+ hours), we usually mix a 20 minute break in somewhere. Other than that it's usually a 10 minute break.

..not to be a critic here, but if you can't fill the time with music - then maybe you shouldn't take the gig.

 

15 to 20 sounds about right. One thing i was told and do belive is if you have a good crowd keep the breaks short. Use the can, grab a drink, go over issues, tune and get back...dont loose the crowd. I hate bands that take long breaks to talk to old friends at the bar, backstage etc.

 

+1

 

Standard (around here, anyway) is 45-50 minute sets and 15-20 minute breaks. Anything over 20 minutes off the stage and the owners start getting grumpy... and I would definitely concur with others, if the crowd is diggin' you then keep your breaks on the short side so as not to lose their interest. Unless of course all band members are occupied handing out business cards and otherwise scammin' for gigs which you should be doing during the breaks anyway.

BTW and I hate to tell you this, but you don't have enough material to cover a 4-hour show. 3 sets at 13 songs max per set puts you at 39 songs which is still about 10 songs short. Unless all your songs are 6+ minutes long and/or you plan to do a lot of talking between tunes which I don't recommend ESPECIALLY if none of you have a lot of stage experience. You will probably wind up repeating some songs late in the show to fill the time, which is kind of bush league but something almost all of us have had to do at one time or another.

That being said, have fun with it and good luck! You only ever have one first gig, so enjoy it.

 

15 minutes breaks. That leaves 45 minutes to fill for each set except the last set which should be an hour.

For an easy way to fill each set: extend each song to 5 minutes, that requires 9 songs per set, for 3 sets=27 songs and the last set would be 12 songs for a total of 39 songs. This also gives the people who dance some good time out on the floor. Also, you can string together 3 or 4 songs to create a medley if you have extra songs.

Another technique is to play a couple of tunes from the 1st set in the last set. Not everyone will be there exactly on time and hear every tune from the first set.

Don't forget there will be a bit of time between songs (which should be kept to a minimum- not longer than 30 seconds) and probably some announcements during the evening so it will be between 35 and 39 songs you'll need to play. Are any of the guys a good front man that can take up some time with some comments or jokes?

I suggest that an announcement be made (that you'll be taking a break) before you play the song before a break. Then after the song, another announcement be made that you will be taking a 15 minute break.

Be sure and have everyone agree on the set lists and have them printed out so everyone has a copy on stage. If the crowd is groovin', don't automatically throw in a slow tune just because it's on the set list. Who's going to be the leader on stage? Be sure and pick someone to count out and cut off the tunes.

Are you providing the P.A.? A good sound check/sound man is crucial to have a successful show.

Here are some links you may want to check out (more links in my sig. below -Pt.2):
Gigs
1 Moving equipment
2
3
Coiling cables

What's in your gig bag?
In-ear monitors
Going wireless

Music stands on stage?
Designing/Managing your sets
Managing sound on stage
Directing the band on stage
1 On-stage Banter
2
Being asked to turn down the VOLUME
To noodle/not to noodle?

Overcoming gig anxiety
1 First gig
2
3
What to do when you don't know a song or forget your part

 

Better to start a bit later (10:00) than to take long breaks…

Maybe play music between sets.

 

Oh by the way, I know we're contracted for a 9:30 downbeat, but we're going to start at 10..."
NOT happening.
You may not have enough material, but set length and break length is kind of determined by the locale and venue. Up here for jazz gigs, sets are generally an hour to and hour and 10 minutes and breaks are 30 minutes.

 

Agree 100%. Very bad idea to go on 1/2 hour after the contracted time. Especially if this is your first gig ever in the market. You are essentially robbing the client by doing that ... and it's a good way not to get asked back even if you do a great show. And if word gets around you'll have a hard time getting gigs anywhere else either.

Much preferable to repeat some early songs late in the show rather than either starting late OR taking longer than usual breaks. The club is paying you to be on stage for a certain amount of time... give them what they paid for.

 

Yeah - don't short change the bar by a 1/2 hour to cover time. Either repeat stuff late, or don't take a gig you can't cover for.

 

Repeating the first few songs at the end of the night is usually no biggie, since A) the crowd has probably mostly turned over B) alcohol has clouded their memories. JUST DON"T TELL THEM you are repeating a song. Tell them its "by request". And its easier to make your first set the long one, since you have more energy- 60 minutes, followed by 3 45 minute sets, 15 minute breaks max.

 

That's how we roll. IME you have to work a lot harder earlier in the night to get the crowd into it (before they've been drinking a lot), and that longer 1st set helps you pump up the energy in the room. OTOH by 4th set whatever of the crowd is left doesn't really care (and frankly sometimes neither do we), so a 45-minute closing set is plenty long. That's the set we usually reserve for the songs we don't like playing as much and/or don't play as well.

 

Our contract states "3 hours (180 minutes) of music in a 4-hour (240 minute) period". That usually means three 60-minute sets with two 30-minute breaks. However, we typically run 5 to 10 minutes long on the sets, so the breaks end up being more like 20 minutes. Sometimes the owner/manager prefers four 45-minute sets with three 20-minute breaks. Again, running long, that usually means the breaks are about 15 minutes.

 

If you are playing a bar gig, it means that you are there to sell beer. This means, get people in the venue, give them a chance to drink, get them to dance themselves thirsty, give them a chance to get a drink, repeat. As long as lots of people are drinking, the barkeep will be happy. For your gig, he needs to be kept happy from 9:30-1:30. Everything else is in to facilitate his happiness (if you want to play there again and make money).

 

Shuddap Marko...

 

My experiences have been the same as scottbass. We play each set about an hour (or more). Then, 30 minute breaks.

 

You might not have the material to do this, but for a three hour gig we play two one hour sets, one half hour set and two 15 minute breaks.

The crowds love it.

For a three hour gig, it's not good to let your break extend past 15 minutes.

 

That's how we work it too.