Festival Question

[onosson]

Longest set of my life was when our bandleader spontaneously ripped into Freebird followed by Stairway to Heaven back-to-back, both songs played in full, as a power trio. We actually pulled it off and the crowd enjoyed it, but I don't ever want to do it again.

 

[Richland123]

Longest set of my life was when our bandleader spontaneously ripped into Freebird followed by Stairway to Heaven back-to-back, both songs played in full, as a power trio. We actually pulled it off and the crowd enjoyed it, but I don't ever want to do it again.

All you needed to add was Green Grass And High Tides and Highway Song.

 

[BobWestbrook]

Thank you so much for getting that annoying song playing in my head. I'm gonna go listen to some Norah Jones...

 

[Slough Feg Bass]

one of my bands did a semi-large festival set at the SXSW this year.
We were told 40 min set.
We practiced the set including talking between songs to give time for tuning.
we got it down to exactly 39 min.
when it came time, we were ready to start when they said start, and the last note rang out at 39:50 on the game clock. (yes, there was a big clock center stage, with LARGE RED NUMBERS)

The stage managers were so happy about us keeping to time they asked us to play another stage the next day to fill in for someone who cancelled. Not because we were so wonderful or anything, but because they knew we would fill the slot properly as directed.

Something to say for following directions.

 

[mellowinman]

one of my bands did a semi-large festival set at the SXSW this year.
We were told 40 min set.
We practiced the set including talking between songs to give time for tuning.
we got it down to exactly 39 min.
when it came time, we were ready to start when they said start, and the last note rang out at 39:50 on the game clock. (yes, there was a big clock center stage, with LARGE RED NUMBERS)

The stage managers were so happy about us keeping to time they asked us to play another stage the next day to fill in for someone who cancelled. Not because we were so wonderful or anything, but because they knew we would fill the slot properly as directed.

Something to say for following directions.

Yes, but I need to point out that I'm not enough of a moron that I would ignore a big clock center stage with LARGE RED NUMBERS.

I don't know how this turned into a Freebird-bashing thread, but I can only go by road testing, and that song has gone over huge every single time we've played it.

And I've never heard anybody play it right. Most people don't bother learning all the parts.

I am disinclined to believe any anecdotal evidence on this one.

Show me video, or it DIDN'T HAPPEN.

 

[troy mcclure]

I think if you play Freebird you will never be asked back to the festival anyway so go for it...lol

 

[Spaldo]

Anytime you play a festival, it's in your best interests to keep an eye on the clock. You never want to play a festival and go over time, nor do you want to be a pain in the arse to the crew. The organisers will hear about it....

That said, I've often had the situation where we've called our last number and thanked the audience at the 5 minute mark, and the stage manager will hold up two fingers, meaning it's OK to play two more. All the bands I've played with have been time conscious and it seems to work in your favour.

 

[Slough Feg Bass]

...and if the stage manager is doing coke with the manager of the headlining band over near the monitor desk, and he waves at you to keep going, well them extend that jam as long as you want!

I do think it is funny though, when a stage manager walks out onto the stage 1 minute before you are supposed to start, points at the clock, and says, "YOU SEE THAT THERE CLOCK? WHEN IT HITS 45:00 you should be OFF THE STAGE."

 

[bluewine]

I think if you play Freebird you will never be asked back to the festival anyway so go for it...lol

There's a time and place for Free Bird and Mustang Sally.

" I've learned not to put my nose up to any song "

Blue

 

[guy n. cognito]

Yes, but I need to point out that I'm not enough of a moron that I would ignore a big clock center stage with LARGE RED NUMBERS.

I don't know how this turned into a Freebird-bashing thread, but I can only go by road testing, and that song has gone over huge every single time we've played it.

And I've never heard anybody play it right. Most people don't bother learning all the parts.

I am disinclined to believe any anecdotal evidence on this one.

Show me video, or it DIDN'T HAPPEN.

No problem. I was just organizing my videos of mid-90's New Orleans Bar bands. I'll get right on it.

I am also disinclined to believe anything that doesn't prove my own point.

 

[soitainly]

Just blabbing on about Freebird again, maybe where I live (Dallas) it is such a pariah I had never heard a cover band do it. A friend of mines band played it this summer, and I was surprised when I realized it was the first time I had heard it played in a bar.

Anyway, back on topic, I listened to your YouTube of Freebird and still don't see any reason why you can't shut it short. The original has 3 guitarists swapping and harmonizing, your guitarists does a real good job of playing the solos, that isn't the issue, he is great. The issue is that I was still bored by the end, the lack of 3 guitars just means he is playing a 5+ minute guitar solo. I am a guitarist but still realize that most people these days aren't into 5 minute guitar solos unless it's Eric Johnson or the like. It sounds silly as an outsider to your band that it is SO important to play a 10 minute Freebird every time. I am sure on a given night when the crowd is really into it, the full meal deal is a good idea, but I can't believe you can't work up an abridged version.

 

[modulusman]

Yeah It isn't the same with only one guitar player.

 

[HolmeBass]

I would shoot to end a bit early or on time, but be ready with a good one if they want you to do another tune.

 

[pnchad]

hehehehehehehehehehehe

sorry, but playing pro from the 70's until just recently....

if we're following you - go long please please

I guess there were more gigs in the day & our bands were always pretty good so we love OUR set to be shortened haha

maybe, just starting out, I would've taken offense

but then again, we were getting paid

 

[Stumbo]

Don't talk between most songs.
Cut verses/choruses of songs instead of whole songs, especially Use Me by Mr. Bill Whithers.
Do a couple of 3 song medlys in the middle of the set.

 

[kesslari]

Mellow - first, sounds like you've got the festival thing figured out, and I wanted to say "Have a great time and a great gig".

Second - I *have* to say that I *really really* want to do an acapella version of Freebird, where we do all the guitar parts as chicken-clucking.

Buucaaak, buk buk buk, bwak bu-cuk bu-cak....

And that guitar solo. Maybe we can all get Foghorn Leghorn suites. Or I have gone over into TMI?

 

[SnowCal]

Any tricks for hot festival gigs? Saturday I'm going to have no shade, dressed in a suit and tie, with the forecast predicting a high of 110.

I'm thinking of trying to rig up a mister thing but I'm nervous about that around all the electronics.

 

[T-Bird]

Hi.

Any tricks for hot festival gigs?

Fans.

The air moving kind, not the other kind even though they'll help to endure the torture as well .

Messes up any haze/smoke badly though, so the lights are ruined in the process.

Regards
Sam

 

[SteveC]

Where is it going to be 110 on Saturday?

 

[Richland123]

I have one of these Black & Decker Snake Fans. It wraps around things. Do not have any fan blow directly into your mic or at your bass pickups. Our guitar did that and the sound went right through the P.A. and his amp.