Gig?

i think it really depends on the venue...

 

In my experience, an original act is likely to play a single 45 minute set, opening for a more established original act. Venues that specialize in showcasing original music will often have three or more bands a night play using this format.

A cover band (or band that plays both covers and originals) is likely to be hired by a club to provide a full evening's worth of music. Four 45 minute sets is a pretty typical arrangement.

There are no set in stone rules about this, so don't assume these are the only two possible gig formats.

 

I'm willing to bet that it's a cover band. For original stuff, it's far more common to play only one set, ranging from 45 minutes to a little over an hour.

Odds are that if the band is playing more than one set, they are either mixing originals and covers, or playing covers only.

 

and what if you're in a crap band (like mine) that plays old school covers and has no hopes beyond opening for other better bands?

 

I'd play 2 sets for $400.

 

Oh, you just do what I do - I just cry myself to sleep every night and wait for opportunity to come along and whisk me away to a better lot.