Hi, I'm in England and generally a pub/bar gig would consist of two sets of 45 minutes to 1 hour each with a 15 - 20 minute break. I've noticed some people here do gigs of up to four hours, what is usual in your part of the world.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
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.
How long do your gigs last.
- Thread starter gazzatriumph
- Start date
Church gigs - typically at the place at 6:30 AM, out at 12:30 PM. Rehearsal - 45 minutes to an hour. Run through - 25 to 30 minutes. Each service (usually 2) has 25-30 minutes of music. The rest is hangout time. We also have midweek rehearsals - typically a couple hours from load in to out the door. It's a different vibe than a bar gig in almost every way.
Our bar gigs (stage time) span 4 hours (8-12 or 9-1). Three sets with short breaks between them.
Hi,
Depends on the venue and the event. Most bar gigs are the same "45 on, 15 off" for three or four sets. Nicer nightclubs are 45 on, 30 off. Most casino lounges are 60 on, 30 off. Showcases in larger rooms, theaters, and outdoor park concerts/festivals are one long set of 90 minutes to 2 hours.
Thank you for your indulgence,
BassCliff
Depends on the venue and the event. Most bar gigs are the same "45 on, 15 off" for three or four sets. Nicer nightclubs are 45 on, 30 off. Most casino lounges are 60 on, 30 off. Showcases in larger rooms, theaters, and outdoor park concerts/festivals are one long set of 90 minutes to 2 hours.
Thank you for your indulgence,
BassCliff
Our club gigs are usually 3 hours. We do two 1 hour/20 minute sets with a small break in between. One of the clubs we play regularly play decreased the play time by a half hour and then gave us a big raise... I'm good with that.
On the other hand, outdoor gigs tend to run an hour or so, one set... maybe.
On the other hand, outdoor gigs tend to run an hour or so, one set... maybe.
Gigs are all over the place, it all depends on the contracts.
We have a 2 hour, non-stop set list for 2 hour gigs.
At a great bar in San Angelo owner asked us to keep it rockin', so we played 4 sets.
We have multiple 3 hour set lists (catering to different crowds) where we break for 10-15 between each set.
We have a 2 hour, non-stop set list for 2 hour gigs.
At a great bar in San Angelo owner asked us to keep it rockin', so we played 4 sets.
We have multiple 3 hour set lists (catering to different crowds) where we break for 10-15 between each set.
Usually it’s 4 hours end to end.
How that gets broken up depends on what’s happening in the room. We plan on 3 one hour sets, but those sets will stretch depending on how folks are reacting.
But we still need to be done in 4 hours.
How that gets broken up depends on what’s happening in the room. We plan on 3 one hour sets, but those sets will stretch depending on how folks are reacting.
But we still need to be done in 4 hours.
I like to do either 3 or 4 -45min on/15 off- sets depending on the contract/agreement. At several venues we'll stretch the first set to 1 1/2 hours then about a 30 minute break, then 45/15 though we might extend the last set if the crowd is still waltzing by the tip jar!
Again either 3 or 4 sets from 7-11, 8-12 or even 9-1 (which is a real drag, getting home at 3 or 4 in the morning, we have some mighty long commutes out here sometimes. Austin is at least 2 hours from my house, 2 1/2 if it's downtown.)
Again either 3 or 4 sets from 7-11, 8-12 or even 9-1 (which is a real drag, getting home at 3 or 4 in the morning, we have some mighty long commutes out here sometimes. Austin is at least 2 hours from my house, 2 1/2 if it's downtown.)
My gigs last a total of Zero (0) minutes.... because I don't have any gigs. 
Typically:
Bar gigs - 3x 1h set with 30 minutes breaks - sometimes 2x 1.5h instead
Wedding or corporate gigs - 2x 1h set with 30 minutes "DJ" music between the sets and 1h of "DJ" music afterwards (sometimes 2h without break for some corporate gigs). - "DJ" music is music that I play from my computer with Mixx software, a freeware that has a pretty well fuctionning Auto-DJ function.
Bar gigs - 3x 1h set with 30 minutes breaks - sometimes 2x 1.5h instead
Wedding or corporate gigs - 2x 1h set with 30 minutes "DJ" music between the sets and 1h of "DJ" music afterwards (sometimes 2h without break for some corporate gigs). - "DJ" music is music that I play from my computer with Mixx software, a freeware that has a pretty well fuctionning Auto-DJ function.
Typically---3 one hour sets with 30 minute break in between. At private events, there may be an abbreviated 4th set.
We usually do a 2 hour show for festivals either straight through or with a 20 minute break.
Bar and club gigs and some festival and special event gigs are normally 3 hours with (2) 15 to 20 minute breaks.
We have 4 hours gigs occasionally with 3 breaks.
Bar and club gigs and some festival and special event gigs are normally 3 hours with (2) 15 to 20 minute breaks.
We have 4 hours gigs occasionally with 3 breaks.
If we are the only band playing we generally prepare 150 minutes of music. If over 3 sets: 50 mins on, 10 min break. If over 2 sets: 75 mins on, 15 - 20 break.
We've occasionally performed single set shows, and those will run about 90 minutes. A couple of times, we've done the first set and then combined the 2nd and 3rd with no break. If we are part of a line-up of bands, we'll play whatever the organizer asks, usually ranging from 30 - 45 minutes.
We've occasionally performed single set shows, and those will run about 90 minutes. A couple of times, we've done the first set and then combined the 2nd and 3rd with no break. If we are part of a line-up of bands, we'll play whatever the organizer asks, usually ranging from 30 - 45 minutes.
Last edited:
We were a bar band in Philadelphia, PA years ago. The standard then was 4 one hour sets, usually starting at 9:30 pm and going til 1:30 am, with 15-20 minute breaks every hour. (Weddings were a whole different ball of wax!)
these days, my gigs are family gatherings, or entertaining my grandkids, or just irritating the neighbors.. set times vary accordingly.
We did
9 to 9:45ish
10 to 10:45ish
11 to 11:45ish
12 to 12:45ish
Kinda the industry standard in these parts..
9 to 9:45ish
10 to 10:45ish
11 to 11:45ish
12 to 12:45ish
Kinda the industry standard in these parts..
Our normal scheduled gig is 4 hours, which consists of 3 sets and two 15 minute breaks.
Not including any "one mores" that come up, which happens often.
Not including any "one mores" that come up, which happens often.
Typical bar gig around here is 9:30-12:30. Occasionally we get a 9:30-1pm, but those are getting rare now.
