How long do your gigs last.

[Dabndug]

The swing/jazz/funk septet that's my main project is usually scheduled to do 3x45 minute sets with 15 minute breaks. As the horns and keys love to take multiple solos in the swing/jazz sets, this can stretch to 3x1 hour + sets pretty easily if we indulge them.

The indie originals project, as a startup, does the usual 1x20 to 30 minute set amongst a host of other acts, and we would get kicked for going overtime. This is the sort of gig I played back in then '80s when it seemed everyone in town had their own originals band and there were at least 10 bands for every venue every night so you had to hustle to get a gig. Fun times! These days there fewer are far bands but also far fewer venues for originals acts.

 

[nilorius]

Mostly 1 and a half hours, if it's signed, then max 2 and a half.

 

[eJake]

3-4 hours, no breaks unless someone can cover your instrument or someone in the band plays 1-2 songs by themselves to give everyone a bathroom break. That's the Nashville Broadway scene! Not uncommon for people to play 2-3 gigs in a day, and I know a few people doing 12 a week. Most Broadway bars have live music 7 days a week from 11am-2:30am, and there are probably 30ish stages between the bars, which often have 2-3 stages each. It's the only place like it in the world I can think of! You can make a pretty solid living playing 20-40 hours a week without leaving town.

The two others being New Orleans and Vegas.

 

[eJake]

Anywhere from 30m-5hrs. Most of the gigs I do have no full band breaks, even the 5 hour ones.

If someone needs to use the bathroom or stretch their legs we do a tune without them or let the singer do an Acapella.

 

[BtaylorTheRogue]

Depends on how many tomatoes the audience brought.

 

[rtslinger]

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.

We use to do 3 45 minute sets with breaks in between.
Now we are giving them 1.5 hour first set and 2 shorter sets with short breaks in between.

This new concept was brought about by everyone seems to start out after the 2nd set, which I find was because of two factors.

Number 1 was, we play a long extend kick butt version of Freebird to end set 2, the crowd would go crazy and then start getting up to leave assuming with such a powerful ending we must be done.

Number two was, the police have really been pulling people over more if you aren't off the streets by midnight 1am at the latest these a town curfews establish to reduce crime, so the other reason people run for the door. A ton of really good material we were playing to empty seats for 30 minute last set.
I've been pulled over more in the past 3 years than in my many years of driving. But I have found and this may help others, when the officer says where are you coming from? Don't say I was at bla bla bar or lounge say I was at work I am a entertainer and I just finished a show at............. it works at so much better. RTS

 

[Crazy_Jake]

We usually do either 4 - 45 minute sets or 3 - 1 hour sets depending on what the establishment wants. For the larger shows like festivals etc we usually do just 60 minutes

 

[TreySonagras]

I have a plan for those 4 hour, 45 on/15 off gigs.... Make the first set one full hour, then follow with 15 off/45 on. Otherwise you get stuck playing a long set at midnight for an empty room....LOL

 

[Eilif]

We get £200 between four of us.

Is that a cover gig or originals? 50gbp is 65 bucks usd. Not what I would take but if you're only counting playing time it's the same "rate" as I get for a 3 hour gig.

For your gigs are you usually the the only band of the night? We usually are which might explain slightly higher pay and longer hours.

 

[fishdreams]

Typical gig for me is 1 set 40-70 mins with 2-5 acts spread out over the evening

 

[bordinco90]

Either 3 1 hour sets or 2 1.5 hour sets.

 

[pablomago]

Some gigs seem like they're never going to end. I've had hour sets that seemed like they went on for days.

 

[MrLenny1]

Small bars, sports pubs.
Last Saturday, 8-11, 3 sets. This week 8-11, 3 sets
Next week 8-12 3 long setsl
Based on the fact that the money is the same as 30 years ago
it should be 2 sets a night.

 

[Barisaxman]

My gigs last a total of Zero (0) minutes.... because I don't have any gigs.

If you still get paid, you win the thread!

 

[MrLenny1]

We should establish a new standard of 3 hour gigs for the
joints that are low pay. Same money as 30 years ago.
After expenses Saturday night I came home with $55. Geez.
Low pay, low hours! Who's with me ?

 

[devnulljp]

3 hr
Any more than that, I need ot get paid more. Wedding gigs are generally all day, and a huge PitA, but I get paid well for those. And bridesmaids.

 

[lfmn16]

Sometimes they go quickly, sometimes they last forever.

Time wise though, I can't remember the last time I played a gig that wasn't either 3 hours or four hours. 3 hour gigs we do two 75 minutes sets, 4 hour gigs we do three 60 minute sets.

 

[zon5string]

Around here ("here" being southern California), typical bar gigs are 9:00pm-1:00am. Most bands do 4x 45 minute sets. Some do 3x 1 hour sets.

 

[MrLenny1]

Low money should = lower hours played.
Spread the word.

 

[two fingers]

Around here, it has become more and more commonplace to do two 90 minute sets with a half hour break.