• 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 freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

How many gigs is too many gigs

Scottie Johnson said:
When they are not fun anymore.

I heard that.... hiatus'ing for that same reason currently, myself.

There are gigs that I could do more frequently than others.


I personally think 168-240 (14-20x's/month) a year is a great amount for a full-time/non-weekend warrior group and 48-120 (4-10x's/month) for the weekend warriors.

im'H'o .
 
Weekend warrior here, think 4-6 per month is optimal. I think my other weekend warrior bandmates in my new band (one of whom played 200+ last year while holding a 9-5 job :eek: ) want to do more. As long as I'm getting to play regularly, with an occasional night/weekend off for a getaway with the wife or to just do something besides music, then life is good... :)
 
I find that 2 gigs a week with the same band is my limit. I've had runs of 3-4 nights a week with the same band and we really got sick of each other/the music/ etc. My main band has been averaging 100 gigs per year for the last 5 years, and there's definitely times we are burnt out, especially when we all have day jobs and families. But when we are doing two nights a week it still feels good. I like to add another night (or two if possible) per week with different bands also, this keeps it fresh for me.
 
gareth said:
My semi-pro band has 90 gigs and rising for 2005.

ah, you play for Hedgehog?

the covers band I'm in, Worm, also plays at the Fatling & Firkin in Hornchurch.

the most gigs I did with them was 96 in 2000, since then it's been a lot less due to the singer's original band commitments.

I think 2 gigs a week with the same band is the limit for me too.
3 gigs in one week got too much for my fingertips (I play pretty hard), also driving to gigs got to be a drag, not to mention moving gear about.


ps. check out how many gigs the Bet Lynch Experience (the bassist Huggy used to play for Worm) are doing- must be at least 150 a year- with a lot of travelling- Link Removed