True. The days of Casey Kasem's Top 40 (kids, ask your parents) are long gone. There is no cohesive "Top 40" we all listen to anymore.
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Is anyone playing current Top 40?
- Thread starter 51PRI
- Start date
True. The days of Casey Kasem's Top 40 (kids, ask your parents) are long gone. There is no cohesive "Top 40" we all listen to anymore.
Not so difficult to do if you don't mind using backing tracks. Of the probably top half dozen or so top cover bands in the KC market where I am most are guitar-bass-drums with or without a vocalist, and a BUNCH of backing tracks. All the keyboard sounds, strings, brass etc all sequenced. They're all good enough musicians/vocalists but they cheat like crazy. They're some of the highest paid acts in town and no one cares that so much of their sound isn't them actually playing. So it's certainly doable, just depends on how much you're willing to prostitute yourself out.
That's historically what Top 40 is. Catchy tunes with a limited shelf life. Some stand the test of time, most don't. BUT if you pull them out occasionally they often still work. "Wow, that's a great song! I haven't heard that in ages!" What made it catchy back when still works if done right, depending on the audience you're trying to reach of course.
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Casey Kasem is gone, but there is till a Top 40 or Top 100. I would be willing to bet that wherever you are there is a Hot Hits, a.k.a. Top 40 station in your area. While it may be true that we don't all listen to the same music, which means there are much more choices, which is a good thing. but, whether you're aware of it or not, Top 40 still exists.
I find younger women like the top 40 and the young men prefer hiphop/rap.
The younger generation also supports DJ events and the EDM scene.
As a cover band this makes it challenging to engage the 19 to 25 year olds.
Lastly we are losing the common song. Everybody has access to world music, which is great, but personal preferences are so varied. There was a time when a hit song was a hit song and everyone knew it.
The younger generation also supports DJ events and the EDM scene.
As a cover band this makes it challenging to engage the 19 to 25 year olds.
Lastly we are losing the common song. Everybody has access to world music, which is great, but personal preferences are so varied. There was a time when a hit song was a hit song and everyone knew it.
Out of current Top 40, 21 songs are by Drake. Not sure about you, but I don't think we could successfully cover any Drake tune even if we tried. I think @droo46 nailed it above mentioning those Top 40 tunes that have reached silver bullet status - those ones will probably kill in a modern set, depending on who's out there. That said, my cover band is unlikely to play to a lot of 20 somethings, more like 35 somethings and older, so they are more amenable to anything from the last 20 years with regard to top pop.
I wouldn't know Drake if I accidently ran over him (? them?) in my car...
who the heck is Doja Cat?
and I can't imagine any of the venues I've played recently (and some are large) that would want us to play him/her/them....
I don't think that's a matter of being out of touch. I think I'm fairly in touch with "what sells" and what doesn't in the live music market in this region.
and I can't imagine any of the venues I've played recently (and some are large) that would want us to play him/her/them....
I don't think that's a matter of being out of touch. I think I'm fairly in touch with "what sells" and what doesn't in the live music market in this region.
If you truly don't know Doja Cat, check this out...one of the hottest songs right now:
Can I be in your band?
"Losing the common song"...interesting. Is this why all of the so-called common songs are all old?
He's one of the hottest pop/rap/R&B artists of the past decade.
Check his resume:
Drake (musician) - Wikipedia
My band plays mostly top 40. Dua, Halsey, Yebba/Robson, Timberlake, etc. For older songs we generally look for a new cover version and build from there. An example of this would be Clodie’s version of Zombie. Also, I am forced to play an increasing amount of keyboards for this band. Dua’s Physical is one I have to play with a split board as there are 2 main key sounds. We like doing this stuff and it goes over well. Also helps we have a great female front person.
If I may ask, what kind of gigs are you getting doing a more current set list? Bars/clubs, corporate/private parties, festivals? Seems this would work best for a 21 to maybe upper 40's ish audience which maybe that age group goes out for live music more in your area than I've seen where I am. Or possibly I'm simply out of touch. Lots of keys and a great female singer would definitely be a plus.
Our tastes and access to music is so varied that it is very easy to have a conversation with another person and have no idea who they are listening too. Our favourite music is sometimes groups/musicians who have a very small following.
We are based in New England close to 2 or 3 major college locations. Thing are have started to loosen with covid regs and expect a much better season than last year.
Or a 5 piece band with tracks.
Works from 20's to 50's as long as you dont get too 'niche'.
Bars if they can pay, but they are also the shop window to functions, parties and festivals.
You can't do too many bar type gigs because it becomes obvious with the fee difference.
$500 for a bar against $1500 for a function.
Large college towns, makes sense.
We do a few bars/clubs, the ones that pay above average but agreed, those can help you become "known" which can help open you up to the better paying private and community type events.
We do a few bars/clubs, the ones that pay above average but agreed, those can help you become "known" which can help open you up to the better paying private and community type events.
When I think current "top 40," I think of Maroon 5. They've had numerous singles over the last 10 years that have been pervasive, to say the least.
It depends from region to region what 'Bar' work is.
We have 80's bands which are niche popular but are those people supporting the gig circuit.
We've found a younger set means that we can get crowds that are already out and want a good time rather than a band that needs to draw them.
Looking back...this is just creating a scene in the time honoured way, whereby people go out regardless of who is booked to play...
But because the evening goes well...you still have to crack this part... you get a ready made audience as opposed to bringing your own.
And they can become 'fans'..
So, nothing really changes, but we think the old days have gone, whereas, they have just shifted.
Young kids think nothing of dropping $100 minimum on their night and they are the crowds you do well with, rather than the 2 beer drivers crowd.
This is also why food and bands mix well, because per head spend means a bigger fee for a better band.
It is an interesting dynamic to observe.
We have 80's bands which are niche popular but are those people supporting the gig circuit.
We've found a younger set means that we can get crowds that are already out and want a good time rather than a band that needs to draw them.
Looking back...this is just creating a scene in the time honoured way, whereby people go out regardless of who is booked to play...
But because the evening goes well...you still have to crack this part... you get a ready made audience as opposed to bringing your own.
And they can become 'fans'..
So, nothing really changes, but we think the old days have gone, whereas, they have just shifted.
Young kids think nothing of dropping $100 minimum on their night and they are the crowds you do well with, rather than the 2 beer drivers crowd.
This is also why food and bands mix well, because per head spend means a bigger fee for a better band.
It is an interesting dynamic to observe.
Yes, Maroon 5 has had a great run of hits. My last band did several of their songs.
