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Long gig. Would you do it?

#21
165 songs? Who's providing the charts? Regardless, that is a lot of playing time and I'm not sure what would be worse: the physical fatigue or the mental fatigue. I played a one hour cocktail set outside yesterday in very hot and humid weather, without adequate shade, and I was beat by the end of it. I then had to go inside and play two long sets with the full band (wedding gig). That one hour cocktail set in the sun basically wrecked my night. :blackeye:
 
#23
No.

Unless that's only half the story...

And if its $750 TOTAL that's a no from me even with the full story :) .

If the day is broken up into hour long sets with at least a couple of long breaks... it could be fun. A lot would depend on that, whether it was $750 for each day, the people I was doing it with, and how many songs they'd expect me to know. I have to guess that you'd be repeating the same material over and over. 50 songs is reasonable. 245 songs is absurd.
 
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#25
A few years back we had an outdoor show in August. It was 99 degrees. One band member dropped before the show even started. I think I went through at least a half dozen bottles of water for the 90 minute show - I’d drink one and pour one over myself. When it was over, we were all hurting in some way. It took me nearly 3 hours to cool down.
 
#26
Didn't the E Street band only ever do about 3-4 hours max? And that's including a long intermission and Bruce's stories acting as mini breaks from the action throughout the show.
Unless there is some way to rotate players in and out like athletes I think the organizers of that festival are gulping crazy pills.
 
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#27
Joe Nerve said:
No.
We know a lot of Elvis songs not many repeats. the thing is they have done this 10 years in a row. we do talke breaks but still. 160 songs is 160 songs in 12 hours. it may be to late to back out. And not to many bass players know the material.
Unless that's only half the story...

And if its $750 TOTAL that's a no from me even with the full story :) .

If the day is broken up into hour long sets with at least a couple of long breaks... it could be fun. A lot would depend on that, whether it was $750 for each day, the people I was doing it with, and how many songs they'd expect me to know. I have to guess that you'd be repeating the same material over and over. 50 songs is reasonable. 245 songs is absurd.
Click to expand...
 
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#31
magic8161 said:
I play a lot of Casino Gigs and Theaters with my Current band doing a hour and forty five min. Shows. But, Maybe 3 times a year we do a Elvis fest. Which is more hours over 2 or 3 days. Well this particular one in July in Michigan Is crazy. I just got the set list and they want us to do 80 songs on Friday and 165 songs on Saturday. Its a day long event Saturday from 11am to 11 pm. At 60 I'm not sure I can do that long of a day Anymore. Would any of you do a show that long? Plus its outside in the heat in July!!! Pay if $750 but its 6 hours from my home so at least $250 gas. But they give us each a room in a nice hotel and food. But That price is way low compared to other gigs we do. And we always get rooms and transportation costs and 20 to 25 songs per show. The band has been doing this show for 10 years this is my first year. Not sure on this one.
Click to expand...

Well. in my book travel time counts the same for calculating your hourly rate. Not sure how many hours you are playing on Friday so I'm guessing about 30 hours playing time and travel. Gross pay, $750 - 250 in gas equals a net of $500 divided by 30 hours = $16 an hour less wear and tear on your car..

Oops! that is $.50 cents a mile on a mostly paid off auto, so we back that out of your gas deduction. So we are at $750 gross- a good guestiment of a 700 miles round trip or $350 gas + wear and tear away from $750 is $400 divided by 30 hours = underwhelming $13 bucks an hour. I hear you.

If you value your gig in this band, I'd do it, but I'd have a serious talk about the gig for next year with the BL.

I understand your reservation about will you make it. Unless there is a health issue, consider the amount of playing time is spread out over a long period of time, and I'm assuming you aren't playing 245 different songs. Actually your are averaging about 15 songs an hour. That doesn't sound too awful terrible.

Know what, Since the room is paid for, and some food is included, I'd pack the wife up and make a weekend out of it, and with your $13 bucks an hour, extend the weekend and spend that extra day with her.

For the record, I live just outside of St. Louis. Most of my gigs are in Pittsburgh which is about an 8 hour drive. (about 600 miles) I drive a Prius and last week I spent about $150 in gas ( good tail wind on the way up. Not joking), and it's a nice drive with the Misses. By the time we solve all of the world problems, as well as family issues, religion, and the price of eggs in China, we are there.

Have fun at the gig. Drink lots of water, pace yourself, play at a steady pace, remember you aren't paid by the note, lighten up on your technique, breathe ( not joking here either), eat well, sleep well. You will do fine.

Best wishes!
 
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#36
Sure... I'm willing (at my current age and physical condition) to play a long show like that if (1) the customer is willing to come off their wallet, (2) the customer is willing to meet our terms to ensure our safety, and (3) my mates unanimously agree to take the gig. Some things we would consider right out of the gate include:
  • Outdoor gigs in July/August cost more due to heat and us having to bring additional cooling equipment.
  • If we have to bring sound, lights, etc., that's gonna push up the cost.
  • Travel fees will be tacked on to cover our fuel cost and wear/tear on vehicles and equipment.
  • We will require a hard, stable, and secure playing surface with overhead cover and safe power.
  • They would have to provide an air-conditioned space for breaks, potty, and shelter from weather.
  • For every hour of playing time we would take a minimum 30-min break. Figuring an average of 15 songs per hour, that's going to give them 120 songs on Saturday. Assuming a 6-hour block on Friday, they'll get 60 songs.

IMO $750 is WAY TOO LOW for all they're asking... typically our local outdoor gigs would start at around $750 for 3 hours (45-min sets with 20-min breaks). And with fuel and other costs increasing rapidly, we have been looking at raising our rates. We're not a professional touring act, but we're also not going to put ourselves in physical danger or operate at a loss.
 
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#38
Here's Johnny Buzz Captain Lightyear Storm America's response, when asked if he'd do it.

giphy(11).gif
 
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