Long gig. Would you do it?

[Cave Puppy]

No. I turned down a Renaissance Faire gig one time because it was going to be over six weekends, eight hours a day for $150 per man per day. Sorry, Charlie. Turns out that particular Ren Faire was shut down for disease (pre-pandemic). Dodged a bullet there.

 

[Knavery]

The Boss and the E Street band play what? Four hours a night? And they are known for playing long concerts. I don't know anyone on Earth that can handle what's being asked of you unless your band is trying to break a world record.

 

[mike buzzetti]

amature land right there !!

 

[gln1955]

The band has been doing this show for 10 years this is my first year. Not sure on this one.

At first I thought an agent was messing with you. Then I caught this nugget. Ask your band members what's up.

Yes, what's up with that? This isn't just a one off stupid idea. How does the rest of the band feel about getting dragged through this mess every year? Why haven't they at least negotiated decent pay for all of their time and travel?

 

[Gustopher]

My first thought when I read the terms was "hell no!"... so no, I probably wouldn't.

 

[BostonJazz72]

I am in that ‘hell no’ camp. That is a ton of tunes for two days then add the heat and driving…

 

[TexasHeat]

Does Elvis even have 165 songs? Good ones?

 

[marchone]

Does Elvis even have 165 songs? Good ones?

I wondered the same thing.

 

[Cave Puppy]

I wondered the same thing.

They can play Treat Me Nice over and over again.

 

[marchone]

They can play Treat Me Nice over and over again.

Over a 12-hour set they’re going to be a lot of audience changes. Every time they see a bunch of new faces it’s time to rip into Hound Dog.

 

[mcnach]

Too long, too far, too hot...

I might be persuaded if I see the actual slots with rest periods and they make sense to me, but I'd want a lot more than $750.

 

[smogg]

That long outside in the heat I would say no thanks. I'm 63 and can easily play 3-4 hours a night if called for. But 165 songs straight while out in the heat no way. The more I think about this the more bizarre the terms of the gig sound, it's like the organizers have absolutely no idea about what's involved. Good grief makes you wonder if the stage will even be covered. Definitely a hard NO!

^^^^ THIS ^^^^

 

[funkifiedsoul]

That is a joke right?

Exactly, it sounds laughable.

 

[Lonnybass]

Don't forget...you're not getting paid to play for 11 hours in the heat and humidity. You're getting paid for how you're going to feel for the next three or four days after you get home. Sore back, sore arms, sore hands, sore legs, with a side dish of dehydration, and not being up for much of anything. No thanks!

 

[MotorCityMinion]

I'm out after 60 tunes (4 sets @ 10 to 15), let alone 80 or 160.

 

[FryFunk]

The drive for me is absurd.

The heat is a big, who cares, I'm not sure if anyone reading this even bothered to ask if this is a midwestern gig?

It can be warm, but on average it's not that bad. Rarely something to cancel any type of outdoor activity over. And if it does turn out to be the case, just take more breaks.

To me the most important question is what kind of music are you playing. Can you just sit there in a chair playing entire songs with just with one finger. Or are you out there trying to pull off Led Zeppelin tunes?

The big thing for me is if the promoter is out to lunch, show up but throw 165 songs out the window.

Also work out a set list where you can rotate players, and again that's if you're just playing very simple 1 finger bass lines.

That being said, it sounds like your bandleader/whatever has no idea how to negotiate. Whoever did the hire, had no idea what reasonable terms even sounds like. That's a situation that is open to renegotiation, I'd do the gig, but only for the bragging rights.

 

[Medicine Man]

The longest i ever would book was 4 hours. Im not saying i havent kept playing a couple more sets for more money, though. 165 songs in 1 day will ruin a singer, not to mention musicians.

 

[CPB2019]

My first thought was... I can feel the blisters on my left hand already!
Fishheadjoe

This is what I thought as well. Putting aside the heat, I’m not sure too many folks have hands that could handle that without blistering and cramping.

 

[Stranger Danger]

That is absurd

No way

 

[turf3]

So, 165 tunes even in the quick 3 minute versions adds up to 495 minutes of actual playing. In other words, not three 50 minute sets, not four 50 minute sets, but TEN of them!

That's playing THREE gigs back to back, outdoors, in the heat, with probably minimal breaks.

No way. I'm a healthy 60 and acclimated to heat, and there is absolutely no way I would sign up for that.

Maybe if you multiple the pay by 10X and make it $7500 a man.