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Making The Best 4 Hour Bar Gig
- Thread starter bluewine
- Start date
What's the problem? I just did five days in a row of five hours each. I wouldn't have wanted them to go any longer than that, but it was no biggie.
The problem is, a lot of guys have stopped playing 4 hour bar gigs because for a multitude of reasons they feel it's not worth their time.
The purpose of the thread is to exchange ideas that will make these 4 hour gigs more tolerable for some.
Me, I love 4 hour bar gigs. I have friend who's band just finished twelve nights in a row all 4 hours.
blue
For me, it's always finding those songs that we LOVE to play, and that the audience LOVES to hear!
When that magic happens, it's a great night.
Another thing is when the load ins and outs are done as a team effort, and done with max efficiency.
When that magic happens, it's a great night.
Another thing is when the load ins and outs are done as a team effort, and done with max efficiency.
Been doing 4 & 5 hour gigs for a very long time. When I was younger, I just did whatever; drink, skip breaks, do shots of whatever the crowd bought the band, play loud as hell, all the things not to do.
Here's more how I do things nowadays;
1. Uniform schedule - Play your hour long set first, take 15 min, start back at 15 after. 2nd, 3rd, & 4th sets should work out to 45 min each.
2. Don't drink alcohol - water is best. I will drink caffeinated beverages later in the night.
3. Mix songs - don't sing Back in Black and Shook Me All Night Long in the first set unless those are the only two songs you sing all night.
4. SIT DOWN - spend your breaks sitting down. This is very important for back, hip, feet, & knee health. Don't stand around the stage or anywhere else. Standing also burns more energy.
5. Eat - a healthy snack or even a small meal after 3rd set.
6. Load out carefully - don't push too hard. You are more prone to injuries when fatigued.
7. Wear hearing protection or limit stage volume or both (if you can).
Here's more how I do things nowadays;
1. Uniform schedule - Play your hour long set first, take 15 min, start back at 15 after. 2nd, 3rd, & 4th sets should work out to 45 min each.
2. Don't drink alcohol - water is best. I will drink caffeinated beverages later in the night.
3. Mix songs - don't sing Back in Black and Shook Me All Night Long in the first set unless those are the only two songs you sing all night.
4. SIT DOWN - spend your breaks sitting down. This is very important for back, hip, feet, & knee health. Don't stand around the stage or anywhere else. Standing also burns more energy.
5. Eat - a healthy snack or even a small meal after 3rd set.
6. Load out carefully - don't push too hard. You are more prone to injuries when fatigued.
7. Wear hearing protection or limit stage volume or both (if you can).
FWIW: Unless a band is very good sounding & visually entertaining - watching/listening to the same old copy band for 4 hours is just way to long for some people, so they bar hop. Personally, I think bar gigs should be kept to 3 hours or less and booked more as last resort type gigs - but unfortunately to many musicians have low goals and or love bars/alcohol.
Hi Joe,
You think bar gigs should be kept to 3 hours or less and booked more as last resort type gigs - but unfortunately to many musicians have low goals.
The purpose of the thread is to discuss ways to make the best of the 4 hour bar gig, not to marginalize the goals those of us that enjoy this type of work.
I really love the 4 hour bar gig. So, I'm not sure how I have low goals if I'm dong what I love. I certainly wouldn't want to see them cut back to 3 hours.
As a matter of fact my goal is to keep as many of these 4 hour bar gigs booked as possible. For me, I work more than most guys I know.
High goal, low goals that's all relative to what we each want as individuals. It would be like be saying a guy that plays one big corporate gig a month has low goals. It's a different goal, that's all.
I'm having a blast.
Blue
Suggestions from a fellow 4 hour gig warrior:
1. Invite guests up (I assume that you have at least a handful of fellow musicians that are in the audience) Singers, drummers, bass, guitar, keys, ect..... it doesn't matter. As long as they know the material, or can wing it with some simple instructions it should be fine. Also, don't let ego get in the way even if they are more seasoned musicians.
2. Theme the set lists. Obviously 45 minutes of ballads is a bad idea, but some basic theme can be set. For example, we have a set that has a few reggae tunes in it. The next set may have a few blues styled tunes. For the record we are an original rock band. Reggae, blues, rap and rocked out country just helps us mix it up a bit. Every set is a different show to most listeners.
3. Wireless systems: it's fun sometimes to have a member with the capability to walk out with instrument in hand. Be prepared to elongate some songs, but it's fun to do and watch. Most crowds tend to enjoy it too as long as you don't get in their faces or act an idiot.
4. Front man/woman that can talk and interact with the crowd. Music is a form of communication, and so it speaking. Be funny when the crowd seems to need a pickup, be real when you want to relay a message. Repeating something every night is lame though. Off the cuff is the best method.
5. Streamline setup and breakdown. That is a team effort, but it goes a long way. Even 20 minutes cut off of one or both can make the show seem much smoother.
6. Always play as if the house is packed! Even if the house crowd doesn't show until after you're done with your first set, or they leave before finishing the last. That seems to be common knowledge, but we've all experience a less than stellar crowd. I've seen too many bands (including my own) that will sorta go through the motions during those times. **** it! Play hard or go home.
7. Split the gig. Not always recommended due to money issues, but playing with other bands brings out the competitiveness of most musicians. It's a lot of fun when 2 bands have good chemistry too.
8. Have fun. Dance, shots with the audience, head bang, or whatever tickles your pickle. You could be at home just watching tv. If that sounds better to you than playing music......... why are your doing it?
9. If a gig has a conflict in your schedule, don't be afraid to reschedule. I think you'll find that the bar owners are people too. If there is a good reason to reschedule don't play it. I personally had a show booked and an aunt (who I was very close to passed). I didn't want to play, and I couldn't stop thinking about her while on stage. I thought I needed to fulfill that obligation, but I really didn't. They would have understood, and the show would have been better overall on a later date. I have however played a gig sitting in a chair with a cast on. I don't play the bass with my feet, and I was happy to get out of the prison I called my bedroom for a few hours. I just needed some help setting up equipment.
I hope some of this helps. I'm a pretty optimistic person so it doesn't take much to turn a blah situation into a entertaining evening.
1. Invite guests up (I assume that you have at least a handful of fellow musicians that are in the audience) Singers, drummers, bass, guitar, keys, ect..... it doesn't matter. As long as they know the material, or can wing it with some simple instructions it should be fine. Also, don't let ego get in the way even if they are more seasoned musicians.
2. Theme the set lists. Obviously 45 minutes of ballads is a bad idea, but some basic theme can be set. For example, we have a set that has a few reggae tunes in it. The next set may have a few blues styled tunes. For the record we are an original rock band. Reggae, blues, rap and rocked out country just helps us mix it up a bit. Every set is a different show to most listeners.
3. Wireless systems: it's fun sometimes to have a member with the capability to walk out with instrument in hand. Be prepared to elongate some songs, but it's fun to do and watch. Most crowds tend to enjoy it too as long as you don't get in their faces or act an idiot.
4. Front man/woman that can talk and interact with the crowd. Music is a form of communication, and so it speaking. Be funny when the crowd seems to need a pickup, be real when you want to relay a message. Repeating something every night is lame though. Off the cuff is the best method.
5. Streamline setup and breakdown. That is a team effort, but it goes a long way. Even 20 minutes cut off of one or both can make the show seem much smoother.
6. Always play as if the house is packed! Even if the house crowd doesn't show until after you're done with your first set, or they leave before finishing the last. That seems to be common knowledge, but we've all experience a less than stellar crowd. I've seen too many bands (including my own) that will sorta go through the motions during those times. **** it! Play hard or go home.
7. Split the gig. Not always recommended due to money issues, but playing with other bands brings out the competitiveness of most musicians. It's a lot of fun when 2 bands have good chemistry too.
8. Have fun. Dance, shots with the audience, head bang, or whatever tickles your pickle. You could be at home just watching tv. If that sounds better to you than playing music......... why are your doing it?
9. If a gig has a conflict in your schedule, don't be afraid to reschedule. I think you'll find that the bar owners are people too. If there is a good reason to reschedule don't play it. I personally had a show booked and an aunt (who I was very close to passed). I didn't want to play, and I couldn't stop thinking about her while on stage. I thought I needed to fulfill that obligation, but I really didn't. They would have understood, and the show would have been better overall on a later date. I have however played a gig sitting in a chair with a cast on. I don't play the bass with my feet, and I was happy to get out of the prison I called my bedroom for a few hours. I just needed some help setting up equipment.
I hope some of this helps. I'm a pretty optimistic person so it doesn't take much to turn a blah situation into a entertaining evening.
Oh okay. #1) most important - look and sound really good, 2) don’t play the same old songs month after month, 3) play current popular music - stay on top of the charts.
EDIT: oh and #4) have pizza delivered.
I play 3-6 4 hour gigs a week. 75% are bars and restaurants. Here's my list of making them fun and profitable.
1- Play with hardworking, solid musicians. It takes work ethic and technical facility to play these gigs, and and a member without these things will annoy everyone all night.
2- If you wanna drink, drink after the gig.
3- Pass on truly terrible, dead end, and very low paying gigs.
1- Play with hardworking, solid musicians. It takes work ethic and technical facility to play these gigs, and and a member without these things will annoy everyone all night.
2- If you wanna drink, drink after the gig.
3- Pass on truly terrible, dead end, and very low paying gigs.
I will play ball.
I quit a top 40 cover band recently. It was a hard choice because in some ways it was a sweet deal (lots of gigs + booking agent) but I had to quit for other reasons.
I'd love to play cover band again, with the following stipulations:
-Simple set up. Two PA mains, maybe one monitor, maybe one light. That's it.
-Zero rehearsal. None. I don't need it and I don't want to work with guys who do. It's just a huge waste of everybody's time.
-Better tune selection. We played some funkish pop tunes that you can dance to but not enough. Way too much straight 8's rock.
I quit a top 40 cover band recently. It was a hard choice because in some ways it was a sweet deal (lots of gigs + booking agent) but I had to quit for other reasons.
I'd love to play cover band again, with the following stipulations:
-Simple set up. Two PA mains, maybe one monitor, maybe one light. That's it.
-Zero rehearsal. None. I don't need it and I don't want to work with guys who do. It's just a huge waste of everybody's time.
-Better tune selection. We played some funkish pop tunes that you can dance to but not enough. Way too much straight 8's rock.
This seems to be a recurring theme here, Blue......... 
While many of us prefer to play music in a live "bar band" type setting, there are many other musicians that have chosen a different path for their music. A few, personal examples:
- One of my former guitarist has chosen to stop playing live music and focuses exclusively on giving lessons both in person and online.
- A former singer chose to quit playing in bars and clubs, and now focuses on singing and playing guitar with family and friends.
-scores and scores of my musician friends in town focus primarily on studio work, both in traditional studios and online projects.
Bar gigs are tough, especially as we get older and older. Some people lose their taste for them. Others NEVER had a taste for them. Let's remember that people come to music for various reasons and it's an exercise in futility to try to get everyone to focus on it in the narrow band that some have here.
While many of us prefer to play music in a live "bar band" type setting, there are many other musicians that have chosen a different path for their music. A few, personal examples:
- One of my former guitarist has chosen to stop playing live music and focuses exclusively on giving lessons both in person and online.
- A former singer chose to quit playing in bars and clubs, and now focuses on singing and playing guitar with family and friends.
-scores and scores of my musician friends in town focus primarily on studio work, both in traditional studios and online projects.
Bar gigs are tough, especially as we get older and older. Some people lose their taste for them. Others NEVER had a taste for them. Let's remember that people come to music for various reasons and it's an exercise in futility to try to get everyone to focus on it in the narrow band that some have here.
If you're goal is a low level bar band, then I would totally agree. If you're inflexible on this, then you're probably better suited for sub work. I'd also add that most successful touring acts have probably had a few rehearsals before hitting the road, so you'd better cross those guys off your list......
I've rehearsed to the point of exhaustion for some cover band gigs, thinking I had to be perfect. That mentality I carried with me from decades of playing originals only.
One thing I've learned, is if you loosen up, worry less about your playing and more about making sure your customers are having a good time, you will be much more successful, and you'll have more fun.
One night we did an all request night. We ended up letting the guitarist play 3-4 slow songs on acoustic all by himself, because that's what kept getting requested. I can't remember how many songs he played, but dust in the wind, and landslide were two of them. Most boring 30min of the night for me by a long shot. I spent most of that set standing around holding my bass. During the next break I had guys coming up to me telling me how awesome I am at bass and how much they had been enjoying watching us play. 3/4 of the band hadn't played a note in over an hour at that point...
Last gig we did, we messed up some songs that are staples of our set. We shouldn't have messed em up, but it happens. We almost completely derailed a couple times. I think we were just tired from having busy days at work, and then driving straight to the gig. Anyway, we ended that set with 500 miles by the proclaimers, and a full crowd participation version of keep your hands to yourself, which we let audience members use our mics to sing the song for us. We were practically heroes to all the people who were just there to have a good time. Lots of compliments, nobody ever once seemed to care that we played pretty sloppy otherwise.
One thing I've learned, is if you loosen up, worry less about your playing and more about making sure your customers are having a good time, you will be much more successful, and you'll have more fun.
One night we did an all request night. We ended up letting the guitarist play 3-4 slow songs on acoustic all by himself, because that's what kept getting requested. I can't remember how many songs he played, but dust in the wind, and landslide were two of them. Most boring 30min of the night for me by a long shot. I spent most of that set standing around holding my bass. During the next break I had guys coming up to me telling me how awesome I am at bass and how much they had been enjoying watching us play. 3/4 of the band hadn't played a note in over an hour at that point...
Last gig we did, we messed up some songs that are staples of our set. We shouldn't have messed em up, but it happens. We almost completely derailed a couple times. I think we were just tired from having busy days at work, and then driving straight to the gig. Anyway, we ended that set with 500 miles by the proclaimers, and a full crowd participation version of keep your hands to yourself, which we let audience members use our mics to sing the song for us. We were practically heroes to all the people who were just there to have a good time. Lots of compliments, nobody ever once seemed to care that we played pretty sloppy otherwise.
Also, another thing we've been doing as a band that seems to make the gigs more fun-
If someone makes a request and we don't know it, our guitarist immediately writes it down. We keep tabs of what gets requested.
What we've learned to do is, if we get a request we don't know, if we have time, we'll talk to the crowd, tell jokes, whatever we need to do, take a break, etc, then we'll get our phones out and start googling for tabs and lyrics for the song. We'll learn it on the fly, and play it. This is about 99% effective. Usually people are impressed that we played the song they requested.
If someone makes a request and we don't know it, our guitarist immediately writes it down. We keep tabs of what gets requested.
What we've learned to do is, if we get a request we don't know, if we have time, we'll talk to the crowd, tell jokes, whatever we need to do, take a break, etc, then we'll get our phones out and start googling for tabs and lyrics for the song. We'll learn it on the fly, and play it. This is about 99% effective. Usually people are impressed that we played the song they requested.
