Solos, Duos, and Trios?

[51PRI]

It seems that around here there are more and more venues, and there aren't a lot of venues to begin with, that are using solos, duos, and trios, acts with no drums and low on stage volume. People want to talk and interact and not so much dance, like in the old days.

How is it where you are?

 

[GCPENG]

I don't play in any acts like that, but it sure seems to be a growing segment here. A lot of pubs are going that way, IME, and breweries and wineries are much more likely to hire a quiet acoustic act than our loud rock'n'roll band.

 

[Runnerman]

Agreed with your observations. They also see it as a way to pay less for the entertainment and use less floor space. Breweries and wineries doing this a lot.... and coffee house joints.

 

[51PRI]

Agreed with your observations. They also see it as a way to pay less for the entertainment and use less floor space. Breweries and wineries doing this a lot.... and coffee house joints.

Yeah, for sure. We were booked in a new restaurant that wanted to have live music. About a week before the gig the BL got a text telling us that, because of complaints about volume from people trying to eat, they wanted us to play the gig without our drummer. We chose to cancel the gig instead.

 

[filmtex]

It seems that around here there are more and more venues, and there aren't a lot of venues to begin with, that are using solos, duos, and trios, acts with no drums and low on stage volume. People want to talk and interact and not so much dance, like in the old days.

How is it where you are?

Exactly the same. It seems like THIS volume issue is really becoming an important consideration for talent buyers, venue operators/owners and, of course, audience members and us! Drummers beware- I think we have all been talking about this issue with them for quite some time.

 

[buldog5151bass]

I think it's a couple of things:
- cheaper
- takes up less room
- too many bands are too loud

 

[MrLenny1]

Sports pubs are doing the same here.
Little demand for a rithym section.
Local agent does not book bands anymore, only solo, duo
and acoustic trios.

 

[Tazziedevil]

I've been actively looking for a singer/songwriter and a "Compliment" (i.e. Bongos, Timbale, Cajon, etc) percussionist to some scaled back acoustic covers. No one is interested in my area but I keep on searching!

 

[G On Bass]

Some places have space restraints and/or sound/volume guidelines as part of their local zoning/lease agreements. I've played at several venues that have decibel meters viewable from the stage. In all honesty, I'd much rather hear a smaller acoustic-y group than a too-loud band or a DJ. Nothing wrong with listening to live music that doesn't hurt. Until drummers embrace e-drums or exercise more self control it will still be an issue. I've never played with a drummer that doesn't get louder as the night goes on, except for the one band where he used electronic drums.

 

[twinjet]

It seems that around here there are more and more venues, and there aren't a lot of venues to begin with, that are using solos, duos, and trios, acts with no drums and low on stage volume. People want to talk and interact and not so much dance, like in the old days.

How is it where you are?

Plenty of four piece bands here. People like a good time. Classy joints (or those going for that vibe) employ duos with good turnout. I've played several doing both.

I enjoy the high-energy feel of a full band and an amped up crowd. I also enjoy the intimate setting of a duo, where someone can really just listen to what's going on. Both are pretty fulfilling.

 

[portpc]

I'm in Eastern Long Island.. Wine Country and close to North shore L.I. Sound & 30 min to the Hamptons. Have a Trio (bass, guitar, drums) and a duo (guitar, bass, drum machine)

The Wineries have gone toward solo/duo the past few years. The comment "to pay less for the entertainment and use less floor space" is spot on!

Another thing is that the venue wants the music to be background rather than forefront, audio wallpaper rather than the
main event, Over zealous acts have scared off many places as they fear loud volume and distraction from their core business.

My trio is doing 75% private events nowadays. The duo can find work in a variety of settings. It's tougher than ever though to maintain a solid schedule.

 

[Kevorargh]

In my area, which is a ski area, the trend is against four pieces. I have to convince people (and my own band members) that we can be quiet enough not to interrupt dinner. Late night gigs happen, but not a lot of people stay up to listen as they have been skiing all day.

I have to travel a wide range (up to two hours) to find places for my four piece to play.

 

[Bunk McNulty]

Volume is definitely an issue. I know there are places that book us specifically because we're not so loud. My BL recently started gigging with just two guitarists playing acoustic, mainly at venues that won't shell out for the full band. So far there are just a few of those on the calendar. I'd hate to lose my job!

 

[Tony In Philly]

I'm finding more and more that volume needs to be under control. The worst offenders are often unmiked drummers in small rooms.

 

[Tony In Philly]

I have two acoustic basses in preparation for the inevitable.

 

[51PRI]

I have two acoustic basses in preparation for the inevitable.

My bass has a volume control on it for that inevitability.

 

[dave64o]

Seeing it here. We played a restaurant/bar on Saturday night that we've played before. Held the crowd there and people were dancing, but the manager called our BL/singer yesterday and cancelled our two gigs that we still have scheduled. He wants to have DJs and solo acts. Our BL spoke to some friends in other bands and one of them was cancelled there also.

Volume seems to be at least of it (we play classic rock and blues). We've talked about adding acoustic-ish songs or acoustifying at least some of our song list but haven't done it yet. This might be the motivation to do it?

 

[buldog5151bass]

So much for the "we play loud, and it's the owner's fault if he doesn't want to book our band, because he's clueless" crowd.

 

[filmtex]

I'm finding more and more that volume needs to be under control. The worst offenders are often unmiked drummers in small rooms.

Yep. Same thing here. I wonder how much the (changing) hearing of our primary audience, boomers, has impacted the perception of volume. Also the "chicken and the egg" conundrum has me guessing: loud bands=altered hearing or altered hearing=loud bands? Or some combination?

 

[CallMeAl]

For sure, mostly in the winery/brewery circuit. We use a cajon in our rock/blues band, and it allows us to play places that would never hire a drum set. We can play a high energy, low volume set.

Very occasionally we will bring the drums to a bar or outdoor concert- but even then we still typically bring the cajon, because it's what we are used to and people get a kick out of it.