On time is great. Early is better, as a minute or two easily gets consumed by the unexpected. Respect isn't always noticed or remembered, but disrespect most certainly will be.
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Squeeze in one more song
- Thread starter TheReceder
- Start date
As someone who has played many festivals and been road crew for many top line name acts in the past i have to say you are MUCH better finishing three minutes early than even going one minute over time. Finishing a few minutes early may make the headliners like you more and WILL make the crew like you more........ going over time definitely will not!
Play your best songs, play them well, leave the crowd wanting more.
We've done this once to make up for lost time from a dodgy pedal - we would've went around 3-4 min over the set time, sound guy cut us during the final chorus. Then play the Killers over us. It was embarrassing. It's a real possibility that no one will be upset from you guys playing over your set time, as it does tend to happen. But someone might pull the plug and that's gunna look really bad on you guys. Add in if someone is angry about it you'll probably not get to play there again, or in the same slot.
What I'd aim for, if it's absolutely necessary, is get set up and start a few minutes early and finish on time. If the show is set up properly with enough time between bands this can be achieved easily and has been the approach we've taken when we needed the time for an extra song.
I've also been on the other side of this when headlining and the support acts have taken forever to tear down/setup and/or played over, reducing our set time.
What I'd aim for, if it's absolutely necessary, is get set up and start a few minutes early and finish on time. If the show is set up properly with enough time between bands this can be achieved easily and has been the approach we've taken when we needed the time for an extra song.
I've also been on the other side of this when headlining and the support acts have taken forever to tear down/setup and/or played over, reducing our set time.
Make a pros and cons list.
In the pros list, write out the possible (and likely) best case scenarios of playing one more song. Answer the question: "What could playing that one song do to enhance pur career and/or reputation?"
In the cons list, write out all of the potential pitfalls of playing one more song and pissing off the venue/promoters/crew/headliner.
Unless your band leader is a delusional prick, the cons list will far outweigh the pros list.
If he is so delusional that he thinks that one song will make or break you guys, there is no helping him. You can't fix stupid.
He would risk your biggest, most profitable and likely funnest show you do every year over one song? No way. Don't do it.
In the pros list, write out the possible (and likely) best case scenarios of playing one more song. Answer the question: "What could playing that one song do to enhance pur career and/or reputation?"
In the cons list, write out all of the potential pitfalls of playing one more song and pissing off the venue/promoters/crew/headliner.
Unless your band leader is a delusional prick, the cons list will far outweigh the pros list.
If he is so delusional that he thinks that one song will make or break you guys, there is no helping him. You can't fix stupid.
He would risk your biggest, most profitable and likely funnest show you do every year over one song? No way. Don't do it.
Playing a festival next weekend. Band leader says get there early, set up as the two acts ahead of us are solo, keep it on time and get off.
It's his festival so he's FL and BL.
My other hand also does this. We rehearse out set list to end two mi it's before our time and keep a close eye on the clock.
It's his festival so he's FL and BL.
My other hand also does this. We rehearse out set list to end two mi it's before our time and keep a close eye on the clock.
When we open, we don't go over, but the sound man usually signals "one more song". When we headline, the surest ways to never get asked again are to start late or go overtime.
Would there be a contract for this type of gig? I would guess there is and within the document are some parameters that should be adhered to.
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
The heck with a document. If they make a request, adhere to that.
It's not a matter if you break a specific clause of a contract. It's whether you piss off the person who decides whether you play for him/her again.
I would personally be more focused on delivering the goods as effectively as possible within the time allotted, rather than trying to jam as many songs as possible into the set and risk going over your time. Even if the audience is going crazy over your show, they will survive without that extra song.
If your playing a big show with a world class or national headliner, I can think of two and only two circumstances when it's okay to go over your scheduled time:
1) You are so great that the crowd gives you a tremendous ovation AND the stage manager / promoter gives you the nod for an encore. If that happens, take the stage and QUICKLY(!) do the encore. Then, get out of the way fast to demonstrate your professionalism, gratitude and appreciation. This, of course, would be extraordinarily unusual.
2) Something happens and you are asked by the stage manager / promoter to kill some time. If so, do that professionally and when you get the nod to stop, then IMMEDIATELY STOP and get out of the way fast!
At that level, unless your so great as an opening act that you just knock the crowd off their feet (I've seen it happen, but very rarely), you will find that being super easy to work with will get you noticed and maybe even requested way more than your musicianship. Just saying.
1) You are so great that the crowd gives you a tremendous ovation AND the stage manager / promoter gives you the nod for an encore. If that happens, take the stage and QUICKLY(!) do the encore. Then, get out of the way fast to demonstrate your professionalism, gratitude and appreciation. This, of course, would be extraordinarily unusual.
2) Something happens and you are asked by the stage manager / promoter to kill some time. If so, do that professionally and when you get the nod to stop, then IMMEDIATELY STOP and get out of the way fast!
At that level, unless your so great as an opening act that you just knock the crowd off their feet (I've seen it happen, but very rarely), you will find that being super easy to work with will get you noticed and maybe even requested way more than your musicianship. Just saying.
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What does your contract say? Follow it unless given permission to do otherwise.
Why do some people always seem to let their egos interfere with sound business decisions.
Why do some people always seem to let their egos interfere with sound business decisions.
I have served as stage manager for a small local festival where there are several bands following each other on the same stage. We put together a schedule with start and end times for each group. I talk to each BL prior to their set and stress that we really need to have them end their set on time because that affects every band that is next on the schedule. I also tell each BL that I will cue them when they have 5 minutes remaining and suggest they play their best song after the 5 minute cue.
I have played this same festival when there was no stage manager and sticking to the schedule was a big problem. The final two bands, including the head liner, had to shorten their sets because of event time restrictions. In such situations the following bands and the audience get cheated because of the behaviour of one or more of the previous bands. This very issue is discussed in post event committee meetings, and bands who do not stick to the schedule guidelines will either be not considered for repeat bookings or will be advised that another such incident will result in their band getting no future gigs at this festival.
Thump on,
One_Dude
I have played this same festival when there was no stage manager and sticking to the schedule was a big problem. The final two bands, including the head liner, had to shorten their sets because of event time restrictions. In such situations the following bands and the audience get cheated because of the behaviour of one or more of the previous bands. This very issue is discussed in post event committee meetings, and bands who do not stick to the schedule guidelines will either be not considered for repeat bookings or will be advised that another such incident will result in their band getting no future gigs at this festival.
Thump on,
One_Dude
I remember going to see a really abrasive band in the 90's that was selling t-shirts that said, "always leave them wanting less." I had to admire their dedication to their craft.
