Stage timer...

[odineye]

I'd be interested to see if there are any decent solutions to this out there. Most of the countdown timer options I've seen out there with a 20' or 30' viewing range seem to end up being in the 100s of dollars. Since I generally end up with the 'father time' responsibility in my bands, I'd like a better option than; the countdown timer on my phone, sitting on my pedal board.

 

[odineye]

But if you know your time limit, wouldn't you just make your set fit? You know you get 3 times thru the solo and then you're out?

I guess if you are managing/running such an event I can maybe see the value of such a device. Then again, if your a band that gets the power turned off all the time, maybe you should figure it out.

We don't have such events here in the boonies, but we can generally figure out what we can play in 20 minutes.

It can depend. I've been in bands that have well rehearsed "power set's", 20, 30 and 45 minute sets that were tightly structured to get the most performance with the least BS in the allotted time. But, I've also done gigs were improv was part of the mojo. Times like that you need to have some way to keep a sharp eye on your time limit.

 

[SteveC]

It can depend. I've been in bands that have well rehearsed "power set's", 20, 30 and 45 minute sets that were tightly structured to get the most performance with the least BS in the allotted time. But, I've also done gigs were improv was part of the mojo. Times like that you need to have some way to keep a sharp eye on your time limit.

Yeah, I suppose. I'm glad I don't do "timed" gigs. It's all I can do to just play without the worry of the clock ticking down.

 

[odineye]

Yeah, I suppose. I'm glad I don't do "timed" gigs. It's all I can do to just play without the worry of the clock ticking down.

It becomes more and more second nature after a while. You learn to stay conscious of your playing and performance while keeping a 'second mind' on the clock.

To be honest, I find the "timed" sets to be a whole lot more fun. Playing all night, 3 to 4 hours, one really have to pace themselves. Whereas with 45 minutes or an hour, you get to put your best foot forward. Play your best material and give a no holds barred performance.

 

[AmieLouHat]

My band plays about once per week an we have our normal rehearsals where we go over everything and make sure it's tight, but we also have a rehearsal that are recorded to solidify a setlist. We customize our setlist for each show as much as possible to fit with the other bands on the bill and the venue stylistically, so we usually prepare a set about 5 minutes shorter than the time alloted to allow for banter, then have 1-2 audibles and 1-2 encore songs in the wings. We're an original band with about 40-60 original songs and 3-5 covers in our readily accessible repertoire and it helps when not playing out of town, to keep the peformances fresh and have audiences consistently enjoy the show.

 

[ggunn]

Honestly, there's nothing more annoying than that band who has no concept of time intruding on everybody else's sets.

I've stage managed shows like that. I don't care what time you start but here's what time you are done. The worst offender at one of them was Wilco at SXSW back before they were as famous as they thought they were at the time. Long story.

 

[odineye]

I've stage managed shows like that. I don't care what time you start but here's what time you are done. The worst offender at one of them was Wilco at SXSW back before they were as famous as they thought they were at the time. Long story.

Oops, you're right, there is one thing more annoying... The Prima Donna.

This thread reminded me earlier of Allgood in 2010. Got to watch George Clinton and P-Funk literally have the plug pulled when they wouldn't get off the stage. Everyone around me standing there scratching their heads asking what happened, and all I couuld do was stand there and laugh and think... "Yup,45 minutes into a 40 minute set. Even You can't do that George."

Actually it's kind of sick when I think of it. There I am, partying for 3 days at a festival, having a great time watching bands and meeting people, no clock or watch, and still being so concsious of event timing.

 

[berteau]

Oops, you're right, there is one thing more annoying... The Prima Donna.

This thread reminded me earlier of Allgood in 2010. Got to watch George Clinton and P-Funk literally have the plug pulled when they wouldn't get off the stage. Everyone around me standing there scratching their heads asking what happened, and all I couuld do was stand there and laugh and think... "Yup,45 minutes into a 40 minute set. Even You can't do that George."

Actually it's kind of sick when I think of it. There I am, partying for 3 days at a festival, having a great time watching bands and meeting people, no clock or watch, and still being so concsious of event timing.

Awesome pedalboard clock: Link Removed

 

[odineye]

Awesome pedalboard clock: Link Removed

That seems really cool. Any idea how much they run? For some reason I cant get to the purchase page.

 

[EastCoastThump]

$89.95

 

[odineye]

$89.95

EEEEneresting.... Thanks.

 

[BassCliff]

Hi,

We've played corporate gigs where everything is timed to the minute. There are huge teleprompters in front of the stage with cues, scripts, even lyrics to our songs. That was pretty cool.

This particular corporate gig had a huge AV control center.

Sometimes you gotta run a really tight show!


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[walterw]

Awesome pedalboard clock: Link Removed

well look at that!

me i just prop up my iphone on top of my amp with a big ol' clock app running, to where most of the band can see it. (i keep a charging cable with my stuff to power it while we're playing.)

i'm not in bands doing any kind of timed performances, it just lets us keep track of set breaks and such.

 

[s0c9]

Our singer has one of these at his feet...

http://www.amazon.com/RCA-RCD30-Quality-1-4-Inch-display/dp/B007T0W5CA/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1418225729&sr=1-1&keywords=led clock&pebp=1418225735842

As a cover band, when not opening for headlining acts, we often do 4 or 5 sets a night. Those vary in length (as do openers) depending on the venue we're at. It's not rocket science to know that you go at 9:20pm and finish the set at 10:00, then go on again at 10:30 to 11:15, and be aware of the clock and walk over to look at it while playing.

 

[PJSShearer]

Our singer has one of these at his feet...

http://www.amazon.com/RCA-RCD30-Quality-1-4-Inch-display/dp/B007T0W5CA/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1418225729&sr=1-1&keywords=led clock&pebp=1418225735842

As a cover band, when not opening for headlining acts, we often do 4 or 5 sets a night. Those vary in length (as do openers) depending on the venue we're at. It's not rocket science to know that you go at 9:20pm and finish the set at 10:00, then go on again at 10:30 to 11:15, and be aware of the clock and walk over to look at it while playing.

Or you could look at the clock behind the bar, always remembering to call last orders @ 10:45 (British way).

 

[s0c9]

Or you could look at the clock behind the bar, always remembering to call last orders @ 10:45 (British way).

yeah.. but bars in the US deliberately DON'T have clocks on the walls... keeps the patrons there, and buying longer!

 

[PJSShearer]

Bars in the UK definitely have clocks - 'cos they have to open and shut on time or lose their license if they get caught serving after hours.

They ring that bell @ closing time - when they stop serving - and you have 30 minutes to finish your drinks and leave.

 

[walterw]

Bars in the UK definitely have clocks - 'cos they have to open and shut on time or lose their license if they get caught serving after hours.

They ring that bell @ closing time - when they stop serving - and you have 30 minutes to finish your drinks and leave.

oh, the US bars get the lights up and people hollering for you to finish your drinks right on schedule as well! (differs from state to state i believe, here in VA 2 am is absolute cutoff time.)

they just don't seem to have clocks on the wall, so as to let the suckers buy a big ol' expensive pitcher 2 minutes before they're told they have to give it up and get the hell out.

 

[PJSShearer]

oh, the US bars get the lights up and people hollering for you to finish your drinks right on schedule as well! (differs from state to state i believe, here in VA 2 am is absolute cutoff time.)

they just don't seem to have clocks on the wall, so as to let the suckers buy a big ol' expensive pitcher 2 minutes before they're told they have to give it up and get the hell out.

That sounds like a recipe for a riot, or an easy way to lose customers in a hurry - if someone sold me a jug and told me I couldn't drink it, he'd probably get it tipped over him!. It's a ritual that's been going on for over a century - 10 or 15 minute warning (last orders), time at the bar, then drinking up time and having a clock on the wall - "we open by that clock and we close by it..." Stops all argument a .

 

[s0c9]

That sounds like a recipe for a riot, or an easy way to lose customers in a hurry - if someone sold me a jug and told me I couldn't drink it, he'd probably get it tipped over him!. It's a ritual that's been going on for over a century - 10 or 15 minute warning (last orders), time at the bar, then drinking up time and having a clock on the wall - "we open by that clock and we close by it..." Stops all argument a .

Well. there is always a "last call" notice made over the house system.. but I honestly can't recall ever seeing a "public" clock in a US bar hanging on the wall (or wherever).. they may have them at the front desk or office, but NEVER have I seen one prominently displayed for the patrons.
I guess it's what you're used to...

And yes, they can also lose their license if they serve "after hours" here in the US.