tribute band question

[buldog5151bass]

I have found the parts to put together a tribute band for Journey, which I think will have some interest in the area. One question for those who have been in successful tribute acts.

I figure there are about a dozen songs that will be recognizable for all fans. After that, things get thinner (not to mention mostly slower tunes, which slow down a stage show). Does it make more sense to do the "C" Journey songs, or maybe add in a few hits from similar bands (Styx, REO) that would be more recognizable to more fans, and better rocking tunes?

 

[mrcbass]

I don't do the Tribute circuit, but I would think if you are, you need to be "Journey". I would think that people who want to see a Journey tribute band would be familiar with the deeper stuff - or at least not be offended by it..

If you do decide to cover other artist(s), then bill your selves as an 80's tribute or limit it to one other band and come up with a name that reflects the mashup. Something like "Journey to Boston" or "Fleetwood Journey". I've seen a few example of this approach in my market and they seem to do well.

 

[TNCreature]

I think it would be helpful to define if you are putting together a Tribute band or a Cover band.

 

[AGCurry]

I have found the parts to put together a tribute band for Journey, which I think will have some interest in the area. One question for those who have been in successful tribute acts.

I figure there are about a dozen songs that will be recognizable for all fans. After that, things get thinner (not to mention mostly slower tunes, which slow down a stage show). Does it make more sense to do the "C" Journey songs, or maybe add in a few hits from similar bands (Styx, REO) that would be more recognizable to more fans, and better rocking tunes?

I think you've put your finger on why you see far more Beatles tribute bands than "tribute groups" to other performers. It helps to have such an abundance of material that you must choose which songs you play. Abundance of material vs. paucity.

What I suggest is that your nascent band work up ONE really-good Journey set and a bunch of tunes from other performers. Package the Journey set nicely, with medleys and segues and such, and audiences will remember it and like it as a show BEFORE they tire of all Journey all the time. You get to pay tribute to Journey without painting yourself into a corner.

 

[lfmn16]

If you do other band's tunes, you're not a "Journey" tribute band. When I think tribute band, I think of a band playing songs by a single artist.

In the 70's I was with a band that did one set of all Rolling Stones tunes. The other sets were from complimentary artists. Of course back then you played four or five sets. You might try that approach - one "warm up set" of similar bands and then the big show - your set of Journey tunes.

 

[QORC]

I have found the parts to put together a tribute band for Journey, which I think will have some interest in the area. One question for those who have been in successful tribute acts.

I figure there are about a dozen songs that will be recognizable for all fans. After that, things get thinner (not to mention mostly slower tunes, which slow down a stage show). Does it make more sense to do the "C" Journey songs, or maybe add in a few hits from similar bands (Styx, REO) that would be more recognizable to more fans, and better rocking tunes?

I have been in the tribute business more than 15 years now. And in some very popular tribute bands. Even played internationally. and I know a lot of musicians that also do tributes. So I can be of help here.

If you're a Journey tribute, you do Journey songs. Not other ones from other bands. it will be confusing. but that is the dilemma of being a tribute. If they don't have a ton of hits, how do you cover a 2.5 hour show without doing B sides and fluff? You can't. but it would be hokey to do an REO Speedwagon song and something from Styx. Makes no sense.

and if you want to be a GOOD Journey tribute band, you have to work at looking the part as much as you can. if you aren't, then you're just a "tribute to the music of Journey", not really a Journey tribute. and there are TONS of them out there already. Good ones. find the good ones. go to their sites. See their videos (of the good ones). Emulate the successful ones if you want to have any chance at all.

It's a crowded field. Your singer at minimum will have to look and sound like Steve Perry or nobody will take you very seriously.

by the way, knew a very good band that used to do a combo of Bon Jovi and Journey, and did both well. They would, when needed, one good long set of Journey, go off, change costumes, then do Bon Jovi real well. They booked all over the place and they didn't have to worry about doing too much filler material.

This problem plagues a lot of tributes - that the bands they are doing simply did not have 10 to 15 hits. They were known, but limited. Not iconic. and filler is a must, but most people, except the uber-fans, don't want to hear 4 hits and 25 filler songs. It's a big problem. I saw an excellent Heart tribute (look and sound) fall apart this way. They were great for a one hour set but not for 2.5 hours. Too much filler that nobody knew

 

[buldog5151bass]

Thanks for the replies. The vocalist, with a decent wig (and he's a theater guy) will look the part. We have the backing vocals, and right lineup ( lead guitar, rhythm guitar/keys, bass and drums with the right kit.

I figure we have one set of hits (12-15 songs) that will thrill all fans, which is better than most bands. Gonna try to work it out.

 

[saltydude]

I’ve got a couple friends that started a tribute to Foreigner and Journey called Foreigners Journey. They recruited Constantine the American Idol contestant if you recall on vocals. They’re killing it out there selling out concert halls and big venues.

 

[QORC]

fortunately Journey is iconic and had lots of hits. but there are a lot of Journey tributes out there as competition too. and they had some good album cuts that would fit in well. Especially the earlier albums when Greg Rolle was still in the band -- before they went all pop and ballad-crazy. I really liked "Loving You is Easy" -- They opened their shows on the Evolution tour with it.

Don't forget that Steve Perry solo hits would definitely fit too.

Harmonies are pretty critical with Journey too. that will help sell the illusion. and its all about the illusion -- look and sound the part as close as possible.

anyway, Good Luck!

 

[SoCal80s]

From what I've seen, tribute bands need to have 2 sets of material. If you have a longer gig, then have an opening act, which could be the same people under a different name or a completely different band. There are many Journey tributes out there doing 2 set shows, so it should work. A Journey tribute should play all Journey, but some related songs are OK, think solo work by Steve Perry. If the band covered some songs on their tours, then you can cover those cover songs too. The real Journey is (or was) out there playing 2 hours + every night. Play what they played, especially in the later tours where they weren't promoting a specific album. Those are usually all crowd pleasers.

 

[LBS-bass]

I think that you can do 2 or 3 bands as a tribute and have enough material to cover a full night, but you have to advertise yourself that way. People who like Journey will also like other iconic bands from that era. I like the idea brought forth above of doing costume changes from set to set. Be Journey in one set, then be someone else in another set if you absolutely have to move beyond one strong set of material. A few deep cuts is one thing but trying to pad out a whole night with deep cuts is going to likely fall flat.

 

[QORC]

My most popular tribute routinely played 2-3 hours without a stop, but there was plenty of known material to do it. a certain amount of LS yacking helped too. The current tribute I am in also has a bunch of hits, but a certain amount of filler is needed. We can cover 2 hours 15 minutes at the moment, but learning more material to cover 3 set shows.

but in general, we've had opening acts and have only had to play an hour to 90 minutes. so we have both standard sets ready to go.

 

[LBS-bass]

Another thing I'll mention is that certain bands have fanatical followings that will absolutely know every deep cut. You could easily do a Steely Dan tribute or a Yes tribute, even though you'll be playing a lot of their deeper catalog. Those fans won't care. But of course doing either of those well would require some very skillful players. There's a Santana tribute around here that does very well, also.

 

[Holdsg]

agree with what others have said.

in LA, typically a tribute act for a single band is expected to play at least a 90 minute show, with an opening band.
If there is no opening band, then it should be 2-60 min sets with intermission. That's pretty much the standard I have experienced in my market for the tributes I am in (Who, Queen, Zeppelin).

 

[Joe Murray]

I don't do the Tribute circuit, but I would think if you are, you need to be "Journey". I would think that people who want to see a Journey tribute band would be familiar with the deeper stuff - or at least not be offended by it..

If you do decide to cover other artist(s), then bill your selves as an 80's tribute or limit it to one other band and come up with a name that reflects the mashup. Something like "Journey to Boston" or "Fleetwood Journey". I've seen a few example of this approach in my market and they seem to do well.

I now want to form the Journey to Boston band. What a GREAT name!!!

 

[Gustopher]

I think this is why a lot of tribute bands I’ve seen only play shorter shows, not 4 hour bar gigs. It’s easier to setup an hour or maybe an hour and a half and fill it full of known stuff.

 

[TonyP-]

I have a good friends who play in a higher end Journey tribute.

The have a fair amount of fly outs.
Sturgis gigs like that.
I will PM you later.

 

[Dirk Diggler]

Tribute acts play 1 artist, Cover bands play whatever artists they like.
Also tributes tend to "act" and "look" like the originals.

 

[Ronky]

Checkout concert videos and setlists that have been posted online. This should give you a better idea of what to add to your set.

 

[jeff62]

If you’re a Journey tribute, then you are a Journey tribute. I’ve got many years of experience doing the same for AC/DC and Creedence.

The nice thing about tributes is you get to go deep in the catalog. That’s what people want to see as part of the show. It also allows you to mix it up with their hits. And if you believe that Journey only has about 12 hits that people will recognize, you are not a Journey fan. I can name at least 20 songs that had regular radio airplay. Check out Journey videos that have 20+ songs in the “popular” set.

As AC/DC we knew roughly 65 songs so it was easy to rotate in all the popular tunes every couple of shows as well as deep dive into other material to keep it fresh.