Re: [Harp-L] Re: was setlists now etiquette



Over the years I have played with a few(blues) bands and been a punter at shows by a lot more.I've written this from a bar band electric blues perspective but I am sure it applies to just about any performers.
Being a bit of an amateur trick cyclist I used to like to watch the punters and see how different bands interacted with their audiences.
So for what its worth heres my take on playing in a band on stage.
Have a set list: people get restless when a band spend time between every song discussing"what next".It also breaks up the nights momentum/flow and looks very amateur.
Our bands guitarist used to bring 5(!) guitars to a gig.Too many times we would lose dancers off the floor while he mucked around for ever changing axes.Then we would have a good dance floor and he'd decide to play a slooow blues.Ever seen a biker waltz,nor have I.
Play the slow ones at the start and/or end of a set.
50 minutes seemed to be the ideal set and definitely no looong breaks,10 minutes max.I've seen bands standing at the bar and talking to their mates and /or the
ladies for 20 minutes or more.You think why the hell are they in a band if they aren't keen on playing.
Whatever genre of music is your mainstay it dosen't hurt to occasionally toss in something way out of left field .Eg you are a hard core Blues band who attract a die hard crowd but some of the people there are on dates and may have partners who aren't quite as fanatic.It may make the difference between them leaving and staying.If a guys girl wants to go......well hormones will probably win over the blues.Just a thought.


A personal hate of mine (and I and others have left shows because of it) are bands that A) play recorded music during their breaks at the same volume ,or louder !! than their stage show.Most people surely want a chance to have a chat with their date or friends at some time during a night.Or just to give the old ears a break.
B) Bands that play(for example) hard core Chicago all night and then in the breaks...yep hard core Chicago.I used to make sure that we played blues,yes, but i'd always try to make it another type maybe some country or smooth east coast etc.It gives another dynamic to the nights show and you sound powerful when you get back up.
I could go on I suppose but that's my diatribe for the day over...All the above is of course just my opinion and I am sure there are bands who do all the above and still succeed anyway.
Rick
in NZ





----- Original Message ----- From: "Glenn and Debbie Woodhouse" <gwoodhouse40@xxxxxxx>
To: "Harp-L Harp-L" <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, July 13, 2009 06:54
Subject: [Harp-L] Re: was setlists now set times




First off, thanks to everyone's responses on song ideas. Its a great help. I also appreciate the discussion of set lengths and break strategies. Four our 4 hour gigs I have been structuring 3 sets at around 70 minutes with two 15 minute breaks. I really like the idea of a shorter first and last set with a longer middle set (like 90 minutes) to hold the "core" of the crowd longer, i.e. the second break crowd thinning phenomenon that many of you mentioned (I'm glad to know it isn't just us!).



Glenn.






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