Outraged at Gig length!

Something else that cropped in in conversation last night.
Not only did we put up with 60 minute sets in the early 70's but you'd go and watch bands like Uriah Heep, Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, UFO etc etc and not only did you get a couple of old rock n roll songs thrown in but you always had a drum solo that lasted 10 minutes.
If theres one thing that used to upset me was a band who had plenty of their own material but still insisted on playing Blue Suede Shoes or Johnny B Goode.
In the late 70's drummers thought it was cool to leave their kits and play on the outside of the drumkit and all over the stage floor and microphone stands - thank the Music God that died out.
 
Also don't forget that besides drum solos and rock n roll songs in the 70's, singers also had to do the shouting back with the audience routine for five minutes in their hour spots. One of the very worst for this was Phil Lynott where it seemed half the set was devoted to shouting back to him.
 
penski said:
unsigned bands should never play more than 15 minutes...twenty if they're exceptional.

support acts to headliners shouldn't play for more than half an hour.

headliners...depends on the band, how much material they have and the nature of the band/music.

*n
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so I get booked for a gig in North London, I have to be there for 5:30pm (after work??? nightmare) and i get asked to loan out my kit for people to use (even though I am NOT headlining).
then I am on stage at 8:30pm. off stage at 8:45pm?

30minutes per band is perfectly acceptable....if the band is worth listening to...regardless of the signed/unsigned status.

were not talking 15minutes of open mic night with mullet micky and his 5 string guitar...or are we?

and in respose to the op:
I would be quite annoyed with a 40minute set for 12.50, at least a 2 song encore. but as rightly said by someone else, only 1 album to pull from.
 
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I saw the Klaxons in Manchester last night, they played the same set as you saw, and I have to say they were phenomenal, they left me astounded, amazing set and an amazing crowd.
Really fun night!

Edit : I got my ticket for £5 from an auction site so I can barely complain :D
 
vaultingSlinky said:
The difference is that King Prawn are/were awesome, whereas spunge are distinctly average.
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certainly in the live arena, I'd agree with you 100 percent.

I think this is because they come out, hit you in the balls (figuratively speaking) then bugger off.

*n
 
lozza23_uk said:
so I get booked for a gig in North London, I have to be there for 5:30pm (after work??? nightmare) and i get asked to loan out my kit for people to use (even though I am NOT headlining).
then I am on stage at 8:30pm. off stage at 8:45pm?
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Oh dear.... drummers like you are annoying. YES - loan your kit out for one night, it won't kill you. Hell, loan it out for a hundred nights. As a drummer you should expect to be asked that your kit be used as backline.

OK sorry... I don't mean to have a go at you but when you have three or more bands playing it's a right pain when a drummer digs their heels in and says "no! they can't use my kit! mine mine mine mine mine!"
 
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Lysander said:
Oh dear.... drummers like you are annoying. YES - loan your kit out for one night, it won't kill you. Hell, loan it out for a hundred nights. As a drummer you should expect to be asked that your kit be used as backline.

OK sorry... I don't mean to have a go at you but when you have three or more bands playing it's a right pain when a drummer digs their heels in and says "no! they can't use my kit! mine mine mine mine mine!"
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I'm with Lozza even though he is a drummer :D
It isn't often my band supports another act but in June there are 9 bands playing and the drumkit on the stage will be the headliners.
You cannot expect the support act who are playing for 15 mins (or even an hour) to provide the gear for the night - ludicrous.
 
dmpoole said:
You cannot expect the support act who are playing for 15 mins (or even an hour) to provide the gear for the night - ludicrous.
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Why not? Doesn't matter whose kit it is. Some one of those 9 bands is going to have to provide a kit - it could be you just as it could be anyone else. It's not only down to the headline act to supply the backline.

You still accepted the gig didn't you? It's a fact of doing gigs. If you get to play more venues - and larger venues - word will get round that you're a pain in the arse because you refuse point blank to loan your kit out. That won't go down well with other bands and promoters.

I promoted a gig back in August for a band called Xandria. The drummer was a huge fan of Dream Theater and had an immense drum kit with loads of racks, splash symbols etc. He had no problem loaning it to the other bands. Bands respect you if you loan your kit out, as do promoters.
 
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What if that ban wants to leave? They can't because the drummer needs to wait for his kit. I've only played a few gigs but the underlying rule is Headliners provide the drumkit (Your drummer brings along breakables, ie. Cymbals and Snare) and everybody else uses that. The last gig we played on bank holiday monday the headliners even offered to let us use their amps. (Including a lovely vintage Marshall stack)
 
elroberto said:
I've only played a few gigs but the underlying rule is Headliners provide the drumkit
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I suppose it depends at what level. If you're booking bands internationally it's a matter of practicality. If the support bands are domestic it can make more sense for them to bring the kit.
 
Lysander said:
You still accepted the gig didn't you? It's a fact of doing gigs. If you get to play more venues - and larger venues - word will get round that you're a pain in the arse because you refuse point blank to loan your kit out. That won't go down well with other bands and promoters.
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Bands normally support us and we provide the kit, backline and PA which means the support can go home when they've finished.
We'll have this conversation in another 10 years if I'm still alive.
 
Lysander said:
Oh dear.... drummers like you are annoying. YES - loan your kit out for one night, it won't kill you. Hell, loan it out for a hundred nights. As a drummer you should expect to be asked that your kit be used as backline.

OK sorry... I don't mean to have a go at you but when you have three or more bands playing it's a right pain when a drummer digs their heels in and says "no! they can't use my kit! mine mine mine mine mine!"
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i am the most laid back drummer when it comes to kit share.

I drag around another tom just incase they want a 5 piece, i take carpet, spare felts, clutches, snare wires and strings, a near full set of batter heads (only for my sizes, cant cater for 13" snares)

My point is the effort going into a show, to be given a 15 minute slot!

and just for the record, last year was over 80 shows. close to the 100mark you specify (yes I am being pedantic, and no it wasnt my kit for every show)

but at the end of the day the toilet circuit is the toilet circuit. you get what you are given and are thankful for it :)
I just like playing.
 
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tbh id rather have 40 mins of quality gig... than an hour and a half.. where it has good and bad points...

when i saw klaxons both times, they had at least an hour... they have 1 album... in comparison to bands like Muse and RHCP... each of those have a bunch fo albums... and not every song is amazing..

if you want a LONG and VERY entertaining gig... go see Kings Of Leon... never have i sweat so much... ok well maybe at ShitDisco... when they invited us all on stage at the end :D awesome!

I KNOW KUNG FOOO!
 
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