Playing as an opening act...change your setlist? - Page 2

mr. beaumont · #16 01-30-2020, 01:57 PM

We still don't know how you got this gig? I mean, if the club or promoter hired you based on a certain idea of what you'd play, that's what you should be playing.

JackB1 · #17 01-30-2020, 04:27 PM

No that wasn't the case. I just contacted the club asking for gigs and they said "how about opening for this band on Fri"...I said OK. So there's really no
preconceptions.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

We still don't know how you got this gig? I mean, if the club or promoter hired you based on a certain idea of what you'd play, that's what you should be playing.

Russ C · #18 01-30-2020, 04:36 PM

I think it unlikely an audience will be so narrow that they couldn't appreciate a somewhat contrasting opener - within reason.
I agree with those who've said give them your strongest material and have confidence.
Remember, people go out to enjoy themselves and want to enjoy you too.

reeve21 · #19 01-30-2020, 05:12 PM

https://youtu.be/RdR6MN2jKYs

I can’t stop thinking about this scene every time this thread comes to the top

So good luck, and just know it could always be worse!

Denny B · #20 01-30-2020, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reeve21

https://youtu.be/RdR6MN2jKYs

I can’t stop thinking about this scene every time this thread comes to the top

So good luck, and just know it could always be worse!

"What kind of music do you usually have here?"

"Oh, we got both kinds. We got Country AND Western."

bufflehead · #21 01-30-2020, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JackB1

No that wasn't the case. I just contacted the club asking for gigs and they said "how about opening for this band on Fri"...I said OK. So there's really no
preconceptions.

I'm thinking of the number of times I enjoyed the opener more than the headliner. Mellow isn't always a bad thing.

The Bard Rocks · #22 01-30-2020, 08:39 PM

If you know the other band well, avoid doing any of "their" songs. It doesn't hurt to make a reference to them once in a while, gets the crowd readier for them and you can acknowledge that you are giving the audience something different so the main band will feel special and you don't burn them out on that kind of sound. Just enough so the main draw and the owners will appreciate it, no more. Don't be apologetic, do what you are known for, maybe select pieces when you have a legitimate choice, that are on the funkier side. And read the audience. Have alternates ready to switch to if you should feel you need to do that.

Mandobart · #23 01-30-2020, 08:53 PM

If you and the headliner do covers in the same genre, please touch base with them regarding your set list before you open with a song they also plan to cover. Very awkward for you when the headliner says "wtf dude?" Its the professional thing to do.

I'm more used to seeing complimentary and lightly overlapping, but not identical genre bands on a playbill. Don't try to sound like them or how you think their fans want you to sound - it won't be near as good as being yourself.

DenverSteve · #24 01-30-2020, 10:20 PM

Since you weren't hired for your repertoire, you should play what you're comfortable with. A 90-minute warm up for a local/regional band - or even a national headliner - is pretty long.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russ C

I think it unlikely an audience will be so narrow that they couldn't appreciate a somewhat contrasting opener - .....

If you were to ask anyone who's ever opened for a headlining band, I think you might be surprised how many big-name bands have been ignored, booed or disrespected waiting for the healiners to come on.

MikeBmusic · #25 01-31-2020, 07:39 AM

With a cover charge, and a sit-down venue, you were hired to be background music as people arrive. Chances are you will be playing to an almost-empty house when you start, and people will be coming in, ordering drinks, making noise while you play (in other words, not really paying attention). So don't try to get people to sing along, don't do a lot of talking between songs. Do your set list, don't worry if the feature band covers the same ones, their versions will be much different.
90 minutes IS a long opening set, for sure.

rstaight · #26 01-31-2020, 08:05 AM

The biggest change to my set list would be not to play some of the same songs as the main act.

After that I would start out being my self and try to judge the crowds reaction. Then maybe make some minor adjustments 4 or 5 songs in.

rmp · #27 01-31-2020, 08:34 AM

Change nothing, just do what you are best at doing.

JackB1 · #28 01-31-2020, 08:56 AM

Great advice guys! I've decided to do mostly my normal and best stuff and try and read the crowd along the way. It will probably be pretty empty at the start and get progressively more crowded towards the end of my set, so I think I will put my best stuff towards the end.

I'll let everyone know how it turned out after tonight!

Christian Reno · #29 01-31-2020, 12:31 PM

Generally speaking, it can be a bad idea to try to change what you do best to something else in an attempt to fit in unless you are very capable in many styles and genres.

I personally would not want to go to see a main act who had an opener doing the same type of music.

rmp · #30 01-31-2020, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JackB1

Great advice guys! I've decided to do mostly my normal and best stuff and try and read the crowd along the way. It will probably be pretty empty at the start and get progressively more crowded towards the end of my set, so I think I will put my best stuff towards the end.

I'll let everyone know how it turned out after tonight!

I think you got it figured out!

good luck!