rw2516

I saw Rush as opening act and the entire 2112 was just the first song. Also saw KISS open for ZZ Top in 1975 and it was the full show with stage setup.

A distinction should be made between "double bill" and "main feature/short subject" however.

hdnmickey

I think that can get tricky. There are obviously clear cases where a band with only one album is out there as the warm up band, and will indeed play 20 minutes or so. But that is so rare these days. It was rare even when I was going to a ton of concerts in the 80's.

Far more common was a triple bill with the new debut warm up act (20 min), second tier band (40-60 min) and the headliner (90-120) minutes. Even without the time in between acts you're looking at 2 1/2 hours minimum. That's why I think 11:00 is reasonable, but 12:00 is better so the headliner and opening acts can stretch to two hours and an hour respectively.

kefrank

Shows should end at 9:30pm. Now get off my lawn!

Seriously, my concert-going has decreased dramatically as I've gotten older. I've always been a night person who stays up late and probably always will be, but the notion of being out among a bunch of people at midnight is just not appealing to me anymore, no matter how good the music is (with a few exceptions).

islandclaws

Teenage me: "Play all night!"

20s me: "I hope this show is over by midnight because I have work tomorrow."

30s me: "All this standing is hurting my back. Good thing I phoned the venue ahead of time, got set times and showed up 10 minutes before [headliner] goes on."

If you're a fan, maybe. I'd take 3 hours of Lamb of God over Lou Reed, depends on what you like, but truthfully I don't want to see anyone play for 3 hours. I'm good with a max of 2; anything past that and I get restless. Leave them wanting more is a perfect idiom for musicians.

invisiblegt

Shortly after I turned twenty (a decade ago) I went to see U2 in Philadelphia. Now, a bit of backstory. I had "purchased" (the individual actually just sent me the ticket, and just asked me to send him payment sometime after the concert) the ticket online, and woke up early the day of the show, as I was still waiting for the ticket to arrive. It finally showed up, and I took off, making the nearly six hour drive to Philly. The show ended, if I recall, around midnight, and so I made the drive back home, arriving around seven or so. I then took a quick shower, and went into work. Then, after work, I went on a date, and was out until around two or so that morning. Those days, sadly, are over. I'm 30 years old damn it! And I want to sit in a comfortable chair, watch television, and go to bed at a reasonable hour!

I may be in the minority here, but I'd actually prefer the shows to be over even earlier. I live nearly an hour and a half away from the closest "big" cities that bands play (Cleveland and Pittsburgh), so, taking into account heavier traffic leaving the venue, I've got an almost two hour drive ahead of me. So if a show doesn't get out until midnight, or even one, I'm not getting home until two or three in the morning. And if I have to work that day, I'm up around six-thirty or so. Don't get me wrong, I still do it from time to time, but, particularly with the ever growing cost of tickets, live shows just don't appeal to me like they once did.

I'm old, and echo every sentiment kefrank said...

mndtrp

I would prefer around 11pm. Most shows get over around that time, so it's not a big issue when I decide to see something. I definitely go to less shows now that I have to get up at 5am for work, and I'll usually take the day after a show off so I don't have to worry about it.

As far as set time, I'm becoming increasingly attracted to the "An Evening With..." type of shows with only one band that plays for about 3 hrs. I hate it when a band has been around for 20+ years, and only plays a 1.5hr max set.

Hokeyboy

The way I see it, if your last name is 'Appice' then you don't need a drum solo.


Actually we don't need drum solos.

hdnmickey

In that case we don't need solos of any kind that are not already part of an existing song. What's the point of live shows if they are just going to repeat the original releases note for note?

Giantrobo

Depends:


1. Ticket prices. i.e. RUSH tix are $$$$$ so they should play at less than 3+ hours.
2. Band Talent. i.e. KISS is just fine playing about 80 to 90min. Anything more is whatever..
3. Band Song lengths. i.e. RUSH has have many long songs so see #1.
4. Opening act? No? Then play a long show. Yes. Then you can cut your show back. i.e. RUSH...stopped opening acts long time ago see #1.
5. Distance to venue. i.e. Did I drive 2 hours to see you? Play a long show...

Giantrobo

Neil Peart(RUSH) is the exception since his Drum Solo is actually more than just a standard drum solo.

Hokeyboy

Don't decry statements that were never said. I didn't say concerts should be note-for-note reproductions of the album experience. Just that drum solos bore the hell out of me.

Hokeyboy

The Professor is always the exception His is the only drum solo that doesn't scream PEE BREAK to me.

hdnmickey

I don't consider it an exception, but I would agree his are likely the best.

If somebody is not interested in the solos done during a show, maybe they purchased tickets to the wrong concert.

Hokeyboy

Agree to disagree then. Especially when the act in question is not known for their musical virtuosity, technique, unique tone/timbre, and/or creativity.

Giles

40's me: "if it's on Youtube - it saves me money and I can watch the show on my home theater setup" just watched Glastonbury Music Festival (2015) full sets from Florence & the Machine, Suede and Super Furry Animals.

SmackDaddy

I know here (in Houston) that the venue type/location can come into play as far as concert end time. The big outdoor venue here has a pretty hard end time of 11pm (it's nestled into a residential area). But, clubs and the larger arenas pretty much anything goes.

For me, I try and avoid weekday concerts or concerts that are on the far side of town so that the end time doesn't come into play. If it's on Friday/Saturday I don't really care what time it ends.

Phodg

Went to see Goatwhore in Chicago on Saturday night. They hit the stage at 11:40 and finished just before 1:00am.

mndtrp

Love Goatwhore, don't like them live too much.

EddieMoney

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EctoCooler

Saw GnR four times in the early 90s. Only one of those shows began before 11:30pm, the one at RFK stadium I think.

Giantrobo

Leave KISS alone!!!

Hokeyboy

I'd stick around for an Ace solo

Now if the bassist for Herman's Hermits wants to go into a 12-minute reggaeton exploration piece I'd... shit I'd probably stick around for that too.

But if Paul Anka's drummer wants ANY time, I'm gone!

beavis69

Crap I was thinking of going to see them in DC on a Thursday. If that is the time then I don't think I'll be able to do it. Too bad, I really wanted to see Black Breath.

As far as the subject, the week I like to be done around midnight. Friday or Saturday I could care less.

Phodg

Black Breath were on at about 9:30. They switched spots with Ringworm, who went on at 10:30.

The Bus

Badly Drawn Boy has always, always had long shows. He had a 2+ hour long show when he was touring for his debut album which was a 60-minute album. He would play a song, then later play an acoustic version of it, then a drone version later in the show.

I enjoyed it immensely but it also means I never need to see him live again. Close to three hours in 2000/1 was enough.