Slow numbers in a set list

[Nicko]

I guess the general wisdom says start hard, soften it up a bit and then hit them hard for the finish. So do you space slower/softer tunes out or bunch 'em all in the middle?

[Happy Jack]

We like to keep our audience guessing ...

[Nicko]

Thanks Jack. So do we. Thats why I'm currently rearranging ours for Saturday.

[Oopsdabassist]

one slow song per set..in the middle..thats it!

[toneknob]

We usually start slow songs slowly, then bring them up to the tempo of the rest of the set by the end of the song

[allighatt0r]

Slow songs are such an atmosphere killer. just bash them in the face with some cheese.

[Happy Jack]

[quote name='toneknob' timestamp='1455638412' post='2980968']
We usually start slow songs slowly ...
[/quote]

[cheddatom]

I find it's not so much slow songs that kill the energy, but quiet songs. I'd say one quiet one in the middle is enough, but I'm mainly playing 45 minute sets, if it's a longer set you might spread a few more throughout the set.

On a recent thread it was suggested that 3 up-tempo/dance tracks together is the limit, and that you should have something a bit more chilled after each group of 3 energetic songs.

[crez5150]

[quote name='cheddatom' timestamp='1455639032' post='2980979']


On a recent thread it was suggested that 3 up-tempo/dance tracks together is the limit, and that you should have something a bit more chilled after each group of 3 energetic songs.
[/quote]

Must be for those 'SAGA' gigs..... )

Our set is pretty much two and a half hours of uptempo disco.... only real slowy we play is either Let's get it on or Let's stay together, neither of which are particularly slow.....

One slow song I still see a lot of weekend warriors playing is Zombie.....

[colgraff]

On a three set night, a few quality slow paced songs in set 1; 2 smoochies 2/3 of the way through set 2; 4 smoochies 3/4 of the way through set 3

Edited February 16, 2016 by colgraff

[neepheid]

I think there's got to be some variety in the set, I wouldn't keep bashing people over the head at the same pace with the same ferocity for the entire time

[FinnDave]

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1455637529' post='2980958']
We like to keep our audience guessing ...
[/quote]

Our guitarist likes to keep the rest of the band guessing too!

[Cosmo Valdemar]

We don't do any slow songs. We do some 'slower' songs, but certainly nothing 'romantic'.
Perhaps we should.

[bassbiscuits]

We tend to start off with a couple of slower/mid tempo tunes to test the water, then move up a gear. I'm no fan of quiet/slow songs as a rule - nothing empties the dance floor quicker in my experience.

Saying that, a well-chosen slowie can really stand out well in an otherwise high-energy set, and make for quite an engaging, intimate moment and a bit of a breather amid all the noise and sweat.

It's just a case of choosing the right song, and choosing the right time to play it.

[6feet7]

Depends on what speed the drummer decides to play em. Sometimes it's different speeds in the same song

[IainS]

We tend to stick to the rule that if the audience can't sing to it and/or dance to it then we don't play it. The slower songs can lead to a nice bit of arm waving and a bit of a singalong, so we'd never rule them out, but always put them in when their more likely to sing and dance. i.e. when they're drunk.

[TimR]

Dependson the type of gig.

If it's a pub gig where people are watching then space them out a bit two in the first set one mid way through the second.

If it's a party stick all three together about 2/3rds through an hour and a quarter set.

[BrunoBass]

We don't do any slow songs, more midtempo (Temperance Movement's 'Only Friend' and RHCP's 'Otherside') roughly in the middle of the set if we're doing a long one and not at all if we're playing a shorter one.

[discreet]

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1455637529' post='2980958']
We like to keep our audience guessing ...
[/quote]

Our singer likes to keep the band guessing. The stupid bastard.

[No lust in Jazz]

Well for me its not what you play but how you play it... For me slower songs are fine at any point - played well. Sadly, due to the 'space' within them they can also herald guitar noodling or invented keyboard parts and its a great way to show up a vocalist who is having an off night.

[lou24d53]

We are debating this at present, we're not quite gig ready, but trying to work out the best place to slot them in...

Looking at doing Fleetwood Mac 'Man Of The World' and The Rolling Stones 'Love In Vain'...

[Graham]

We tend to end on a slow one or two, typically Under The Bridge and/or Thinking Out Loud, iy normally ends the set well as all the couples come up for a slow dance and the change of feel does seem to stop the demands for more songs afterwards.

[Roger2611]

You need to have some "bar fodder" in the set, irrespective of how good your set list is people will need to, get their breath, go to the bar, traipse outside for a smoke, go to the loo...fight each other etc at some point, give um a couple of slow numbers along the way and build up to a killer finish

[JTUK]

Depends on the gig... I think there is a case for 3 together if you want.
Depends how you want to pace the gig..

A good song is a good song so a lot will depend how you put it across
and if it is one of your best numbers you'll place it accordingly,

[Woodinblack]

We do way to many slow songs. I think we are up to 3 now. I don't see why you would want to do slow songs in a pub.