Gigging/how do you start a set?

[NancyJohnson]

Musically, we're a four-piece post-hardcore band, gig wise our crowds number 30-50.

As we're not fans of playing to an empty room, we've been trying to formulate an intro strategy that just makes people realise we're about to play, rather than walking on stage, doing final tunings and standing around like lemons until our singer decides we're good to go. I'm not talking about intro music, for god's sake, no, just something we can play.

The cough, musicians in the band, cough, all seem to think that we need something throwaway that we just play, big noise or something like the start of this live album (obviously without 'Konnichiwa Tokyo' bit): [url="https://steviesalas.bandcamp.com/album/bootleg-like-a-mug-live-in-japan"]https://steviesalas....g-live-in-japan[/url]

I do kind of like the Salas thing, but at the same time, this appeals:
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTdOcGTiyjQ[/media]

HELP

Edited August 8, 2017 by NancyJohnson

[nash]

play (as in live) a minute long intro song that fits flows well into your first song.

[lojo]

Id always suggest playing a good song that you are very comfortable with that really suits every member of the band , all be it in a subtle way

Dont save all the best for last , but hit them with something that sounds right and leaves no room for any doubt your worth walking toward

Edited August 8, 2017 by lojo

[chris_b]

Play your best, up tempo, interesting, lively. . . you get the picture. . . . song first.

Say "Hello" during the count for the second song. Start this immediately after the end of the first song. End the set with a couple of strong songs. If you don't already have these songs find some. You have to make an impression. Second set should be more of the same.

IMO "Hello Neasden" is way too cheesy, as is putting one foot on the monitor. Don't do either. You should all do your final tuning earlier, then walk off the stage. When you're ready, all walk on together and start. Don't twiddle or play anything. Know the first 4 songs you're going to play before you walk on stage. Better still have a set list. Sets should be constructed to ensure a momentum of energy. Bowie, The Stones, Dave Gilmore and all other pro bands I know of use set lists. Any "dead" time on stage looks very amateurish.

Some bands I play with do this and some don't. The ones who do always go down better.

[T-Bay]

[quote name='nash' timestamp='1502179551' post='3349712']
play (as in live) a minute long intro song that fits flows well into your first song.
[/quote]
This ^^^^^^^ works well and gets the anticipation going.

[stingrayPete1977]

I don't even know what 'post hardcore' is?

[T-Bay]

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1502185648' post='3349789']
I don't even know what 'post hardcore' is?
[/quote]
I believe there are specialist websites for it, you have to be over 18 and a consenting adult I understand.

[charic]

Band goes on stage, silent count in. Hit them hard, if they're not there already you need to be getting there attention and the best way to do that is to get them thinking "holy **** what am I missing"

[NancyJohnson]

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1502185648' post='3349789']
I don't even know what 'post hardcore' is?
[/quote]

Wikipedia is you friend in this instance:
[url="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-hardcore"]https://en.wikipedia...i/Post-hardcore[/url]

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOFdvxkzop8[/media]

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06GOu9JjHDM[/media]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHuNcPbt5Ms

Edited August 9, 2017 by NancyJohnson

[Trueno]

Nicked this idea off someone else, but one band I was in we did the following...
We all ambled on to the stage, mooched around, scratched our arses. Then, instead of 1-2-3-4, the singer would suddenly pick up the mic and shout "GO!"... then we'd all pile in to the first song. Needs some practice to make sure you all come in together, doesn't work unless you're as tight as a gnat's chuff.

[stingrayPete1977]

[quote name='NancyJohnson' timestamp='1502186352' post='3349798']


Wikipedia is you friend in this instance:
[url="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-hardcore"]https://en.wikipedia...i/Post-hardcore[/url]

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOFdvxkzop8[/media]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06GOu9JjHDM
[/quote]

I like it


Punk then.

[RockfordStone]

all my bands have always started with a song that had a big intro, and a lot of energy, then straight into a second song with equal to or more energy, before we interact with the crowd.

occasionally we have had a walk on song. but that only worked for my more popular bands.. its a bit sh*t doing it to 5 people

[Adrenochrome]

For this kind of music I'm a big fan of singing feedback buidling tension for 20 seconds or so, and then all in together loud. Might not work for everyone though. I've also done a variation on this with a drone note on the bass kept going by flange/chorus etc.

[ead]

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1502185648' post='3349789']
I don't even know what 'post hardcore' is?
[/quote]

A delivery of rubble?

[Dad3353]

[quote name='ead' timestamp='1502190515' post='3349845']
A delivery of rubble?
[/quote]

You've watched the videos then, eh..?

[TimR]

Do you mean everyone is outside or at the bar and you want to get them to the front of the stage before you start your set proper?

[Thunderbird]

Intro like Metallica do they play the curse of gold (think that's what it's called) before they kick off properly maybe an intro of sorts would work for you

[theplumber]

Usually when we hit the stage,with our best song first,setlist,all tuned up and ready to go,it is ruined as we have not told the barstaff to turn off the background music. Trying and get the barstaff to turn it off is a nightmare,as they always seem to be in the middle of serving folk. It wouldn't have been the first time that we have finished the first song,hopefully with clapping and cheers,to find the background music still playing away....

[EssentialTension]

Hard to pull off if you aren't already a megastar with a very hot band but introduction to Lou Reed gigs in early to mid 70s - Reed only walks onstage at 3.30 and sings at 3.50 ...

http://youtu.be/7FdWPeHFAMk

[tonyquipment]

Now here's wonderwall

[RockfordStone]

[quote name='Thunderbird' timestamp='1502200330' post='3349944']
Intro like Metallica do they play the curse of gold (think that's what it's called) before they kick off properly maybe an intro of sorts would work for you
[/quote]
ecstacy of gold is the one you will be after

[Thunderbird]

[quote name='RockfordStone' timestamp='1502207819' post='3350006']

ecstacy of gold is the one you will be after
[/quote]that's it I couldn't think of it for the life of me cheers

[bobbytodd]

we usually start with holding d-e-g for a four count while our guitarist does some lead w***ery over the top of it right into metallicas version of whiskey in the jar

[Lozz196]

Our singer/guitarist hits a note that feeds back, then we all come in. We`ve always started with the same song so people know when they hear that feedback we`re good to go.

[bassbiscuits]

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1502182586' post='3349736']
Play your best, up tempo, interesting, lively. . . you get the picture. . . . song first.

Say "Hello" during the count for the second song. Start this immediately after the end of the first song. End the set with a couple of strong songs. If you don't already have these songs find some. You have to make an impression. Second set should be more of the same.

IMO "Hello Neasden" is way too cheesy, as is putting one foot on the monitor. Don't do either. You should all do your final tuning earlier, then walk off the stage. When you're ready, all walk on together and start. Don't twiddle or play anything. Know the first 4 songs you're going to play before you walk on stage. Better still have a set list. Sets should be constructed to ensure a momentum of energy. Bowie, The Stones, Dave Gilmore and all other pro bands I know of use set lists. Any "dead" time on stage looks very amateurish.

Some bands I play with do this and some don't. The ones who do always go down better.
[/quote]

This ^

I've played in bands with guitarists who endlessly make tiny adjustments to their sound/effects pedals etc once we're on stage to start the first song, and do the same between every song, which utterly kills any vibe or momentum. Drove me insane.

Not helped by the absence of a set list, which meant lots of shouting across to each other onstage between songs, while guitarist is making more imperceptible tweaks to sound. Aargh!

Sometimes if the venue has been quite quiet to start with, we'll begin with a gentler song or two to ease people in - but left up to me I always start with something that's fairly indicative of what's to come.

I also always try to go straight into the second and third song etc to keep the momentum before stopping for any patter.

Edited August 9, 2017 by bassbiscuits