Standard function tunes?

[Barking Spiders]

54 minutes ago, chris_b said:

If anyone doesn't like the material, all they have to do is say no.

 Errm not if you're a permanent member of a band and you're outvoted by the others. This happens. I've been there.

Edited July 4, 2022 by Barking Spiders

[Elfrasho]

2 hours ago, Barking Spiders said:

 Oh dear. That's a pretty dispiriting list. Surely It's something of a struggle summoning up the enthusiasm to play these

It is on paper aye, but if the crowds good which they generally are, then it's all fun! 

[chris_b]

19 minutes ago, Barking Spiders said:

 Errm not if you're a permanent member of a band and you're outvoted by the others. This happens. I've been there.

 

OK. I've also been outvoted and played numbers I'd rather not play, but they went down well with the audience, and the band played them well, so I have no problem with any song in those circumstances.

[Lozz196]

Same, I’d only stick to my guns on songs I didn’t like if the audience didn’t like them either.

[TimR]

If you're in a function band that's getting gigs then you're playing tunes that entertain people. That's all that really matters. That's pretty much why they become standards, loads of bands have already done the trial and error to find out what goes down well. It also helps immensely when finding Deps which is important if you're doing well paid work. You can play non standard songs as long as they're entertaining, and try fresh new material, and often it'll go down really well. But it's a risk, which should be fairly simple to minimise by watching the charts closely and seeing what gets airplay on stations like Virgin.

 

Just because you find a song boring because you've played it twice a week for the last decade, doesn't mean that your audience will be, because, well, they won't be watching a live function band twice a week. 

 

 

Edited July 4, 2022 by TimR

[mrtcat]

3 hours ago, Barking Spiders said:

 Oh dear. That's a pretty dispiriting list. Surely It's something of a struggle summoning up the enthusiasm to play these

If you have a professional approach and understand that function work is 100% about the crowd's enjoyment then it shouldn't be an issue. If you want to take the money, you have to be able to play a set list like this well and with enthusiasm. I play many of those songs at over 100 gigs a year and can still say I thoroughly enjoy what I do.

[Barking Spiders]

12 minutes ago, mrtcat said:

If you have a professional approach and understand that function work is 100% about the crowd's enjoyment then it shouldn't be an issue. If you want to take the money, you have to be able to play a set list like this well and with enthusiasm. I play many of those songs at over 100 gigs a year and can still say I thoroughly enjoy what I do.

Fair enough and likewise viz other replies to my comments, which is why you guys are doing this while I packed it in. A drummer mate of mine has taken early retirement and makes his pocket money gigging in 3 or 4 different bands. One bands plays a lot of Britpop stuff, which he cant stand but is happy to play them as long as the band performs well. Me? I have to like the music I play whether in a function band or other sort. I used to play in a function band that specialised in soul, funk, disco etc. As that is right up my street I was happy playing whatever we did. If any band I was in said we'd have to include Oasis songs in a set I'd resign.

[ubit]

2 hours ago, TimR said:

Just because you find a song boring because you've played it twice a week for the last decade, doesn't mean that your audience will be, because, well, they won't be watching a live function band twice a week. 

 

 

So true. Plus if a song that you find boring means a lot to some punter who claps and cheers your performance then why shouldn't you suffer for your art as they say?

There is nothing better than people enjoying themselves and you think we are responsible for them having a good time.

[TimR]

Actually have just remembered the first time I'd ever heard Living Next Door to Alice was at the aforementioned gig. Busking along root fifth and listening for the changes with the whole hall singing along. Was like taking candy from a baby. 😁 Enough to give you imposter syndrome - except it hadn't been invented then...

 

Absolutely awful song. You'd never listen to it by choice. 

[Franticsmurf]

1 hour ago, TimR said:

Absolutely awful song. You'd never listen to it by choice. 

Yes, I went through the living nightmare of playing that one twice a week in a duo. Usually to an older audience who insisted in singing/shouting the sweary bits in the chorus. But it was popular at the time and we were expected to play it. I took the money and perfected my cheesey grin. 😀

[Richard R]

Living Next Door to Alice -  that's a song I've not heard in a while!

I first heard it on a Friday night at the Frog and Frigate in Southampton, probably 1986. You know the sort of pub where the floor is sticky with beer and sweat and you're so tightly packed you can't move? Well that was true for all of us standing on the tables as well.

In that environment it's a great song!