Some Good Advice For Playing Live

This week we take some questions about playing live from one of our loyal listeners. Tune in and follow along as we address the following questions:   Thanks for answering my questions a few months back. I have more, this is a random list related to touring and live shows.    I get frustrated when I go to a show intending to see band #2 or #3 (in addition to #1) on a bill and they only play 30-35 minutes.  Is it strategically better to be low on a 3 or 4 band bill and play shorter sets, or play with fewer bands and longer sets?  I vote for the latter.  I'm an old guy and have a regular job, so I hate having to stay up late for shows.  But I've been whining about this for 20 years when I was a young guy.  Will it ever change?  Finish by 10pm would be ideal for me.  When bands design their set list, is the best approach to go mostly with Spotify popular with a few oddities thrown in?  Different set list every night?  Let the audience request 1 or 2 songs?  There seem to be more bands touring with fewer members and the help of backing tapes for keyboards, bass, or other.  21 Pilots is an extreme example, but many 4 piece bands cover the 5th and 6th instrument with tapes.  I contend that with the state of the music industry, a band is better off doing it that way than not touring at all. Thoughts?  If I were a manager, I would encourage a band to creatively incorporate a cover song into their set, either the full song - or part of a cover mixed into another song, or a medley of covers.  Thoughts?  Open for a band that your music is a total mismatch - worth taking the risk for exposure or avoid?  I've seen many shows where a screamo opens for a pop punk band, doesn't seem like the screamo band gains much from it, for example. --- Links we referenced during the show: https://settheset.com; Lewis Howes “School of Greatness” podcast - https://lewishowes.com/blog/ --- And don’t forget to check out the Rockabilia.com CYBER MONDAY sale, use code CYBER for 25% off orders over $30 --- We want to hear from you so please don’t hesitate to email any questions or comments to [email protected] Find Blasko on Twitter and Instagram: @blasko1313 Find Mike Mowery on Twitter and Instagram: @mikeoloop ManageMental is part of the Jabberjaw Media Network. www.jabberjawmedia.com    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices