60 to 90 Minutes
Only when you get thoroughly established locally or are selling 300 tickets per concert in multiple states should you even dream of playing longer than 60 minutes. You are established artists and touring on the heels of your latest release, or maybe you're headlining a decent-size venue in your hometown. Now, you've got a chance to mix it up. Start off with that hit single from your last album. Play a couple of zingers from the new release because you need to sell some actual albums. Don't make the audience wait till they get home and look it up on Spotify. But don't forget the songs that made the kids fall in love with you in the first place. You're aiming for the sweet spot here between old and new. And if you're the headliner, and fans are paying $30 or more to see you, don't even think about making your set last fewer than 60 minutes. Satiate the people's thirst to see you; don't just dribble a couple of drops in front of them.
Jim Louvau Sara Robinson and the Midnight Special can play for an hour or more if they so please.
90 Minutes or More
Fans spent more than $60 to see you, so you'd better play everything you ever wrote that has ever been on the radio. Yes, everything. Those who get the privilege of playing more than an hour and a half are those who are in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. So unless you are Paul McCartney, Billy Joel, U2 or the Rolling Stones, do not go over 90 minutes. You're just wasting everyone's time.
Jim Louvau
Musicians and the American working public have very different career trajectories. Most people who work in an office or factory find that the longer you've been with a company, the less work you actually do. For musicians, the opposite is true. The more legendary you become, the more time you have to put in night after night.
The important thing to remember is that your audience works very hard to enjoy the privilege of seeing your band. Make sure your set times best represent what you have to offer the audience.
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