Guitarist and Singer

GoldRush4821

I've been playing guitar and singing for quite a while and have been encouraged by people to try and find gigs in pubs. I like to play stuff like Neil Young, Bob Dylan and older stuff, but also play more recent things too. In your experience, is it difficult to get these kind of gigs where its just you, your voice and a guitar on stage. I've often seen people in pubs with just that, but it seems it would be difficult to find somewhere to start when I don't have much experience. I'd like to hear opinions from people who've been in this situation, looking for a starting point but not sure what to do.

stevenbass

hey, where are you based mate? im trying to start up a covers band.

GoldRush4821

I'm from Cork.

Mavv35

Hi guys,

just a little reply letting you know i'm interested in a covers band also.
guitar and backing vocals here (or bass) if needed.
lets us know all about ideas etc
cheers

GoldRush4821

I like the idea but are you based in cork and do you like the same kinda music I do? Bob Dylan/Neil Young/Lou Reed/Beatles/David Bowie etc..... would prefer to keep it as acoustic as possible.. anyway let me know

Fentdog84

Im in a similiar boat to u OP, Ive done a few pub gigs so far and occasional busking but would like to get some more gigs. I would recommend to do some busking first actually if u can to get yourself used to playing in public and to fine tune your playing. Best thing to do is probably just call into a few pubs where they do live music and offer your services, even offer to do a trial period for a cheap rate. Also put as many ads as possible in musician classifieds forum, use your facebook page to advertise yourself you might have friends who might have parties or functions coming up etc. best of luck

GoldRush4821

Hey fentdog thanks for the advice, much appreciated. I have indeed been busking over the summer and would say I'm very confident in terms of playing in front of crowds. And of course the demoralising experience of earning very little money on the streets has just inspired me to take my music to a venue where it will be appreciated. Probably the best idea would be to just go around to pubs and ask but I don't know whether I should have some sort of "demo" ready to hand them or what! Also, I would assume that a lot of places would prefer some level of originality in the people they book and tbh I just prefer to play covers of songs I (and I'm sure a lot of other people) love. As for the party advice, thats a great idea but at the same time, as I've mentioned, my taste in music probably alienates me from the majority of my peers and so I have to look elsewhere to find people who would enjoy the music I play. Of course, the Beatles are universally liked but stuff like Neil Young just wouldn't go down right with people my age Unfortunate but true... I much prefer mellow acoustic songs so really I guess a loud pub may not actually be the best choice for me. I was hoping to possibly find smaller old fashioned pubs to start with that could provide a good starting point. If anyone here knows of such places around the cork area I'd be delighted to hear from you! Anyway, thanks for the advice man, will definitely put some effort into securing a gig in the near future :P

Fentdog84

Cheers no probs. If you're music is more laid back and acoustic you should try some resturaunts/cafe's or more mature orientated bars where people just want to chat with the music in the background. I do alot of similiar mellow stuff as well but I mix it up as well with hard rock(Thin Lizzy, ACDC, I use electric guitar) and Irish stuff fields of Athenry(Rock version) etc. Listen dont worry too much about crowd reaction there will always be one or two people who wont like what you are doing so versatilty is the key i find. And you might find people who see you and like you will want your number and offer you more gigs. A lot of it is word of mouth as well like the person who saw you playing in a bar and then recommends you to her sister for her 21st etc. That kind of thing :pac:

GoldRush4821

I find that the songs I like to play are more on the melancholy side of things (e.g some of my favourite songs - perfect day lou reed - needle and the damage done neil young - yesterday the beatles) and I just don't know if this is really what pubs are looking for. I'm sure they would prefer people to be playing upbeat music that will keep them drinking, they hardly want people getting depressed lol... people have often commented that my voice doesn't particularly suit upbeat songs (something about it being more emotive or something I dno) which is strange but I take it as a compliment haha.. Basically I wonder should I focus more on upbeat songs even if I wouldn't necessarily prefer to play them in order to possibly secure more/a gig(s)

Fentdog84

GoldRush4821 wrote: »

I find that the songs I like to play are more on the melancholy side of things (e.g some of my favourite songs - perfect day lou reed - needle and the damage done neil young - yesterday the beatles) and I just don't know if this is really what pubs are looking for. I'm sure they would prefer people to be playing upbeat music that will keep them drinking, they hardly want people getting depressed lol... people have often commented that my voice doesn't particularly suit upbeat songs (something about it being more emotive or something I dno) which is strange but I take it as a compliment haha.. Basically I wonder should I focus more on upbeat songs even if I wouldn't necessarily prefer to play them in order to possibly secure more/a gig(s)

Yeah those are pretty melancholic songs alrite! But good songs. Was just learning jealous guy myself there now. Look you probably should bring some crowd pleasers into your set realistically. Not necessarily roof lifters but sing along types. I mean surely there are some upbeat songs that you like or want to play. Green day? Bryan Adams? You cant go too much wrong with those i mean its not like you need to start playing lady gaga or anything. Slow, relaxing songs are fine maybe in the first half of the evening but in a busy bar as it gets more crowded towards the end of the night you probably should have a few noisier numbers up your sleeve even if its only a few at the end.

GoldRush4821

Interesting, that's a good way of approaching it. I know you're in the same boat as me but if you have some sort of setlist, I'd love to see it, just so I can see the mixture of songs you might incorporate into a pub gig. As you have some experience playing in a pub, you therefore have more than me so I appreciate all this advice. It will greatly help me narrow down my own list of songs and perhaps make me learn a few crowdpleasers too which at the end of the day is what will get me gigs. Off the top of my head, the crowdpleasers I would currently be happy to play would be

A lot of Bob Dylan songs (they're not sad, for the most part, and if I had the right audience, would certainly qualify as crowdpleasers)

Paolo Nutini - (again, not exactly happy, but songs like candy and last request are well known and would definitely get a good response)

Johnny Cash (who doesn't love a bit of folsom prison blues?)

Then you've got your various assorted songs like house of the rising sun, classic oasis, eric clapton (acoustic layla would be awesome, now that I think about it), and I wouldn't be totally against playing time of your life if that's what was called for If you can add any similar songs then that'd be great coz it's late right now and my mind's gone blank

GoldRush4821

Also, how long do you reckon my set list should be? Should I be prepared for 3/4 hours? More?

Fentdog84

Hmm lets see.If you are talking popular stuff, that everyone knows well heres a few that i do. Galway girl, Summer of 69, Whiskey in the Jar, Basket Case(Green day), Teenage kicks, Fields of athenry, Oasis Live Forever, Last Time Rolling stones, Wish you were here Pink Floyd, Get Back The Beatles, Aslan Crazy World, U2 Desire. Other less widely known but well appreciated songs would be Tom Petty learning to Fly, Verve drugs Dont work, Mad World, Foo Fighters Times Like these, Dylan Knockin on heavans door, Ryan Adams stars turn blue, Neil Young My My Hey Hey, Jimi hendrix Hey Joe, Thin Lizzy Rosalie, ACDC Its a long way to the top, Teenage fanclub star sign.

Fentdog84

GoldRush4821 wrote: »

Also, how long do you reckon my set list should be? Should I be prepared for 3/4 hours? More?

2 hours really should be enough. You can always do a song you did earlier in the night again, its no biggie.
EDIT well it depends some places might want you to play 3 hours plus but thats usually large functions weddings, big bands etc which Ive no experience of (thankfully) normally in bars it would be 2-2 and a half hrs would be normal