opening song for first set - plus please discuss, rearrange, or criticise our set(s)

robinbowes

Whatever You Want, great song!

R.

thecolourbox

robinbowes;401065" said:

Whatever You Want, great song!

R.

This song always gets put forwards when I'm not sure what to play..."oh just play whatever you want"

hubobulous

We often start with 'Don't Stop' or 'Twist and Shout'

These are easy to play, people know the words even if they're not singing along so early in the evening, allow for harmonies to be checked out and settle us down. Both can be rocked up or not, so fit the bill for us.

FelineGuitars

I believe that the SECOND song is equally important, and that a band should launch from their first song straight into the second.

The first song kind of lets the audience know that the band are on stage and everybody finding their levels ok and the soundman tweaking away (if you have one). Then the band goes for broke with the second song and the audience are already primed, so it can make a bigger impact to the rest of the set and the audience reaction.

ESBlonde

Why not Bowies Rebel Rebel, you get to start and set your levels as you come in. It rocks but in a pleasant way. All the young dudes might be another option. Definitely segue into your second number as suggested above.

not_the_dj

FelineGuitars;401317" said:

I believe that the SECOND song is equally important, and that a band should launch from their first song straight into the second.

The first song kind of lets the audience know that the band are on stage and everybody finding their levels ok and the soundman tweaking away (if you have one). Then the band goes for broke with the second song and the audience are already primed, so it can make a bigger impact to the rest of the set and the audience reaction.

Totally agree (have a wisdom). The first one is a wake up call for everyone, so short and snappy...then the gig really starts.

hubobulous

Handsome_Chris said:

Did anyone on here know that the lead singer of Steppenwolf's real name isn't John Kay? He was born Toby Wild.

Leave.

NOW.

Danny1969

We always start with a lot of noise, a count then all in on a big E or similar, like you would hear at the end of a song. I saw the Mama's Boys do it in the eighties and liked it so been doing it ever since

mudslide73

Hush is a good starter - we do Hush -> Rocks with no stop (as mentioned above). Second set starts with the Kinks' YRGM. 

bigjon

My secret-weapon opener is The Way You Make Me Feel by Michael Jackson. I play it Stevie-Ray-Vaughan style, it's dead easy, and comes across as a bit different from the covers-band norm, plus it appeals equally to classic-rock listeners and up-for-it dancers who want the modern stuff.

impmann

Ramones - Blitzkreig Bop. 

Four chord trick you can play in your sleep, gets people's attention, great hook, great opener.

not_the_dj

impmann said:

Ramones - Blitzkreig Bop. 

Four chord trick you can play in your sleep, gets people's attention, great hook, great opener.

...but now people might think you're selling washing machines ;-)

RocknRollDave

Saw a Rock covers band opening with Kashmir...absolutely the worst choice of song to start a gig with, in my opinion.

+1 on the comments above re start with two short, punchy songs and off you go.

As it happens, being a wedding band, our first song is more often than not a first dance the couple has asked us to learn...usually something slow/ mid-tempo and romantic.. So, totally NOT short, punchy and "setting out your stall as you mean to go on"..:)
We start our first set proper with Proud Mary...kind of a hybrid of the CCR and Tina Turner versions. We start with a slow bit then kick it up a gear. Bit of a nothing song, IMO, but enough oomph to get us out of the gates..and the "start slow/ end fast" thing helps bridge the gap between the first dance and our first set.

MoANjAm

From your original set list, and the style you are playing, I'd start with Boys Are Back In Town. Easy to recognise, upbeat, and you can put a bit of a shed on the end to clam the nerves.

impmann

not_the_dj said:

impmann said:

Ramones - Blitzkreig Bop. 

Four chord trick you can play in your sleep, gets people's attention, great hook, great opener.

...but now people might think you're selling washing machines ;-)

Hmmm, yes I see what you mean.

Looking at the rest of the set list there are more than a few I can think of that advertise shite on the telly...

Into the Valley - Halfords

Ever Fallen in Love - Some car or other

Sound of the Suburbs - some clothing or other

Another Girl Another Planet - can't remember what but i know its being used at the mo

So the takeaway from this is, I remember the songs but not necessarily where they are being used in adverts - so the use in adverts doesn't work to associate them with the brands.

Ironically, the song we do by the Adverts - Gary Gilmores Eyes - isn't used in a TV ad!

EricTheWeary

...hmmm...perhaps I should call up Specsavers marketing department.... B-)

EricTheWeary

Danny1969 said:

We always start with a lot of noise, a count then all in on a big E or similar, like you would hear at the end of a song. I saw the Mama's Boys do it in the eighties and liked it so been doing it ever since

slightly random thought - currently got Nine Below Zero playing and they always start with a shed load of noise ( in E I think it is, having covered it many moons ago) which turns into Pack Fair and Square, which is an old J Geils 12 bar played rather fast. Great opener.

firepaulmusic

Gimme some lovin'

drwiddly

My new band opens with dramatic intro tape, huge power chord and into The Mob Rules by Sabbath. Fun!