A bit of advice please.
Since retiring a couple of years ago I have been able to play more and subsequently have started playing acoustic pub sets with a female singer. We do a mix of material that hopefully covers most bases and from feedback thus far is of an acceptable standard.
I should add that the singer is the landlady of the pub where we perform and at this time I do not receive payment nor seek it although I do have free pints and the odd meal which is much appreciated. I am happy with this situation and enjoy it.
My questions to the more experienced and wise amongst you:
What is a reasonable set length assuming a 10 - 15 minute break midway, either in terms of number of songs and/or length of time.
And secondly how do you attract more punters ? - I should add that the pub is in a fairly remote village/rural location in Surrey where probably most of the time a lot of pubs are struggling to survive regardless.
Thanks in anticipation. Jim.
Comments
Another thing to consider is having an early set during the week. There are not that many people who want to listen to music on Tuesday and Wednesday nights between 930 and 11 if they have families and work the day after. Nor do they all want to drink coke til late if they have to drive to get there. So consider a “tea time” set which might get people coming in straight from work and who might stay for dinner. Which might lead to more customers than the few who will stay late and still not drink much.
good luck.
As to set times we usually do 45 plus 1hour from 9 till 11 and it’s all covers, getting punters in is a difficult one word of mouth is the best but also do the Facebook page thing with a couple of phone vids.
To raise interests in what you do you might need to visit other local pubs to perform and drum up interest/gain followers. The suggestion of having guest artists (who bring rent a crowd) is a good one. Or hold an open mic evening where you play a set then open up to the masses (which you control), before finishing a short 4 number set at the end of the evening.
Yes you'd want to be strict on rules if you ran your own, or we'd turn up with amplifiers and wake up Abinger a bit. ;-)
PM me the pub if you don't want to say it here (though I can only think of 2, didn't know either did music!), I'll come over if ever free on a Thursday!