How long between support act and main band?

[Tom_C76]

Went to see The Darkness in Norwich on Monday night, supported by a band called The River 68s. Was advertised as first night of the tour in their hometown, but as it sold out a previous date was added on last Saturday.

Support act came on at 8. Were awesome. Played about a 25 minute set making an astonishing noise given it was two blokes, one with a guitar and some kind of stomp log, the other just singing. Backline, drumkit etc for the main band already set up behind them so all the roadcrew had to do was put out drinks and pedalboards, swap mics and we're good right?

Darkness finally came on 45 minutes later, having lost all the interest and goodwill the support act had built up. Then berated the crowd for not being loud enough between songs when they faffed around for a couple of minutes each time. 10 minute wait for the encore too.

Is this normal behaviour these days? When setting up for pub gigs we can set backline, PA, kit etc in 30 mins, and at a beer fest with PA provided we were working to 15 minute changeovers including getting a kit and backline on stage and miced up...

[worsy]

So many variables with this.

Could be that the headline act want to finish just before curfew and have a set setlist dictating start time.
Could be that the venue want the punters to spend some money at the bar.
Could be ego.
etc etc.

Sounds like the support setlist was very short though. Last gig I went to (Within Temptation/Delain) the interval was about 30 mins but that was to take down a full band kit between.

[Tom_C76]

I think just under half an hour is about right when acts are bringing a genuine unknown on tour, which I think is a good thing to get them exposure and experience. Last year we saw the Who at NIA, supported by the Standard Lamps. Never heard of them, quite impressed, 30 min set and done. Wouldn't necessarily expect a new band to have that much more full on material unless they pad it with covers TBH.

FWIW my bet is on Mr Hawkins ego. It's not like the Darkness are short of material if they want to play through to curfew given they're 4 albums into their career.

[bosshog]

I went to see The Darkness in Norwich on the Sat night at the UEA. There was a gap of about 20 mins inbetween the rivers 68 and the darkness coming on. So probably depends on many factors as already stated.

That singer for the rivers was amazing but I thought the guitarist was a bit of a knob.

[egor110]

You'd think if there was one support band it would be :

7.30 doors open
8.00 support band
8.30 support band off / prep stage
9ish main band
11 curfew

i wonder if they delay is down to the darkness being awkward ?

[Wacky Racer]

I went to see Simply Red in Manchester around 2001 at The Arena.

The band finally came on 25 minutes after they were supposed to,keeping 19,000 bad tempered impatient fans waiting.

Apparently Mick Hucknall wanted to finish watching the Manchester United game in his dressing room.....

That's rock 'n roll......

[Rollin]

You'd get very annoyed seeing Guns n Roses

[otherman]

Or The Fall.

I always reckon the main band will be on between 9 and 9:30, so I get in at 9, get my beer and take up station fairly near the front.

[catso]

Rollin said:

You'd get very annoyed seeing Guns n Roses

Indeed, although the 3hr+ wait when I saw them gave way to much drinking and girls flashing their tits whilst sitting on a blokes shoulders...