Set Lists and Show Duration

The owner of a bar in town told me I could play in his bar if I wanted to so I got a friend who also plays guitar and sings (we both TRY to sing) in order to play an acoustic sgig.
My questions are how many songs do people usually play at an acoustic show and how long does it usually have to be? I know there's no rules or anything like that about this thing but maybe you could share some experience.
I asked a guy from a band here and he said they would usually play two sets of 12-13 songs and the entire performance would last about two hours with a longer break between the two sets. But then he played an acoustic gig with the other guitarist and said they only played about 15 songs on that one because people don't care a lot about acoustics.

when i play solo gigs , i usual have an opening act or band or fire-eater/magician(yup! LOL did that once!)

anyways ... i play about an hour, then add 10 to 20 min more when asked to "get back up there"

if its JUST ME i play for an hour and a half. i think thats a bit too long BUT folks want "their moneys worth"

are you playing any covers ? (not just one, but 1/2 or more)
IF SO folks will want ya to play longer due to you being a form of 'Jukebox' to drink to. I don't know why this is; perhaps its someones 4th Bud and they wanna hear 'Sweet Home Alabama' or some such... perhaps its something else, I dunno as i rarely play a cover with the band or solo ...

whoever told you this:

Is either not a very good entertainer or is playing for the 'wrong crowd' ... I usually have at least 60 to 150 people when i play small acoustic solo-gigs [advertised as "intimate" lol].

One thing that can make an acoustic show go well is having some friends come and go...
I'll be playing a few dates with a great writer friend of mine Leslie Woods (-> www.myspace.com/lesliewoodsanddarkmountainorchid ) ... She'll play awhile, then I'll join her for a few, then play most of the set and have her join me again, at times with some augmentation (an upright bass, a Dobro, a Mandolin, whatever) and this "movement" and "change" is well received by the audience because it feels "Intimate", kinda like they are "in on it" if you get my drift.

But people DO care about acoustics ... at least hear in the South's 'music-alley' they do.

I wish you the very very best Bro! Solo (w/ Friend as well) shows can be the most rewarding (and 'teaching') shows you can play.
Kudos to you for grabbing one! I'll be pullin' for ya, man!

RAWK!
Cs

Global Disclaimer :
Carl Snow is an old, jaded & slightly bitter old man who cannot be held accountable for anything, much less his opinionatedly opinionated opinions or those of his imaginary friends. We sincerely apologize if this Carl Snow and/or its behavior have infected you or others with its ugly brain and its juices.

opersonally i write music, but if you want to cover some stuff idk what type of music you like but some fantastic acoustic songs i know

mother-pink floyd
ripple-grateful dead
uncle johns band-grateful dead
(honestly you could do any grateful dead song probably)
Crosby Stills and Nash (some great acoustic stuff)

love the one youre with
suite judy blue eyes
marrakesh express
guinnevere
wooden ships
helplessly hoping
long time gone
you dont have to cry
music is love
deja vu
almost cut my hair
be youself
southern cross
our house
teach your children
carry on
woodstock
4 + 20
ohio

is that too hippie? :)

im not gona even start with all the allman stuff thatd be good :)

When I was in college in Knoxville, I had some friends that would love to sit outside and play acoustic. Usually 2-3 people playing and singing and there'd be maybe 10 people total and we'd just sing along and drink a few (*we were all at least 21 years of age obviously, lol) and have a good time. Personal favorite was "Melissa" byt he Allman Brothers. Not really sure what my point is, I guess more people will like acoustic than you think. It was only 10 back then, because we were all friends just hanging out. But several of the guys play all around Knoxville now.

yeah i mean so much good acoustic stuff melissa is good... or a lot of stuff by allmans...

you could play some good old blues like seamus by pink floyd

how bout some skynyrd!

good thing about acoustic is no one expects it to be amazing... just fun and good to listen to.

how bout james taylor?

Im acoustic instrumental and get very good responses for it down here in South Africa, why people wouldnt want to listen to acoustic is beyond me but what ever.
We play 2 sets that last up to 2 hours with very small brakes and then most of the time add another set later the night if we really have fun and got the crowd going.

wellllll

K-Town is home for me! so my question is obvious...

who?
I probubly know them if they play out a lot
and arnt in cover bands.

where do you hail from Suh? :)
...we may be neighbors!

RAWK!
Cs

I went to UT from 99-05, getting two degrees and LOVED Knoxville. I am originally from Michigan, but almost took a job out in Oak Ridge after college and opted instead to move to Charlotte. I like it here but man I miss Knoxville a lot, it just truly is a great place to me, like a second home ...

The guys you may know are Dave Kennedy and Russ Torbett. Dave plays solo a fair amount, but they are both part of a band called Kelsey's Woods.