What system do your band use for keeping a song in set?

[Sooper8]

Is is a majority decision or if one member has a very big problem playing (or just enjoying a song) do you drop it?

I'm interested to know what veto system people use...

Thanks

[sax4blues]

We are a four piece where three share the lead singing. So first choice on the set list goes to the singers evenly. Then we just fill in from there depending on what songs fit the gig. Our band is very easy and supportive on decision making so it's never an issue.

[bargoedboy]

for me, the whole band must like the song. but if song generates no response from audiance after a couple of plays, dump it and move on.

[LarsOS]

If one of the band members hate the song, it's hard to get it to sound good. Everybody should have the right to veto, IMO. If one band member uses his/her veto too often, he/she should probably consider finding another band with a reportoire that suits him/her better. Just my 2 cents.

[String Tree]

We know far more songs than we can play in a night.

So we just keep the Song/Set list moving.
If something comes-up and, it feels right, we just go for it.

If something doesn't get played and, nobody misses it, then its no big deal.

If they DO miss it, we'll bring it back.

~ ST

[Jakedog]

Originally Posted by String Tree

We know far more songs than we can play in a night.

So we just keep the Song/Set list moving.
If something comes-up and, it feels right, we just go for it.

If something doesn't get played and, nobody misses it, then its no big deal.

If they DO miss it, we'll bring it back.

~ ST

This. ^

[getbent]

different key every song...
keep the slow songs to a minimum..
pick it up all night
whatever ballads you do play.. make them count
keep your best singer singing...
too much democracy is a bad thing...
play fast songs.
if they are dancing.. keep them dancing.
if they are not dancing, get them dancing.
never mention that it is a small crowd, never whine about a lack of response.

[A.B.Negative]

It's difficult if 3/4 of the band like the song and you don't, especially if it goes down well at gigs. But I hated the shuffle version of Prince's Purple Rain I had to play in the blues band I was in years ago and I'm sure it came across in our performance.

Now I'm in a duo and each of us has absolute power of veto.

[greggorypeccary]

Given that my main band adds new songs at a glacial pace, it's pretty easy to keep songs in the set.

[Short Circuit]

Originally Posted by bargoedboy

for me, the whole band must like the song. but if song generates no response from audiance after a couple of plays, dump it and move on.

This^^

Mark

[Open G Tele]

Originally Posted by LarsOS

If one of the band members hate the song, it's hard to get it to sound good. Everybody should have the right to veto, IMO. If one band member uses his/her veto too often, he/she should probably consider finding another band with a repertoire that suits him/her better. Just my 2 cents.

Veto power is a great idea for variety bands. A lot of bands turn into near-tribute acts when one member insists on repeatedly covering a certain band or artist.

[String Tree]

In retrospect, if everybody in the band likes it, its in.

I guess that makes song selection an all in favor or, we don't learn it.

One exception to that rule: Wedding receptions and other special events.
Learn it, burn it, take their money and, SMILE when we do.

[gearhead1972]

We pretty much will dump any song that someone hates. We usually have a bout 35 songs between our 2 sets, we add a few songs a month and take out the ones that we get the golf claps from. A few weeks ago our band leader sent out an excel spread sheet that tallied up votes with about 60 songs that we have played. 1 for should never be played, 2 middle of the road 3 for should always be played. Haven't seen the results yet.

[CodeBlue]

The band likes it or the crowds like it or better yet BOTH.
No reason to keep songs nobody likes hearing or playing.

[TeleTim911]

If you just can't pull the song off at rehearsal, ditch it. Not asking anyone if they like it or not...just do it. (I played many songs I hated, didn't stop me from giving it 100%). Most of those songs had people on the dance floor or hollering and screaming or whatever....you forget how much you hate it then.

If you play the song live, and you hear crickets chirping when the song ends, time to move on to another song.

I also agree, someone who protests too many songs, time to have a "sit down" with them, and see where the problem is...the band or them?

[lawdood]

We definitely have at least a song or two in any show that not 100% of all band members like. We all know that we each have songs we are not too fond of and we just take one for the team. So far, it has not been a problem and everyone has been professional about it and we even use it as a way of being a little lighthearted, especially at rehearsal. And yes, if the audience loves it, the "objector" usually puts the energy back from the crowd ahead of his/her own personal taste.

We have scrapped songs that have not come together. In a couple cases we revisited them in 3-4 months just for the hell of it and suddenly they were hitting on all cylinders the second time through, so you never know. Just know when not to waste time on bad vibes.

We also have WAY more songs than we can do in one show, even if the show is 2 sets over 3 hours. So we always try to make at least 33-40% of a show different from the prior show.

[getbent]

on the veto system... if one of the guys can't hack a part, we let it go... if it happens very often, we'd get a new guy.

once in awhile we'll decide to add new songs... when we do that, we have an open meeting where we talk about songs we hate doing.... we probably do close to 200 songs now... once in awhile we'll stay play a 'vetoed' song if the crowd wants it... but, we mostly try to get along...

some nights the singer will say no to a song, we just move along..

remember, play songs to get them to dance.. and not slow dance... fast dancing sells beer, slow dancing sells condoms.

[Oakville Dave]

If the dance floor is packed when we play it, it stays. All the rest are up for debate.

[gmann]

Originally Posted by LarsOS

If one of the band members hate the song, it's hard to get it to sound good. Everybody should have the right to veto, IMO. If one band member uses his/her veto too often, he/she should probably consider finding another band with a reportoire that suits him/her better. Just my 2 cents.

Yeah everybody should have the veto vote. I agree if you use it too often you're probably in the wrong band. If we like playin'/singin' it and the crowd likes hearin' it we keep it.

[poiureza]

Interresting question.

We only have this problem for new songs. Once a song made it on a setlist it's never dropped because that supposes it got past the veto (we all have veto's).
Crowd response or not, difficulties or not, second thoughts or not, whatever, it will remain on the list.

As for the new songs, I am usually the one who tries to avoid some, mostly those involving complex arrangements which I know we are not capable of.
I usually stand to my decision.

Then we try to avoid songs where our drummer could fall asleep. He's the least excited about playing in the band so we try to keep him happy (very good drummer, more used to jazz/orchestra which is definetely NOT the stuff we're playing lol).