Tiny promoter plea because this comes up constantly: if you’re given five, build a five. Not a six-and-a-half that you’re hoping nobody notices. I’d much rather see someone finish with thirty seconds spare than watch them panic-cut their last bit after the light. What are people actually using to get their set length reliable before a gig?
I time it out loud standing up now, because reading it in my head was giving me complete fantasy numbers. I’m still new enough that a laugh can throw my timing anyway, so I’m trying to have a version that lands under five in rehearsal rather than exactly on it.
Also worth knowing what you can drop without breaking the set. I have one bit near the end that’s basically an emergency exit. If I’m running long, it goes. Much less stressful than suddenly trying to speak at auctioneer speed.
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