Buckethead is an enigmatic guitarist and performer known for wearing an expressionless white mask and KFC bucket on his head during shows. He has cultivated a cult following with his eccentric persona and impressive instrumental skills across nearly 30 studio albums. But just how long does the avant-garde axeman perform during his live concerts?
Typical Buckethead Set Length
Most Buckethead concerts run between 60-90 minutes which is on the shorter side for major touring acts. His shows feature the guitarist solo or with various backing bands like Bootsy Collins, Bryan “Brain” Mantia, and Dan Monti. The setlist usually includes both originals and covers spanning funk, metal, rock, bluegrass, and more.
Buckethead is focused on delivering a high-energy performance rather than endurance. In a 2012 interview he stated: “It’s about quality, not quantity. I see some bands that play for like four hours and it’s too much. Get off the stage.” His shows aim to entertain but not overwhelm the crowd.
Shortest Buckethead Shows
While an hour to an hour-and-a-half is standard, Buckethead has played shorter concerts on occasion. His briefest shows have run only 30-45 minutes when performing as an opening act or at festivals with limited set times:
- 30 minute show in 2012 opening for Guns N’ Roses
- 35 minute set at 2014 Strummer of Love festival
- 45 minutes at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival
He tends to pack as much content as possible into these shorter performances by removing longer experimental jams and solo segments. The focus becomes delivering shortened versions of his best-known songs.
Longest Buckethead Shows
Buckethead has been known to occasionally perform longer concerts exceeding the 90 minute mark when headlining his own tours or special events:
- 100 minute show during a 2005 tour with Extrakt
- 105 minutes at the 2002 Winter NAMM convention
- 115 minute set at a 2018 New Year’s Eve event
- 130 minutes during a 2003 co-headlining tour with Katatonia
These extended shows feature more improvisational solos, special collaborations, audience participation segments, and moments of comedic absurdist theater involving nunchucks and toys.
Factors Impacting Show Length
Several factors account for the variation in Buckethead concert durations:
Venue Requirements
The length of Buckethead’s set is sometimes contractually agreed upon with the venue ahead of time based on their scheduling needs. At festivals he is usually allotted 45-60 minutes. Clubs and theaters typically get 60-75 minute shows. His own solo headline concerts allow for greater flexibility up to 2+ hours.
Tour Lineup
Buckethead plays shorter sets when opening for major acts like Guns N’ Roses and Ozzy Osbourne. He extends the length when headlining or sharing equal billing on co-headlining tours.
Type of Performance
One-off events, conventions, and special concerts typically get longer 90+ minute sets compared to usual tour stops.
Energy Level
On rare occasions when feeling under the weather, Buckethead may cut the show short rather than deliver a compromised performance.
Audience Response
If the crowd is particularly enthusiastic, Buckethead is known to stretch out the set beyond its scheduled conclusion.
Songs Per Set
The number of individual songs performed during a Buckethead concert also varies significantly based on length:
Set Length | Average Songs Played |
---|---|
30 Minutes | 5-6 |
45 Minutes | 8-10 |
60 Minutes | 10-12 |
75 Minutes | 12-15 |
90+ Minutes | 15-20 |
Shorter opening sets focus on Buckethead’s most popular tracks and recognizable hits while longer concerts feature more deep cuts and rarities.
Setlist Variety
No two Buckethead setlists are ever exactly the same. He often changes up the selections from night to night to keep things fresh for fans who see multiple shows. Shorter sets have less flexibility than longer performances when it comes to song rotation.
However, certain classics and live staples tend to appear consistently:
- “Jordan”
- “Soothsayer”
- “For Mom”
- “Welcome to Bucketheadland”
- “Nottingham Lace”
Covers like “The Star Spangled Banner” and “Pure Imagination” also frequently work their way into sets along with improvised solos.
Typical Set Features
Along with the songs themselves, most Buckethead concerts share common features and segments:
Opening
Buckethead takes the stage quietly, says nothing, and immediately starts shredding a blistering guitar solo to kick off the show.
Toy Time
At some point during the concert, roadies deliver toys, chicken cutouts, and other bizarre items to the stage which Buckethead will playfully interact with while still performing music seamlessly.
Nunchaku Routine
Buckethead breaks out a pair of nunchucks which he will swing around clocking himself in the head while shredding on guitar and sometimes dancing.
Drum Solo
When touring with drummer Bryan “Brain” Mantia, Buckethead’s sets usually feature an extended drum solo.
Costume Change
Buckethead has been known to quickly switch masks mid-set before returning to finish out the show.
Encore
After concluding the main set, Buckethead immediately returns to the stage after a brief break for an encore of 1-2 songs without leaving any suspense.
Special Long Shows
Once in awhile Buckethead will perform an especially long concert well exceeding the normal length. A few that stand out:
5 hour show – Oslo, Norway 2003
While opening for the band Katatonia in Oslo, Norway, Buckethead played an epic 5 hour long set going until 2am. This remains the longest confirmed concert of his career. He flew through his own catalog, took audience requests, and covered everything from Disney songs to “Happy Birthday.”
315 song New Year’s Eve set – 2018
To celebrate New Year’s Eve 2018, Buckethead live streamed a special 4 hour set from his secret “Bucketheadland” location. He shredded through 315 songs in a display of astonishing stamina and performance art.
24 hour concert – 2005
In 2005, Buckethead claimed he once played a 24 hour concert at a secret underground location. Nothing else is known about this supposed performance which would be his longest ever if verified.
Conclusion
For an artist with such a massive catalog of original music and influences, Buckethead keeps his live shows relatively concise. Most concerts clock in between 60-90 adrenaline-filled minutes focused on delivering an intense performance rather than endurance. His eccentric persona thrives in shorter bursts leaving fans wanting more. However, Buckethead has been known to binge with occasional marathon all-night spectacles for the truly devoted.