The Amway Center in Orlando, Florida is a popular venue that hosts many concerts and live events throughout the year. Concert-goers often wonder how long they can expect shows at the Amway Center to last. The length of concerts can vary greatly depending on the artist, the style of music, and other factors. In this article, we’ll take a look at some typical Amway Center concert durations and what goes into determining the length of a live show.
Typical concert length
Most concerts at the Amway Center last between 1.5-2.5 hours on average. Here’s a breakdown of typical show lengths by genre:
Genre | Average Concert Length |
---|---|
Pop | 1.5 hours |
Rock | 2 hours |
Rap/Hip Hop | 1.5 hours |
Country | 2 hours |
Jazz/Blues | 2 hours |
EDM/Dance | 2.5 hours |
As you can see, rock, country, jazz, and EDM concerts tend to run a bit longer on average than pop and rap/hip hop shows. However, there is a wide range – some acts might play for only 60-90 minutes, while big headliners could be on stage for 3 hours or more.
Factors that determine concert length
Several key factors go into determining the length of a concert:
- Artist reputation – Well-known headliners with lots of hit songs and albums tend to play longer shows.
- Tour type – An artist touring behind a new album will often play a longer setlist than festival shows or one-off concerts.
- Production – Big lights, visuals, costume changes etc. add to the event production and increase stage time.
- Opening acts – Some concerts have multiple opening artists which takes up time before the headliner hits the stage.
- Stage setup/breakdown – Bands with lots of equipment will need longer to set up and dismantle their gear.
The artist’s reputation and tour type are usually the biggest factors – a massive global star like Taylor Swift or Metallica will perform for 2.5-3 hours on their own headlining tour versus 60-90 minutes at a festival. Production elements also have a significant impact – pop stars like Katy Perry and P!nk put on elaborate spectacles that naturally require more stage time.
Case Studies of Recent Amway Center Concerts
To get an idea of real show lengths, let’s look at some recent concerts held at the Amway Center:
Alicia Keys – June 2022
R&B singer Alicia Keys played the Amway Center on her ALICIA tour in June 2022. This was an arena headlining concert in support of her new album.
Length: Approx. 2 hours
Alicia played for around 2 hours, covering hits from her 20+ year catalog along with some new songs. As an established headliner on her own tour, she put on an extensive show with costume changes and production elements.
Red Hot Chili Peppers – April 2022
The Red Hot Chili Peppers brought their Global Stadium Tour to the Amway Center in April 2022.
Length: 2 hours 15 minutes
As a legendary rock band headlining arenas, their setclocked in at just over 2 hours. They energized the crowd by mixing new songs from their 2022 album Unlimited Love with smash hits like “Californication,” “Under the Bridge,” and “Give It Away.”
Harry Styles – August 2022
Pop superstar Harry Styles performed at Amway Center in August 2022 for his blockbuster Love on Tour.
Length: 1 hour 45 minutes
Harry played for nearly 2 hours, primarily drawing from his latest chart-topping album Harry’s House. He also sang hits like “Sign of the Times” and “Adore You” from his 2017 self-titled debut. Given his massive popularity, he could have played for longer but kept the show tight and focused.
Average Set Times for Opening Acts
Most arena concerts have one or more opening acts to warm up the crowd before the headliner. How long do these supporting sets tend to be?
- Main opening act: 45-60 minutes
- Additional openers: 30-45 minutes each
So if there is just one opener, they’ll usually get 45-60 minutes on stage. With two openers, the second act normally plays 30-45 minutes. The main opener gets the longest set since they are the biggest draw as lead support.
Having short opening sets keeps the show moving and prevents the audience from getting bored waiting for the real headliner. While most fans are mainly there to see the main attraction, the openers still want enough time to play their hits and showcase their talents.
How Do Venue Curfews Impact Concert Length?
Most large venues have curfews that can affect how long a concert runs. At Amway Center, events generally must end by 11pm due to city noise regulations. As a result, an artist may cut their set or skip doing an encore if they are running near the curfew time.
Some ways curfews alter concert length:
- Headliner starts earlier – Skipping lengthy buildups and getting right into the show saves time.
- Shorter opening sets – Less time allotted to openers leaves maximum time for the main act.
- Fewer encore songs – Big names with lots of hit singles may cut back on encores to avoid penalties.
- Omitting covers/extended jams – Bands may axe non-original songs and jams to stay on schedule.
On rare occasions, huge performers with especially rowdy audiences like The Rolling Stones have incurred fines for breaking curfew. But most artists work closely with venues to stay within the mandated end time while still putting on a complete show.
11pm Curfew Impact Case Study – Elton John at Amway Center
When Elton John performed his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour at Amway Center in early 2022, his production team was cognizant of the venue’s 11pm curfew. Elton is known for playing marathon 2.5+ hour shows, so adjustments were required.
Here’s how the curfew affected his show:
- Started at 8pm sharp, skipping an opening act
- Performed a tightened 2 hour set packed with hits
- Returned for a quick 2 song encore to finish under curfew
While Elton has the stamina for very long performances, he worked strategically with Amway Center to deliver an abbreviated but still spectacular show that met the venue’s guidelines. Fans still got to hear classics like “Bennie and the Jets,” “Rocket Man,” and “Candle in the Wind” in under 2.5 hours total.
How Do Festivals and Tours Impact Concert Length?
Whether an artist is performing at a festival versus their own concert tour also impacts how long their set will be:
Festivals:
- Shorter sets – Usually 60-90 minutes
- Less production – Simpler stage setups
- Condensed song selection – Hits and new singles
- Earlier start times – Sets may begin before dark
Because there are many acts playing each day, festival sets tend to top out at around 75-90 minutes. There isn’t time for lots of extra stage elements or deep album cuts. Sets start early, sometimes shortly after doors open.
Headlining tours:
- Longer sets – Around 2-3 hours
- Bigger production – Pyrotechnics, videos, lighting
- Wider variety of songs – Hits, rare tracks, covers
- Later start times – Typically after dark
When an artist is headlining their own arena or stadium shows, they have the stage all to themselves. That allows for two or three hour sets with elaborate lighting/effects and a big assortment of songs beyond just top singles. Start times are also later, with the headliner hitting the stage around 9pm typically.
So essentially festivals prioritize concise, high-impact sets while tours feature fuller productions and more variety in the setlist.
How Have Concert Lengths Changed Historically?
If we look back several decades, concert set times and overall show lengths have grown considerably:
1960s/1970s:
- Average sets about 60-90 minutes
- Minimal lighting or effects
- Shorter songs, less extended jams
In the 60s and 70s, the average arena show was often just 60-90 minutes. Even huge names like The Rolling Stones kept it short and simple, plowing through hit after hit. Led Zeppelin began stretching their sets longer with extended improvisation.
1980s:
- Sets creeping up towards two hours
- More elaborate lighting and effects
- Advent of the arena rock spectacle
As rock bands embraced multimedia spectacle in the 80s, shows expanded to two hours or longer. Acts like Van Halen and Guns N’ Roses had big stage productions with lengthy guitar solos and drum showcases. MTV culture also created demands for more theatrical concerts.
1990s – Present:
- Superstar sets routinely 2.5 hours +
- Huge staging, pyrotechnics, and visuals
- Longer songs with more medleys/jams
In the last 25 years, rapid improvements in stage/lighting technology enabled even more elaborate live shows. Fans also crave an immersive experience from top grossing acts. It’s now commonplace for household names like Beyonce or U2 to perform 2.5 hour, highly-choreographed spectacles. Audiences have come to expect a long, visually-stunning show for the high ticket prices.
How Digital Streaming Concerts May Impact Length
With digital streaming becoming more prevalent, especially during the COVID pandemic, some predict concerts will get shorter:
- Better for shorter attention spans – Keep shows around 60-90 minutes ideal for streaming viewers.
- Less emphasis on spectacle – Streaming relies on music vs. effects.
- More eclectic setlists – Wider variety of songs since not just hits.
However, some believe the live concert experience will rebound harder than ever post-pandemic. Audiences still crave that visceral experience of seeing spectacular productions. Time will tell if streaming causes shows to be shorter and simpler or if the grandeur of arena spectacles continues.
Factors That Could Shorten Amway Center Concerts
We’ve covered why most Amway Center concerts run between 1.5-2.5 hours on average. However, there are some circumstances where shows at the venue could be shorter:
- Strict curfews – 11pm in Orlando limits very long shows.
- Logistical delays – Technical problems or traffic could force starting later.
- Health issues – Artist illness may result in dropping songs.
- Smaller acts – Up-and-coming performers with shorter sets.
- Special acoustic sets – Stripped-down shows focus on different vibe.
If Elton John got stuck in traffic and had to start an hour late, he’d probably cut his intended set down to stay within curfew. Similarly, if a developing act is used to 40 minute festival sets, they may top out around 60-75 minutes even in a big arena.
There are always unique exceptions, but most Amway Center headliners will deliver full-length shows barring any logistical issues arising.
Conclusion
In summary, typical concert lengths at Orlando’s Amway Center range from 1.5-2.5 hours. Exact durations depend on the artist’s stature, production elements, and tour type. Big names on their own headlining tours generally play at least two hours with expanded stage spectacles. Supporting acts usually get 45-60 minutes. Festival performances are shorter, around 60-90 minutes for most artists. While concert lengths have grown over the decades, streaming could initiate a return to shorter shows. Barring curfews, delays or health issues, most Amway Center headliners will still deliver full length concerts that give fans their money’s worth.