The upcoming Santana and Earth, Wind & Fire concert is sure to be an epic event for fans of these legendary artists. Musical icons Carlos Santana and Earth, Wind & Fire will be joining forces for a must-see show, playing hits spanning decades of music history. With a catalog of songs that includes classics like “Black Magic Woman,” “Evil Ways,” “Oye Como Va,” “September,” “Shining Star,” and “That’s the Way of the World,” this concert is going to be jam-packed with chart-topping tunes. Fans are eager to know just how long they can expect the show to last with these two powerhouse acts sharing a stage.
Santana Background
Carlos Santana is one of the most influential and celebrated guitarists in rock history. Since rising to fame in the late 1960s and early 1970s with his band Santana, he has become known for his sensual Latin-tinged sound that fuses rock, jazz, blues, salsa and other influences. Santana has won 10 Grammy Awards and 3 Latin Grammys over the course of his decades-spanning career. He has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as well as the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame. Some of his most iconic hits include “Oye Como Va,” “Black Magic Woman,” “Evil Ways,” “Smooth” and “Maria Maria.” Even after over 50 years in music, Santana continues to tour regularly and appeal to both longtime fans and newer generations.
Earth, Wind & Fire Background
Earth, Wind & Fire is one of the most successful funk and R&B groups of all time. Since forming in 1969, they’ve sold over 100 million records worldwide and charted over 20 Top 40 singles. Known for their dynamic live performances, Earth, Wind & Fire is led by founder Maurice White and features a full ensemble of backup singers, horn section and kalimba player. Their hits include “September,” “Shining Star,” “Let’s Groove,” “Fantasy,” “Boogie Wonderland,” “Sing a Song,” and “After the Love Has Gone.” Earth, Wind & Fire has earned 6 Grammy Awards and has been inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Vocal Group Hall of Fame. Even after White’s passing in 2016, the band continues touring with the blessing of his spirit.
Typical Set Lengths
To estimate the potential concert duration for Santana and Earth, Wind & Fire sharing the same billing, let’s look at the typical set lengths for each act:
Santana Set Lengths
As an iconic rock and blues artist with an extensive catalog of hits, Santana generally performs 90 minute to 2 hour long sets when headlining his own shows and touring solo.
Some examples of Santana’s typical set lengths:
- August 2021 at Blue Hills Bank Pavilion – 115 minute set
- July 2019 at Bethel Woods Center – 100 minute set
- June 2018 at PNC Music Pavilion – 120 minute set
This demonstrates Santana’s tendency to play robust, dynamic sets even later in his career. Fans can count on hearing at least an hour and a half of Santana’s blend of Latin rock, blues and jazz guitar wizardry.
Earth, Wind & Fire Set Lengths
As a 9-piece funk/soul band with dozens of beloved hits, Earth, Wind & Fire is known for delivering energetic, dance-filled shows. Their concerts typically run between 90 minutes to 2 hours in length.
Some examples of Earth, Wind & Fire’s typical set times:
- September 2022 at United Center – 100 minute set
- August 2022 at Blossom Music Center – 110 minute set
- March 2020 at Smoothie King Center – 120 minute set
Earth, Wind & Fire has proven their reputation as exceptional live performers by maintaining 2 hour sets packed with non-stop funky jams and soulful ballads. They always bring the party when they take the stage.
Projection for Santana & Earth, Wind & Fire Combined Concert
Given the information above about both acts’ typical set lengths as headliners, we can estimate the potential total concert duration when Santana and Earth, Wind & Fire share a bill together:
Option 1: Equal Sets
If Santana and Earth, Wind & Fire each play abbreviated sets of 60-75 minutes, the total concert could be:
- Santana set: 75 minutes
- Earth, Wind & Fire set: 75 minutes
- Total concert time: 150 minutes or 2 hours 30 minutes
This would allow each act to play 10-12 of their biggest hits in condensed sets.
Option 2: Santana Opening, Full Earth Wind & Fire Set
Another possibility is Santana plays an opening 60-90 minute set followed by a full 120 minute Earth, Wind & Fire headline set:
- Santana opening set: 90 minutes
- Earth, Wind & Fire full set: 120 minutes
- Total concert time: 210 minutes or 3 hours 30 minutes
This would give Earth, Wind & Fire room to really extend jams and improvise on stage.
Option 3: Full Sets from Both Acts
With the popularity of both groups, its conceivable they could each deliver full scale sets on a co-headlining tour:
- Santana full set: 120 minutes
- Earth, Wind & Fire full set: 120 minutes
- Total concert time: 240 minutes or 4 hours
While rare for such veterans, a 4 hour bonanza of Latin rock and funk would truly be incredible for devoted fans.
Factors Impacting Set Lengths
There are a few variables that could expand or reduce the total concert duration:
More Opening Acts
If the show features additional opening musicians before Santana and Earth, Wind & Fire take the stage, this will subtract time from their sets. For example, if there is a 60 minute opening DJ or band set, it reduces both headlining acts down to 60-90 minutes each.
Curfews
Venues often have strict curfews on concert end times due to local noise ordinances and transportation issues. A curfew could force the combined Santana and Earth, Wind & Fire sets to clock in under 3 hours total. They may have to truncate songs and improvised jams to finish on time.
Encore Demands
If audiences are going wild, they could compel Santana and Earth Wind & Fire to each return for multiple encore songs after their main sets. This tends to add 10-15 minutes onto concerts. Extreme crowd enthusiasm could extend the show by 20+ minutes.
Additional Guest Artists
There is always potential for special guest stars to sit in for certain songs during the show. This could include former band members, collaborators like John Mayer, or local musicians. Guest spots may lengthen the sets slightly beyond their planned duration.
Set List Playlist Expectations
Based on typical Santana and Earth, Wind & Fire set lists from recent tours, fans can expect to hear all of the acts’ definitive classic hits. Here are some of the most likely songs to be played:
Potential Santana Set List:
- “Evil Ways”
- “Black Magic Woman”
- “Oye Como Va”
- “Smooth”
- “Maria Maria”
- Guitar instrumentals like “Samba Pa Ti”
- “Jingo”
- “Soul Sacrifice”
Potential Earth, Wind & Fire Set List:
- “September”
- “Let’s Groove”
- “Shining Star”
- “Sing a Song”
- “Fantasy”
- “Boogie Wonderland”
- “Serpentine Fire”
- “After the Love Has Gone”
Beyond the main hits, the artists may swap out deeper album cuts or less-expected songs depending on the night. But audiences are guaranteed to hear all the classics they hope for when these two legendary funk and rock bands share the stage.
Conclusion
While the exact total concert duration remains flexible based on several factors, fans can likely expect a minimum of 2 and a half hours of music with the possibility of 3 to 4 full hours of Santana and Earth, Wind & Fire performing if they each play complete headline-length sets. The combination of Carlos Santana’s iconic Latin blues guitar and Earth, Wind & Fire’s infectious soulful funk will have audiences dancing all night no matter how long the show goes on. This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime pairing of two Hall of Fame caliber acts with decades of hits between them. Don’t miss out on what is guaranteed to be an unforgettable musical experience when Santana and Earth, Wind & Fire embark on their upcoming joint tour!