Rock Orchestra by Candlelight is a classical music concert experience featuring a live rock band and orchestra performing well-known rock and pop songs with orchestral arrangements. The show’s length can vary depending on the specific production, number of songs performed, and whether there is an intermission. In general, Rock Orchestra by Candlelight concerts tend to run between 90 minutes to 2 hours including a 15-20 minute intermission.
Typical Length of Rock Orchestra by Candlelight Concerts
With Intermission
Most Rock Orchestra by Candlelight productions are between 90 minutes to 2 hours long including a 15-20 minute intermission. This allows for 7-12 songs to be performed, depending on the arrangements. Some example concert lengths:
- 90 minutes (60 minute first half + 30 minute second half)
- 105 minutes (65 minute first half + 40 minute second half)
- 120 minutes (75 minute first half + 45 minute second half)
An intermission gives the orchestra and audience a short break halfway through the show. Soft background music is sometimes played during the intermission.
Without Intermission
Some Rock Orchestra by Candlelight concerts run straight through without an intermission. These shows tend to be on the shorter side, in the 90-100 minute range. Removing the intermission allows for 2-3 additional songs to be added to the setlist.
Setlist Length and Number of Songs Performed
The length of a Rock Orchestra by Candlelight show largely depends on the number of songs in the setlist and the length of each orchestral arrangement. Most setlists contain between 7-12 songs which are each arranged for rock band and orchestra.
Here are some example setlist song lengths:
- Shorter Arrangement: 4-6 minutes per song
- Average Arrangement: 6-8 minutes per song
- Longer Epic Arrangement: 8-12 minutes per song
With a typical setlist of 8-10 songs, show lengths usually land in the 90 minute to 2 hour range. Short 4 minute arrangements can allow for 12 songs in under 2 hours. Longer 10 minute epic arrangements may limit a concert to just 7-8 songs.
The pacing, sequencing, and variety of the songs is also an important factor when curating a captivating Rock Orchestra by Candlelight setlist.
Venue Size and Acoustics
The specifics of the concert hall or venue can also impact the length and flow of the show. Larger venues with a capacity of 2,000+ people will build in longer intervals between songs for applause and audience reaction. Smaller intimate venues with great acoustics tend to feature more continuous music with less gaps between songs.
Outdoor venues and arenas may also require adjusted arrangements and amplification that lengthen the songs. The venue’s acoustics, lighting, and seating are key considerations when adapting a Rock Orchestra show.
Location and City Curfews
The city or location where the performance takes place is another factor in show length. Certain cities enforce strict noise curfews which require concerts to end by a specific time. This may necessitate a shorter setlist or earlier start time.
Outdoor summer concerts also have to contend with sunset times and noise regulations that can impact show length. Locations with earlier curfews tend to host shorter Rock Orchestra concerts without an intermission.
Average Rock Orchestra by Candlelight Setlist Breakdown
Here is an example setlist with average song lengths and show length for a typical Rock Orchestra by Candlelight concert with an intermission:
Song | Length |
---|---|
Bohemian Rhapsody (Queen) | 8 minutes |
Smells Like Teen Spirit (Nirvana) | 5 minutes |
Smooth Criminal (Michael Jackson) | 6 minutes |
Imagine (John Lennon) | 4 minutes |
Nothing Else Matters (Metallica) | 7 minutes |
Intermission | 15 minutes |
Kashmir (Led Zeppelin) | 8 minutes |
Welcome to the Jungle (Guns N’ Roses) | 5 minutes |
With or Without You (U2) | 5 minutes |
Sweet Child O’ Mine (Guns N’ Roses) | 6 minutes |
Total Show Length: | 120 minutes (2 hours) |
As this example demonstrates, an average 10 song setlist with 6-8 minute arrangements and a 15 minute intermission will deliver a full 2 hour Rock Orchestra by Candlelight concert experience.
Encore Songs
Many Rock Orchestra shows will end the main setlist with an upbeat or well-known anthem song to get the crowd excited. After briefly leaving the stage, the performers will then return for a 1-3 song encore.
Some common Rock Orchestra encore songs are:
- Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Pink Floyd)
- Layla (Eric Clapton)
- Let It Be (The Beatles)
- Paradise City (Guns N’ Roses)
Factoring in a 2-3 song encore of 4-6 minutes each can extend the total concert an additional 10-15 minutes beyond the main setlist length.
Opening Acts
Some Rock Orchestra concerts may also include an opening act which performs a 30-45 minute set before the headliner. The opening act is commonly a solo singer-songwriter, smaller band, comedian, or local musician. They warm up the audience before the main Rock Orchestra production.
If an opening act performs, it can add an additional 30-60 minutes to the total concert experience. Most Rock Orchestra shows however do not have an opening act and only feature the orchestral main event.
Conclusion
In summary, a typical Rock Orchestra by Candlelight concert runs between 90 minutes to 2 hours including a 15-20 minute intermission. This allows time for 7-12 orchestral arrangements of popular rock songs to be performed. Exact show lengths can vary based on the setlist, venue, location, and use of an opening act or encore. But the immersive Rock Orchestra experience consistently offers fans a night of powerful live orchestrations of rock’s greatest hits.