The length of a Straight No Chaser performance can vary depending on the specific show. Straight No Chaser is an American a cappella group that was originally formed in 1996 at Indiana University. Since reuniting in 2007, they have toured extensively and released several albums. Their shows typically consist of their own arrangements of popular songs and holiday tunes.
Typical Straight No Chaser Show Length
Most Straight No Chaser concerts last around 90 minutes to 2 hours including an intermission. This allows them to perform 15-25 songs in a show. Some of their past tours have had the following approximate lengths:
- The Speakeasy Tour (2021) – 90 minutes
- The Open Bar Tour (2018/2019) – 120 minutes
- The New Old Fashioned Tour (2015) – 120 minutes
Of course, exact show lengths can vary from night to night depending on the venue, audience reaction, and encore demands. The group aims to perform a well-rounded set that showcases their a cappella skills and provides a mix of holiday favorites, timeless pop hits, and old barbershop standards.
Factors Affecting Show Length
There are several factors that can influence the total length of a Straight No Chaser performance:
- Venue Size: Larger outdoor amphitheaters and arenas will warrant a longer show than smaller intimate theaters.
- Tour Type: Headlining shows are typically longer than festival appearances or support slots.
- Holiday Tours: Their popular holiday tours tend to include more songs and last longer.
- Encores: Audience enthusiasm can add songs to the setlist if the group is called back for multiple encores.
- New Material: When touring behind a new album release, extra time may be needed to showcase the new songs.
While Straight No Chaser aims to perform a full 90+ minute show on their headlining tours, they will adjust set lengths as needed based on the show circumstances.
Setlist Structure
Straight No Chaser concerts typically follow this general setlist structure:
Set Section | Details | Example Songs |
---|---|---|
Opening/Uptempo Songs | High energy songs to kick off the show | “The 12 Days of Christmas,” “Proud Mary” |
Mix of Styles | Old standards, pop hits, holiday songs, etc. | “Hello,” “End of the Road,” “Carol of the Bells” |
Slower Songs | Quieter ballads and emotional songs | “You’ve Got a Friend in Me,” “Auld Lang Syne” |
Comedic Songs | Humorous songs and skits | “Meant to Live,” “Commercial Medley” |
Big Finishes | Uptempo fan favorites to close main set | “25 or 6 to 4,” “Don’t Stop Believin'” |
Encore(s) | Additional songs based on audience applause | “O Holy Night,” “You Are the Best Thing” |
This formula allows them to take the audience on a journey and end on a high note. The encore gives them a chance to please the crowd with additional hits or holiday must-haves.
Notable Length Variations
While most Straight No Chaser concerts fit the typical 90-120 minute runtime, there are a few exceptions where the shows were significantly shorter or longer:
- Holiday Inns Tour (2021): These were 30-45 minute stripped down performances at Holiday Inn hotels to promote their partnership.
- PBS Specials: Their televised PBS concert specials are edited down to 60-90 minute broadcasts.
- Symphony Shows: When performing with local orchestras, the sets often run longer to allow for symphony solos.
- One Shot Tour (2016): To celebrate their 20th anniversary, this tour had marathon shows running 2.5-3 hours with full album performances.
So while 90-120 minutes is standard, Straight No Chaser is flexible with their show lengths depending on the circumstances.
Songs Per Concert
Since each Straight No Chaser song lasts approximately 3-5 minutes, their typical setlist includes 15-25 songs total. Some songs may be shortened or combined into medleys as well. Holiday tours tend to be on the longer side since they can incorporate both holiday songs and pop hits. Examples of the number of songs performed include:
- The Speakeasy Tour (2021) – 17 songs
- One Shot Tour (2016) – 36 songs
- Holiday Tour (2018) – 22 songs
With 10 members and no lead singer, they also aim to showcase each performer throughout the show in various solos and duets. This further dictates how many songs they can comfortably fit in the setlist length.
Conclusion
In summary, most Straight No Chaser concerts run between 90-120 minutes including a 15-25 song setlist. Exact show lengths can vary based on the tour type, venue, new material, and audience enthusiasm demanding encores. Their shows are carefully constructed to take audiences through a range of styles and tempos before ending on a high note. While show lengths may fluctuate, fans can always expect a full night of amazing a cappella vocals and entertaining performances from Straight No Chaser.