My longest gig ever, 12 hours straight.

I sang and played my longest performance ever, for almost 12 hours straight.
Let me tell you the story of my longest singing and playing performance ever, in 22 years of playing.
I became ‘the 12 hour party singer’
I got a late notice call on a Sunday, late about 9pm, from my favourite client who books me for private parties for him and his mates from time to time.
“TIMMY……..mate, can you be at my joint asap for a party, got some friends coming over”.
I never say no to his parties because they’re always a really great gig and a really great night.
I drove the 30 mins across town. I arrived before any guests were there, his friend let me in and I set up.
The host arrived with a few friends around 11.30pm ish.
I started at around midnight doing my usual first set easy going tunes to get a feel for the night and see how they all responded.
More people arrived as they night got later and later, the dining area and lounge were slowly filling up.
Drinks were flowing. Some people began dancing.
More people arrived.
I was about to play my longest gig ever, 12 hours straight.
I’ll sleep when I’m dead theory
So I usually do private gigs in 3 hour blocks, that’s how I charge.
Many many times if the party is rocking and the client is a mad party hound who just wants to keep on going, they extend the time.
My previous record was an extension of hours by the hour until 6am.
That was another private house party that was about 9 hours long.
Some party people don’t consider sleep necessary. The live for the moment and subscribe to the “I’ll sleep when i’m dead” theory.
You are probably wondering about material and songs and are curious as to my stamina and even why I do this?
Yes after 22 years of playing – that’s approx 3900 gigs over 9 countries, I can play for 10-15 hours without repeating a song – I have a lot of songs.
Of course I have 20 min breaks. 40 mins on 20 mins off in public venues – but with parties I do something similar but more flexible as to what suits the vibe and mood.
Why do it do it – its my job and I like there money. Note – if they don’t accept my terms for extra time I don’t do it.
The key is – it has to be worth it for me.
Do I get tired playing for nearly 12 hours – sure – but it’s WORTH it!
Biggest performance fee ever in 22 years.
So at 3am I checked with the host – “ok what are we gonna do mate – shall I do a few more songs then pack up”?
The host looked at me blankly, leaned back and said….“are you very entrepreneurial”?
I said “huh”?
He calmly repeated his question. I said ….“um yeah sometimes, why”?
He asked how much to keep playing until 6am!
I simply doubled my initial fee and told him – he – instantly slapped his hands together and yelled – DONE!
So I’d just doubled my fee, I was pretty happy.
I was well on my to playing my longest gig ever, 12 hours straight.
Now the rest of the night was a combination of me playing live and the host and guests doing Karaoke. What I mean is, them singing with my mic over Spotify tunes.
If you’re a party host or live singer and are doing private parties you’ll know people LOVE doing this. I don’t promote it but if they ask I set it up and I then become the spotify operator and they love it.
Everyone has their favourite songs to sing and to impress your mates is the goal.
So many hours followed of Spotify Karaoke and me playing live, alternating until 6am rolled around.
We repeated the gig the following week, the 12 hour party singer was back.
Well it was about 5.45am, I re checked with the host as 6am was approaching.
I asked him mid dance floor as he was rocking out with his friends to while I was playing live, “ok so another 15mins then we’re done”?
Actually I announced over the mic , mid song the shatteringly disappointing news that we had 15 minutes then we’re done folks, let’s make the most of the last 15 minutes.
The host lurched towards me holding up a few fingers to indicate the figure he wanted to communicate to me.
He didn’t miss a beat on the dane floor and basically said “double it again…….play until midday”!
Another 6 hours now – just like that just got added.
I kind of resisted for a second – then said ok LETS GO!
I took a break then we repeated the live sets / Spotify Karaoke until it was 11.30am and there were about 4 people left.
Yes I was tired on the drive home, but also ecstatic at what I’d just achieved time and fee wise.
And the next week he called me up and we did it again till 6am, then again and again several more times till 3-6am.
And we continue to do it up to the present time.
1 of these 6-10 hour gigs pays 5 times what a hotel or club gig pays for only 2 times the playing.
This gig also pays double what a wedding gig pays in half the time spent.
I never intended to be playing my longest gig ever, 12 hours straight, it just happened.
I love my job.
Hit me up if you want to party for 12 hours, I’ll be there….I’m the 12 hour party singer.