Get me to the concert at the right time!

March 2, 2010 4:09 PM

I have tickets to Flogging Molly tonight at Hammerstein Ballroom in NYC. Work is killing me, and I probably only have an hour and a half (including a half hour of travel time - 15 min to, 15 min from) to slip away for the concert. Doors were at 6 and the tickets say the concert is at 7. What time do you think I should I arrive if I want to avoid any dead time and get a good solid hour of the band? I don't care about any opening act and I don't mind missing the beginning or the end of the set - the goal is to avoid any time just standing around waiting.
posted by slide to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (13 answers total)

Best answer: There seems to be only one opening band (Dub Trio). My personal rule of thumb is ~60 mins for each band, give or take 15 mins. I'll bet Flogging Molly come on at between 7:45-8:30. However, the last time I was at a show in Hammerstein (about 10 years ago) it took the bands ages to set up. But then again I'll bet that Flogging Molly have a less complicated set than, um, Orgy.
posted by griphus at 4:17 PM on March 2, 2010

What griphus said. If music starts at 7 on the ticket, figure 7:15-7:30 + an hour of show + another 20 minutes for stage change. They'll start at 8:45-9:00 I'd say.
posted by nitsuj at 4:21 PM on March 2, 2010

If you want a solid hour of music, I wouldn't get there until 9 or 9:30.
posted by kimdog at 4:26 PM on March 2, 2010

Response by poster: Thanks - I think that tells me what I need to know. I wasn't able to figure out how many opening acts there were (if any). The last show I saw at Hammerstein was the Pet Shop Boys and if I recall correctly there was no opening act.
posted by slide at 4:26 PM on March 2, 2010

Call the venue. They'll have a schedule. The bands will run 15 to 30 minutes behind it, whatever it is.
posted by PercussivePaul at 4:36 PM on March 2, 2010 [1 favorite]

Dub Trio can be a lot of fun, and may relax you (for the excitement of Flogging Molly, which is an odd pairing). If you can manage more away time, it could be enjoyable. If not, enjoy what you can.
posted by filthy light thief at 4:43 PM on March 2, 2010

I was going to say almost exactly what PercussivePaul said (call the day of the show, come twenty minutes after the set is *supposed* to start). But, really, you should listen to lakerk!
posted by Bigfoot Mandala at 5:01 PM on March 2, 2010

According to the livenation site, there are two opening acts, The Architects and then Frank Turner. Which would push Flogging Molly back even more.

I would definitely call the venue if you can and get the schedule and then show up half an hour after they say Flogging Molly are supposed to go on. My guess is that won't be until like 10pm.


not that i want to openly tell a stranger to blow off work, but really if work is too much right now, please consider the benefits of 2 full hours of rockin out
posted by dogwalker at 5:31 PM on March 2, 2010

According to the livenation site, there are two opening acts, The Architects and then Frank Turner.

...whoops. Sorry slide.
posted by griphus at 7:04 PM on March 2, 2010

Response by poster: Amazing show! Totally worth the fact that for the fifth straight night in a row I'll get 4 hours of sleep. For what it's worth, I got there at 9:30 and the band was already on and I left at 10:30 right after they played their last song pre-encore. Don't think I've ever seen a more energetic crowd. On the other hand, never saw Orgy in concert.

All right, back to work. Thanks all!
posted by slide at 8:14 PM on March 2, 2010

I so wish I'd caught this question earlier - I'd have urged you (with possible threats involved) to catch Frank Turner. He is completely amazing and would have been well worth your time. I've seen/photographed him live several times (including four on the current Flogging Molly tour) and it is always an amazing show - he's a total badass.

Glad you enjoyed FM, though! :D
posted by mewithoutyou at 11:03 PM on March 2, 2010

Response by poster: On the off chance that anyone checks back, does anyone know where I can find a set list for last night's concert? Are there websites that post set lists for concerts fairly quickly after the fact (before my memory of my favorites fade)?
posted by slide at 9:54 AM on March 3, 2010

It's not there yet, but you might check setlist.fm.
posted by mewithoutyou at 10:50 AM on March 3, 2010