How do you tell a begging audience that you literally have to stop playing?

[tonejunky]

"Due to unfortunate legal circumstances, I can no longer be transported to a place of ecstasy by your jovial admiration and appreciation of my talents."

[pir8matt]

Blame it on the man and move on!

[StonieSlagg]

Say "thank you."
Say "goodnight."
Turn off your amp and walk off the stage...

[Seegs]

Originally Posted by 21stcenturykid

Thanks for talking sense. I'll definitely be trying this next time. I'm still a relative beginner at the whole front man thing (only been doing it 18 months) so anything like this is very useful advice!


and to all others, the thread title is not intended to sound obnoxious or big headed, apologies if it came across like that.

It didn't/wasn't...no need to apologize...it was fine...some folk's bands just don't get asked for encores so they are jealous

Chow,
Seegs

[Dr. Tweedbucket]

It's so simple!

You just smash all the equipment up during the last song, throw it in a pile and light it on fire! You don't need to say anything, they'll understand it was your last song!

[2HBStrat]

Turn the house lights on.

[Madison]

Originally Posted by 21stcenturykid

So consequently it was just a case of "we are very sorry but we just cannot play another song for you, as much as we'd love to, the venue won't allow it. we hope you've had a wonderful evening, blah blah blah etc etc etc"

Is there any more I can say to make it easier or is what I've said all I can do?

Go with the above and walk to the side of the stage for a couple minutes. After all the lighters are up and shining brightly, walk back over to the mic and say, "Folks, folks....please. We REALLY have to leave you now, it hurts...it really does. But there are laws, and we are not law breakers. We are rockers and will live to rock you once again. We'll be at Mulligan's bar next Wednesday at 10:00, no cover, hope to see you there, peace & out!"

[marko]

its the fault of the wedding planner not seeing this cut-off. they could have used a more flexible venue.

i was at a wedding party this weekend where there was no cut-off of time, drinks or girls... no live bands were involved though

[stratzrus]

Make this your last song...

[wrong_note_rod]

"Thank you folks, but, the longer we stay here, the more likely you are to be pulled over by the fine police force of Dekalb County... and they'd just LOVE to give you that breathalyzer test".

In one club, that was a virtual certainty. Police cars were stationed at the end of the strip mall parking lot.

[pickaguitar]

Originally Posted by 21stcenturykid

So twice in the past week we've had a wedding gig where theres been an 11:30pm curfew on live music due to planning restrictions. Both times we've been asked to play multiple encores (started them at 11:15 anyway) but by the time we've done 3 encores, we literally have to stop or the venue could be fined. Also it was a 2.5 hour drive home and we were shattered.

So consequently it was just a case of "we are very sorry but we just cannot play another song for you, as much as we'd love to, the venue won't allow it. we hope you've had a wonderful evening, blah blah blah etc etc etc"

Even after doing that we still sort of got jeered by the really drunk ones of the party wanting more, which doesn't feel particularly good tbh after just playing a great set that they all loved.

Is there any more I can say to make it easier or is what I've said all I can do?

just cut them off and move on...everything has to end sometime