How Long Is System Of A Down Concert?

A System of a Down is an American rock band originating from Glendale, California and was formed in 1994. The band at the moment comprises of Serj Tankian in vocals and key board, Daron Malakian in vocals and guitar, Shavo Odadjian in bass and backing vocals, and John Dolmayan in drums. They are famous for their own style, which can be described as a mixture of elements of alternative metal, nu metal, and art rock.

One of the aspects System of a Down is applauded for is their stage presence, where they perform with enthusiasm. Their concerts are known for being aggressive, ear-piercing, and enthralling performances which can last for more than two hours. The vast majority of System of a Down tour setlists consist of more than 20 songs selected from all the studio albums, including the breakthrough Toxicity and Mezmerize, as well as the early, raw-sounding System of a Down albums and the latest ones.

Average duration of a System of a Down Concert

During their different tours in the past twenty years, an average of System of a Down show lasts from one hundred and five minutes to one hundred and thirty minutes, not including the opening acts and the encore. Usually, their shows can last up to two hours if they are booked for big performances during festivals and other related occasions.

Setlist and Songs Performed

System of a Down concert typically consists of about 20–22 songs, which are normally chosen from all their albums. They try to perform majority of their albums’ singles and popular songs such as Chop Suey, Toxicity, Aerials, B. Y. O. B. , Question, Lonely Day, Radio/Video, Hypnotize and others, besides other less popular songs. Some of the songs from their debut album that are occasionally performed are Sugar, Spiders, and War, among others.

As a general practice, their concerts tend to begin with high-energy performances of some of their most aggressive tracks. Such adrenaline-filled opening parts also epitomized their bizarre performances.

Slow-downs mid-set include emotional tracks such as Lonely Day, Lost in Hollywood, and Soldier Side. Whereas experimental jazz fusion-infused jams such as Vicinity of Obscenity provide reprieve, Mr. Jack provides.

Towards the climax, they perform their popular radio-friendly tracks, such as B.Y.O.B., Toxicity, Aerials, and Chop Suey, to pump up the audience. These songs are always included in their repertoire and are viewed as indispensable ‘greatest hits’ at the concert.

Stage Production

Although primarily offering highly charged live music shows, System of a Down gigs also include impressive and flashy light shows, fireworks, and lasers to complement the sound experience. Large screens, which show graphics and animations that are relevant to the theme of each of the tours, have been installed. Realistic paintings and sculptures are also depicted on the stage settings.

The band members also have peculiar styles in their dressing code and on-stage costumes and props. Serj Tankian in particular wears colorful garments such as robes and outfits, while Daron Malakian wears red hats and skeleton suit jackets. These wardrobe choices, along with wild hair and motions, only enhance their concert charisma.

Encores

As for the rest of the show, System of a Down are famous for performing several encores in succession during their long concerts. Despite the rowdiness resulting from the excessive energy of the performance, the band members look exhausted when they complete the main setlist of about 25 songs.

But five minutes later, they rush the stage with more energy and perform 3–4 more incredible songs that are popular with the audience, which craves for more. These last performances enable them to give magnificent closing notes instead of a low-key close to their shows!

Notable Concert Moments

Besides consistently delivering their lengthy songlists each performance, System of a Down has had several amazing performances in its career span. Some of them are their high-energy performance at the German concert Rock am Ring in 2005, where they performed on ‘B. Y. O. B. ’ and included pyrotechnics, and their concert in 2006 at the Roskilde Festival on the Orange Stage before 80000 spectators. That show also featured the first live performance of songs from their ‘Hypnotize’ album that were yet to be released at the time.

At the Ozzfest 2003 event, the band sparked controversy and scandal when Serj Tankian shouted ‘Justice for the Armenian Genocide’ before performing the song ‘War’. This was a political statement on the refusal of Turkey to recognize the holocaust of Armenians between 1915 and 1923. This event was covered by many news outlets because Ozzfest organisers threatened to remove System of a Down unless they apologized, which they did not.

In conclusion, System of a Down’s thrilling live shows are always up to par with fans’ high standards and are essentially frenzied performances by the four musicians on stage; they are nothing short of a release of energy. Whether it is the choice of songs, stage performance, or the entire concert production of the 100–130 minute shows, audiences are left wanting for more of these Grammy-honored and beloved alt-metal heroes.