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Seagull Posted 11 years ago
Grammar

jammed away a half-hour into a set

The vibe in the Bataclan concert hall was hot, steamy and electric as the California rock band Eagles of Death Metal jammed away a half-hour into a set. Revelers slam-danced to the hard rock, and bodies glistened with sweat. Suddenly, the drum beats gave way to a different kind of rat-a-tat-tat-tat, and flashing stage lights met with glints from automatic rifle barrels.

This passage is from a newspaper article distributed by the Associated Press. In it, I don't quite understand what the part "jammed away a half-hour into a set" means. Could you please put it into words that is easier to understand?
  

Top answer

seagull set A grouping of musical numbers (separated from other sets by a break). The Merriam-Webster dictionary has "a session of music (as jazz or dance music) usually followed by an intermission; also : the music played at one session" seagull jam To get together with people to play music. Guitarist: Hey, you wanna get together and jam this weekend.

— CalifJim

  • seagull set A grouping of musical numbers (separated from other sets by a break).
  • The Merriam-Webster dictionary has "a session of music (as jazz or dance music) usually followed by an intermission; also : the music played at one session" seagull jam To get together with people to play music.
  • Guitarist: Hey, you wanna get together and jam this weekend.
  • Drummer: Let's do it.
  • (Urban Dictionary) In this specific case, jammed away ~ played ( music ) enthusiastically CJ
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5 Answers
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seagullset
A grouping of musical numbers (separated from other sets by a break).

The Merriam-Webster dictionary has
"a session of music (as jazz or dance music) usually followed by an intermission; also : the music played at one session"
seagulljam
To get together with people to play music.
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Thank you so much indeed, CalifJim.
So in easy English, its general meaning is: (The band) kept playing music enthusiastically for 30 minutes without break.
Is that right?
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CJ, why do you think the author used 'into a set' rather than 'into the set'? Normally, a band can play only one set at a concert (including possibly multiple encores)
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IvanhrCJ, why do you think the author used 'into a set' rather than 'into the set'?
I think it's because it was not necessary for the author to identify the set in any particular way. The story did not require any references to any specific musical numbers that the band played.
IvanhrNormally, a band can play only one set at a concert
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CalifJimHmm. Isn't there usually at least one intermission?
Now that you say it, I remember Yo La Tengo having two sets (one intermission) but most shows I've been to had only one.

Thank you
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