Well you have played them now! Agree, though, that learning songs onstage at a show is not a reliable route to take. Glad to hear it was a good gig despite the changes to the set list.

The Grateful Dead did one summer tour with Bob Dylan in 1987. The Dead were Dylan's backing band and also played their own set. They rehearsed quite a bit with Bob and had a large list of songs to draw from for the tour. Dylan being Dylan called a song they had not rehearsed as the opening song of the tour...  he was notorious for telling his bands they were about to play one song and then starting a different one. Sometimes you just have to roll with what is happening...

This happens on jazz gigs a lot.  There are so many tunes to close from and people just call out tunes.  You have to flip the charts and go with it!  Adds some spontaneity and creativity to the situation 😊

Next gig on Saturday with  Chris Rea tribute band. Had a few rehearsals and this will be my first gig with them. There last few gigs they had Syvin Marc who was Chris Rea's bass player for about 24 years. Big boots to fill.
https://www.rea-loaded.com/shows

Next gig.

Gig went really well, apparently the venue holds 220 people and there were 150 in the theatre. By the second half we had people dancing in the aisles which I was surprised considering the music. At the end of the gig I had about 6 people ask to take a selfie with me. I guess it's because the band leader mentioned me being a former member of a famous Reggae band. Ha.

Next gig with this band 5th September.
https://www.theflowingspringpub.co.uk/whatson#realoaded

Interesting looking place.  Have you played there before?

No, however, i went to one of their gigs there earlier this year before joining the band. It's a nice friendly pub out in the sticks with a good live music scene centred there.

They had Chris Rea's long time bass player (of 20 yrs) Sylvan Marc, on bass. 
https://sylvinmarc.com