Is there really a single, great set list?
Is there really a single, great set list?
I play in a few different bands here in Connecticut and we play a variety of clubs. Every time we get our set list tweaked to where it's just right, we'll play a different club and *POOF*! we find ourselves struggling to keep the audience enthused.
I don't like picking and choosing songs at random because, in one band our keyboard player also plays guitar, and I carry 3 guitars to the gig so I have the right sounds for the material we do.
We try to structure the set list in such a way that it's good for the crowd, but also divies up the vocals and keeps guitar changes to a minimum.
Is there an answer? Is there an ultimate set list?
I don't like picking and choosing songs at random because, in one band our keyboard player also plays guitar, and I carry 3 guitars to the gig so I have the right sounds for the material we do.
We try to structure the set list in such a way that it's good for the crowd, but also divies up the vocals and keeps guitar changes to a minimum.
Is there an answer? Is there an ultimate set list?
Happiness is a choice
- beatlefreak
- Senior Member
- Posts: 6160
- Joined: Wed Jun 14, 2006 5:45 am
- Contact:
I don't think there's any one, good set list. besides, you want to do different songs on different nights, so you don't get bored, the audience doesn't get bored, etc.
We try to do two to three good rockers to open each set - One right after the other, with no talking to the audience in between. We try to gauge the audience's general age group. If they're older, we do older classic rock. If they're younger, we'll do newer stuff. The first set is important. If you can grab the crowd's interest within the first half of the set, they'll likely stay for two or three.
We try to do two to three good rockers to open each set - One right after the other, with no talking to the audience in between. We try to gauge the audience's general age group. If they're older, we do older classic rock. If they're younger, we'll do newer stuff. The first set is important. If you can grab the crowd's interest within the first half of the set, they'll likely stay for two or three.
Ka is a wheel.
Our routine is to get to the club early and sit at a table and have a beer (used to be able to have a smoke, too, but that's all over in Denver now...), and get a feel for the vibe of the room and the crowd...then the drummer (my wife) makes out the set list on bar napkins (sorry...'serviettes' for you Brits)...don't know quite how she does it, but no two nights are the same, and it always goes over well.
It's all original material, though, which means a certain percentage of the crowd is hearing it for the first time. I suppose it is a bit trickier when playing covers that everyone's familiar with...you do have to be creative with the song order in that case...
But, seriously...Freebird???...bite me.
It's all original material, though, which means a certain percentage of the crowd is hearing it for the first time. I suppose it is a bit trickier when playing covers that everyone's familiar with...you do have to be creative with the song order in that case...
But, seriously...Freebird???...bite me.
I didn't get where I am today by being on time...
- atomic_punk
- Senior Member
- Posts: 5093
- Joined: Wed Sep 17, 2003 5:00 am
- Contact:
Learning how to read an audience is more important than your song list, most bands I play in don't use them, we wing it. Always play your best especially if the audience is small, always be professional whether there are 4 or 400 people in the club. Try to be a part of the audience, put yourself in their place and play accordingly. Never act bored even if you are.
Clapton once played a whole guitar solo with one hand whilst he ate a bunch of grapes with the other. I was there. He was bored stiff. But it was a great performance never the less.
Understanding the threshold of tolerance of your audience is key. You would not want to play "Rawhide" or "Tiptoe Through The Tulips" in a biker bar for example, not even as a joke.
Understanding the threshold of tolerance of your audience is key. You would not want to play "Rawhide" or "Tiptoe Through The Tulips" in a biker bar for example, not even as a joke.
“We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.” - Albert Einstein
"You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother" - Albert Einstein
"You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother" - Albert Einstein
We play Zeppelin, Sabbath, Deep Purple, Hendrix, Bowie... You can't really go wrong, then you can stick a few obscure numbers in. The audience are usually on your side by then, so you can get away with it. Plus we play the stuff WE like. That way we look like we're having a hell of a time...
We end with 'Born To Wild', a good showstopper...
Well we're making money anyway, so we must be doing something right!!!
We end with 'Born To Wild', a good showstopper...
Well we're making money anyway, so we must be doing something right!!!
What d'ya mean... the bass is TOO loud!