Musician Forum - Band Discussion Board - BandMix

hello- ive been playing guitar for about 15 years and have finally assembled a pretty good band. we have a song pool of around 150 songs. none of us really have any road experience and were planning on playing some clubs in the next few months. i was wonderin if anyone would give advice on set list length, tempo,etc. appreciate any help offered.
chad

preciatte the help. the lists ive manage to build for our last three shows have worked well, i was just wodering how many different ones to have. thanks fer tha help.

Hey man my only advice would be to use a different setlist for different venues. When we played bars a lot we would plan on playing what we would consider the finale around midnight, if the show was kicking ass and people were really into it we would drag it out and play the last couple of songs about 1:00AM (bars close at 2:00AM here). You wanna open hot and heavy for the good impression and then you wanna gradually take em to the pretty stuff and back up to the "i'm gonna rok ur face off" finale. You wanna finish when everyone is there not when there are 3 plastered doods yelling freebird lol.

Hi: I recommed 10 songs to a set, and 4 sets to a gig. Change your 4 sets each time you play...keep it fresh...worse thing is for the band to play the same old songs each time. Play a couple of rockin tunes to open, the easy back for 2 songs, then slow it down for some slow songs maybe 2 , then hammer out with some fast stuff. do this within each 10 song set. congrats on getting your band together and best of luck. Jon

Start and finish each set with the eight "best" songs you have. I put best in quotations because ultimately your audience will determine your best songs. What you and your band members think are your best songs may actually get a weaker crowd response than what you might think are your worst songs. Always be open-minded and make note which songs get the best response, and then gradually move them to the front and rear of each set. Weed out those songs that get little or no response, and constantly replace them with new material. Play as many songs as you can that all your band members like. Enthusiasm by band members has a magical way of rubbing off on the audience. If one or two of your band members can't stand a certain song, try and replace it. Johnnyrocker had great advice-worse thing is for the band to play the same old songs each time. However, if the same old song gets a great crowd response, keep the song in your repertoire and play it once in a while. Don't be afraid to experiment with an old song a bit, slow it down, speed it up, add a bridge where one doesn't exist, even change the lyrics a bit, maybe even write a parody (Weird Al style). Doing something odd or different once in a while usually pays off. Good luck-Fisherman Bob

Believe it or not, in all the years I have been playing live, I have not used premade set lists much... I like to read the crowd, I'd rather have song lists... If the crowd isn't into slow songs than rock the night away. If you're getting a better response playing one style stick with it... Change it for the next venue or maybe the next night, depending on the crowd. Some places I have played liked anything I did, some wanted to have their socks rocked off, and of course living in Fl there are places who love pretty and mellow ( mostly older people). Some want to dance... etc... If you're good at reading the crowd.. you'll know what to play. But varience is great as long as the crowd is into it. But if you go the way of no set list, make sure you have all your songs written down... so you're not stuck up there with dead air trying to think of what to play next... Been there, done that too... LOL... I know my approach might seem wierd to you, but what can I say... I'm a bit odd... But the crowds I have played to have all loved me... so far(knocking on wood)...