Write a set list of songs that inspires Your audience
Writing a Set List of Songs That Inspire Your Audience
by Sam de la Haye
As a performer, one of the most important aspects of your performance is the setlist.
A set list is a collection of songs that every performer creates either before she performs or during the performance. For example, you may see an artist singing for 45 minutes, then take a 30-minute break and then sing for a further 45 minutes. This would be 2x 45-minute sets.
But how do you go about creating a set list that will keep your audience engaged and inspired?
📢CONFESSION!! : When I first started performing I made tons of mistakes and my first mistake was writing a list of songs that I loved including my own! BIG BIG Mistake.
You see I love singer-songwriters that most people have not even heard of! And I would sing my heart out for three or four songs, look up at the audience and they would be totally ignoring me!
Why?
Because an audience engages best with music they know!
Imagine this!!! The audience's energy swell as you play each song and your fingers dance across the keys! Allowing yourself to be swept away by their applause, cheers, and admiration. A great set list will turn your performance into pure magic!
In this blog, I’m going to share some tips and tricks with you about how to win an audience over so that you can walk away knowing exactly how to craft an effective setlist.
The answer lies in understanding the flow and energy of the music.
Know Your Audience and Genre
When creating your set list, it’s important to think about who your audience is and what genre of music they like. Knowing this information will help you decide which songs to include and which ones to leave out.
For example, if your audience is mainly comprised of rock fans, then including some softer acoustic-based material may not be the best idea. However, if you’re performing for an eclectic crowd, then you can go ahead and mix it up with a variety of genres and styles.
In my experience, the older generation - I'm talking 75+ loves a Love song!!! In fact, you could sing them a whole set of love songs - But in a rowdy pub? No chance! You will bomb! I had to learn the hard way.
Ouch!
That's why you have to be flexible and have way more songs than you need!
Be Flexible With Your Set List
This is so important… Each night you play, the mood will change, Depending on the weather, the age of your audience how much they have had to drink etc. Learning to read the room is a skill that takes time to develop and there are no shortcuts, but if you have flexibility with your set list you will stand a much better chance of winning your audience over.
Make sure to leave space in between songs where you can improvise or move around different sections of material if needed. Have a few stories up your sleeve so you can talk in between sets. This is a great way of engaging an audience and enrolling them into your world, even if you don’t have the repertoire they were hoping for.
It also means having an alternate plan in case something goes wrong or if someone requests a particular song at the last minute. Being ready for anything is essential when crafting a great setlist!
Think About Flow & Energy
Finally, when crafting your setlist, think about flow and energy – two very important elements that can really make or break a show!
If I’m doing more than a one-hour show I tend to start with a slow easy listening song.
One it allows me to warm up my voice, But also you need to warm up an audience. Imagine it's like a train leaving the station. In that song, engage with them, look at them and see if they like the pace or not! If you feel they are restless then Increase the pace in your next song to a mid-paced song - but be careful not to peak too early!
It's important to include peaks and valleys throughout your performance – this will keep people engaged and interested in what comes next! If you are playing mainly original material it's always wise to include several covers that are well-known by your audience – these can often be great icebreakers (or surprise endings!) depending on where they fit within your overall setlist structure. And the audience will love how you have made them your own!
Crafting an effective setlist takes time, you have to gig it! Get the feedback from the audience and note the songs that went down well, then go out again and see what works. The most valuable lessons are learnt from experience on the job!
I know with these tips in mind, you'll be well on your way to writing one that will inspire both you and your audience alike!
Remember - focus on flow and energy, know who you're playing for, and always have an alternate plan just in case something unexpected happens during the show. Following these simple steps will ensure that each performance is unique - no matter how many times you've played it before! Good luck out there - we can't wait to hear what you come up with!
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