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- Table of Contents: • Your set list should not be one-size-fits-all • Open strong • Consider your vocalist (s) and soloists • Split the set into segments • Vary the tempo • Combine songs with alternate tunings • Avoid playing songs with similar structures or keys back to back • Determine which songs can flow into one another • End big • Have something left in the tank • Write your set list out • Be flexible • Learn from your past
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This place is great at criticizing lists, let's see how good it is a CREATING a great cover band set list. Please add one or two (or more) songs that you think belong on a great set list for a cover band who wants people to dance, bar owners to be happy and desires consistent work.
- Livin’ On a Prayer – Bon Jovi. There are a handful of songs that just had to feature on this list. ‘Livin’ On A Prayer’ is one of those songs that almost every wedding and covers band will have on their song list!
- Hold Back The River – James Bay. ‘Hold Back The River’ is a firm favourite for wedding bands to perform. James Bay is super smooth and his songs very popular and often requested by couples for their weddings.
- Go Your Own Way - Fleetwood Mac. A masterpiece of a song with such a powerful melody, ‘Go Your Own Way’ can be seen across many wedding band set lists and is one of the most covered songs we found!
- Get Lucky – Daft Punk ft. Pharell Williams. Simply put, Daft Punk are cool. This song featuring both Pharell Williams and Nile Rodgers is one of their biggest hits, making it a perfect song to cover for a wedding band.
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- Know Exactly How Much Time You Have. 20 minutes is very different to 60 minutes when it comes to structuring a set list. The first thing you need to know is, how long are you going to be on stage?
- Your First Song Is The Most Important. One of the biggest mistakes I see bands and musicians making in their set list creation is leaving their biggest and best song near the end of the night.
- Switch Up Tempos & Energy. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a hardcore metal band or an acoustic singer-songwriter, nobody wants to go to a gig and listen to the same tired mid-tempo feel every song.
- End Your Set List With A Bang. Next to your set opener, the second most important is your outro song. It’s the lasting impression you leave with your audience and hopefully, one that will leave them wanting more.
- Know Your Audience. Understanding your audience is essential when planning your setlist. Are they die-hard fans, or are they just discovering your music?
- Start and End Strong. A strong beginning and ending are crucial elements of successful setlists for bands. Choose songs that have a catchy hook or a memorable chorus, and leave a lasting impression on your audience.
- Mix It Up. A well-rounded setlist should include a variety of songs that showcase your band’s versatility. This means incorporating a mix of upbeat tunes, slower ballads, and even a cover or two.
- Create a Natural Flow. Your setlist should flow seamlessly from one song to the next. This means considering the tempo, key, and mood of each song and how they transition into each other.
- What Is A Set List?
- Begin with A Bang
- Have The Energy of Your Songs Form “An Arc”
- Leave Room For Improvisation
- Ensure That Your Set List Flows
- End with A Showstopper
- General Tips
If you are new to performing live, a set list is simply a list of what songs you would like to play, and in what order. While that is its simplest form, putting together a great set list that really works can be a bit of an art form in itself. John Mayer’s setlist for April 7th 2017 at Wells Fargo Centre, Philidelphia PA. Photo Credit: Daniel Prako...
First impressions are extremely important and the first song on your set list should give the audience an overall impression of your bands sound – a real “statement of intent”. However, before you even get to the first tune, there are a couple of tricks you can use to kickstart your performance; If you’re a rock or metal band, consider kicking the ...
Although it’s slightly genre-dependent, you probably wouldn’t want to see a band that constantly performs songs of the same tempo and mood, after all, a bit of variety never goes a miss! Now it’s important to understand that by “forming an arc” we don’t mean anything about animals going 2 x 2! A good way to structure your performance could be to st...
Again, this will be slightly genre-dependent, but if your band is beginning to attract a fan base, it will become increasingly important to allow some room for improvisation and experimentation within your set. This could be done by adding in new songs, changing a solo or even changing the arrangements songs. For example playing an acoustic version...
From the perspective of the audience, a band that stops between every song, perhaps mumbles a few words and then clumsily begins the next song can become incredibly tiresome. This sort of performance can be seen pretty regularly, but if we’re being brutally honest, it can potentially turn new fans away. Similarly, long gaps in between songs can als...
It could well be argued the most important bit of the set is the end of the performance and a band should aim to make as memorable impact on the audience as possible. Depending on the genre, this could be an opportunity for one last sing along with the audience, the lead guitarist’s last chance for a solo (or both!). Either way, make sure you have ...
Always over prepare. It’s better to have more songs ready and cut some than to not have enough. That said, if you’re playing a bill with multiple bands, keep one eye on the time as you don’t want t...Make sure everyone has copies of the set list and compares notes beforehand. The last thing you want is the drummer launching into a different introduction to the guitarist!Keep a sharpie handy for last minute set changes. This should be part of your gig bag. For more advice on what to keep in there, check out this LMM guide.If you’re a function or covers band, decide as a group if you want to take requests. Be realistic, given the amount of material you have prepared. You can always offer the audience alternatives IE...- (16)
Oct 22, 2018 · There is a definite art to constructing a good set list – especially one that works well over and over again. When it’s done correctly, you’ll consider keys, tempos, genres, and especially – your audience, and put it in an order that makes sense.
Mar 23, 2023 · Factors to consider when crafting a setlist include the genre of music and audience expectations, the size and type of venue, time constraints, flow and pacing of the show, key changes, and technical considerations.
