What's a set

[Step]

I always thought a set was basically a gig, but referring to the songs you play (hence setlist)

you just play your songs, and that's your set, that's what I thought

so what do people mean when they play 3 sets in 1 night?

3 gigs? or 3 different lists?

I'm a bit confused

[Spinal Tapper]

The gig is the show. The set is the group of songs you play within the gig. Saying that you play 3 sets in a night means you played 3 separate groups of songs at one...wait...did I just take the bait???

[smogg]

LMFAO

[scottbass]

Load in >>> set up >>> sound check >>> first set >>> first break >>> second set >>> second break >>> third set >>> encore (sometimes) >>> tear down >>> load out >>> settle up

That's a typical bar gig where I come from. Each set lasts an hour, each break lasts a half hour.

[Step]

Originally Posted by scottbass

Load in >>> set up >>> sound check >>> first set >>> first break >>> second set >>> second break >>> third set >>> encore (sometimes) >>> tear down >>> load out >>> settle up

That's a typical bar gig where I come from. Each set lasts an hour, each break lasts a half hour.

ok, thanks, now I now what people mean

and for the record, this thread wasn't a joke

[Depth_Charge]

Maybe not a joke but funny nonetheless

[Dogbertday]

I always thought a set was 3 games... now I'M confused

[beggar98]

I always thought a set was a matched group, like a set of silverware.

[Stumbo]

I always thought movies were made on a set.

[bassteban]

This thread=setup

[Dave R]

A set list is an attempt to get in psychological sync with a bunch of people you've never seen before.

Start slow and build? Hit 'em hard with some gonzo numbers, then slow things down? For dancing--3 fast then 2 slow? End the set with the hardest hitting number? Or end on a soft song and come back with a hard hitter?

People who make set lists agonize over such stuff.

Other members of the band just argue about it.

[bassteban]

Setlist: The songs you plan on playing
Set: The songs you actually play
Not always the same

[Sahm]

Originally Posted by bassteban

Setlist: The songs you plan on playing
Set: The songs you actually play
Not always the same

True dat! Several of my bands call the "non-setlist" song an audible. Makes sense to me!

Some folks like flying without a net, others fear setlist deviations. You have to find a balance, because while you don't want to waste time figuring out what to play next, you never know when you'll get that dance floor surge and you want to maintain it!

[Munjibunga]

Originally Posted by Step

I always thought a set was basically a gig, but referring to the songs you play (hence setlist)

you just play your songs, and that's your set, that's what I thought

so what do people mean when they play 3 sets in 1 night?

3 gigs? or 3 different lists?

I'm a bit confused

We usually play four sets of 10 to 13 songs each. So 40 to 50 songs. A-list acts typically play one set of an hour and a half. Some may come back for 20 minutes of encores.