Not only that, but an experienced singer will know how to build a setlist around the needs of their instrument. For instance, not ripping up their vocal chords on the first song, and giving themselves a rest between difficult pieces.
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How do I create my first setlist?
- Thread starter HELLonWHEELS
- Start date
I like this idea.
Here's a good artist list for Texas:
George Strait
ZZ Top
SRV
Willie Nelson
Roy Orbison
Toby Keith
Buddy Holly
Merle Haggard
Brooks & Dunn
Traveling Wilburys
Johnny Cash
Stray Cats / Brian Setzer
Rev. Horton Heat
When they posted the ad, was there not any indication as to what type of music you would be playing? I would think that would be step one.
We used to do that with Neil Young's "Rockin' in the Free World" and going straight into "O-H-I-O." It's a good pairing, and might work for the OP.
Your set list really depends on a number of factors. Number one is vocals. At least one lead vocal that sounds somewhat unique, powerful, and polished. Multi-vocalists that hit on all cylinders is a major plus. No amount of instruments can fix an anemic vocal situation, and way too many bands fall short in this regard.
You really need to pick your genre and start focusing on tunes that fit the scene. Consider surveying the clubs, bars, etc in your specific local area and study each place, who’s frequenting, are they dancing, sitting, etc. Watch each band with critical eyes/ears and study each song as well as audience reaction (dancing/sitting/ turned away and talking/grimacing etc.)
Sounds like you’re at the beginning of your live gigging trek. If you’re competing in the cover band circuit, your songs don’t have to strictly follow originals but need to be readily recognizable by the hoi polloi. You can apply your own stank to each tune but each must be good enough to either keep attention or compel the folks to dance.
Alternatively, you could play (as I currently do) in a band with a BL that never uses set lists and suddenly starts tunes that the rest of the band has never played or possibly even heard... great for big-bill tips but a bit advanced and too stressful for many. Every night is a new exercise in keeping up with the Jones
You really need to pick your genre and start focusing on tunes that fit the scene. Consider surveying the clubs, bars, etc in your specific local area and study each place, who’s frequenting, are they dancing, sitting, etc. Watch each band with critical eyes/ears and study each song as well as audience reaction (dancing/sitting/ turned away and talking/grimacing etc.)
Sounds like you’re at the beginning of your live gigging trek. If you’re competing in the cover band circuit, your songs don’t have to strictly follow originals but need to be readily recognizable by the hoi polloi. You can apply your own stank to each tune but each must be good enough to either keep attention or compel the folks to dance.
Alternatively, you could play (as I currently do) in a band with a BL that never uses set lists and suddenly starts tunes that the rest of the band has never played or possibly even heard... great for big-bill tips but a bit advanced and too stressful for many. Every night is a new exercise in keeping up with the Jones
Narrow down a theme so you can easily answer - What type of stuff do you guys play?
Young (relatively) guys in a 3 piece band, I’d go for late 90’s pop-punk ..Blink 182, Green Day, Nirvana, Sublime, Offspring, RHCP etc.
Young (relatively) guys in a 3 piece band, I’d go for late 90’s pop-punk ..Blink 182, Green Day, Nirvana, Sublime, Offspring, RHCP etc.
Cannibal Corpse. Everyone loves Cannibal Corpse.
I would give this a like, if I liked Neil Young. Sadly, I do not. Keep on rockin', though.
First of all, thank you to everyone for the wonderful comments. TB is such a great resource and it's a community I'm happy to be apart of.
Based on what I'm reading I think the first step is really understand what my singer's range is and what he's going to be capable of. The next step is to go out more and do some "market research" understand what's being played at the venues where we would potentially want to play at. Go from there!
This is amazing real world advice. At the end of the day the bar is a business! Great suggestion.
I answered in a post a few down from the OP, but the answer we're a fairly diverse group of guys and we're having trouble to some degree on deciding what we want to focus on.
Based on what I'm reading I think the first step is really understand what my singer's range is and what he's going to be capable of. The next step is to go out more and do some "market research" understand what's being played at the venues where we would potentially want to play at. Go from there!
This is amazing real world advice. At the end of the day the bar is a business! Great suggestion.
I answered in a post a few down from the OP, but the answer we're a fairly diverse group of guys and we're having trouble to some degree on deciding what we want to focus on.
Southern rock... Steve Earl, Lynard Skynard... that's about all I know.
Hey HOW, I live in Victoria TX, about 120 miles south of Houston. Let me know if/when you guys get a gig in Houston and I’ll swing by for support... in the meantime I have to ramp up for an outdoor show tonight and tomorrow in El Campo opening up for Blackhawk. We have three hours tonight with a sub lead guitarist with zero rehearsal time, so not looking forward to it all that much
