Guide: 6 tips for preparing an effective setlist
Are you preparing for your first concert and perhaps don't know exactly what a setlist is, or how to create one? While the success of a concert depends largely on the talent and training of the band members, it also depends enormously on the order and choice of songs played. How do you create a good playlist to make a good impression on the audience? Newzik offers 5 tips for preparing an effective concert setlist!
What is a setlist?
Musicians who perform on stage don't arrive on the day of the show with their hands in their pockets, their amp and their instrument the only equipment they have. Bands usually prepare a set of songs to guide them through their show: a playlist, more commonly known as a "setlist". This term is part of the technical jargon of musicians, and corresponds to the list of songs that a band plans to play during a concert. The word setlist refers to the precise order in which an artist or band will play their song titles during a concert. By breaking down the word, we can translate "set" as "concert" and "list" as "track list". It's a form of playlist, which the band prepares in advance of a concert, in order to organize themselves and ensure that the performance goes as smoothly as possible.
The setlist sheet is designed to guide a band's musicians through its repertoire to be played live. The band indicates the order of the songs and sometimes even details such as transitions, moments to talk to the audience and encores. Creating a setlist helps musicians maintain coherence and fluidity throughout their show. As well as being a "memo card", the setlist gives a rythm to a performance, which can influence the way the audience reacts. The setlist is also useful for the venue's technical team. The transitions between songs allow them to prepare the lighting, the instruments to be set up on stage and the stage changes required throughout the show.
Although the setlist is drawn up in advance, artists sometimes choose to deviate from it, depending on how they feel and the audience's reactions. A performance must also retain a certain spontaneity on stage!
Our tips for creating a good setlist
Preparing a setlist and don't know where to start? Working out a playlist to suit your performance is just as important as rehearsing with your band before the concert. Discover our tips for a successful setlist!
1. Adapting to the place of performance
A rock show at an outdoor festival? An acoustic jazz performance in an intimate venue? A concert in a hall with a very large audience? Your choice of setlist will depend on the type of venue and the audience present.
Indeed, an intimate venue requires a different approach to a large festival. Playing a very quiet set may suit a seated audience with a penchant for a capella or acoustic music. On the other hand, festival-goers will probably want to enjoy a more upbeat atmosphere, singing and dancing along to the performance. Assess the overall mood of the venue and adjust your setlist to match the setting and the energy of the audience. Prioritize a sequence of more dynamic songs at festivals or venues, even if it means placing a few calmer tracks between two upbeat ones, with an appropriate lighting scheme. Softer sequences should be reserved for café-concert settings or smaller venues.
2. Set a number of songs for your set
Playing music on stage doesn't mean playing your entire musical repertoire in the order in which the titles of your EPs or albums were released. Determine how long your performance will last and plan an appropriate number of songs, taking into account the length of each track. Do you have too many songs, or on the contrary, too short a selection in your repertoire? Remember to plan a number of songs that corresponds to the length of your set. Limit your list if you have too many songs to offer, and add a new musical composition or a cover song as an encore if you've run out of songs to play.
It's generally advisable to plan for around 15 to 20 songs for a set lasting an hour to an hour and a half. This leaves time for improvisation, interaction and an encore or two, depending on the mood of the performance.
3. Choosing the right songs to open and close the concert
Just as when meeting someone, the first impression at a concert is often crucial. Audiences unfamiliar with your band may well rely on the first music played at your concert. The last piece of music is also crucial, as it stays in the mind of the audience for longer.
The choice of the first and last songs is therefore very important, as they define tone and will leave a lasting impression. Start with a song that immediately grabs attention, and end with a particularly memorable track, such as one with a familiar chorus or a song that will get the audience dancing and grooving. An up-tempo track can be an excellent choice to open with, while a hit song will be perfect to close with.
4. Work well on transitions between songs
The stage is an artistic space of its own. It's an adventure between your band and the audience who have come to hear your music. To bring the audience into your universe, interacting and proposing transitions between each song played is strongly advised.
Bridges" between songs can make or break the flow of a performance. You can therefore plan your transitions in your setlist so that they are fluid and logical. For this transition work, don't hesitate to use solos worked out in rehearsal, or to allow time for improvisation. You can also introduce each band member and explain how you composed your songs to maintain interest and energy throughout the evening. Well-executed transitions will help create an immersive experience.
5. Alternate rhythms piece by piece
A well-prepared stage playlist is one that is not monotonous. To avoid putting the audience to sleep during your show, vary the rhythm and tempo of the songs. For example, alternate fast excerpts with ballads to give people time to breathe while maintaining their attention. This alternating dynamic can help control the energy in the room and make the show more dynamic and interesting. You need to learn how to keep the atmosphere going, so don't hesitate to use your musical talents to make people dream with a set that reflects your image!
6. Using the setlist function on the Newzik App
Once chosen, your personalized list of songs to play deserves to be saved in a library that can be accessed at any time. Make it easy for yourself! Use the Newzik App to organize your setlists and prepare for your concert.
Preparing several setlists? On Newzik, you can add the same piece several times. And when you annotate a score in one of your setlists, the changes are updated in all setlists containing that score, as well as in the library. From one playlist to the next, add and record them independently or duplicate them, thanks to the Newzik feature!
🎶 Create, edit and save your setlists on Newzik Web and Newzik App ! Thanks to Newzik's setlist function, you can gather your documents in one place and share them with your band members, on stage, in rehearsal and even from your sofa.
