Evolving Set Lists

[Lee Baucum]

Going back to the 1970s, I remember our set lists were usually composed of 4 sets with 14 songs in each set, with a quick break of 15 minutes or so between sets. At some point, due to the different types of events we play at, the set list changed to 3 sets with 14 songs per set. Now, it's not uncommon to have a set list with 2 sets, with 16 songs per set. If we are playing a large event, opening for another band, we have used a set list with just 1 long set, no breaks, with 24 songs. Those events can be a little loosey-goosey and we have a list of another 12 songs or so, in case they need us to play longer.

We don't play much for public venues, like clubs or some other eating/drinking establishment. We mostly play for private events like fundraisers. A fundraising event may last for 5 hours or so, because of speakers and live auctions. Even though our set list may be shorter, it can still be a very long night. Sometimes we play music between different segments of the event. I can't remember the last time we played for a dance, where we needed 4 sets of music.

[Jerry Overstreet]

I remember back when, playing 45 minute sets for 4 or 5 hour shows with 15 min. breaks after ea. set.

I don't do much anymore, but it's usually roughly three 45 minute sets these days with a 15 minute break in between.

I'm not a big fan of breaks. For my part, I'd as soon split 'em up into 2 sets with a short bathroom break in between.

The band leaders, however, generally feel it's important to take time to shake and howdy with the patrons. Maybe that's the best, but I just came to play. Sometimes it's hard to get back in the groove after a break and getting it done is a blessing at times.

[Per Berner]

24 songs in a row by the same band sounds a bit much, especially if the band is not the main attraction that made me buy a ticket... Opening acts can be painful!

[D Schubert]

All the things you learned about playing a 4-hour dance in the old days. Still useful, but not all that knowledge applies to more modern venues and situations. Shorter set lists, shorter songs, more variety of songs?

[Lee Baucum]

Shorter set lists, shorter songs, more variety of songs?

Yes, yes, and yes!

Very few people dance at these events. We like to follow set lists, in order to keep the music flowing. Very little "dead air".

~Lee

[Fred Treece]

Yeah, the 45-on/15-off days are long gone.

I’m in a 2-acoustic guitar/vocal duo. We do 2- and 3-hour gigs. One break on 3-hour gigs, none for the 2’s. Set list is more of a suggestion box than a strict game plan. With only two people, there’s never much dead air, except for drop D tuning or me switching over to dobro.

Every once in a while some clueless individual will approach us with a request to play 80’s dance music , but the other 99% of the time, the pressure to keep em dancing is off.

I still see local rock and country cover bands playing their butts off to a bunch of seated butts, wondering what is the point here. Sometimes I think people have forgotten the art of partying.

[Roger Crawford]

Our set lists have turned into suggestion lists. Our boss man often turns the creating of the set list over to one of our girl singers. She can’t tell the difference between a shuffle and a waltz. So, there are a lot of changes made on the fly. And when a change is made, often times, since I’m on far stage right, the change doesn’t get passed down and a song starts without me knowing which song or key. I’ve asked several times that he do the lists himself, but to no avail. I’m about burned out with it.