Quote Of The Day:
“Everybody Loves A Rollercoaster” – Pete Waterman
The highs and lows of a rollercoaster ride is a great analogy of an effective way to put your set list together for a show. I like to think of a set list as an emotional rollercoaster ride: it might start off with a burst of energy, then it might take a curve, then it goes even higher and faster, then it might dip into a valley for a different or intense kind of energy, then it builds again before coming into the station.
There is a certain energy that you want to create when assembling the list of your songs for performance. Personally, I would never start or end a set list with a ballad. You may have one in mind that is musically brilliant and emotionally moving, but ballads generally have a unique energy that should be placed strategically in the set. I will often place a ballad about 3/4 of the way into a set, just as the performance is building energy to add a shot of intensity. I then close the set with a few more energetic songs.
Opening with something that really grabs the audience’s attention is always a good way to set the tone for the show: the same applies to the last song of the set. You want to leave the stage with something that has the right energy, as that is most likely what your audience will remember most. How many times have you been to a concert where the biggest hit is saved until the end? This tactic builds a great energy and anticipation from the audience.
You will get a feel for what works and how well the songs might group together the more you perform. In addition, sometimes it works well to have a couple of songs that have a similar tempo or are in the same or a complimentary key follow one another so that you can easily or cleverly transition from one into the next. That’s called a “segue” and adds interest for the listener (instead of just hearing one song after another with a break in between.) Just be aware of not putting too many same tempo or same key tunes in succession as it may start to sound a bit boring and lacking energy.
No matter how you plan your set, you want to make the set list feel like a journey to keep the show stimulating for both the audience and the band. It’s not only how well we play the music but also the emotional value we deliver to our audience that makes them become a fan and keep coming out to see us perform.
Until next time… Breathe and Happy Singing!
Angela
www.5pointsingingsystem.com
www.angelakelman.com
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