Who likes a good puzzle?

[boxstop7]

So, this forum is awesome. Seriously. It's chock full of talented musicians, experienced performers and intelligent people. As such, I'm hoping some of you might be willing to take a crack at something...

My band is usually a three-piece acoustic cover outfit. We love coming up with arrangements that allow us to do acoustic covers of songs that have no business being played on an acoustic guitar (such as "No Diggity" and "Mama Said Knock You Out"). In a month or so, we're stepping it up and playing a full-band electric show at one of our normal local bars (yay...I get to trot out my PRS!!!)

I come to the board seeking a favor...assistance, really. I've got a list of 48 songs we'll be playing, and I need to arrange those 48 songs into 3 individual sets of 16 tunes, packing the best punch possible for each set. I fear I'm a little out of my element here, as we don't really play electric shows. If anyone out there is good with set lists, and would be willing to offer their time and assistance in piecing this together to show me how you would turn this list of 48 songs into three 16 song sets, I'd be most appreciative.

I won't bore the forum by posting everything here...if you're interested, please let me know and I'll send a private message to you that contains the list and a few additional details. If folks are interested, perhaps I'll share the final result.

Again, anyone willing to lend their time and experience would be most appreciated...thank you!

- Jason

 

[justmund]

We love coming up with arrangements that allow us to do acoustic covers of songs that have no business being played on an acoustic guitar (such as "No Diggity" and "Mama Said Knock You Out").

Reminded me of this!

No doubt there'd be someone on here able to help you, I would but I doubt I'd know the songs you guys are doing!

 

[boxstop7]

^^^^^^ Awesome!

 

[justmund]

I just realised you guys in the US will know about that song, apparently it was used for a Beck's ad during the Superbowl.

 

[DarrenJ1973]

simple rules for building a setlist

1. Start with a high energy crowd pleaser (something that is akin to taking a large soggy fish and slapping the audience in the face with it whilst screaming wake up), sell yourself in the opener
2. The following 3 or 4 songs should keep that energy going (you've created the party atmosphere you need to keep the party alive and get buttocks off seats and dancing)
3 1/3 and 2/3 of the way through the set you need the obligatory slow dance/ballad....this gives everyone a break to recover and more importantly the promoter can sell more beverages (that's what you are there for, to get peeps in the door and spending money at the bar)
4. The big finale this has to include the big sing along/ audience participation and this builds toward your encores
5.the final song is what you are remembered by, and what people will be singing in their drunken stupor on their way home so is just as important as the opener.

Research you audience too, go to the venue the week before (on the same day of the week you will be playing) and see what kind of patrons frequent it as this will let you know what works and what doesn't.

 

[boxstop7]

That is fantastic advice...thank you!

 

[justmund]

That is fantastic advice...

+1

 

[DarrenJ1973]

That is fantastic advice...thank you!

+1

no probz I think every guitar related forum i've ever been on has asked the same question....obviously don't use a actual large soggy fish scan through your own collection of live albums and/or dvds and it's easy to see the structure of a setlist (even if edited in post production)