Music is crucial to almost any event, and creating the perfect setlist is a difficult art form. Whether you’re a DJ, a jazz band, or a rock group, explore how to build a setlist for any gig to ensure impressive live performances every single time.
Get familiar with your gig
Before you can begin selecting songs, you need to know everything there is to know about your gig. This means considering the event type, audience, venue, and specific details about the occasion.
Understand the event’s purpose and vibe
The first step to making a great set list is to grasp the essence of the event. Each affair has its own vibe, purpose, and energy. Ask yourself a few important questions before beginning:
- What is the main reason for the event?
- Is there a guest of honor?
- Is it formal or casual?
- Is the crowd there to celebrate, be entertained, network, or unwind?
- Are guests celebrating a holiday or specific theme?
- What emotions should the music evoke?
Know your audience
The audience is the heart and soul of any event. To build a setlist that connects, you need to know your audience like the back of your hand. Consider their age range, musical tastes, and the reason they’ve gathered.
Most importantly, talk to your client about their hopes and desires for the music. With private parties and weddings, there are clear guests of honor to focus on. In contrast, building a set list for corporate events will require you to plan around a schedule and the occasion’s big picture.
📧 Did you know? You can create saved replies using the GigSalad saved message feature to get to know your clients with ease!
Consider religion and culture
Private events like quinceañeras and bar/bat mitzvahs are religious in nature, and weddings can vary. Similarly, big community events like Oktoberfest or Mardi Gras should involve traditional music.
Check if there are any religious or cultural factors to keep in mind before building a setlist. Depending on the client’s beliefs, you may want to avoid or include particular songs. Ultimately, honor faith and tradition, and always aim for diversity in your gig set list to include all.
Keep the venue in mind
The venue plays a crucial role in sound quality and atmosphere. Keep the space and construction in mind when picking songs and arrangements. Naturally, softer melodies and an acoustic setup will be perfect for cozy settings, while larger or outdoor venues require bigger sounds. Ask for details about the venue so that you can build a set list that makes a great impression.
🌞 Read this: How to Prepare for the Challenge of Outdoor Gigs
Choose the perfect songs
Once you’re familiar with every aspect of the event, you can begin choosing the right songs for the occasion. You want to make your clients and audience feel as though the setlist was made for them.
Craft a smooth musical journey
Start strong with songs that match the event’s initial vibe. As the event continues, build up the energy with livelier tracks. Then, create smooth transitions between songs and genres to build bridges to varying parts of your musical voyage. This way, you’ll ensure that the music is never dull and allows for different experiences.
If you’re an established band performing a concert, be sure to balance the old with the new. To turn a good show into a great show, play your fan favorites while carefully mixing in your new songs. If your music is on Spotify, look at the most played songs to not upset your fans.
🎶 Throw in some covers, too! Playing cover songs at your live show is a great way to expand your fanbase and keep the crowd engaged.
Blend the classics with modern hits
Variety is your secret ingredient. A balanced setlist includes classics that span generations and current hits that keep things fresh. For example, blend a timeless song like “At Last” by Etta James with something newer like Ed Sheeran’s “Perfect” to vary the style while keeping with a theme.
Curate songs for the occasion
As an artist, you generally have complete control over choosing your setlist. However, depending on the type of event, there are some considerations you should make to go above and beyond for your client.
💒 Wedding Gigs
When planning your setlist for wedding gigs, remember to ask about individual songs for special moments. Discuss options for walking the aisle, first dances, parent dances, as well as the grand entrance, cake cutting, and bouquet toss.
Pro tip: Check in with a bridesmaid, groomsman, or event planner during the event about any potential issues. This way, you can make changes before it is too late without bothering the bride and groom on their special day.
🥳 Private Parties
When it comes to private events like birthday parties, engagements, and anniversaries, try to ask around to learn more about the guest(s) of honor. See if you can find out if there are any artists or songs that have a special meaning to them and work those into the setlist. Even better if you can do it without them knowing, so it’ll be a surprise.
👔 Corporate Gigs
When playing a corporate gig, consider the company’s offerings and branding. Incorporate subtle references in the song list to tie everything together. For example, if you get booked to perform a corporate event for AT&T, sprinkle in songs like “Call Me” by Blondie or “Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepsen into the setlist. You might even get a good laugh from it!
Get some help from AI
ChatGPT, the free AI chatbot, can be a powerful tool for getting gigs. It can also help you prepare for them! Provide a prompt to ChatGPT, and it can build or edit a setlist in seconds.
Try it for yourself with the following prompts:
💻 “Create a [performer type/genre] setlist with a [insert tone descriptor] tone for a [insert event type] that will last three hours.
💻 “Create a list of contemporary songs similar in theme to Frank Sinatra’s ‘The Way You Look Tonight.'”
To fine-tune the set list further, include the venue type, emotions to evoke, specific songs to include, and genres to avoid or use. Get creative and ask for what you need.
Stay flexible
Read the room, assess the crowd’s response, and don’t hesitate to tweak your setlist. Sometimes, the best moments happen when you respond to the crowd’s energy and requests.
Be open to requests
Taking requests at the gig can be a challenge. Always ask clients upfront about specific song requests to avoid surprises. If you’re a DJ, you will always receive requests. Make your life easier by developing a system, such as providing pen and paper, accepting text message requests, or using an app like RequestBox.
Watch the dance floor
Keep the dance floor alive! Pay attention to the type of songs that get people moving. Be interactive, and vary the genres to allow for different dancing styles and energy. If you feel like there’s a lull and people are moving away, it might be time to throw down some “Cupid Shuffle.”
🔊 Pro tip: Pay careful attention to your volume. Playing music too loud at the wrong moments could ruin the chance for conversation and networking.
Building a setlist that’s on point and takes these factors into account will leave everyone smiling, from clients to guests. In doing so, you will increase local referrals, receive positive reviews, and ultimately get to do more of what you love! 🤘
Matt Holland is a Customer Happiness Agent at GigSalad. With 10+ years of experience performing as a jazz drummer, he has gained insights into the life of a gigging musician as well as what makes an event go off without a hitch. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling, hiking, reading, cooking, and watching the newest TV shows with his wife.