What Does An Ideal Set List Look Like?

Written by Daniel Linik

When I go to a show, I generally like to go in with no knowledge of the set list. If I wanted to know, I’d just watch a YouTube video at home. I want the excitement of not knowing if my favorite song will be played; the uncertainty of whether the live performance will be as good as the recordings. With that being said, bands occasionally often provide less than stellar set lists. Sometimes they only play their greatest hits, only the new stuff, or they are unoriginal and mainly play covers. 

In an interview with ‘98 Rock, drummer Lars Ulrich of Metallica shared that his song picking process is individual to every performance. In fact, Ulrich goes as far as checking the previous ten years of set lists in that city. “Obviously, there’s certain songs we have to play, but then there’s the deeper cuts – and the deeper cuts I always try to vary” said the drummer (Casteel, 2018). I know I would appreciate that (if I listened to Metallica), as I am someone who attends multiple show dates if I really love the band. I’m also someone who generally listens to albums in full. So more often than not, I’m familiar with a band’s work beyond the singles. But what about the forty five year old dad who lost his virginity while Master of Puppets was playing? Do you think he gives a shit if Metallica plays some deep cut, B-side from 2001? Hell no. 

[youtube=://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3s8zQQjE1A&w=854&h=480]

I’ll never forget when I worked a Rick Springfield show (If you don’t know who he is, he was that dude on TV in 13 Going On 30  singing “Jessie’s Girl” as 13 year old Jenna frantically stuffed her top with Kleenex). He kept playing the main riff of his one hit over and over; teasing the audience with a handjob when they really wanted a blowjob. After he came and middle aged white ladies moaned like it was 1981 again, half the audience left. I knew that he was a one hit wonder, but this was an amphitheater show. Tickets are not cheap! Get your money’s worth!

On another front, you have artists like Marilyn Manson. Older than your parents’ mattress, but still putting out the hits. Manson in recent years has toured with Slipknot, had top billing at festivals, and recently earned his fourth consecutive #1 Hard Rock album with Heaven Upside Down (Rutherford, 2017). I would expect to hear new music when I see him. Yet when I did on August 8, 2018 in Mansfield, MA, nine out the twelve songs were at least fifteen years old (Setlist.fm, 2018). How boring! I’ve seen Manson a bunch of times; I even named one of my cats named after him. I don’t want to hear the same set list I heard when I was in high school (which was longer ago than I’d like to admit). I happen to like his new stuff, so what’s the point of releasing new music if you’re barely going to play it?

What exactly is the ideal set list for a moderately established band? I like Ulrich’s idea of switching the set list up every show. However I don’t like Manson’s blast from the past. I prefer something in the middle; a healthy mix of the hits, new stuff (not just the latest single), and some rarities thrown in. Let me illustrate an example of a set list for a band I’m sure scene kids from Arkansas to Africa are bound to know; Escape The Fate.

DANIEL’S DREAM SET LIST:

1. Just A Memory (Hate Me 2015)

2. Broken Heart (I Am Human 2018)

3. Ashley (This War Is Ours 2008)

4. When I Go Out, I Want to Go Out on a Chariot of Fire (Dying Is Your Latest Fashion 2006)

5. Ungrateful (Ungrateful 2013)

6. One For The Money (Ungrateful 2013)

7. Gorgeous Nightmare (Escape The Fate 2010)

8. Something (This War Is Ours 2008)

9. This War Is Ours (This War Is Ours 2008)

10. Riot (I Am Human 2018)

11. Remember Every Scar (Hate Me 2015)

12. Let Me Be (I Am Human 2018)

13. Hate Me (Hate Me 2015)

14. Issues (Escape The Fate 2010)

15. Situations (Dying Is Your Latest Fashion 2006)

(Encore)

16. Not Good Enough for Truth In Cliché (Dying Is Your Latest Fashion 2006)

Although singer Craig Mabbit may hate me (pun intended) for straining his voice with such a long set list, I consider my selections fair (especially since this set list would be representative of a headline show). There are two or three songs present from each of their albums including new songs, rarities, and classics. Do I think the band is going to come to me on hands and knees, thanking me for creating such a diverse set list? Probs not (although I do like a man who begs. Just throwing it out there). I’m also aware that labels can sometimes dictate in record contracts that songs X,Y, and Z must be played at shows. However I would really like it if bands followed my lead and diversified their set lists more. Don’t be like In This Moment and ignore the first three albums of your discography