Setlist for Live Solo Gigs (How I Create and Organize Songs) 

I played around Northern Ireland for a few years with a covers band. After about two months, I found I didn't need a set list anymore!

Nice mention about changing it up for the staff. Often overlooked

PRO TIP: I played a lot of all night rural Texas/Louisiana acoustic outdoor gigs where beer and drinks were spilled and wind would blow your song list away. Write your lists with a very sharp pencil and dew or a spilled drink won`t make it smudge like ink does. It will still be readable and it will last until your handling it wears it out. I also recommend a carbon fiber guitar for these conditions or purchase a few Ashthorpe acoustic/electric guitars for 100 each so you won`t ruin or damage your main instrument. Those Ashthorpe instruments are KILLER if you replace the cheap strings that come with them. Intonation is fine and they tune up well.

Hey, Jason! DJ here (in Bradenton). Another great video! Cool that you use “Pages” for your set list! I’ve been spoiled using the OnSong app for years. I paid like something unbelievably cheap many years ago and haven’t had the need to switch to one of their subscription apps. It’s truly awesome. Easy to use, easy to import songs, will scroll the lyrics based on BPM, can hand write notes to myself in the songs, etc. One thing I haven’t done, and heaven forbid, if my iPad were to go down, I don’t bring a hard copy of my set lists, much less the old 3-ring notebook of lyrics I used pre-iPad days. I might want to rethink that! Hey! We’re friends with Dean Johanesen! He’s one of the nicest guys you’d ever meet! Love his music! My wife, Roxi, and I would like to come hear/meet you next month (April Fools Day) at the winery! Cheers, man! DJ

Thanks man we are trying to set up an old school blue grass band with my kid and wife super helpful! 🤘

Thanks man, you are good communicator. Lots of good nuggets. Don’t get eye locked on the iPad. Sometimes I do that because eye contact is a bit awkward where i’m playing. I get lost trying to find songs I think the people will like. I really should just focus on what songs I enjoy playing, people can tell when you are happy and enjoying the gig and are happy to get on board with you

Thanks Jason. I’m doing a gig this Saturday, and I was trying to figure out my set list. I have a lot of originals…Your tips are helpful!

Lots of good advice here, found myself nodding my head throughout the video. Instead of Pages i use Notes which makes it easy to organize music and set lists. Also good for incorporating tunes into your rep and memorizing song lyrics while taking walks.

Just wanted to say you found a new sub today, I really appreciate seeing someone who is so relatable doing exactly what I want to do and being so successful. Thanks for the info as always and thanks for giving me some inspiration and drive. I have been playing since a kid but I have my first solo acoustic gig here in Settle next week!

This was really helpful, thanks for all of the awesome content 😊

Starting this journey now, so am soaking up all this good advice like a sponge. Great video, thanks 🎤

Thanks for the awesome video & great tips. You had me double checking today's date when you said it's Oct. 2022. 😉 Looking forward to some more great videos.

Thanks for the video's Jason! Really great to have these resources buddy!

Just awesome video. My partner was of the "play what the audience likes." And, I get it...but, I'm not into a lot of those songs and I believe the performance suffers. So, we are not playing together anymore and I'm doing what I like. Doesn't mean they are obscure, nobody-ever-heard-of stuff...just more of what I like. CSNY, Eagles, America, Petty, Cougar, with some new "americana" stuff rolled in and stuff that has a "groove." Love groove so much I got one of those Beat Buddy things. Anyway, that's what I like. So, that's what I'm playing now and enjoying it a hell of a lot more and I think that comes across as well. I'm totally solo now, but that's ok too. I've owned business's for 40 years, kinda used to the lone ranger thing and I trust my own judgement until someone starts throwing shit at me. lol. That's what I got most from this video of yours. That, and adding a couple songs to each set cuz you know you're always skipping one or 2. I actually came here to help figure out how to put together setlists better, but I think I probably got most that. I'm already doing the key, slow/fast, genre mixing it up thingys. That was kinda obvious to me. My problem has always been figuring out that 1st damn song. Fast, slow? Best of the best song? Energy, dancing, listening? I agonize over that more than anything else. What if they start dancing early...can I keep it up through the whole set? If I go ballad, will some walk out immediately? I know, judge the crowd...but, it's the first song and sometimes you just don't know. Argh...lol Great job. Like your style. Clear, concise, on topic, little ego and less bullshit. I would hire you. You do landscape Architecture? Haha. Take care.

This was so helpful! I'm brand new to guitar and playing on my own. Thank you so much for taking the time to make this. 🙌🎸

Hell yeah!!! In my acoustic duo we don’t do setlists but I think we should. We always just kind of fly random. Kind of nerve wracking. Love these tip videos!!!

Great video Jason! Excellent tips and very informative!! Thanks so much for this! I'm a Celtic Multi-Instrumentalist and mostly keep to the studio. However, St Patrick's Day is a busy time for us Celtic musicians and we find ourselves having to turn down gigs due to schedule conflicts! Your tips are golden! Thanks again! Liked and Subbed!

GREAT video Jason!!! I agree with you about sticking to what works for you 100%!!! If everyone is doing the same songs, it'll get VERY boring real quick! You gotta have your niche, mine is jazz-rock/fusion with a touch of flamenco, all instrumental & it WORKS!!! Now I do some popular covers that I like, I do them all instrumental ( playing the vocal melodies ), but no matter what it is you like, there is a crowd for it, just don't be afraid to go out there, because life is way too short, worst case scenario, you look back & regret you didn't go for it!!! Keep up the great work inspiring us, you ROCK BROTHER!!! Be safe, Rock On & God Bless!!!

Thanks Jason! I'll consider sneaking in some acoustic metal into my gigs as well, great idea! Greetings from Costa Rica.

Your insight and performance knowledge and experience has truly helped me focus on what I feel I should be doing with my music overall which will streamline my set making. Instead of learning a whole bunch of songs that I'm not really familiar with, I'm going to focus on where I came from and that is country and southern rock. I'm so glad I stumbled on to this particular video. Realizing how scattered I was with picking up songs that I'm not all that familiar with, which takes plenty of time to learn 50 or more songs, I'm going to focus on what I know best and create my setlists from there. This is a big time saver as well. I'm retired and I want to focus on the music that I like. "With a side of what others like" as well. haha! Great job! Keep them coming! Rock on!🤘

From the UK. I totally enjoyed your videos. I’ll definitely subscribe

Great video Jason, good advice for everyone either considering or actually out there working. Like you I do a lot of 80’s. Live I primarily use the OnSong app for my chords, music and set lists. It just works for me. Here in the UK it’s a little different how venues work and how long you’re expected to play for. Typically it’s x3 30 minute or x2 45 minute sets. Thank you for another great video. 1 year on I don’t know how I missed this video as I typically watch all of yours. Stay safe, happy & healthy. And I hope Thailand was a blast💥! 😊

Great tips, thanks Jason

Thanks Jason! Very helpful.

I'd say that if you pick a genre you can dress/have an image that ties in with the music. From flyers/promo photos it's much easier for people to know what you might be performing. If your voice type/range marries up with the style of music that's going to help - no strain, audience will be more comfortable too. If you have to transpose from the original key - good. It makes the song your own and you might get a unique arrangement.

We have over 20 gigs booked in our acoustic duo for 2023. We will have around 40 by the end of the year. We practice very specific song lists. No "winging it". Practice then rehearsal. The Plan is always NOT to suck. Set lists vary from Johnny Cash to Greatful Dead. 85%are top 40 songs with a few obscure classic stuff. Don't suck. Have fun!

These are all great tips for a set list Jason I could try something like this

All good advice. I have been following this advice without knowing it. And thanks for giving me the idea to try that Gerry Rafferty song! My set is pretty much mostly 70s & 80s too.

All good tips. Helpful.

ha, this is perfect Jason! thanks

I put my songs in a pdf and upload to Google Drive so I have it on my tablet (Android) or my iPhone. This includes chords and lyrics for my safeguard / little reminders. Helpful tips on this channel - so much appreciated!

I see this is a little over a year old, but this is an excellent piece. I have been growing my repertoire a lot this last year, so much that now I struggle to decide what to play because I know we'll over 500 songs, although, some not well enough to play out. You've simplified this for me and I will soon have my music separated out into 10 or 12 set lists that I can rotate. Thanks dude.

Brilliant video as always Jason. 👍 I started watching your channel back in May, got myself to an Open Mic, practiced, made a promo, sent it to a booking agent and now I have my first solo acoustic gig this coming Saturday in Dublin. 🤘 Looking forward to watching your long tutorial. Do you you know when your are planning to upload it? Keep up the great work and the inspiration!!

Thank you, that is so helpful you have yourself a new subscriber;)

Great wisdom, thanks!

This is so cool. This is the music I'd like to play live or go listen to.

Love it mate, I’m going to get a riggle on with my set list, and start gaining the equipment to get rolling. I love singing & my partner says im mad not to do somthing with it so thanks for your video 🎉

Thanks, enjoying your acoustic solo content, and I agree you should make more content for this topic in the future! My set list is kind of odd--I play jazz tunes from the Great American Songbook (e.g. like from the '30s± a decade), and then acoustic-y tunes from the (mostly) '70s. I haven't used a looper, which means the songs are super short, unless I compose a chord-melody break for them. It's a lot of songs to get hour sets when the tunes are only 3 minutes long!

Thanks you!

Thank you Jason 👍

Very helpful. I’m starting a busking group with a friend and I am horrible with lyrics. Thanks.

Jason, this is one of the best videos I have watched on the "Art" of creating a Set List/Show for a Solo performer. For me, you lit a light bulb in my head, especially when you speak about "playing to what we love to play".. Great advice and Thank You for putting it out there!

People don't care if you rely on sheet music to play the songs, as long as you can execute them well, it doesn't matter. I personally don't have the patience to memorize hundreds of songs for multiple set lists.

I did'nt know you were local! Wow. I'm in Bradenton. Your tips are gold! My boys and I do the covers but my heart is blues, classic rock that really rocks and metal... sounds familiar?

Hi Jason, enjoying your videos and wondered if you can do a video on how to use the Pages app to write up a set list. Many thanks. keep the videos coming.

I memorize the lyrics of the song and then it goes into my show. I make different playlists for different occasions! I use the IPad to play tracks in a playlist that I have memorized.

I noticed that you chose your words very carefully because you didn't want to inadvertently offend anyone. You've got my utmost respect. You've been honest and very informative in sharing your thoughts. Thank you, sir.

What's the green bucket for? Tips? Requests?

Hey I recognise "Don't stop believing" chords in your intro LOL

🤘👊❤️

Sorry, I don’t get how you transfer lyrics to pages on the I Ad

Thanks man! What Android App would you recommend thats comparable to sheets?

Hi Jason. Any advice for how to deal with friends and family who want to flood you with attention after the show when you have to break down your gear and put it all away. Do you hang with your friends first and then go break down gear or the other way around? Thanks!

Ratt, Poison, Crue, Badlands, Ozzy , Maiden , UFO, Scorpions, Pat Travers

This is very useful Would you be interested in sharing the pages doc for a few beer?

Ah you requested Wham - Silent Whisper. Hang on I've got something you might like, how about Slayer - Reign in blood LOL.

Hi Jason any tips for singing and playing at the same time?

Wow.....thats a long time to play. We were pushing just over 2 hours, and lots of discussion to cut it down. Interesting....

Question: how many songs for example a one hour vs four hour gig?

New Subscriber here. So I'm putting together setlists and my idea is 70s, 80s, 90s & 2Ks. If I land a gig that wants 4 hours, could I just do those sets in order, with an hour for each decade, as I listed? Or is that dumb? Also, if I'm playing on weekday nights, could more ballads be ok, since crowds are smaller and moods are different? Thanks Danos

I played in a band in Denver I had to give it up because they only did death metal which is fine but I love all types. Dude got pissed when I start playing acoustic.

High Jason how do you manage to keep on singing for such a long time.

That Ipad holder is meant to go corner to corner so it cant slip out sideways.

What about gigs without wifi?

do you know of a android app ? like the apple pages?

Free bird! Free bird! Free bird!

I use ultimate guitar for my setlists

Wow you do Peace of Mind in “A”? That’s dropping it waaaay down.

I could never play live. I cannot remember lyrics at all. I sit there and try and play a song I have been playing all week, and I still can't remember the first line of the lyrics grrr. Can very often remember the chords, just not lyrics at all.

It's very simple just play to your crowd pay attention to them.

Summer of 69 in the key of A ? It’s in D!

If you can’t sing it the same key don’t do it songs sound terrible transposed

This doesn't appeal to me. Why make things complicated? I just use pens and paper. I write out a bunch of lists, make lots of copies, then hand them out to anyone in the audience who wants to make a request.