Creating a great setlist is part strategy, part intuition, and all about the audience. Whether you’re a DIY musician just getting started, or an independent musician playing regular gigs, your setlist can make or break the vibe of your show. At From A to Z, we’ve built and refined our approach to setlists through years of performing as local musicians across Oklahoma and beyond.
Here’s how we craft a live music experience that hits all the right notes.
1. Time, Audience, and Setting
Every gig is different, and we always start by considering three things:
- Time: How long is our set?
- Audience: What’s the age range or vibe of the crowd?
- Setting: Are we indoors or outdoors? Is it a festival, wedding, coffee shop?
At chill venues like coffee shops, we go for acoustic-friendly songs with more mellow vibes. For festivals or outdoor events, we break out the backing tracks and stick with upbeat, danceable music. All our sets are family-friendly, and we tailor special events like weddings or anniversaries with more love songs (and even take custom requests when needed).
2. Open Strong
Your opener has to grab attention. It should be something lively, recognizable, and fun.
Some of our go-to openers:
- “Rule the World” by Tears for Fears
- “Shut Up and Dance” by WALK THE MOON
- “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
After the first song, we always take a moment to introduce ourselves, tell people to share posts to our social, and then launch into a 6–7 song block with zero dead space. Transitions are smooth, intros are tight, and we keep the music flowing.
3. Keep It Moving
The general flow:
- First 3–4 songs: upbeat and energetic
- Song 5: midtempo break
- Songs 6–7: back to lively
We aim for 2–3 intentional pauses during a one-hour set—just enough to engage, not enough to lose momentum. We’ll talk over intros when possible and do our best to keep silence off the stage.
You usually won’t hear us play a slower ballad until around song 13 or 14, and even then, we keep it familiar.
4. Know Your Crowd
Knowing the audience is everything. If we’re playing for a mostly Boomer-age crowd, we’ll lean into the oldies. If it’s more of a millennial mix, we’ll balance that with Top 40, R&B, or soft rock. We’ve learned that what you love to sing may not always be what the audience wants to hear—and you’re there for them.
Our catalog includes:
- Pop and Top 40
- Country
- R&B and Motown
- Oldies and soft rock
- Even the occasional ballad or two
5. Medleys, Mashups, and Magic
We love blending songs into medleys of iconic artists like:
- Elvis Presley
- The Beach Boys
- Diana Ross
- Michael Jackson
These crowd-pleasers combine 4–5 of their biggest hits into one seamless performance. Before we jump into something like our Michael Jackson medley, we might tease the crowd with a little trivia:
“This next medley is from the King of Pop himself… anyone know who that is?”
It gets people talking, laughing, and connecting—which is the whole point.
6. Your Originals Have to Hit
If you’re playing your own music, be smart about which songs you choose. Unless your audience came specifically to see you, don’t play slow or unfamiliar originals. You’ll lose them.
We have an upbeat original about our home state, Oklahoma, that always gets a great reaction. It’s fun, energetic, and has crowd participation—which makes it memorable, even for first-time listeners.
7. Ending on a High Note
Your closing number is your final impression, so make it count. We usually go for something upbeat, nostalgic, or inspirational like:
- “Lean on Me” by Bill Withers
- “September” by Earth, Wind & Fire
- “Country Roads” by John Denver
These feel-good songs send people off smiling—and often singing along.
Final Thoughts: Play for Them, Not Just You
If you’re a work-from-home musician or performing on a budget at local events, remember: your setlist is about your audience. Play what they love. Mix the new with the nostalgic. And give familiar songs your own twist—but not so much that they’re unrecognizable.
Also, we’ve found the sweet spot for gigs is around 1.5 hours. One hour can feel too short, and anything over two hours (especially outdoors in Oklahoma!) can start to drag—unless the weather is just perfect.
Whether you’re building your first setlist or refining your hundredth, keep it tight, engaging, and fun. That’s how you turn background music into a moment no one forgets.
Want a taste of what our live sets sound like?
Check out our Live Album to hear a full set recorded straight from the stage—crowd energy, transitions, and all.
🎵 Want to see us live or book us for your next event?
Click here to contact us!
📲 Follow us on social:
Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and Pinterest
🛒 Shop our favorite musician gear on Amazon:
Visit our Amazon Storefront
