Setlist
The planned sequence of songs an artist will perform during a concert or live show.
Definition
A setlist is the ordered list of songs an artist plans to perform during a live show. Beyond simply listing song titles, a well-crafted setlist considers pacing, energy arcs, audience expectations, key changes, instrument switches, costume changes, and the overall narrative of the performance.
Professional setlists typically include timing notes, transition instructions, and contingency options (songs that can be added or dropped based on audience response or time constraints). The setlist is distributed to the sound engineer, lighting designer, and stage crew so everyone knows what's coming.
Why It Matters
The setlist is the blueprint for the live experience. A thoughtfully constructed setlist builds energy, creates emotional dynamics, and keeps audiences engaged from first note to encore. Poor setlist construction — wrong pacing, awkward transitions, or ignoring audience favorites — can undermine even the most talented performer.
For the broader industry, setlists influence merchandise sales (fans want shirts from specific tours), streaming numbers (songs performed live see streaming spikes), and tour marketing (leaked setlists generate pre-tour buzz).
Examples in Practice
A band opens with three high-energy songs to immediately capture the audience, drops to an intimate acoustic section mid-set, then builds to a climactic finale — a carefully designed energy arc that leaves fans euphoric.
An artist changes their setlist mid-show based on crowd response, swapping a deep cut for a hit single when they sense the audience needs higher energy — a skill developed over hundreds of performances.
After a setlist from a highly anticipated tour leaks online, it generates millions of social media interactions and increases ticket demand for remaining dates.