Staredge
Joined: Sep 27, 2008
Posts: 1149
Damascus, Maryland
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Posted on Dec 26 2011 02:02 PM
So.....think I've got a set of guys that want to play out. Mostly into the classic surf and instrumental worlds. We're working on picking out songs and learning them now. I know I have a local car club that said we can come out and play at their shows, so.....
How do you go about setting up a good show? We're kind of all over the place....the usual fairly fast classics......Black Sand Beach......some Link Wray......handful of slow songs. How do you work a set list that covers a little of everything, but keeps the show moving and interesting???
— Will
"You're done, once you're a surfer you're done. You're in. It's like the mob or something. You're not getting out." - Kelly Slater
The Luau Cinders
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OzReverb
Joined: Apr 28, 2009
Posts: 460
Victoria
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Posted on Dec 26 2011 05:26 PM
I think this topic's been covered before - I couldn't do a search for forum topics for you due to an 'internal server error'. You try 
Our set lists are loosely based on these unwritten factors:
1) What songs are ALL of the band ok with playing, after practising enough. A caution with this is not to leave the old songs on a list that you've done a lot of practising/playing with as they can get stale unless you work 'em up differently every now and then
2) The venue, the audience and the event - hot-rod songs like Midnight Run etc etc could work at the car show - having said that, we're fairly unapologetic with what/how we play and believe in our sound and what we do - mind you if a bar owner gets them 2-3 deep at the bar then it's gonna fare better for the band!
3) Are there other similar bands on the bill and what might be on their set lists
4) How long are we playing for - one set or more (always have 2-3 songs in the kitty in case you are asked/encore)
5) 1-2 well-knowns like Pipeline, Mr Moto etc, refer #1 and #3
6) Couple of songs where you can play them without a pause/between song banter or a nice segue into them
7) At least 1 slower song/ballad
But that's us and others will have more or a different take. YMMV...
Personally I find drafting up set lists an exciting part of playing live even before you've dragged the gear on stage and started playing.It sounds like you have got a good basis for writing out a set of classics.
Now as for setting up a good show...
— https://www.facebook.com/lostremoleros/
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matt
Joined: Oct 18, 2010
Posts: 656
Boston, MA
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Posted on Dec 26 2011 05:29 PM
Amazing question! I'm a fan of starting with a couple really solid, fast numbers, something you feel really comfortable with. I usually like to throw in something slow after 5 tunes or so. I try to separate covers of the same artist--not allowed to do two link wray tunes in a row, etc. and I like to end with something super strong. If there is newer material which isn't quite as solid, I'll sandwich it between more seasoned tunes.
But I'm sure there are a million ways to do it. Dick Dale seems to do alright playing whatever comes into his head at the moment. 
— Matt Heaton & the Electric Heaters
Boston's Premier Surf/Noir Combo
http://www.heatonsurf.com
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revmike
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 3857
North Atlantic
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Posted on Dec 26 2011 07:21 PM
As said before, a lot of decisions are based on how the audience is. Urban Surf Kings set tends to be upbeat & danceable. There always is a set list, but we often use it more as a reference than a strict regime to follow. The only thing I really try to stick to is not to have tunes in the same key back to back. Over the years we've pretty much eliminated slow numbers, and though we play mostly originals, we do throw in some well known covers. Nothing like Misirlou to get a new audience to kick into overdrive. If we do drop in a slow number, it is usually Rumble or Pink Panther Theme. We do several Link Wray songs in a row (perhaps I'm Branded, Rumble, Rawhide & Steel Trap).
We've been around for 17 Years so many of our originals are audience favourites, so we try to include those ones. If the audience is really dancing up a storm, we'll stretch out songs, or segue from one song to another to keep 'em going. We always try to have the set build up to a frenzy at the end, and then hit them with our traditional closer, the James Bond Theme.
There is little to no down time between the songs, and most of the MC-ing is done over drum intros, or in breakdown sections of songs. Nothing like a band standing around trying to be clever to kill a show IMHO. I always introduce the members of the band in the first song so that everyone knows whose playing.
But as I said at the beginning, it's all about reading an audience. You get better at that the more gigs you play. and for gosh darn sake, interact with your audience!
Rev
— Canadian Surf
http://www.urbansurfkings.com/
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dp
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 3546
mojave desert, california
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Posted on Dec 27 2011 11:50 AM
Don't forget "Endless Summer"and "Mr Moto"... and of course, you do have one by Lady Gaga , right?
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Staredge
Joined: Sep 27, 2008
Posts: 1149
Damascus, Maryland
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Posted on Dec 27 2011 01:21 PM
Yeah....working up a surf version of Paparazzi even as we speak!!!! 
— Will
"You're done, once you're a surfer you're done. You're in. It's like the mob or something. You're not getting out." - Kelly Slater
The Luau Cinders
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dp
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 3546
mojave desert, california
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Posted on Dec 27 2011 10:46 PM
excellent: ga-ga ooh la la!
Madonna is a bit passe these days...
and Cher...well...unless it's "the Beat Goes On"...
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ErnestHernandez
Joined: Jun 16, 2008
Posts: 597
The Alamo City, TX
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Posted on Dec 28 2011 11:00 AM
I like to prep "mini-sets" or clusters of tunes. Usually about 3 or 4 songs we do back-to-back. For instance we have the "Super Surf Set" (Baja, Out of Limits, Mr. Moto & Apache)or the "Freddie King Pelican Set" which are more 60s styled R&B instros like "Head's Up". All of our originals are paired together.
This gives us a little flexibility to read the crowd but still stay sharp in delivering our repertoire.
Also, I like to always have a song in my back pocket ready to go when the crowd needs a kick in the butt. For us it's Link Wray's version of "Batman".
Good luck and have fun putting your sets together.
— https://kingpelican.bandcamp.com/
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