After a lifetime of shows in rock, soul/r&b, blues and worship, what I'm about to tell you has long been my thinking on the subject. It only fully pertains to my solo sets because anything in a band means input and sometimes largely the choices of the other musicians as well -and that's how I think it should be when it's truly a band rather than people backing me up.
So for solo gigs not in any absolute order:
My homework- where is this music set happening? Who are the people expected to be there, I mean culturally, median age, etc..?
What, based on asking questions of promoters and the above homework as well as possible experience of playing there prior, does the particular audience or congregation, etc., seem to NEED?
What are my musical abilities in terms of the first two points above? What in my repertoire of songs (and instruments) can I bring them with the above in mind?
Wow many minutes, hours, songs am I being invited to actually do? I seek to fnish within the time-frame and quickly move from the stage/platform after the set , actually dropping one or more songs if pushing outside the agreed-upon time frame.
Being willing, mindful of the actual audience/congregation during the set. When I'm solo, I will make changes as I go depending on how I read that particular group.
In a nutshell this is how I create a solo setlist -in advance and onstage.
Some are thinking "But what about including songs from your records re. selling your music and other merch onsite, what about trying out new songs, what about playing what you FEEL like playing in the venue?" And I'll say, sure, all valid stuff but not as important as what I've already stated if what you are doing is not merely thinking of a career but serving, ministry, caring for those who show up.
Sometimes I may "push the envelope" a little by doing a song or more somewhat rocking what may be their norm, even choosing various instruments with a mind to expand people's thinking and provide a broader, maybe even slightly exotic experience for them- but it's about them and being gracious, not merely "body-slamming" folks.
So there you have it, my 3 cents anyway :)
As always, thanks for stopping by. -Glenn
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