A set or set list for a performing artist is the sequence in which
songs will be presented to an audience. In layman's terms it's
the order in which you will perform your music. This is a very
simplistic way of tackling this very important aspect of your
musical career. A lot of artists tend to take their set for granted
and when they get an opportunity to perform they end up winging
it. The performance is usually impromptu and more often than
not sub-standard. A lack of preparation in this area is the thin line
which separates the professionals from the amateurs. It's
important that every artist builds a set well in advance of any
performance engagement. Know and rehearse what you will
perform religiously so that when an opportunity arises to
showcase your talent you are able to put your best foot forward.
90% of an audience impression of your performance will be
based on the first and second song you choose to perform. This
is probably the most important aspect to consider when building
a set. You must come out swinging and leave when the audience
is still begging for more. For lack of a better phrase you must
quite literally kill them with the music. Paralyse them with your
energy and choreography, this is showmanship. Showmanship
is your ability to look and sound excited about what you are
performing on stage to an extent that your audience is transfixed
and eager to see more. This has little or nothing at all to do with
you having a hit song. I am not talking about you performing a
"hit song", if you have one then by all means start and end with
that, don't hold back any punches. Here I am talking about how
you can build a set and even without a "hit song", how you can use showmanship to win your audience. Look and sound excited
about the music you are performing, engage your audience with
a positive booming voice. Tell them you are excited to be there,
even if you are performing for free. Here there is no room for
broody artists or shy guys. Make eye contact, don't shy away on
stage whispering "next track" to the deejay. Come prepared,
build your set well in advance. This is your virtual performance
cd, a flash drive with the music you will perform already mixed to
merge as you perform your well-rehearsed routine. No song is
longer than three and a half minutes. Keep it short and sweet
until they start paying you to do more. Dress the part, remember
that this is showmanship. There is always a little bit of allure.
Borrow clothes if you have to or at least try to match your outfits
with your team. Yes, did I forget to mention that you must have
a team? Remember I have consistently insisted that you must
not try to do this music thing alone, collaborate, team up with like
minds. Remember that old adage "if you want to go quick, go
alone. But if you want to go far go with others". Link up and be
each other's backing vocalists or dancer. Don't make the mistake
of being on that big stage alone. Showmanship can also involve
make-up or even face paint. The latter can be surprisingly easy
to mimic – a clever use of toothpaste can emulate face paint and
is perfectly healthy to use on the skin. Be adventurous and find
ways to stick out on stage and make a big impression.
Tempo is a Big Issue
Tempo is the speed at which your music plays normally
measured in beats per minute (BPM). Your first and last song
must make your audience move, and by move I mean dance.
Remember you haven't made it yet, you cannot afford to take it
easy or wait to build up the momentum by first playing some
sombre tracks musing about lost loves and heartache. You are
trying to leave an undeniable mark on this audience, you want
them to remember you and to want more. Your 15-minute set is
too short for some melancholy jams. Hit them quick and hard –kill them with the music. House music from South Africa is
generally around 125 BPM, Amapiano is around 113 BPM. Your
audience is able to dance at this tempo. As a rule of thumb
anything around the 90 something beats per minute is mid-
tempo and already playing on the fringes of slow. Don't perform
a slow song when you are trying to kill your audience with the
music and make a meaningful impression. Think about tempo
when you start building your Set. Start with the bangers, colour
and dance routine on stage will definitely catch the attention of
your audience. I know the issue of tempo is sometimes not
considered by many artists when they compose and record their
music and this has detrimental effects on your ability to build a
good set. Before recording your "hits" talk about TEMPO with
your producer and see if the beat can be tweaked to get out of
the 90 something beats per minute slow lane into something
faster.
Know the Key of Your Music
Simply put music has a specific tone or feel. When building your
Set put similar sounding songs close to each other in your set.
The similarities may even be guided by the message conveyed
in the music. For example if you have a song called "Welcome
to the Summer"; it may be inappropriate to put a song like this on
a set when performing in winter. That said it must always be clear
that there are no rules written in stone for you to follow when
building your set. The purpose of this book is to stir up a
conversation that you as an artist must take the time to examine
the music you have produced or are producing and make a
critical decision on which songs should be on your SET. It must
be clear now that not all of your songs can make the cut. Having
a hit song clearly makes it easier for an artist to know what the
audience wants to hear. In the absence of a hit song one must
take the time to examine aspects of showmanship, tempo and
key.