Putting Together a Great Set and Repetoire Chat by Johnny Burgin

Note: this video cuts out some of the freezes in the first upload.
Band guys and gals! Can you tighten up your set? In the last few years I've given my set a lot of thought. This chat goes through a set I recently did and discusses what songs I did, when I did them and most importantly, why. I mostly choose songs by groove and try to order my grooves in a satisfying way. It's nice to have a collection of different moods and grooves that have an ebb and flow. I hope this might help you think about the construction of your own sets.
Underneath all this is repetoire your own identity or branding-- what are you all about? Songs are like shirts-- they may or may not look good on you! How can you pick songs that double down on your strenghts, or show something you do well that's meaningful to you? NOT doing this work is bad. A set of Sweet Home Chicago, Stormy Monday, Everyday I Have the Blues, the dreaded Mustang Sally, Messin With the Kid, etc might be well paced and go over well to people who listen to blues once a year but would untimately be a career killer for super engaged blues fans. It doesn't create or reinforce any identity. If I hear a band that's just repeating their 'gateway drugs' (the band that initially inspired them), whether it's Robben Ford, Johnny Winter, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Little Charlie or The Red Devils, I feel like they have more work to do. For real blues fans, this is kinda repetitive. Not that you can't play some classics-- you can do whatever you want if there's a strong reason to do so. I love Sweet Home Chicago and play it often as an encore, but that makes sense for me because there's tons of awesome trad guitar in it that I've really dug into, it rocks the house, and it doubles down on my Chicago connection, which is often the only thing the audience might know about me. In other words, it's ON POINT for who I am.
So maybe it's time for that look in the mirror to ask the question-- what am I, or what is my band, all about? What are songs that say THAT? What are songs that show something about ME? HINT: You may have to start writing them yourself lol! My sets are a good 40-50% my own material, and I often wrote those songs because I needed a particular type of song in my set.
To sum up: time onstage is precious, and so's the audience's time! Make the most of it by really carefully considering your repetoire, THEN organize the set in the most satisfying way you can. Done well it could be like the programming of one of your favorite LPs and leave the audience feeling the way you want them to (hopefully, elated!). Good luck and let me know what you think!
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[@thewildblueangel]

Well said. Wise words. Thank you.

[@JohnnyBurginBlues]

Thanks so much man!

[@PeterKeaneMusic]

Great topic! Much appreciated

[@JohnnyBurginBlues]

thanks a lot Peter!

[@daleschimpf]

Great video Johnny! Lots to consider around song selection.

[@JohnnyBurginBlues]

Thanks a lot man!

[@smokyboy86]

Great topic! I think about this all the time. I don’t gig, but I play in the backyard with friends. I always thought people like danceable songs. 👍🏻

[@JohnnyBurginBlues]

Right on! Thanks!

[@kenlelugas158]

Thanks. Appreciate your insight!

[@JohnnyBurginBlues]

thanks a lot Ken!

[@pizzaface4079]

Thanks for the knowledge 😎🎸

[@JohnnyBurginBlues]

right on and rock on!

[@SlimDavenport]

Agree that the song key doesn't matter too much. Most people won't notice.
If you look at the Muddy Waters concert from 1978 in Germany (Rockpalast) he has his capo on the third fret for half the show (playing in G).
Another great vid Johnny.

[@JohnnyBurginBlues]

Thanks man! Yes that's a great vid!