My Busking Set List & How To Write One

[@teebone420]

Thanks

[@buskman3286]

I busk 4-5 days/week in the same town and short sets would have the local businesses complaining to the council about hearing "the same songs over and over." Further - it would get really boring really quickly to play the same "12 minute set" for a couple of hours! From my experience from years of doing this, I'd suggest that at a bare MINIMUM a busker's setlist should have an hour's worth of songs in various styles/tempos/keys without a repeat. And if you plan to play regularly at the same areas/locations, I'd recommend more - two/three hours worth of setlist songs. I further suggest that you constantly learn/add new songs and revise the setlists. A final suggestion is: ignore your setlists! Yep, sometimes it's best to pick your songs individually out of your repertoire based on what looks/feels right for the 'audience' at the time.

[@AugustRadioProject]

@@buskman3286 some incredible advice here!! I agree! This is why busking is so magic, by doing these things we grow and expand as musicians so much! I love it! Thank you for sharing and thank you for the comment 😃🙌🏻

[@AugustRadioProject]

Yes!! Wim Hof! 😃🙌🏻

[@patchevansbrokencountry2583]

Im 66. I busk to make the streets better. I play fiddle and guitar and sing. I want people to have a little dance. So I start with fiddle tunes. Rasy to aet up and get a sound i like. After about 30 minutes i switch to guitar and voice. I compensate for my mediocre voice by playing fancy guitar. The setting for fiddle tend to fit for the guitar. Thrn I loop a bit of guitar (chirds the canon in d) and then pick the fiddle up to play the tune. This bit usually lasts a while. Then i go back to fiddle tunes. No idea what works the best. Sometimes its george formby sometimes fiddle sometimes blues. Often people walk past a few rimes and then donate. Good attitude, Dude.

[@AugustRadioProject]

That’s rad! Fiddle & guitar in the same set must keep things pretty fresh! Busking to make the streets better sounds like a good phrase to use when people as ‘why busking?’ - I might have to use that one 🙌🏻😃 thank you for this comment! I appreciate it! ✌🏻

[@patchevansbrokencountry2583]

Having read all the responses, I think you are on the road to creating a real busking community. I can see it now. The ARP buskommunity.

[@AugustRadioProject]

That’s so rad! I love that 🙌🏻 I feel it’s one of my duties with this channel 😃 just so stoked all you are up for it ✌🏻

[@gunnargertzen1810]

I'm not a busker (yet?). But I had performed on stage. So, just two things for beginning sets: The first song should be one, you are absolutely save on singing/playing. Because a good running first song gives you confidence (!!!) for the whole set! And very often (at least on stage, maybe at busking too?) you have to do some adjustments, WHILE singing/playing the first song: Checking monitor sound (and communicate with the technician eg.) or volume, replacing monitor box, stands, cables etc. (and sometimes other band members ;-) ).. So you cant't concentrate hundred percent of singing/playing the first song! Another thing is, performing in front of people, is all about communication (not so much about music!). So, to start a set is like meeting another person for the first time. You wouldn't say "hello" so softly, that the other can't hear you and you would not yell "HELLO!!!!!" right in face, that his ears are bleeding. The way in the middle is good for a first contact. I tink that's the same with the beginning of a set. One or two mid-tempo songs are ideal for a start. Ballads and the hard stuff are for later in your set, when the audience know you. But that's just my two cents... PS. Summer of 69 is always a good choice to get people (esp. ladys ;-) )

[@AugustRadioProject]

I love the idea of treating a set like a conversation with the audience 😃 awesome advice for sure… the biggest different between a busking set and a gigging set is there’s more space in a busking set. You don’t have to worry too much about audience engagement as the nature of the game means the crowd is always passing by. That said, I’ve seen buskers who play their busking sets more like an actual gig and this quite often results in them gathering a crowd! Thank you for sharing this! It’s so cool to have a community of musicians gather to this video ✌🏻😃

[@patchevansbrokencountry2583]

Communication is at the base of it all. Yesterday while busking fiddle tunes a guy started doing a little dance across the street. We got Eye contact and I told him he should "come over here and do that" his reply was that I wasn't supposed to see his little dance. Cue laughter. A little later he came over with his family and donated. Smiles all round. The true magic of busking.

[@KentWoodsMusic]

Totally agree its best to only play what you like because otherwise, you're performance of the song will feel flat and disingenuous. Great setlist!

[@AugustRadioProject]

Spot on! Exactly! Thank you dude 🙌🏻😃

[@TheAshCooper]

My set list. I listen to my own stuff walking to the pitch. Then pick at random. And freestyle at quieter intervals to gain new ideas for lyrics.

[@AugustRadioProject]

I love it man! I remember you saying how you go through ideas in quiet times - such a great shout!! 🙌😃

[@NetStorm84]

Your music taste is exactly the same as mine, I think that's why this channel resonates with me. Keep doing what you do!

[@AugustRadioProject]

That’s epic to hear!! A bit of American country mixed with pop-punk/punk rock 🤩😃🙌🏻 love it!!

[@PickpocketsME]

I have worked at compiling a solid set list, but, for each occasion. For 3 hour gigs I alternate between fast and slow tempo, capo or no capo, original or cover, just to keep interest. For an audition/demo/open mic situation I hit em with my best material, upbeat mostly, but the first and last songs are Uber important here as they will recall those two over the others. I love ARP!

[@AugustRadioProject]

Spot on with this! I think it's a great idea to have set lists that are tailored for different occasions 😃 you're so right about those opening and closing songs too... wise words! 🙌

[@marshlanderdumarais264]

I completely agree with your ideas of starting with something that fits well within your range to warm it up and singing songs that you want to sing. I am very pleased to see you including so many of your own songs. I sing only my own songs these days. When I return to a place I sometimes get requests to sing one of my songs and that makes me very happy. Sometimes I get a request to sing a cover (Hurry On Sundown by Hawkwind or anything by Nirvana or Metallica have been recent requests, for example!!!) . That ain’t gonna happen, but I’m intrigued that some people think I could. I explain that I only sing my own songs and that avoids the embarrassment of having to admit I don’t know the string of requests someone may make in exasperation. I try to mix up keys and metres so there is variety between adjacent songs, although that is probably more important for a gig than for busking. I think it does though provide some relief for anyone who may be forced to hear my music because they are working in a nearby shop or office. Sometimes I link songs thematically. Great video as always. Cheers.

[@AugustRadioProject]

That’s so rad! I love that you only play your own work! There’s something really cool about having requests to play original songs 🙌🏻 although I think a Marshlander version of a Nirvana classic could be awesome, I do think it’s best to do it the way that’s true to you and stick to playing originals 🤘🏻 Having the ‘I only play originals’ statement when you get requests sounds epic. I’m always being asked to play songs I don’t know 🤣 Thanks for sharing!! 🙌🏻

[@marshlanderdumarais264]

@@AugustRadioProject - thanks, ARP! ❤️

[@kyhouse]

Is that a Gibson Songwriter? If so, that's a pretty sweet guitar! I have one myself but rosewood. Props to you for being brave enough to play such a nice guitar outside of a studio or a inside gig job.

[@AugustRadioProject]

It's a Gibson J165! Very similar to the Songwriter. Beautiful guitars eh! 😀 I've had mine for a very long time and it's been through a fair amount, playing it on the street never felt risky. These days it's more of an indoor guitar though as it really needs some TLC 🙌 Stoked you've got a songwriter in Rosewood - beautiful!

[@BruceLande]

You are my hero and my inspiration. I just back to busking and performaing live after a long lay off and you are a great help. Thanks!

[@AugustRadioProject]

So stoked to hear it! Thank you so much for the kind words too! 😃🙌🏻

[@brendodorset3720]

spot on, man. you should play songs you like. why play tunes you don't like just to please others? play what you like and people will like it too.

[@AugustRadioProject]

It’s so true! I was talking with another busker about this subject and they were saying how much less fun it is to play songs that don’t resonate with you too… it’s gotta be enjoyable for you on order for it to be enjoyable for everyone else 🙌🏻😃 thank you for the comment!

[@startingfingerstyle]

Still working my way through your busking videos Ben. This subject interested me a lot. I've never busked in my life, but I reckon I want to have a go next year in warmer weather (my 60 odd year old fingers don't respond well to the cold!) I may never have busked, but I do gig a bit and set list design is an important feature. These days I'm never offered a chance to play in a busy pub environment. There's a lot of ageism out there. Me and my 60 year old mates do not generally fit in with what the bar/pub is trying to attract. We have though, managed to get one cocktail bar in town willing to give us a small room on their quietest night of the week to play for anyone who turns up. We have to promote the thing ourselves, so many of our audience members are known to us. We take it turns to participate, two or three different acts each time (there's quite a few of us oldies still wanting to strut our stuff occasionally). Now, our audiences are small, but they stay put for the whole evening and they are genuinely there to listen, which makes the 'shape' of the set list very important. There can be no repeats, nor can two different acts play the same songs! For me, aiming at a 45 minute set, I start with something safe, well within range, but with some impact (perhaps something people of my demographic/age will recognise). Having established my cred, I can then go off into more obscure things in the first third of my set. Here I can stretch to things a little more challenging vocally, and if not too many people know the songs, it'll still get some applause. At some point though, you need to set your eyes on the finishing line and start to build towards that; head for the line and drag your audience with you. Out come the familiar crowd pleasers, maybe a chorus ot two and encourage some participation. I have in my songbook a number of higher tempo party pieces, medleys of 60s/70s hits which I get everyone singing along with. I never do more than one of the medleys and it is always my last piece. Leave them on high, leave them wanting more. Then on to the next act. I realise that busking and small gigs are not the same thing, but interesting that we're driven by similar ideas and motives.

[@AugustRadioProject]

First off, that’s crazy that it can get a little ageist when it comes to getting booked - I’ve never given it much thought! Thank you for making it known… 🙌🏻 if I’m ever in a position to book folk for a show or a tour I’m doing, I’ll be sure to keep it in mind 😊 I also love you’ve found a way to have some regular performing and get your fix! Secondly, what you have written here is a perfect guide on how to write a set list. Honestly reads like a KZbin video script!! 🙌🏻😃 it’s all so true and such great advice too. It’s easy to forget how much thought has gone into someone’s performance when you’re an audience member, but there truly is an art to it and it seems you’ve got it down! Thank you for sharing this! ✌🏻

[@marctestarossa]

My approach is completely different on the capo. I tend to change keys a lot, because to me it feels a bit tiring to listen to several songs in the same key back to back. But I'm so used to doing this and I have the feeling that my guitar and the capo became such great friends over time that I rarely have to tune it after putting it on another fret. Maybe I just got better at applying it. Using the capo can be quite an art form in itself, knowing on which frets you put it on straight or if a slight angle works better, which strings to push down first and stuff like that. I learned that it's not always as simple as clamping it down anywhere anytime. I think it's worth putting some time into it and use it in different ways and check the intonation and stuff.

[@AugustRadioProject]

So true! I completely agree and I love what you've said about the capo being an art form. It's definitely something you have to be mindful with and make sure you're clamping it on properly - and just like you say, every guitar is different and every fret is slightly different too! Such great insight 😃🙌 thank you for sharing - I agree, it is inspiring to hear from others and their approaches!

[@lsbfilmproductions]

I've just brought the Mackie Showbox. Csmt wait to get using it!

[@AugustRadioProject]

YES!! Game changing gear!! 😀 🙌

[@TheOnlineBusker]

Another great video and as always I watch all the way through! My busking is quite unique in the fact that I suffered a couple of serious health issues that made a massive difference to my ability to play guitar. So that said, my setlist has definite "must haves". 1) They have to be songs I can sing well obviously, but more than that they need to be really easy to strum! I used to strum like you, but not anymore. 2) as you say, I have to love the song. 3) (only in my opinion, everyone varies) they need to be pretty well-known. So if anyone is interested or just starting out, here's my list: 1) Still haven't found what I'm looking for - U2 (a great "throat opener", for me at least, and pretty much everyone knows/likes? it)) 2) First cut is the deepest - Rod Stewart (same reason) 3) Don't let me down - Beatles (stone cold classic and people ALWAYS stop in their tracks and listen/donate) 4) Candle in the wind - Elton John (you might think "that's a bit miserable?" but people love it!) 5) Let it be - Beatles (same reason as 4) 6) Yellow - Coldplay (again, instantly recognisable once you sing first line!) 7) Stand by me - Ben E King (another all-time classic that I love singing and people enjoy) 8) Somewhere only we know - Keane (this one is unbelievable, I'd say it's the biggest earner along with don't let me down) 9) Don't look back in anger - Oasis (no explanation needed) 10) Valerie - Zutons (seems all ages know this one, and I like singing it) 11) Silence is easy - Starsailor (mainly because I know James Walsh haha, but a great one to belt out too) 12) Everybody's changing - Keane (great to sing, easy to play, many people like it) 13) Free fallin - Tom Petty (busker's classic?) After this I'm struggling, not only physically, but for ideas.... so I get just over an hour with this. AND here's a question for ARP and everyone else, do you repeat songs? Like if you have your "best" songs, do you play them twice? If I see there are more people at the end, I sometimes repeat don't let me down, just because why not? :) I think it's important to say, my reasons for busking are simple, just to be able to play and sing again. I have a good job so it's not for the cash, and I only usually make about €25, half of which I donate to stroke charities. Plus it's a "release" after tough days at work, so when I have a day off, I go for an hour to busk, and absolutely love doing it! Cheers ARP and everyone!

[@AugustRadioProject]

Incredible set of songs here 🙌🏻😃 I love it! I don’t think you can go wrong with any of them! To your question… yes repeating songs is fine. I usually run my set twice so end up playing ever song twice. If it’s going really well, I’ll sometimes play the ‘highlights’ a 3rd time. I don’t think there’d be anything wrong with repeating a few of the earlier ones once you’ve completed the set. Especially if you had a little break and/or you’re in a place where foot traffic is in flow 😊 hey sometimes folk even request to hear a song again that I’ve only just played, nobody seems to mind ✌🏻

[@fredflintstone1428]

Great video once again. Onwards and upwards.

[@AugustRadioProject]

Oh yes!! 😃🙌🏻

[@cletussea-ray944]

Absolutely great video and spot on! Busk authentic!

[@AugustRadioProject]

Yes!! Thank you 😃🙌🏻

[@paulnickson7239]

I really inspired by your videos, this is great advice and makes me want to get out busking, mainly because I love playing to an audience and like you I love to play my own songs. Thank you for sharing your work.

[@AugustRadioProject]

Thank you! Definitely get out there and give it a go, it's rewarding on so many levels! 😃🙌

[@SomeRandomPunk]

I like the idea of a warm up song, I ripped a vocal chord in 2017 so I couldn't sing so mine is now "wait and bleed" by slipknot. I finds it makes me sound ill in the span of a minute which is what I need.

[@AugustRadioProject]

Wait and Bleed is a solid warm up song! Nothing like a bit of Slipknot to wake up the vocal cords! 🤣 sorry to hear about your injury though, glad it’s better now! I think the warm up is super important, especially for long periods of playing 🙌🏻😃

[@HichoMusic]

Thanks for sharing Bro, very interesting list, great warm up tunes and following on with an awesome set. Keep going pal.

[@AugustRadioProject]

Thank you man! I appreciate it 😃🙌🏻

[@stevecook4109]

Sorry that I'm late to this party. Great video. My set list is made up of mainly covers. My starting song is Proud Mary which is a bit of a banger easy on my voice and easy to play and it eases me in to the show. Keep it up man.

[@AugustRadioProject]

I love it!! Easy on the voice as well as a banger is the ideal mix for the opener! 😃 thank you for the comment and sharing! I appreciate it! 🙌

[@ArtVallejo]

Love your videos. "Gone Fishing" sounds like a guy's version of a Taylor Swift song. Great busking tips!

[@AugustRadioProject]

🤣🤣 can’t go wrong with being compared to TS!! Gone Fishing is actually a song that my old band would play - Ghouls, there’s a music video of it on KZbin for anyone who is interested 🙌🏻

[@gebear1]

Hi enjoying the video, I agree with choosing the songs that you like and enjoy doing, by the way "what model guitar are you using?" Keep the videos coming.

[@AugustRadioProject]

Thank you so much 🙌🏻😃 my guitar is a Gibson (yes, real one!) J-165e or something. It’s very battered from years of being on the road but that piece of wood means more to me than any other material object I own. 🙌🏻😃

[@bigtruckbrad]

Enjoying your content here in central Texas. If you like American CW covers, look at Turnpike Troubadours and Midnight River Choir. There is some good stuff there.

[@AugustRadioProject]

That’s rad! Thank you!! I love American Country honestly… the first time I ever went to the US it was on the radio and I’ve been kinda hooked ever since! 🤣 so good!! 🙌🏻😃

[@bigtruckbrad]

I’m taking my wife to see Midnight River Choir tonight at a small venue in downtown New Braunfels. It should be awesome

[@Joesharpp]

Definitely learning the hard way I need to start doing covers ;//

[@AugustRadioProject]

I think it's worth playing a few - but make sure they're songs you like and that you can put authentic energy into! 😃🙌

[@michaelmalmgren2817]

great stuff :)

[@AugustRadioProject]

Thank you 😃🙌🏻

[@fredflintstone1428]

BLOW ME (well not literally...), I'm half way through the video and an original pops up called 'If I'. I've an original song from around1992ish called 'And If I'....I'll have a listen to your now. It reminds me though of a song I wrote in about 1994ish (and I'm about to perform for the first time at Huddersfield Food & Drink Festival on Aug 3rd...I think I open the 4 -day Festival) called Bedtime Stories'. About three months after finishing recording it, Madonna no less then releases an album of the same name. Nothing new under the sun it appears...

[@AugustRadioProject]

Woah that’s crazy… maybe something serendipitous going on? Or maybe Madonna was incognito in Huddersfield that day? 🤣 but seriously… I love the stories! Thank you for sharing! 😃🙌🏻

[@paulmatania4445]

Hey man I've been following you for a while and I really appreciate the knowledge you share. I've started busking myself and and have some questions for you... 1. What is your busking sign made out of and how did you stick it on so it lasts? 2. I notice you have some kind of connector stand for your zettle and wondered where you got that? Thanks man and hopefully see you out busking as am planning a trip to Brighton soon! Thanks so much, Paul 😊

[@AugustRadioProject]

That's so awesome to hear dude! So 1. my sign is made of a pretty sturdy cardboard, I've cut it to the shape of my guitar case and it wedges in perfectly - I then use clips to keep it in place when playing... which leads on nicely to 2. I use a clip with a 'gooseneck' which is actually for a phone I think? You can get them on Amazon or I got mine from Tiger 😃🙌 I hope that helps! ✌

[@paulmatania4445]

@@AugustRadioProject thanks so much man I really appreciate it!

[@elcaminodelbusker]

GREAT STUFF

[@AugustRadioProject]

YES!! 😃🙌🏻 thank you!

[@elcaminodelbusker]

@@AugustRadioProject i love to leave your song as backsound while doing homework

[@jhonreyfloresacosta9521]

i'll be just here until you get famous

[@AugustRadioProject]

I appreciate it! 😃🙌🏻👀

[@laurachequer2281]

Hello there! I loved this video!! It is really helpful for me❤, how many songs in total are you playing in your SETLIST? 🎸🎸🎸 Thanks a lot! keep going, and i also loved your ORIGINAL SONGS!! I hope to ear them in Apple Music!!

[@AugustRadioProject]

It's about 26-28 songs that I'll play per set 🙌 I didn't start out with that many though, I'd say 10-15 to begin with and the others have been added over time 😃 stoked you like the original songs, excited to get them out!

[@laurachequer2281]

@@AugustRadioProject thanks for your answer!! And yes we hope you do it!! 🤩 have a great day!! By the way… your videos are helping me since i am a musician to but in Mexico! so thanks a lot! If one day i return to England (cause i have family there) it would be cool to meet you, i stayed in Brighton and Thame for a few weeks many years ago ❣️

[@juntumusic]

❤❤❤❤what a rad dude lol

[@AugustRadioProject]

Haha! Oh yes 🤙🏻

[@oldguylearnsguitar8266]

I heard on another busking channel, that they only do a 10-12 minute set and repeat it, because most people only stop for a few minutes on their way to elsewhere, and if they've tipped, their not going to tip again later into the set. It made sense, and probably worth an experiment?

[@glatzenspecht]

German Busker here. Many Buskers in Hamburg are doing this and i never saw them smile or happy. When i would play such a short Set, i think i also would stop smiling and having fun.

[@oldguylearnsguitar8266]

@@glatzenspecht Thankyou, yes you have to enjoy it and be happy :) I am not a busker, but maybe one day if I improve my skills :)

[@gunnargertzen1810]

In many cities it's even against the "busting" rules to repeat sets! And I can understand why, imagine working nearby and hearing every 12 minutes the same 4 songs over and over again... And as a musician myself, i can' t understand, why these guys are doing it (if they are real musicians). There are so many great songs in the world. More than you can perform! I would never do it in this way.

[@AugustRadioProject]

Haha I’d say 10-12minutes would get pretty repetitive after a few runs… not only for nearby businesses but honestly as a musician you want to be playing varied songs! I did think about a KZbin experiment where it’s just one songs on repeat… or maybe even no songs? But it doesn’t feel very authentic to me, I don’t think I’d be able to do it with integrity… I love the music too much!! 🤣 maybe another more ‘social challenge’ KZbinr will do it! That’s cool to know about the buskers who are doing the 12 minute repeat… I haven’t heard of it before! 😃🙌🏻

[@AugustRadioProject]

@@glatzenspecht smiling and having fun is what life is all about!! 😃🙌🏻

[@fredflintstone1428]

Ah!....'The Boulevard delivered by The Bard'....this was one of the songs all my guitar students wanted to play when I was teaching many moons ago. I presume you know that Noel Gallagher had a hissy fit when he first heard this song saying it was a rip-off of 'Wonderwall'. If that's not the pot calling the kettle, I don't know what is....

[@AugustRadioProject]

Haha that’s awesome!! I did know about Noel not being pleased about it. It’s funny you say that because now if ever somebody requests wonderwall I play this instead but make the intro sound as if I’m going to play Oasis 🤣🙌🏻

[@Sidian]

Poor Ed Sheeran, man. He can't catch a break on your channel. Anyway, good video, I like the longer ones that show the donations you get etc.

[@AugustRadioProject]

🤣🤣🤣 if I ever get to meet him, I’m going to have to apologise but also tell him how much value he brought to my videos! Thank you for the comment, I appreciate it 😃🙌🏻

[@joshuagoold9801]

Can u play No surrender by Bruce Sprngtein. The Boss

[@AugustRadioProject]

I do love a bit of Bruce!! 😃🙌🏻

[@BrightonBeachBuskingBBB]

👏👏❤

[@AugustRadioProject]

🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻