setlist
SET-list
/ˈsɛtlɪst/
A sequential list of songs or pieces that a performer or band intends to play during a concert.
Refers to the specific ordered song document used for one individual concert performance.
The story behind the word. Combines 'set' (a fixed group of musical numbers performed live) with 'list'. It arose in mid-20th-century rock stage slang as lighting and sound control required exact track sequences.
Word relationships
- program: 'Program' is used for classical concerts or theater, while 'setlist' is standard in pop, rock, and jazz.
Commonly confused with
- repertoire: A setlist is one night's song sequence; repertoire is an artist's full library of performable works.
Collocations
- draft a setlist
- handwritten setlist
- alter the setlist
- setlist reveal
Example sentences
- "The guitarist taped the handwritten setlist to the floor before the venue doors opened." Concert preparation
- "Fans were delighted when the band modified their setlist to include rarely played early tracks." Live review
Memory hook
A list of songs for one specific performance SET. SETLIST = songs for tonight's SET.
When not to use
Do not confuse with 'repertoire', which covers all songs an artist knows how to play across their career.
Fun facts
- Stage-used setlists are prized souvenirs; roadies often hand them to enthusiastic fans after a show.
Related words
Also appears in
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.