The difference between a decent show and an extraordinary one often comes down to setlist construction. Approach it as narrative architecture, a carefully designed emotional journey.

• The Emotional Arc: Plot your setlist on an energy curve, with clear building phases, strategic breathers, and a definitive peak moment. I’m talking about dynamics. Most amateur acts make the mistake of starting too high-energy, leaving nowhere to build.
  
• The Thematic Grouping: Organise songs into emotional or thematic blocks, creating mini-experiences within the larger show. This helps audience members connect dots between seemingly disparate material.
  
• The Tension/Release: Deliberately create tension through song selection, talk breaks, or instrumental sections, then pay it off with cathartic moments. The strategic use of tension keeps audiences engaged.
  
• Adjust As Required: Don’t be afraid to extend, blend or tempo shift songs to better suit the live environment and story you are trying to tell. This also gives the audience a unique and inspired performance they can’t get from the recorded music 

Crafting Your Visual Performance

What the audience sees and what happens between songs often determines whether your show feels professional or amateur. Dress to impress and don’t fumble, mumble or waft around aimlessly between songs. It greatly disrupts the ability of a performance to transport the audience out of reality.

The most compelling live shows make these elements appear spontaneous while actually leaving little to chance.

• Strategic Talk Breaks: Plan 3-5 key moments where you'll address the audience. Script these loosely rather than leaving them to chance or rambling improvisation.
  
• Song Introductions: For key songs, develop brief context that enhances listener connection. A 15-second story about why you wrote a song can dramatically increase its impact.
  
• Audience Interaction Points: Identify specific moments for call-and-response, sing-alongs, or other participation. Document what works and refine over time.
  
• Technical Transition Coverage: If you need 30 seconds to switch instruments or tune, plan who will speak or what will happen during that time.

Maximum Impact on Minimum Budget

Contrary to popular belief, you don't need a huge budget to create a visually compelling show. A few carefully considered lights and/or props can do wonders to elevate the performance. With that said, early on you’re likely to be playing small, different shaped stages so you will need to get creative with how you can build a dynamic setup. The goal isn't elaborate production, it's intentional impact.

• Lighting Fundamentals: Even basic coloured lights dramatically transform perception, Especially if you can sync them to your music via MIDI triggers. Document simple lighting presets that work in different venues, focusing on creating depth and mood rather than complexity.
  
• Stage Design Principles: Track your evolving visual presentation, from instrument placement to backdrop elements. Create a consistent visual vocabulary that reinforces your musical identity.
  
• Technology Integration: Catalog any backing tracks, samples, or click tracks needed for different songs. Create foolproof checklists for setting up these systems in various venue types.
  
• Visual Media Assets: Maintain an inventory of any visual content (projections, videos) used during performances, including technical specifications and cue sheets.