Your First Live Set: A Survival Guide
Everything you need to know before stepping on stage for the first time, from setlist planning to dealing with nerves.
Your first live performance is one of the most important moments in your career as an artist. It is also one of the most terrifying. The good news is that nerves are completely normal and even useful — adrenaline sharpens your focus and gives your performance energy. The key is preparation. The more prepared you are, the less room there is for anxiety to take over. Start preparing at least two weeks before the show, not two days.
Build your setlist with intention. For a typical 20 to 30 minute opening slot, you need 5 to 7 songs. Start with something confident and high-energy to grab attention. Place your strongest track (the one that always gets a reaction) in the middle or second-to-last position. End on a high note that leaves the audience wanting more. Practice your setlist in order, from start to finish, multiple times. Transitions between songs matter — dead air kills momentum, so plan what you will say or play between tracks.
Sort your technical requirements well in advance. Contact the venue or promoter and ask about the PA system, monitors, and backline. If you are a solo artist performing with backing tracks, bring your audio on two devices (laptop and phone, for example) as a backup. If you are in a band, confirm who is providing what equipment. Arrive early for soundcheck and use it properly: check your levels, make sure you can hear yourself in the monitors, and run through at least the first and last song of your set.