Staff Picks: Five Dream Set Lists

Five Dream Set Lists
For me, a concert is defined by the set list. Somehow a band can string together songs in a way that gives fans a glimpse inside their creative minds. While it may not seem like it, bands spend a lot of time planning the order of songs in their set. Everything has to flow together in order to keep the concert’s momentum going. Opening bands need a set list that will get the crowd excited and ready for the rest of the night. That often means only playing upbeat songs and straying away from the slow jams. Headlining bands have a little more leeway with their set lists, allowing time for a break midway through their set for some acoustic songs. This acts as an intermission for the band and fans to regain their strength and finish the show strong. Over the years, I’ve witnessed many bands play their perfected set lists. Some bands I’ve seen multiple times, and in all those times, there are still songs they didn’t play that I wish they had. So for this list, I conjured up my dream set list for five of my favorite bands. (Sidenote: If any of the soon-to-be-mentioned bands want to use my dream set list on an upcoming tour, I would be more than thrilled.)

The Maine
I saw The Maine for the 17^th time at the Atlanta stop of their American Candy tour this past May. In those 17 times, you might think I would have heard every song in their discography, but your thinking would be incorrect. Though the Arizona rockers are very good about rotating current hits and classics, there are some songs they either won’t touch live or don’t have enough popularity to make it onto a set list. My dream set list features some of the classic hits along with B-sides and other gems that haven’t always been a crowd pleaser.

Miles Away
Happy
Don’t Give Up On “Us”
My Hair
This Is The End
Sad Songs
Raining In Paris
Take Me Dancing
Untangle Me
Vanilla
Beast of Burden (Rolling Stones cover)
Am I Pretty?
Good Love
While Listening To Rock and Roll
Waiting For My Sun To Shine

Mayday Parade
I’ve seen Mayday Parade as many (if not more) times as I’ve seen The Maine. They’re both bands that I make an effort to see whenever they’re within a 4 hour range from my house. But of all the times I’ve seen Mayday Parade, I feel like I’ve watched basically the same set over and over—with a few variations here and there. Don’t get me wrong; I love Mayday Parade. They could play the same song 15 times, and I would love every minute of it, but it’s upsetting that they don’t select a more diverse set list when they have such an extensive catalog.

Ghosts
When You See My Friends
A Shot Across The Bow
When I Get Home, You’re So Dead
If You Wanted A Song Written About You, All You Had To Do Was Ask
Everything’s An Illusion
Ocean and Atlantic
Miserable At Best
Terrible Things
Without The Bitter The Sweet Isn’t As Sweet
12 Through 15
Bruised and Scarred
The Torment of Existence Weighed Against the Horror of Nonbeing
Jamie All Over
Three Cheers for Five Years

Paramore
I’ve seen Paramore two times, and I was fairly pleased both times to see that their set contains a variety of songs from their discography. I have to commend Paramore for switching up their sets in a way that plays to both old and new fans.

Fast In My Car
Born For This
Playing God
Proof
Escape Route
Last Hope
Misguided Ghosts
Franklin
All I Wanted
Fences
Conspiracy
Still Into You
(One of Those) Crazy Girls
Let The Flames Begin
Misery Business

Fall Out Boy
I never got to see Fall Out Boy pre-hiatus so unfortunately for me, I may never get to hear some of my favorite FOB songs performed live. While I do enjoy some of their new songs, it’s the old ones that make me want to see them perform live. Since the band returned from hiatus, I have seen them perform several times. While they do still perform their classic hits, there’s a few old songs that made my dream set list that they may never play live again.

Thriller
A Little Less Sixteen Candles, A Little More “Touch Me”
Don’t You Know Who I Think I Am?
Death Valley
I Slept With Someone In Fall Out Boy And All I Got Was This Stupid Song Written About Me
27
Young Volcanoes
The Kids Aren’t Alright
“The Take Over, The Breaks Over”
20 Dollar Nosebleed
The Mighty Fall
Headfirst Slide Into Cooperstown On A Bad Bet
Chicago Is So Two Years Ago
Grand Theft Autumn/Where Is Your Boy
Saturday

Taking Back Sunday
I’ve never seen Taking Back Sunday live so I can’t give a rundown of what their set lists typically contain. Below is only what I hope their set list looks like whenever I get the privilege to see them live.