I get asked this a lot when I shoot shows with a barricade (House of Blues, Glasshouse, etc.). I usually take a look for myself just to see what the first 3 songs are (if you’ve never payed attention to the photographers at these kinds of shows, we often only get to shoot the first 3 songs and then we get booted from the pit).

About 95% of the time, I’m shooting bands I listen to… so this allows me to:

1. know how long I have to shoot before the band even gets on stage
2. remember what the 3rd song is so I know if I’m getting a song less or song extra when security starts shoo-ing us out.

Anyway, it’s no secret that most of the time you can see what a band’s setlist is just by googling… but do you REALLY want to know?

I remember before the internet was easily accessible to everyone (remember when you had to go to the library to go online? I know I sound old, shut it), part of the fun of a show was “I hope they play _____”. I remember the joy of completely losing my marbles when “my jam” came on. I still get crazy like that (ask anyone who’s seen me at a PBC show when “Parked in the parking lot…” starts up). But I guess it’s because I’m genuinely surprised that “my jam” is being played right now, right this second.

I mean, are you really THAT excited when you already know ____ is being played next/at all? I guess with a full-album show it’s a different kind of excitement… but it’s just kind of a bummer how everyone wants info right away these days. People asking bands what’s on their setlist, music blogs posting setlists, all the way up to the moment before a band hits the stage and I get asked “Can you tell me what’s on the setlist?”

Just wait and see… And put the camera/iPhone/blackberry/iPad down when the band is playing. There are people trying to watch the show and you should be one of them.