A podcast for lovers of live music. The Seven Song Setlist is an exercise in 'gig economy' (not that kind...). The concept is simple; you're off to see your favourite artist or band live, but, for whatever reason, they can only play for thirty minutes. Which seven songs would make your ideal setlist? Hosts Ali and Dan, who have attended gigs together since their teens, celebrate the joy of live music as they try to compile the ultimate seven song setlists for some of the biggest and best bands in the world!
The Jarmans, twins Ryan and Gary and their younger brother, Ross, on drums, grew up in Wakefield, Yorkshire. Allegedly, the trio started making music as far back as 1989, when they were just kids, but it wasn’t until 2004 that they released their self-titled debut album. The raw, tenacious, distorted stabs of high-pitched guitar hooks were carried over onto their follow up, The New Fellas, which saw them build upon their momentum and satisfy a devoted set of fans who were lapping up the early noughties boom of guitar music led by contemporaries The Strokes and The Libertines on either side of the Atlantic.Men’s Needs, Women’s Needs, Whatever, their first major label release, landed on New Year’s Day 2007. The album retained the identity of The Cribs' earlier work but was produced brilliantly by Franz Ferdinand’s Alex Kapranos into a more precise and polished sound, which really showcased their talent of writing what are, for all intents and purposes, catchy, angular pop songs.No surprise for a band whose breakthrough single was ‘Hey! Scenesters’ the band have, to quote Mark Beaumont of the NME “a long-held commitment the ethos of honesty, perseverance and holding two fingers up to their detractors”. Stick To Ur Guns, as they told us at the end of 2009’s Ignore The Ignorant, which saw guitar legend Johnny Marr join the band for the recording process and tour.More rock and roll icons helped to spawn their latest album, Night Network, which has literally just been released. After losing their management and getting into a draining legal battle to regain the ownership of their music, Dave Grohl told the anti-establishment trio to “forget about that business stuff, come and make a fucking album” when they supported the Foo Fighters at the Eithad in Manchester, and invited the brothers to the Foo’s studio 606 in Seattle, where the healing process began. Sonic Youth’s Lee Ranaldo reunites with the band, having previously supplied the spoken-word vocals to standout Men’s Needs, Women’s Needs, Whatever album track, Be Safe, and The New Fellas reignited sense of purpose and creativity has got fans of scuzzy, garage punk rock and indie around the world excited for their return. But will any of the tracks from Night Network make it into our seven song setlist? Also in the episode, we discuss The Cribs live stream show from the Cavern Club, Liverpool, their new merch and whether there are any other bands from Wakefield that are worth listening to. Dan recommends Gang of Youths as our support act, Ali is reminded of the time he nearly forgot to attend a Father John Misty gig and we remember the amazing venue that was the London Astoria...EPISODE LINKSThe Cribs Official Website The Cribs Live at the Cavern Club, Liverpool (gig available until 28th November) Gang of Youth Official WebsiteSetlist.fm for Cribs live statsSave Our VenuesWIN Ryan Jarman's Signature Fender GuitarIf you're enjoying our episodes, don't forget to subscribe to the podcast and, if you're feeling really lovely, leave us a nice review. Follow our Instagram and Twitter accounts.BE SAFE X
This week, Ali and Kempy discuss once in a generation talent, the wildly successful Florence and the Machine. Florence Welch was born in Camberwell, South London, to Nick – an advertising executive and Evelyn – a university professor. The bands’ name started as a private joke between her and childhood friend and long-time keyboard player and collaborator, Isabella – or Isa Summers. Early gigs billed them as Florence Robot and Isa Machine, but in time the length of the name drove them mad and they became Florence and the Machine.Even before releasing their debut album, there was a lot of hype around Florence, known for her powerful vocal performances, eccentric stage persona and for performing barefoot. They were invited to play Glastonbury, support Blur at Hyde Park and won the critics choice award at the 2009 Brit awards.A 2009 BBC review of Lungs describes the bands' style of music as ‘soul inspired indie’ meets ‘Tim Burton style fairytales’. Certainly, the emotive lyrics in her early work are full of dark imagery that contrast the ethereal music, now synonymous with huge percussion, the use of harmony and choirs and, of course, the infamous harp. After 28 consecutive weeks on the UK album charts, it reached the summit and the band scored their first number one album. The album reached number 14 in the US Billboard 200 and has sold over 3 million copies worldwideShe built upon the identifiable sound on her incredible debut with 2011’s Ceremonials and 2015’s How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful, which – she admits – was very difficult and at times traumatic thing to create, and documents the breakdown of a relationship.In 2015, while recovering from a broken foot herself, she stepped up to headline the Glastonbury festival when Foo Fighters had to pull out due to Dave Grohl breaking his leg after falling offstage during a gig. They covered Foos’ song, Times Like These, in a memorable set that only reinforced her as a once in a generation talent who thoroughly deserved to top the bill at Worthy Farm on her own merit, and no doubt would have done so even if Mr Grohl hadn’t broken his leg.In an interview with Annie Mac for Radio 1 in 2018, Florence confessed that here ‘attachment to reality is tenuous at the best of times’, and she topped off an incredible decade with her fourth album, High As Hope, which saw her giving herself a producer credit for the first time and debuts more direct and honest lyrical style about her life and struggles with alcohol and eating disorders. Also in this episode. the boys discuss the strangest modes of transport that they've taken to gigs, upcoming live stream shows and how a board game based on Never Mind the Buzzcock's 'Guess the Song' round nearly ended Ali's relationship.EPISODE LINKSFlorence and the Machine at the Royal Albert Hall for the Teenage Cancer TrustFlorence and the Machine official websiteFoo Fighters album pre-order (supporting independent record stores)Liam Gallagher 'Down By the River Thames' live stream ticketsRadio One interview with Annie MacShame - Alphabet (this week's support band)Thames Clipper Boats, Ali's preferred mode of transportation Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review if you're enjoying these episodes, and follow us on Instagram and Twitter.
“The venues are more of a pay off than the awards, they’re the benchmark for us” Bondy, Catfish and the BottlemenAli and Dan discuss Catfish and the Bottlemen and their ascent from small, independent venues to bona fide festival headliners since their debut album, The Balcony, was released in 2014. As well as making their cases for their favourite Catfish anthems to be included in the final seven song setlist, they also compare the songwriting talents of Van McCann and Arctic Monkey's Alex Turner, the Reading/Leeds announcement that there will be two headliners per night, snobbery in the music press, the UK arenas most likely to score low on the gameshow Pointless, whether Scottish music fans are the best in the world, Jimmy Nail and Kempy's favourite soft beverage, Robinson's Blackcurrant corida.THIS WEEK'S HEADLINERS An adolescent Van McCann, frontman of Catfish and the Bottlemen, began submitting his tracks to the BBC Introducing Uploader a decade ago. He did so with intent, quoted as saying “we believe that once our music is heard, the people will love it”. He was relentlessly committed to the world hearing their music; throwing demos onstage at gigs and stuffing them under car windscreen wipers to get the word around the country.The journey started to pick up pace after their 2013 appearance on the BBC Introducing stage at Reading and Leeds’ festivals. A year later, their debut album, the Balcony, was released. Filled with perfect three-minute indie-rock anthems that resonated not just in their hometown of Llandudno, but nationwide. BBC Radio 6 Music’s Steve Lamacq described them as his favourite band of the year and, judging from their ascension up the line-up posters of festivals across the country, he wasn’t the only one who fell in love with the 11 songs on The Balcony, all of them – according to Van in an interview with Lammo - about girls and getting out a small town. The songs on their debut were made to be played live – or rather screamed back at the band from their legions of devoted fans - and follow-up The Ride, released in 2016, and last year’s effort, The Balance, have capitalised on Van’s instinct for a great hook and huge singalong choruses that match the bands’ stadium sized ambition. Experiencing Catfish live – even watching footage of their gigs and the reaction of their fans – prove that they are worthy festival headliners and next year, alongside Stormzy, come full circle as they top the bill at Reading and Leeds festival. EPISODE LINKSBBC Introducing, Catfish and the Bottlemen - The Rise - https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p07w3bcf/bbc-music-introducing-catfish-and-the-bottlemen-the-riseCatfish and the Bottlemen headline gig at TRNSMT 2019 - https://youtu.be/XumHP-Eo854Catfish and the Bottlemen official website - https://www.catfishandthebottlemen.com/homepage-v2-uk/Robinson's Blackcurrant Cordial - https://www.robinsonssquash.co.uk/our-products/product-range/Van McCann and Steve Lamacq discuss 'The Balcony' - https://youtu.be/Aj9OCY1wvYAAfter you've subscribed to the pod, don't forget to follow us on Instagram and Twitter! Thanks for listening.
WA-CHING....that's the sound of Ali and Dan Seven returning for Season Two of the Seven Song Setlist podcast. Although the doors to live music venues across the country are still locked shut and bands remain unable to tour, gig goers Ali and Dan try their best to replicate the excitement of going to see your favourite artists. From the merch table to the bar, the support band to the headline act, the Seven Song Setlist podcast hopes to support the artists that we love through an exercise in 'gig economy (no, not that kind...), as we argue our case for our most loved songs and try to agree on the songs we would want these bands to play if they could only perform a seven song setlist!And, after scoring their first number one album with Ultra Mono earlier this month, and on the eve of the world premiere of the film Don't Go Gentle, at London's BFI Southbank, who better to kick off the new season with than the ferocious prophets of positivity....the mighty IDLES!Formed in Bristol in 2009 by sixth form friends Joe Talbot and Adam ‘Dev’ Devonshire. Guitarist Mark Bowen, a former dentist who is better known nowadays for ripping off his clothes and parading around on stage in his CK’s rather than ripping out teeth, joined the band after moving from Belfast to Bristol, and by 2014, John Beavis and Lee Kiernan completed the line up that have achieved so much success since they literally roared onto the scene with their 2017 debut album, Brutalism. Championed in the early days by the legend that is Steve Lamacq – the unofficial sixth member of Idles – and the station on which he DJ’s, BBC6Music, IDLES. Their second album, the Mercury music prize nominated Joy As An Act Of Resistance extended a warm embrace to lots of people around the world who needed a band like Idles in their lives to make sense of the chaos. Proof of this can be found in the AF Gang, an online community of over 31 thousands Idles founded by Lindsay Melbourne fans that has become a vital part of of their lives and is now almost as well known as the band themselves. A carnival like atmosphere at their appearance on the Park Stage was one of the highlights of the 2019 edition of the Glastonbury festival, and they capped off last year with their biggest headline show to date, at London’s iconic Alexandra Palace. Had this year not robbed us all of live music, there is not doubt that the tracks from IDLES latest offering, Ultra Mono, would have filled arenas around the country and propelled them ever closer to the top of festival bills around the world. We also chat about the 80's Australian indie heroes, the Go-Betweens, the recent announcement that Arctic Monkeys are releasing a live album with proceeds going to War Child, where IDLES go next and if they'll follow Turner and co. and end up as the moon's next resident band...EPISODE LINKSAF GANG(from the merch table) Arctic Monkeys live at the Royal Albert Hall for War Child Don't Go Gentle: A Film About IDLES(this ep's support act) The Go-Betweens 'Streets of Your Town' IDLES npr music Tiny Desk Concert (one of our favourite things on the internet) - IDLES perform 'Never Fight A Man With A Perm' on the Park Stage, Glastonbury 2019 IDLES official website; store full of incredible merchandise and music - KEXP Performance and interview with Mark Bowen
Biggles and Bilo. The Boys in the Band. Ali and Dan discuss What Became of the Likely Lads?! The Libertines - Peter Doherty, Carl Barat, John Hassell and Gary Powell - spearheaded the UK garage rock scene in the early noughties and became one of the most infamous bands in music history. Originally signed to Rough Trade records thanks to the influence of James Endeacott, they have released three albums to date - 2002's Up The Bracket, which was produced by The Clash's Mick Jones, 2004's self-titled album and the unlikely Anthems For Doomed Youth, which arrived in 2015. One of their most successful songs - Don't Look Back Into The Sun - celebrated it's seventeenth birthday this week, and they'll soon take to the stage at one of the UK's first socially distanced gigs at the Virgin Money Unity Arena in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, so it felt like a perfect time to reflect on The Good Old Days and decide on seven scuzzy but sublime post-punk songs to include in our setlist. There's is a turbulent and unique story of excess, drug addiction, theft and their enduring faith in love and music, so whether or not you know they're music, you're guaranteed a fascinating listen. Press play, we're Begging you!EPISODE LINKS;Tickets for The Libertines socially distanced gigs at the Virgin Money Unity Arena, Newcastle available here There Are No Innocent Bystanders film - https://youtu.be/0Bs10MD32KAThe Libertines: Bound Together by Roger Sargeant and Anthony Thornton The Libs' unforgettable reunion gig at Reading and Leeds, 2010, that Ali and Dan speak of so fondly in the episode - https://youtu.be/uDkbsfk_sdIALSO, forgot to mention the bizarre but brilliant Skint and Minted puppet show that the band released during lockdown. Well worth a watch! https://youtu.be/mK4ZjGtamnQOnce you've subscribed to the podcast on your preferred platform, don't forget to follow @7songsetlist on Instagram and Twitter!
Our podcast reaches double figures and what better way to celebrate than by discussing the unstoppable Vampire Weekend! Four incredible albums have spawned a catalogue of epic live songs...but which seven songs will make the setlist?!!!Formed at Columbia University, Ezra Koenig, Rostam Batmanjli, Chris Biao and Chris Tomson released their self-titled debut album in 2008. Although the songs channeled African pop music and utilised clean guitars in reaction to being "force fed grunge" as teenagers, the music press christened their sound as 'prep rock', but their influences were clearly more eclectic than the dorms of the university where they met. Contra and Modern Vampires of the City followed and, despite losing songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Rostam after their third album, the band cemented themselves as festival headliners after the release of the brilliant double album Father of the Bride, which takes a lot of inspiration musically from the American country genre and lyrically from recent political and world events. The band are brilliant live musicians and often jam onstage and regularly take requests from fans, so it seems only fitting to celebrate their career and contribution to 21st century alternative music in this episode.Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/7songsetlist/Twitter - https://twitter.com/7songsetlistLike the podcast? You'll LOVE the playlist! Listen to Ali and Dan's final setlist on the Seven Song Setlist Spotify account. We're also on Apple music!
This week, Ali and Dan compile a seven song setlist for a band whose career spans nearly forty years, funk rock superstars, Red Hot Chili Peppers! Original members Anthony Kiedis and Michael 'Flea' Balzary met at Fairfax High School in Los Angeles, California, and formed the band with Hillel Slovak and Jack Irons. Inspired by Parliament Funkadelic, Sly and the Family Stone, as well as LA punk icons The Germs and Black Flag, Red Hot Chili Peppers quickly established themselves as an exciting live band. Their breakthrough came in 1991 with the Rick Rubin produced Blood Sugar Sex Magik, and achieved huge commercial success with 1999's Californication and 2002's By The Way. The Grammy winning band are bona fide headliners and after nearly forty years show no signs of slowing down, having recently reunited with guitarist John Frusciante after parting ways with Josh Klinghoffer. With hits such as Give It Away, Under The Bridge, Scar Tissue, Can't Stop and Dani California, how will Ali and Dan possibly be able to agree on just seven songs?https://redhotchilipeppers.com/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/7songsetlist/Twitter - https://twitter.com/7songsetlistLike the podcast? You'll LOVE the playlist! Listen to Ali and Dan's final setlist on the Seven Song Setlist Spotify account. We're also on Apple music!
If you want EVERYTHING NOW, then look no further than this week's Seven Song Setlist podcast, on which Ali and Dan discuss undisputed headliners, the Arcade Fire. Formed in Canada in 2000, Arcade Fire are husband and wife Win Butler and Regine Cassagne, Win’s younger brother William, Richard Reed Parry, Tim Kingsbury and Jeremy Gara. They released their critically acclaimed debut album Funeral in 2004, after a year of tragedy and the death of various family members rocked the band. The album really sets the tone for what followed; 2008’s Neon Bible, 2010’s The Suburbs, 2013’s Reflektor and latest release Everything Now wrestle with similar themes of the ambiguous ‘neighbourhood’, the loss of childhood innocence, the pace of 21st century life and death. Don’t let that put you off though, they’re an incredible live band and have headlined every festival going, including Glastonbury in 2014 and Lollapalooza in 2017.Help us spread the word...follow us on social media and tell your friends about the Seven Song Setlist podcast.Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/7songsetlist/Twitter - https://twitter.com/7songsetlistLike the podcast? You'll LOVE the playlist! Listen to Ali and Dan's final setlist on the Seven Song Setlist Spotify account. We're also on Apple music!
As you've probably guessed, not only do we love live music, but we also love the number seven! To celebrate the milestone of reaching seven episodes - and as a way of saying thank you to all you fellow gig goers that have subscribed, downloaded and supported our new podcast - we took some time to reflect on the choices we have made so far and got together to compile an ultimate seven song setlist, featuring just one career defining song from the bands and artists we have covered thus far; ARCTIC MONKEYS, THE STROKES, BLOC PARTY, KINGS OF LEON, FOO FIGHTERS, THE KILLERS and FOALS. Talk about Ultimate Indie Disco! I Bet You'd Look Good On The Dancefloor boogying away to these tracks, so click the download button as Ali and Dan take a more laid back approach to choosing making a playlist featuring some of the biggest and best live acts in the world!If you haven't shown your love on social media, click below and follow us!Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/7songsetlist/Twitter - https://twitter.com/7songsetlistSpotify -
Click that download button and have a listen to What Went Down when Ali and Dan discussed Oxford's loudest rockers, Foals! Yannis, Jimmy, Jack et al were due to perform at Benicassim this weekend, alongside Vampire Weekend and The Libertines, adding it to the long list of festivals on the circuit that they have headlined. Having recently released Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost Part 2, how will the boys condense a career that spans six albums, three Mercury Music Prize nominations and a cabinet full of 'Best Live Act' gongs?!Yannis Phillipakis, Jack Bevan, Jimmy Smith, Edwin Congreave, former members Walter Gervers and Andew Mears, and their touring bassist Jeremy Pritchard – loaned from contemporaries Everything, Everything - were formed in Oxford, Oxfordshire, some of the band meeting at the Abingdon school - where Radiohead formed - and through the dissolution of bands The Edmund Fitzgerald and Face Meets Grill.After much hype, they released Antidotes in 2008, their fast paced, high tempo guitars spawning the off-shoot genre of math-rock. Five albums have followed – Total Life Forever in 2010, Holy Fire, What Went Down and Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost parts 1 – their third release to be nominated for the Mercury Music Prize - and, it’s follow up, part 2. Since their debut, they’ve have become synonymous with huge riffs, funky grooves and danceable techno inspired beats that suggest an eclectic range of influences. They have cemented their reputation as one of the best live acts on the circuit and much like Yannis whenever he sees a piece of scaffolding or staging, have climbed to the top billing at festivals around the world. Don't forget to like and subscribe to the podcast and follow @7songsetlist on Instagram and Twitter. If you're feeling really generous, why don't you leave us a review and let us know what you think of our podcast?! Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/7songsetlist/Twitter - https://twitter.com/7songsetlistIf you want to listen to the tracks that made our final seven song setlist, follow the Seven Song Setlist Spotify and apple music account!Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4i6BYBW3iORhNXlSO2aGD8?si=P0a6CxRHTjSG-hGJCCVHKA
Somebody Told Me that Ali and Dan were doing a episode on Las Vegas' finest musical export, the Killers... WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL! On the week that band celebrated the eleventh anniversary of their epic gig at London's Royal Albert Hall, Ali and Dan try to whittle the indie icons impressive back catalogue of stadium filling anthems down into a seven song setlist. Will karaoke classic and closing time banger, Mr. Brightside, make the cut? Is there room for All These Things That I've Done? How about When You Were Young? Well, you'll just have to download this - the next episode of your favourite new music podcast - and find out!The Killers were formed in Las Vegas, Nevada in 2001 when singer, Brandon Flowers, replied to a newspaper ad published by original guitarist Dave Keuning, an Oasis fanatic, who was looking for musicians to play with. Bassist Mark Stoermer and drummer Ronnie Vanucci completed the line up and in 2004 the band released their debut album, Hot Fuss, which went straight in at number 1 in the UK album charts, their mix of Americana, 80’s synth pop and a knack for writing massive anthems capturing the hearts of the British public. It took a while for the band to recreate the success they found in the UK back in their home country, but by 2006, Hot Fuss had sold five million copies and earned 5 Grammy awards.Don't forget that you can enjoy our final seven song setlist each week on the Seven Song Setlist podcast on Spotify and Apple Music. Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7gyP3z0S5Ze4CYcgj7Wuhf?si=KNNp0wQ2SzKOYXfPJqpSMAFor more information on the podcast, follow our social media accounts.Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/7songsetlist/Twitter - https://twitter.com/7songsetlistHave you left a glowing review of the Seven Song Setlist podcast yet? If the answer is no, can I Change Your Mind? We would be extremely grateful of the support and help in spreading the word.
Ali and Dan are back with what could be their Breakout episode... On the week that they were due to headline a huge outdoor gig in Washington in celebration of Independence Day, Foo Fighters are the subject of this week's episode. One of the biggest rock and roll bands in the world, Foo Fighters were formed by Dave Grohl following the dissolution of Nirvana after Kurt Cobain's suicide, and have been regular festival headliners for decades. So, This Is A Call to tune in to the Seven Song Setlist podcast and see if you agree with Ali and Dan's choices. Don't forget to like and subscribe, one of These Days we'll make iTunes Podcasts New and Noteworthy list!Thanks for listening. If you want to submit your own Foo Fighters Seven Song Setlist and be featured on next week's episode, you can email sevensongsetlist@gmail.com, or comment on any of our posts on Instagram or Twitter. Also, check out the Foo Fighters Reddit page for further fan discussion on seven song setlist and more news on Dave, Taylor, Chris, Nate and Pat! If you're based in the UK, check out Foo Fighters epic Glastobury headline gig from 2017 on the BBC iPlayer https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p055zhn7/glastonbury-foo-fightershttps://www.foofighters.com/https://saveourvenues.co.uk/#/
In this week's episode, Dan and Ali discuss the band that they were due to see playing a gig in London's Finsbury Park this weekend that, Because of the Times, has been cancelled. That's right, it's Tennessee's finest rock and rollers, the Kings of Leon. Caleb, Nathan, Jared and Matthew's rise to global rock superstardom has taken them a long way from their unique upbringing, but will their be (Aha Shake) Heartbreak for either of our hosts as they argue their cases for their favourite KOL songs?If you're feeling very generous and want to leave a review of the podcast, Ali and Dan could really Use Somebody like you! Don't forget to follow Seven Song Setlist on Spotify and Apple music so you can listen to the boys' picks after the podcasts.
Episode Three sees Ali and Dan discuss the first band they ever saw live (we're discounting Ali's family trip to see Steps at Wembley Arena in '97 or Dan's night out at the Ipswich Regent watching Gabrielle)... BLOC PARTY!Growing up, Bloc Party had a massive impact on us and we've both seen them live loads of times over the years. So many great tracks, how on earth can we distill their career down into a seven song setlist?
After our Arctic Monkeys episode, it seems all too fitting to follow up with the group that Alex Turner just wanted to be one of... The Strokes!Julian, Nick, Albert, Fab and Nikolai breathed new life into rock and roll at the turn of the century - Is This It will forever be one of the greatest debut albums of all time - spearheading a musical revolution that gave us so many incredible guitar based bands. It's great to have them back, this year's release, The New Abnormal, was a stunning return to form and seemed to sum up the strange period of life we have found ourselves living in. Enjoy listening to the seven song setlist that we compiled to celebrate the influence that New York City's finest have had on our lives
There was no contest for who would headline our first episode... Who else but the band that provided the soundtrack to the lives of hosts Ali and Dan? It's the Arctic Monkeys from High Green Sheffield! A band who with each release and regeneration prove that they are the most important songwriters of our generation! Not going to lie, distilling 15 years, 6 albums and countless memorable b-sides into a seven song setlist that would leave us fulfilled as a full live show was tough...Hope you enjoy our first episode, and don't forget to support #saveourvenues to ensure that we can all enjoy live music again when it is safe to do so.https://saveourvenues.co.uk/#/