News

Setlist.fm Uses Wiki to Collect and Share Setlists

3:32 p.m. · July 17, 2009 · by Michael Hoven

Band fansites have compiled setlists for years, but Setlist.fm, calling itself "the setlist wiki," has aggregated user-submitted setlists into a searchable database that can be added to, edited, and embedded into websites. A lot of work is left before Setlist.fm becomes the authority on live performances--it currently has 42,524 setlists, not exactly a comprehensive history--but leveraging the collective knowledge of passionate fans and/or those with too much time on their hands has enormous potential.

The site has its share of geeky charm, including artist statistics so you can tell that the most-played Modest Mouse song on the site's setlists is "The View," with a play count of eighteen. Yet the site doubles as an archive of videos and lyrics, accessible with a click on any setlist. You submit the setlist, and Setlist.fm automatically searches for a stream of the song and lyrics available online.

Like any wiki, its success depends on the community that contributes. But even as a tourist on the site I found it irresistible to follow the contributions of some individual users, whose musical histories are now online--statistics are kept for contributors, too. That should encourage users to complete their concert resumes, reaching for the oldest and most obscure shows, which only benefits the rest of us. [Via: LHB]