Oisin Live Music: The Interactive Setlist Experience
Transforming passive listeners into active participants through a mobile-first song request system and real-time performer feedback
Glasgow, Scotland
Oisin Live Music
Live Events
£22,000
1
Challenge
Live music often creates a one-way experience where audience members passively listen without meaningful interaction. I wanted to change that—bridging the gap between performer and audience to create a more connected, participatory atmosphere. The challenge was to design a system that let listeners request songs they'd love to hear directly, and naturally guide them toward my website to leave reviews—turning each show into a shared, evolving experience.
Results
The request system transformed my performances into collaborative experiences. Audience engagement noticeably increased as participants felt genuine delight in influencing the setlist in real time. Rather than directing people to social media, I now had a compelling reason to approach the crowd mid-show: inviting them to choose the next song via my website. This added a layer of familiarity and connection that deepened the performer-audience relationship. It also encouraged ongoing interaction beyond the gig—my online reviews grew from 2 to 15, and I expanded my setlist with new audience-requested songs, keeping the shows fresh and dynamic.
650%
Increase in Online Reviews
240%
Increase in Site Sessions
222%
Rise in Unique Visitors
Process
Identifying the Opportunity: During a live gig, a guest asked to see my song list. This moment revealed a clear opportunity to improve engagement by giving audience members easier access to my repertoire and a way to influence the performance.
Building the Digital Song List: I created a browsable, mobile-friendly list of 250+ songs on my Wix website, organising the setlist in a way that made browsing quick, including a functioning search bar to make it intuitive for all types of audiences.
Creating the Access Point: To make participation seamless, I designed business cards with a bold, scannable QR code that I could hand out during performances. The QR directed users straight to the song list on my site.
Linking to WhatsApp for Requests: The website link triggered a new WhatsApp chat, allowing audience members to easily send in their song requests directly without needing an app install or login—keeping the experience fast and familiar.
Real-Time Acknowledgment and Feedback: I acknowledged each requester during the show, which created a powerful emotional response. Enthusiasm skyrocketed when participants heard their selected song performed live—turning a casual guest into a connected contributor.
“ We saw Oisin at Cask and Clyde! He played requests quickly and our son was thrilled to hear his favorites live by an incredible artist. Highly recommended! ”
Gina Minnick
Guest at Cask & Clyde
Conclusion
Adding this feature to my live performances fundamentally changed the dynamic between myself and the audience. What was once a one-way exchange became a collaborative experience, where listeners were empowered to participate and shape the moment in real time. As a musician, it was deeply fulfilling to see the joy on someone’s face when their song choice was played—an immediate reward for creating space for interaction. Beyond the emotional impact, this system strengthened my connection with audiences, boosted engagement, and aligned my work with the principles of user experience design. It proved that even in live music, attention to UX can transform passive attendees into active, invested participants—and turn good shows into unforgettable ones.
