Behind the Setlist

About Behind the Setlist

At Behind the Setlist, we talk to artists to get the stories about the songs they play live. Most artists are known best for their recordings, but they love to be on stage. That's where the music feels at home. That's where they connect with the audience. How do they pick the songs to take the audience on a journey? Why do they cover other artists' songs? How many new songs can an artist fit into a 16-song set when people want to hear the classics? We find out. Hosted by Glenn Peoples (Billboard) and Jay Gilbert (Label Logic).

Publisher

Billboard

Category

music · news

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

2 May 2022

Latest episode

5 Jan 2026

Latest episodes

86 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   5 Jan 2026

   John 5 talks about touring, Telecaster guitars and his KISS memorabilia collection

   John 5 has the honor of being the guest for the final episode of Billboard's Behind the Setlist podcast. The insanely talented guitarist has a decades-long solo career and has also played with the likes of Rob Zombie, Paul Stanley, Marilyn Manson and k.d. lang. But John 5 is best known these days as Mick Mars' replacement in Motley Crue, which hits the road this summer with The Return of the Carnival of Sins tour. John 5's 11th solo album, Ghost, was released in October 2025. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2. 

   30 Dec 2025

   Kenny Wayne Shepherd talks upcoming tour, the state of blues music and more.

   Guitar legend Kenny Wayne Shepherd's debut album Ledbetter Heights turned 30 years old, and Shepherd's “Ledbetter Heights 30th Anniversary Tour” will launch February 19th, 2026 in Dallas, TX. Shepherd and his band will play the album in its entirety and perform other highlights from his three decades-long career. In a conversation with Billboard's Behind the Setlist podcast, Shepherd talks about his early days of touring while in high school, what he's learned as a guitarist in the last 30 years, his relationships with greats like Eddie Van Halen and BB King, and his love of American muscle cars. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

3. 

   22 Dec 2025

   Lady A talks about new Christmas album, holiday tour and what comes next.

   Country stars Lady A joined Billboard's Behind the Setlist podcast to talk about their new Christmas album, On This Winter's Night: Volume 2. The album features some original songs and new, refreshing renditions of well-worn holiday classics as "Winter Wonderland" and "Wonderful Christmastime." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Who has been a guest on Behind the Setlist

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Lyle Lovett
• Buzz Osbourne
• Patrick Simmons
• Tom Johnston
• John Cooper

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.6 / 5

18 ratings

Spotify

4.4 / 5

8 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 57 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

49

Social presence

0

YouTube

66

Engagement

96

Contact Behind the Setlist

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.