Every October, SERGE AND FRIENDS turns a single night into an event people plan their whole month around.
This year, the concert series takes over the Gramercy Theatre for Volume 6: Rock Royalty, a theme born, Serge says, out of unfinished business from a previous show and a lifelong love of rock and roll.
We caught up with Serge to talk about what it actually takes to build the show each year, why the set list is basically classified information, and why the “Friends” in SERGE AND FRIENDS are less a guest list and more a family.
The Show Never Really Stops
When do you start preparing for the show each year, and what’s the hardest part?
“Each year Mike [Stapleton] and I begin planning sooner and sooner,” Serge says, laughing.
“We used to probably start planning around four to five months in advance, but that was back in the earlier days. Now, I would say we get about one to two months off each year. So we are working on it for about ten months out of the year in some way, shape or form. For this year’s show, we started talking at the very top of January.”
The scale has grown too. “Sometimes I don’t think people realize the amount of work it takes to execute on what we are trying to do. The show has become a bit grander, and now there are several other groups of people involved who take direction from both myself and Mike.
It used to just be us, but now we have people relying on the vision we have, the decisions we make, and the way in which we decide to implement specific ideas. Of course, it’s fun, but we also have a high standard, and we know people are paying a pretty penny to give up their Saturday night and come see us play. There is no choice but to give them the greatest show we possibly can.
I really want those couple of hours to be a perfect escape. I feel immense pressure, and probably more than I actually should. But hey, that’s what makes me so excited. I’m a bit of an adrenaline junkie like that, I guess. I perform best in life with a little bit of pressure.”
After a long pause to think through the second half of the question, Serge lands on the set list as both the hardest and most important part of the process.
“Song selection is key. I’m not just picking songs for myself, but I’m picking songs for other vocalists, the band, the audience, and the theme. Then after that, it has to be sequenced correctly. I have been going to see live music shows since I was ten years old — nothing can tank a show more than bad songs, or a bunch of great songs in poor order.
The audience has to come on an emotional journey with you that feels satisfying. I don’t really believe that going to
live concerts is a passive exercise. Organizing the music in the correct way is key to getting the audience’s buy-in and energy.”
Crafting the Set List
How do you pick the songs that go into the set list, and decide who sings what?
“Right, well — good follow-up. How much time do you have?” Serge jokes, before breaking it down into three questions he asks of every song:
1. Can I relate to this song? “I mean, can I really sing it from the heart. I want to be able to take a song people may know and interpret it in a way that makes sense for me.”
2. Can we build an arrangement that separates the original from our version? This is where Music Director Mike Stapleton comes in, and Serge is quick to give him real authority.
“I do not pick the songs alone, especially as the years have gone on. I’ve come to know his style (and our style) well, and arrangement ideas are key in the song selection. Ultimately, if I pitch a song to Mike and he isn’t buying it, he has veto power. He doesn’t always give me a second chance either, so I have to be very confident in my decisions and reasoning.
It’s good though, as he is probably the only person in the larger sea of people who I know will always be honest and
keep me in check with the show.”
3. Are the songs diverse enough? “There are always going to be similar songs, but I never want duplicates in song, structure, genre, or story. They have to sound and feel different in some way. Often I’ll have a set list with songs that are next to each other — which really just means we have a slot in the show for a specific type of song, but we can only pick one option.
It’s very hard sometimes. There are songs I’ve wanted to do for all six years, and they just still haven’t made the cut. It’s how it shakes out. I’ve learned that over the years too — you can’t be too selfish when you’re creating the set list. I wish I’d practiced that a bit more in the beginning.”
“I’d say I start off with a set list of around 40 to 50 songs, and we try to shave it down to about 20 or fewer. And several times, songs get added that I hadn’t even thought of, thanks to the Friends. It’s common that a Friend will pitch a song, and Mike and I will either veto or approve it.
It’s always fun when they end up getting a song put in the show — it makes me feel like I’m working for them! Like, I have to make this really good now.”
Why “Rock Royalty”
Why did you decide on “Rock Royalty” as the theme for Volume 6?
“We did ‘Rock ‘n’ Soul’ for Volume 4, and I remember thinking how cool it would’ve been if we were in a proper rock house to do more rock music,” Serge says.
“Gramercy Theatre really gives us the chance to bring the scale of the rock music to a level it deserves. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is a pinnacle for the greatest legends in music.
It only felt appropriate to take the swing while we can and try to become the rockstars we always dreamed of being.
Rock & roll has always been at the heart of SERGE AND FRIENDS, and it’s probably the greatest influence behind the way I perform and learned how to sing. So we have to keep rocking on!
But don’t worry, something very different is up our sleeves for Volume 7. I guess we can focus on that next year…”
On Being a Rockstar
Would you consider yourself a rockstar?
Serge laughs before answering. “I don’t know, what do you think? Is it brash to say that in ways I certainly do?
Day-to-day Serge can be a lot of things, including a bit of a rockstar, but I guess the performer Serge is the one who wants to embody what true rockstar is.
Or at least, I try to. I emulate the performers who would give 100% on stage regardless of where they were performing or what they were performing for. To me, we lack a lot of the craft that is behind being a rockstar nowadays.
So many people are singing to tracks — a live band is harder to come by with each show you go to. I mean, some people are using AI to write and produce music. That’s not rock and roll.
Rock and roll is so many things, but at its core, it’s about being 100% honest with the music. Go see Beyoncé, or Gaga, or Queen, or Celine Dion — they’re performing like it’s their last day on earth!
Especially Celine – gosh I will never forget going to see her for the first time with my mom.
She is simply the greatest live performer I have ever witnessed. It shaped a bit at the standard I look for from performers. She seriously is other-worldly. That’s the thrill I look for.
I’m not sure I’m a rockstar yet, but it’s a persona I think comes alive when I’m on stage with live instruments, great singers, and playing some great music.”
Growing Up on Rock
You mentioned that rock music influenced your singing and performing. Can you elaborate on this?
“I grew up listening to rock music thanks to my dad,” Serge says.
“The Who and their incredible Quadrophenia album was my entry into rock and roll.
From there, Queen, Journey, Led Zeppelin, and outliers of rock like George Michael and Michael McDonald followed. I would imitate these male singers and watch their live performances on repeat.
The way they were able to stretch their voices live was incredible to me. They sang with such character. I feel like I quickly learned that rock music is everywhere — from Michael Jackson to Janet Jackson to Madonna and beyond.
Rock music was introduced to me not only as a genre, but as a movement. It’s message music that has been used to make social change and question the norms of everyday life. I only wish we had a bit more rock and roll today.”
The Sacred Set List
Any set list reveals you’d be willing to share?
Not a chance. “Oh jeez — this has become a thing now each year. And I think it’s because I have made it a thing?” he chuckles.
“At least one of my family members told me that a few months ago. Look, I really think part of the excitement is the set list.
Why would you want to know what songs I’m going to sing, or who’s duetting on what, beforehand?
I don’t really get it, honestly.
I hate all of these leaked set lists nowadays. It used to be so sacred to go to a show and have that excitement or surprise when each song began. And artists used to switch up set
lists a lot more, because they didn’t feel like audiences were relying on specific songs.
So no, I don’t like to talk about the set list at all. However, I do love that a lot more people ask about it now. It’s fun that we have an album out and some great live hits that people can get excited and speculate about being in the show.
I like to keep people on their toes and build that anticipation. Maybe it’s the salesperson in me — like, ‘You’ll have to just buy your ticket and see!’
I swear the Friends to secrecy, but sometimes they leak it. They know I’ll get upset. I actually think it was put in their contracts this year about not revealing any songs in the set list. We’ll see if they follow it — I’m watching you!”
He will confirm one thing: the signature bits are back. “For the set list each year, I like to challenge myself to always try to do something different. I think about how we can push the boundary a hair more than last year.
What can we improve upon? What went well, and what didn’t? I hope each year shows progress in the art of building the show. I guess I am fine to say that there will be classic SERGE AND FRIENDS medleys and mashups again — this has become quite the signature for us. But no, I won’t name a single song. I’m sorry if that makes me a bad guest.”
The Look of the Show
Do you have an idea of what you’re wearing? Your outfits have become part of the SERGE AND FRIENDS legacy.
“Oh gosh. Well, first off, I just love fashion — like, day-to-day, I love a look,” Serge says.
“Again, I think performer Serge is even a bit bolder and a bit more daring, which is exciting. At least it is for me. I think all year about what I’m going to wear.
I have various vision boards, I buy different pieces, I go crazy for sure.
The show has to have an overall look — this is key. To have the show extend beyond just singing on stage is very important to me.
It makes me feel like an artist. I also dress the band, put guardrails on the Friends’ outfits, consult them when they have an idea — I’m a bit of a micromanager when it comes to the look of the show and how we’re representing it on stage. This has led to some of the biggest disagreements during certain years. Oh, but we get through it, we do.”
As for what’s actually coming down the runway this year, Serge is staying tight-lipped — but promises one detail.
“It will certainly embody rock and roll, and even call back to some past SERGE AND FRIENDS looks.
Big shoutout to French 72 Tailoring on the West Side — those ladies have helped customize my looks for the past three years. They make me feel amazing in whatever I’m wearing and help my vision come to life.”
What He’s Looking Forward To
What are you most looking forward to when you take the stage in October?
“I just always love the night of the show. It’s probably the greatest high I feel,” Serge says.
“We prepare a lot for a single show. We aren’t touring, we aren’t editing based on the previous city we played — there are no more notes. We don’t really know how it’s going to go or how the audience might react.
So when I’m up there and something goes right that I was planning for, it’s just the biggest thrill. A lot of times you can see the joy and thrill that comes over me.
And then, of course, when something doesn’t go as planned, it’s really great practice in letting go and moving full steam ahead. I’ve gotten better at that now, I think.
I really love when there are surprises, and there are so many each year — either I do something I wasn’t planning on, the band or the Friends surprise with an inspired trick, or the audience reacts in a completely different way than I thought to a certain song.
I do think that’s another reason people enjoy the show each year — there are real, genuine emotions happening on stage for all of us.
It’s cool to be part of, and a bit indescribable at times. When our core band is up there jamming and we’re really in the pocket of a song, gosh, it’s a cool feeling. It fills my soul up.”
The Real “Friends”
Is there anything about the show that might surprise people? A question you’re always asked?
“I know this sounds like a strange answer, perhaps, but all of the special guests really are my friends,” Serge says.
“I have so many people ask me year over year, ‘Are you really friends with them? Like, do you hang out?’ It’s like — excuse me, but they are my FAMILY. If only you really knew! Most of them have keys to my apartment,” he laughs.
“They all just also happen to be very talented. I’m a better singer when I sing with people who inspire me.
Their voices not only inspire me, but the friendship and history we have inform the performance. People get to see very tangible relationships and stories on the stage.
It’s like watching back old home videos — something about it feels nostalgic and so specific. I feel like the secret sauce of the show is just that.
I love these people, and I respect the talent they bring to the table. The audience gets a little sneak peek at the magic.
Plus, none of them sing like me or each other — it’s a beautiful hodgepodge of various strengths and styles.
I feel like my job is to both cater to their strengths and push their edges a bit.
We can have never-ending volumes of this concert series because of them, really. I’m very grateful for how they’ve helped shape the show over the past several years.”
