My live setup is based around a laptop running ubuntu linux.  JACK is used to connect all the software, and my Recursion Looper(written in PD) is used as the main recording/looping software.  Bristol Synth Emulator is used for uniquely digital keyboard sounds, and Rakarrack is used for guitar effects processing.  A python script I wrote using EasyGUI is used to startup all the programs from one GUI. 

Below are links to all the programs that helped me develop my live setup.

http://www.jordancolburn.com/diy-music-projects/recursion-looper

http://bristol.sourceforge.net/

http://rakarrack.sourceforge.net/

http://jackaudio.org/

http://easygui.sourceforge.net/