This could be a nightmare - help needed quickly! [Archive]

Ricesnaps

01-07-2006, 06:30 AM

Sorry for short notice guys. Have a marquee wedding today - I know what you're all saying, but so far haven't had any problems with these.

Just by chance took a drive over there yesterday to make sure I knew where it was - it's a marquee in a back garden - the garden is on the side of a hill!

Was shown the set up area, which is bumpy and on a slope (and I mean quite seriously on a slope). Add to that the fact that at best the height is about 7 foot, I am obviously concerned about the safetly of my set up. The guy who showed us around even suggested that the wouldn't need much to drink to feel drunk.

So what do I do - refuce to set up where they want me? What happens if they can't offer me an alternative location. Or do I just do my best, but not use much kit. I am assuming that if I set up and a lighting stand topples, my PLI will not pay out will it!

Setting up at 9.30 guys!

Maree

01-07-2006, 07:38 AM

Firstly i would personally refuse to set up until they had found mick another location that is safe for our Equipment to be set-up.
Secondly this should have been discussed with the client as soon as you was aware of the venue. (which was yesterday), giving them time to see if another location could be found,if not would refuse to set-up on the grounds of Health and Safety and explain to the client that your PLI would be void if any accidents should happen. Personally this sounds like an accident waiting to happen, especially if you set-up on a serious slope. Thats my opinion,

Corabar Steve

01-07-2006, 08:13 AM

Why on earth didn't you ask this yesterday????????

I would go with what Maree says.

Re your lighting toppling over, do you only use T bars or could you use a goalpost set up? It would be a lot more stable!

Probably too late I know but I hope all goes well.

Creature

01-07-2006, 08:15 AM

if the slope cant be straightend out to a safe linit - I would use a basic setup - no top lights and if anyone says anything - just quote health and saftey and teh fact that your insurance wouldnd cover any accident....

If the slopes that bad i wouldnt use poles between speakers (if you do) just sit them on top of each other...

Not ideal I know as we like to put on th ebest show we can - but at least a compramise - hope it goes well for you

Shaun

01-07-2006, 10:26 AM

st1ngo

01-07-2006, 10:39 AM

just make sure you get a video of the rig as it slides down the slope

I heard your show had gone downhill !!! .................lol

Corabar Steve

01-07-2006, 11:44 AM

just make sure you get a video of the rig as it slides down the slope If nothing else you might get a few bob off Harry Hill :teeth:

ian8limelight

01-07-2006, 12:20 PM

I would avoid lighting stands at all costs, set a few effects up on the ground pointing upwards. Inform the client that this is the best that can be achieved in the circumstances. Will it be possible to relocate the marquee to a more level area?

I would fully agree with this. I certainly wouldn't be happy setting up on a slope which would have H&S and PLI implications. I think that you need to go back to the client and explain all this and see what alternative arrangements can be made.

Good luck, and keep us updated.

Corabar Entertainment

01-07-2006, 12:35 PM

Yes, but as he was setting up at 9.30am this morning, I don't think there was time to make other arrangements!

Matt, if you come back on before you go out again to do the gig, let us know what you did in the end :omg:

Ricesnaps

01-07-2006, 12:47 PM

Thanks for the advice guys

It actually worked out ok in the end. A very understanding client who hadn't apreciated the problem. I am now safely set up on the dancefloor. Used a goalpost as suggested and it certainly seems a lot more stable than just stands would have been.

I didn't even consider the polls for the speakers - they tend to "lean" if on anything other than completely flat surface, but it all sound ok. Just have the nightmare of getting a mirror ball hung when I get back - the client specifically wanted one!

Thanks again

Maree

01-07-2006, 01:11 PM

Glad it all worked out for you and everything is ok

CRAZY K

01-07-2006, 01:22 PM

Good luck Matt--dont forget the spirit level

:teeth: :teeth: :teeth:

CRAZY K

ian8limelight

01-07-2006, 01:30 PM

Good luck Matt--dont forget the spirit level

:teeth: :teeth: :teeth:

CRAZY K

Yes, good luck. And which kind of spirit level are we suggesting he takes ??!!

Have a disco

02-07-2006, 07:10 AM

Just to ask how did the party go on mount everest LOL

Corabar Steve

02-07-2006, 09:05 AM

I'm just wondering how he was going to mount a mirror ball in a marquee???

Let us know how you did it Matt

Corabar Steve

02-07-2006, 09:14 AM

Funnily enough, I was also set up in a marquee on a slope last night, but not a bad enough one that I couldn't just use my regular set up.

Ricesnaps

02-07-2006, 09:40 AM

Mirror ball - Marquee company ran a bit of chord up one of the "seams". Not ideal, but did the trick. Well it did until we started packing up and the very drunk wedding guests decided to play, how high can I kick my leg, using the mirror ball as the target!

Wabbit, the night was a fantastic success. I got to play commercial dance and got to mix a little, which I don't get to do much, so I'm happy!

However - and this is bound to spark a debate - why do the wedding advice idiots on the wedding sites keep on telling brides that they MUST give there DJ an almost rigid playlist? The bride last night had specified about 40 tunes she wanted - not really enough for an hour, let alone all night. Having learnt from experience I did my best to stick to the list, only to have "the brides friend" visit me numerous times to tell me the bride wasn't happy because I wasn't playing her songs (which I most certainly was, it was just that her friends didn't want to dance to them!). In the end, she got ****ed, her friends got ****ed and I just did what I was paid for and we all had a fantastic time.

I think we need to be doing something to counteract the rediculous advice that the wedding sites and co-ordinators are giving. The very best thing (imho) a bride can do is find a disco or DJ who has the experiance to make her wedding fantastic, not worry that the DJ will be crap and make sure she gives him a list of all her songs to make sure he's not quite as crap!

Corabar Steve

02-07-2006, 10:04 AM

I think we need to be doing something to counteract the rediculous advice that the wedding sites and co-ordinators are giving. The very best thing (imho) a bride can do is find a disco or DJ who has the experiance to make her wedding fantastic, not worry that the DJ will be crap and make sure she gives him a list of all her songs to make sure he's not quite as crap!
Indeed.

CRAZY K

02-07-2006, 12:26 PM

Rice, well done last night--not an easy one.

As you know im a playlist person but we all have different ideas.

The reason Wedding Coordinators are giving this advice I assume is because they need some back covering ammunition---so if things dont go well on the night they can say ---well if you had told the Disco the music you and your friends like it would be ok----(unless it was the Wedding you did last night of course :sad:)

Guess you could include this type of reality on your website as a postive selling point?

Theres a Wedding Disco im arranging for a very experienced DJ to run ( not me this time) and its relevant to mention that the Groom has said there is some kind of music they definitely DONT want( probably way out stuff people cant dance to) so despite a very experienced DJ there is still client input--I think thats healthy.

How people can complain if you play their music im not sure--unless of course they dont have a clue about what their friends really really like!

By coincidence I did a specialist gig last week and worked from a playlist of
60 Country Music tunes chosen from my library, worked extremely well, so well I got a decent tip.

I guess a lot of it is down to the individual clients as ever--tell me something new :teeth:

CRAZY K

Shaun

02-07-2006, 12:41 PM

The bride last night had specified about 40 tunes she wanted - not really enough for an hour, let alone all night. Having learnt from experience I did my best to stick to the list

I personally hate being a "human jukebox". I welcome requests prior to the event but I limit it to around 15 songs.

Looks like you handles it well and a good time was had by all. Congrats on a succesful gig. :)

Corabar Steve

02-07-2006, 01:58 PM

Funily enough my gig last night was 100% playlist, luckily it was such a large playlist that I could cherry pick the good stuff. I didn't lose the dancefloor all night.

soundtracker

02-07-2006, 02:12 PM

[QUOTE=EliteDJ]I personally hate being a "human jukebox". I welcome requests prior to the event but I limit it to around 15 songs.
QUOTE]

I've taken two bookings this week, both very nice little earners in cracking venues, because I was the only DJ they had spoken to who was willing to be flexible about their playlist- 99 times out of a hundred when you get a big list, its full of standard stuff anyway, so I really don't find it a problem. :)

Have a disco

02-07-2006, 02:21 PM

Must admit I limit the amount of requested tunes to 20, even at a birthday do other wise I'll end up play every obscure track from lord knows where have had many a night like this and finally decided to put a stop to it .

Im all for customer satisfaction but not dictation on how to entertain a crowd. In general half the tunes are very well known and the list virtually becomes obsolete half way through the night..

Shaun

02-07-2006, 02:35 PM

I personally hate being a "human jukebox". I welcome requests prior to the event but I limit it to around 15 songs.

I've taken two bookings this week, both very nice little earners in cracking venues, because I was the only DJ they had spoken to who was willing to be flexible about their playlist- 99 times out of a hundred when you get a big list, its full of standard stuff anyway, so I really don't find it a problem. :)

What would you do if the playlist was so outlandish and weird that you knew that the majority of the guests wouldn't dance?.

Example:

The clients are big heavy rock and heavy metal fans but a large majority of the guests would be elderly relatives. The clients insist you stick rigidly to the playlist as it's what they personally want to hear. It seems like a disaster waiting to happen.

At the end of the day when you're working you're also "showing" yourselves to potential customers. The energy of the crowd and the activity on the dancefloor is a direct result of the music we play (in most instances). By sticking to a rigid playlist it does't allow my creativity to flow and thus could hinder the outcome of the event.

I'm all for accepting request prior to the event (within reason) By only accepting a small ammount it leaves me space to take requests on the night, incorporate my own style plus guage the style and type of music the clients prefer.

soundtracker

02-07-2006, 02:40 PM

Did that do five weeks ago!

see attached response from clients:
Comments from Eastnor Castle "Alternative Wedding"

From Sarah & Matt
What a fantastic evening had by all!
Pete you were so dedicated, setting up in enough time before we even arrived
at the castle,wearing as requested black and white to compliment our theme,
and the black and white blow up guitars for the "children" were a big hit.
Your selection of music was mind blowing.... and we really appreciated
chosing our own and loving every single song!

From Linda (Mum:)
Hi Peter,
Thank you for making yesterday so amazing!!!!!!!I haven't laughed so much in
years, its going to take a week to get the feeling back in my legs,I danced
that much!! Professional from start to finish! Highly recommended!

Shaun

02-07-2006, 02:47 PM

Kudos on a job well done pete

This is one of those situations where there;s no right way or wrong way of doing it. It's whatever whatever works best for you :)

soundtracker

02-07-2006, 02:57 PM

The trouble is with a gig like this, it takes careful planning and discussion. If I'd turned up and tried to read the crowd, I'd stiil be there now! I had to get a fair bit of music in that I didn't really know, Mad Caddies, New Found Glory, Me first and the Gimmee Gimmees. Listen to it, work out what went with what and also programme in enough older bits and pieces to make it more accessible to the whole crowd.. If I'd played Abba, Bee Gees Michael Jackson etc I'd have been lynched. All of my weddings I now give the opportunity to have a meeting to work things out, and because of this I've had more plaudits, tips, referrals and enquiries from venues this year than I've ever had. :)

Shaun

02-07-2006, 03:03 PM

I agree, a meeting is a must to go over the fine details and planning. I "fine tune" parties to match the personalities of the client and that involves getting a feel for their musical likes and dislikes. Like said I do accept requests...I just don't prefer events where I'll have to to stick to a playlist and not allowed to play anything but the playlist.

Alex - Cream Ents

02-07-2006, 03:53 PM

Funnily enough the wedding I did last night I'd had 2 sheets of A4 with requests on over the email. Fortunately it was all fairly standard, what I would have played anyway, as it were. Had a really good night, and discovered the bride was at a valentines ball I had done in Feb and specifically requested me, which was nice to hear!

Normally I don't get that volume of pre-requested tracks, however I tend to mix in a bit of initiative (if they like this, they will almost definately like that) to keep a good flow throughout the evening. All went really well and everyone enjoyed themselves despite the heat!

Anyway (BACK TO TOPIC - SORRY!) glad to hear it all went well in the end Rice, I've not done a marquee yet this year...I wait with baited breath for a hill side adventure of my own.

Ricesnaps

02-07-2006, 04:00 PM

This is my point exactly. I wasn't suggesting that client input was in any way a bad thing. I'm all for it and offer a personal visit prior to every wedding. After all, a request form that says "1970's and 80's please" is no help at all. But equally a non-discussed 10 point type font two page A4 list, which has been provided because the people at www.hitched.co.uk or wherever have indoctrinated your mind so much that you actually believe that the only way to get the music you want is to specify it all precisely yourself is not the way we should be allowing ourselves to work.

I have experience of this. Anyone remember my nightmare 80's Soul wedding last year. I think the learning point here was that, number one, the groom had absolutely no idea what his guests would like to dance to and as such failed to apreciate that I had actually maintained a full dance floor most of the night by doing what I am paid to do - run a disco. Secondly it has helped me realise that there are occations where I and I would suggest others of us need to say no to a client and maybe even not take the booking. I am quite obviously not an 80's soul expert in any sence and maybe here a very detailed playlist would have helped, but what was actually provided was useless and not what was wanted.

The point here is trying to do something about the so called "wedding experts" seeminly relentless message regarding wedding entertainment. After all, you wouldn't book the caterer and then give them Delia smiths cook book and say "this is how I want you too cook the food". You wouldn't hire a toastmaster and give him a typed speach to use, I also guess you wouldn't hire a photographer and then tell him exactly how you want the pictures posed and instruct him "just press the button when we're ready". What's so different about us as disco's. What I want to see is more realistic information being given to brides and grooms. We all know that the evening entertainment is over 50% of the whole day, but why are we allowing ourselves to be dictated to and have our profesionalism questioned?

Alex - Cream Ents

02-07-2006, 04:06 PM

Because wedding planners have no appreciation of how entertainments is run of an evening - from our perspective. If they did they would be approaching the subject from a different angle. I think a lot of the time the effort and expertise involved with doing a wedding disco is severely overlooked by both clients and "wedding planners".

Ricesnaps

02-07-2006, 04:20 PM

Corabar Entertainment

02-07-2006, 04:39 PM

Like most other problems we face, I think it is down to the perception that the public have of Mobile DJs, which is as a result of too many people out there thinking it's easy, buying a bit of kit, and going out and advertising themselves as a mobile DJ!

When they don't know you from Adam, can you blame the public for being terrified that they are going to get some numpty who hasn't got a clue and is going to sit there playing stuff that might go down OK at the local nightclub, but isn't going to do much to get Auty Mavis on the dance-floor?

I think that as awareness of what to look out for to ensure a professional mobile DJ is booked is raised, then these types of problems will diminish.

As I think I've mentioned before, we say that we are happy to take requests/playlists, but suggest that they give us some leeway so that the DJ can see what works with the crowd and take requests on the night. 99 out of 100, even if they start off saying we want to choose all of the music, by the time the night comes around they have learned to trust us and it ends up with "Well this is what we like, but if you think that any of these won't work, feel free not to use them, or choose some others that will work well with them." As Steve mentioned earlier, he did a gig last night with a long list, and he just 'cherry-picked' the good ones from it, so that they got the music they want, but Steve made it successful. In fact, Steve said he found last night's gig more of a challenge than normal and really enjoyed it - putting together sets incorporating their music, rather than choosing the tracks himself. Admittedly, last night's was slightly unusual: it was an American wedding (Groom's parents living in a big house in Buckinghamshire, marquee in the garden, full ceremony on the lawn complete with Rev who was a member of the family) and their choice of music was very different to the norm - but if worked brilliantly.

From our experience, we have not had problems with playlists - only 1 in 9 years has ended up insisting 'you must play this, in this order, and you must not deviate' and that was an 80th birthday party quite a few years back, and there was no way that she was going to trust a 'youngster' to know about the music from her era!...... and let's be honest, no matter how good your musical knowledge is, she probably did know it better! :teeth: :teeth:

Groove Spinner

02-07-2006, 09:05 PM

Guess I'm quite lucky - the name tells the client what to expect (www.bigcheesedisco.com) and we are also wedding planners, so we rarely run intot he problem. If I don't feel confident with a job, then I turn it down. I wouldn't dream of doing a school leaver's party (I've turned down two this week) as I'd be out of my depth and the customers would be very disappointed.

On the subject of playlists - I send out a suggested track list of around 500 songs containing the best of all genres (the ones I know work on a dance floor!) for the client to pick their favourites from. It certainly satisfies most people, as there are rarely any additional tracks added to the list. Have a look - http://www.bigcheesedisco.com/html/top_tunes.html

The list certainly isn't limiting - I will play other tracks that work well with the client's choices and also take requests on the night.

When combined with a meeting with the clients before the event (usually weddings), the list means I know what they want and they know exactly what to expect.

It works for me!

CRAZY K

02-07-2006, 09:41 PM

I dont do a lot of Wedding Discos but where the Play list comes in its virtually always like a listing of the MDA or Mobile DJ Online- Floor Filler favourite list--with a few dropping off and a few being added.

I do agree I dread the day I get asked to play Toad by Cream or something else of a floor clearer--but its not happened-- probably never will.

Luckily being involved with MOR people its not looking a problem, but I certainly would have a word if the choice was OBVIOUSLY not going to work--thats all part of being professional AND GOOD AT YOUR JOB.

To answer Rices question--you will have to be upfront and just say the Wedding Planners havent been running successful Discos as long as you have-your the expert!

CRAZY K

ian8limelight

02-07-2006, 09:43 PM

I didn't lose the dancefloor all night.

Does it normally go missing then ??!!

Corabar Entertainment

02-07-2006, 09:46 PM

Does it normally go missing then ??!!
G-R-O-A-N :omg: Where's that 'Bad Joke' Thread when you need it? :)

ian8limelight

02-07-2006, 09:47 PM

I don't think these so-called Wedding Arrangers would be too impressed if we told them how to do their job, so they should stick to what they think they know best, and leave us to do our professional job.

Have a disco

02-07-2006, 09:49 PM

Guess I'm quite lucky - the name tells the client what to expect (www.bigcheesedisco.com (http://www.bigcheesedisco.com/)) and we are also wedding planners, so we rarely run intot he problem. If I don't feel confident with a job, then I turn it down. I wouldn't dream of doing a school leaver's party (I've turned down two this week) as I'd be out of my depth and the customers would be very disappointed.

On the subject of playlists - I send out a suggested track list of around 500 songs containing the best of all genres (the ones I know work on a dance floor!) for the client to pick their favourites from. It certainly satisfies most people, as there are rarely any additional tracks added to the list. Have a look - http://www.bigcheesedisco.com/html/top_tunes.html

The list certainly isn't limiting - I will play other tracks that work well with the client's choices and also take requests on the night.

When combined with a meeting with the clients before the event (usually weddings), the list means I know what they want and they know exactly what to expect.

It works for me!afraid thats the problem with wedding planners, we would love to see these blooming lists they give to brides and grooms.

groove spinner you have fallen into the perfect catagory sorry!! but what do you give them as are all of you giving out the wrong impression??

ie showing us as very limited for choice??

I carry on average 50,000 tunes but may only use 150 on most nights if that

Solitaire Events Ltd

02-07-2006, 10:15 PM

soundtracker

02-07-2006, 10:21 PM

and my big 60s tune is Glad all over - Dave Clark 5

Solitaire Events Ltd

02-07-2006, 10:24 PM

Just to add to that....These are in the wrong decade too...

Gimme, gimme gimme - 1980s
A night to remember - 1980s
Copacobana - 1970s
Rappers delight - 1970s (just)
Olivers army - 1970s

And to be really really picky, Arrow - hot hot hot is SOCA - soul/calypso!

Good list though.

I'll take my anorack off now!

Ricesnaps

03-07-2006, 05:57 AM

afraid thats the problem with wedding planners, we would love to see these blooming lists they give to brides and grooms.

groove spinner you have fallen into the perfect catagory sorry!! but what do you give them as are all of you giving out the wrong impression??

ie showing us as very limited for choice??

I carry on average 50,000 tunes but may only use 150 on most nights if that
Do I need to do some shopping? Just finished Cataloging my CD's (using CD Trustee) and (not including MP3 tracks) is says I have 5143 tracks. only about 44,000 to go....

BTW, how the hell do you carry that little lot about!