Guests' requests. Good thing or bad?

[HeartandSoul]

I think it's a judgement call, between keeping the guests happy, and flying solo. I find that if i have the dance floor full, any requests will be played later on. If it's quiet, play them straight away, they might just hit the spot for the peer group. There are some functions, and we have all had them, when people just don't want to dance no matter what, and after switching tracks a dozen times to find something they will dance to doesn't work, it can be a relief if a few suggestions come forward. Sometimes they work, sometimes they don't, but if you play stuff they ask for and they don't dance to it, there's only so much you can do but at least it's appreciated. I once had a bride whose playlist she provided wasn't working, against my advice before the wedding mind you, but she was determined. I switched to reggae, which the groom asked for on the night, filled the dance floor, she stormed over and insisted I go back to her playlist! told her grooms request and said she didn't care! I did it and cleared the floor, and left her to talk it over with her new husband! I wonder if they are still married?

[musicologydisco]

I think it's a judgement call, between keeping the guests happy, and flying solo. I find that if i have the dance floor full, any requests will be played later on. If it's quiet, play them straight away, they might just hit the spot for the peer group. There are some functions, and we have all had them, when people just don't want to dance no matter what, and after switching tracks a dozen times to find something they will dance to doesn't work, it can be a relief if a few suggestions come forward. Sometimes they work, sometimes they don't, but if you play stuff they ask for and they don't dance to it, there's only so much you can do but at least it's appreciated. I once had a bride whose playlist she provided wasn't working, against my advice before the wedding mind you, but she was determined. I switched to reggae, which the groom asked for on the night, filled the dance floor, she stormed over and insisted I go back to her playlist! told her grooms request and said she didn't care! I did it and cleared the floor, and left her to talk it over with her new husband! I wonder if they are still married?

I had an almost identical situation last year and I happen to know they split up in under 6 months. I thought at the time that it'll be a miracle if they stayed together. She was a nightmare!

[PlaySomethingGood]

I have honestly lost count of the amount of times this has happened to me. You get given a playlist which are fairly certain won't 'work' on the night. You try and stick to the clients requests as much as possible but it isn't working. You deviate slightly from the playlist to try and build an atmosphere. After some encouraging signs you fall-back on your experience and better judgement and play what you feel the guests will enjoy. The party gets into full swing with a packed dancefloor Cue unhappy client who insists you go back to their playlist (which is full of 'cool' songs designed to create the right kind of 'vibe'). Reluctantly you agree and the dancefloor is cleared in seconds with that hard-earned atmosphere never to return

I find that this is mostly an issue at weddings and, almost exclusively ones with younger brides. They get their minds set on having the 'perfect' day and have micromanaged every aspect of it. Obviously none of effort is REALLY to ensure that their guests have a great time but merely to create a 'spectacle'. The problem is that, the evening 'do' is the guests opportunity to have a drink, relax and let their hair down. If you micro-manage the DJ to ONLY play music that fits in with your 'perfect' day then your guests won't dance and will go home sober, bored and unhappy. Give your guests upbeat tunes they can sing and dance along to and they will go home drunk, tired and happy.

I believe that a wedding reception is your way of 'giving something back' to your guests who have dressed up and often travelled a long way to spend the day with you (often at great expense). I just wish more brides would remember this when trying to micro-manage the entertainment.

Just my tuppence worth....

[BeerFunk]

I find that this is mostly an issue at weddings and, almost exclusively ones with younger brides. They get their minds set on having the 'perfect' day and have micromanaged every aspect of it. Obviously none of effort is REALLY to ensure that their guests have a great time but merely to create a 'spectacle'. The problem is that, the evening 'do' is the guests opportunity to have a drink, relax and let their hair down. If you micro-manage the DJ to ONLY play music that fits in with your 'perfect' day then your guests won't dance and will go home sober, bored and unhappy. Give your guests upbeat tunes they can sing and dance along to and they will go home drunk, tired and happy.

The music dictates whether the guests go home drunk or sober?

Apart from that, I completely agree. I've had similar playlists from couples listing tracks like Mumford & Sons, Noah & The Whale etc. They have their place, and some people would like to dance to that sort of thing, but across the piece... it's not going to work

[Excalibur]

I think when people are saying chart music these days there looking for tracks over the past 5 years
I would also not recommend playing current music all the way through cut it after a few mins keeps em more interested
Not all the songs in the top 20 work that great on the dancefloor
As we all know just read the crowd - if a song dont work get rid and move to next !
If dancier stuff is working mix it up with some classics
If rnb is working mix it up with some classics
I just find with current music - gotta keep it interesting - cut in and out quickly - throw in some accapella etc

I think it's a judgement call, between keeping the guests happy, and flying solo. I find that if i have the dance floor full, any requests will be played later on. If it's quiet, play them straight away, they might just hit the spot for the peer group.

Two excellent posts. Sensible courses of action there.
Re wedding playlists, well that's in some ways a whole different topic. I believe here we're talking about requests from much/most of the audience on the night, rather than an advance playlist from perhaps two people, who may not be considering what most of the other guests want to hear.

[funkymook]

You just haven't managed the clients expectations properly if they're complaining to you on the night that you're straying from the music they wanted - all that needs to be discussed and sorted out beforehand so if you do have to change direction it's not unexpected. (and weaving between the two to keep everyone happy is a skill).

Funny how myself and the others on here who embrace the more alternative/indie style weddings never seem to have these awkward clients or guests on the night - that's not just down to luck!

[Excalibur]

Funny how myself and the others on here who embrace the more alternative/indie style weddings never seem to have these awkward clients or guests on the night - that's not just down to luck!

Obviously. It may be down to the fact that you've actually spoken to someone involved with the gig, rather than merely having the information "Slagthorpe WMC, Friday, 7.30 "

Coupled with the fact that perhaps the folk booking the specialist DJs have done so on purpose, rather than just booking "A Disco ", I'm not flabbergasted by your observation.

[funkymook]

Obviously. It may be down to the fact that you've actually spoken to someone involved with the gig, rather than merely having the information "Slagthorpe WMC, Friday, 7.30 "

Coupled with the fact that perhaps the folk booking the specialist DJs have done so on purpose, rather than just booking "A Disco ", I'm not flabbergasted by your observation.

I'm flabbergasted though - plenty of people hand over 'specialist' playlists to non-specialist DJ's, they appear in the 'another floorkiller list' type threads on a regular basis.

[Excalibur]

I'm flabbergasted though - plenty of people hand over 'specialist' playlists to non-specialist DJ's, they appear in the 'another floorkiller list' type threads on a regular basis.

So because we're not afficionados of a particular genre or style, we're not qualified to do the gig? Two of the most enjoyable and successful gigs I've done in the last six months were where I was given lists I wasn't familiar with. I did my research, bought the tracks I needed, and worked out which tracks in my collection would work with them.
Result? Satisfied customers, in fact one gave me a tip. I may be non-specialist, but that doesn't mean I can't provide a good service at many ( not all. ) specialist gigs.

[funkymook]

I think you missed my original point Peter.

It's easier to convince one person (or two if it's a B&G) before a gig to widen their music choices than to deal with a disgruntled crowd and unhappy client on the night. The aim is to get them to happily agree to accept guests requests that don't fit into their idea of great music well before the event. That's what the 'managing expectations' was about in my post (obviously there are usually still some 'must not plays' but I've never had even the strictest of clients not relaxing enough that I know I can handle most requests).

I have exactly the same concerns as anyone else over alternative etc playlists, every booking I need to have the 'and what about your guests tastes?' chat with my clients - but it's not luck that it's never a problem, it's the way it's approached that makes the difference.