Disinterested guests at event. Worst night.

[KarokeDJ]

Hi, this is my first post here. I just signed up with a desperate need to scream and shout about the worst DJing night I've had in a long, long time...
I did a gig last night which had been booked for many months and, to be honest, I was really looking forward to more than any of my other Christmas bookings, but - how deflated I was!

After waiting (with background music) for 2 hours which the guests ate, we opened the disco with some classic 70's dance hits (that would work 99.9% of the time) and we had a few people dancing. Within minutes we were asked for 80's - no prob.

So I did a set of 80's and the same few people who'd danced to the 70's stuff danced, but no-one else. SO throughout the night we took requests, mixed them in to the typical 70's, 80's, 90's and cheezy party songs (that had been asked for) but could not win the crowd. I should add that booze was less than a quid a drink so most were well on their way by the time we started.

We'd been booked to do disco and karaoke but only half a dozen people had a sing - although I did get a lot of songs for those few people - even when I tried songs that would normally get the whole room singing along it was like playing at a funeral.

After failing miserably to get 'em involved in the karaoke (that they'd asked for) I got back to music - and a few (poor) requests later I did an hour of my own selections and got more people on the dance floor that throughout the rest of the night - you know you've done something right when there's a unanimous aaaawwwww!!!! when you tell them this is the last couple of songs. But, even though the last hour or so went very well, I just couldn't wait to pack away and go home.

Then the booze kicked in and scraps broke out outside and... Well, typical booze related incidents...

WHat could I have done to get more people in the mood? Never had a problem like this before and even to the point of using part of a 'guaranteed dance floor filler' playlist I always keep on standby didn't work...

Thanks for reading.

Martin

[Shaun]

Welcome to the forum. Please take a few moments to introduce yourself to the members in the "Newbies" section of the forum. :approve:

[BeerFunk]

Hi Martin, yeah these nights do happen, there's not a lot you can do about it! If you do your best, and don't let it affect your job, then well done. I just put it to the back of my mind until the next gig!

[CRAZY K]

Hi Martin, yeah these nights do happen, there's not a lot you can do about it! If you do your best, and don't let it affect your job, then well done. I just put it to the back of my mind until the next gig!

Hi Martin, welcome AND NOT TO WORRY.

However long you have been in the business---it happens.

I think the Lincolnshire DJs on here that I know--Penmare and Dragonfly---the dynamic duo--can we have a round of applause---can give you even worse stories of being a DJ in your part of the world and cheer you up--yes!

Over to you guys:D :D :D

Holy mackerel--I just realised--im doing a gig in Lincoln****re next July--what a mistake--shall I cancel ????

CRAZY K

[Dragonfly]

Am I fatman or ploddin then :D :D :D :D

I lived in Grantham for 10 years and never really had a good gig there !!! most miserable bunch of so n sos ever created !!! I believe there are reasons for this but this is a family forum !!!

I used to joke about creating a how to have fun manual to take out with me it was that bad. I really can't think from my experiences of a single good word to say about the people of Lincolnshire!

I was hit , threatened , had all my gear nicked twice , had threats to trash my gear and every single panal in my car kicked in , in my time there!!

take it on the chin and there will be plenty more great nights im sure.

[Corabar Steve]

Wasn't Grantham voted most boring or depressing place in the UK at one point?

[CRAZY K]

Am I fatman or ploddin then :D :D :D :D

I lived in Grantham for 10 years and never really had a good gig there !!! most miserable bunch of so n sos ever created !!! I believe there are reasons for this but this is a family forum !!!

I used to joke about creating a how to have fun manual to take out with me it was that bad. I really can't think from my experiences of a single good word to say about the people of Lincolnshire!

I was hit , threatened , had all my gear nicked twice , had threats to trash my gear and every single panal in my car kicked in , in my time there!!

take it on the chin and there will be plenty more great nights im sure.

There you are---told you Dave would cheer you up--ill bet you feel a lot better now:D :D :D

Has Penmare got a similar story or ten?

CRAZY K

[KaraokeDJ]

Thanks for the replies - (as you may - or not - notice, I corrected my username - crap typing after just a few hours sleep last night)... I'm taking last night as a 'one-off' and keep reminding myself of all the good times we've had and that nobody has ever complained about our shows.

Some points about Lincolnshire folk are very true - and maybe a 'How To Have Fun' manual would be totally justified.

Well, back on the road tomorrow night and then Sunday and start looking forward to Christmas - I'm not working next week until Saturday. I've turned down a few gigs so I could have some chill time and not be completely knackered' when Christmas gets here.

Roll on New Year's Eve!!!

[PB Entertainments]

Ach, it's swings and roundabouts in this game innit.

I've been doing a local pub in quite a quiet town (this'll be the third Friday in a row) and it's been absolutely dead the past two weeks, I even gave the guy the chance to cancel if he wanted (don't like to see folk out of pocket, I know the guy well) and he said 'no - let's just do it'

Contrast that with a residency in another town on Saturday nights where the place is jumping. Swings... roundabouts...!

I've not had a particularly busy Christmas party-wise (only my first year proper back on the mobile scene) but I remember from years ago that sometimes the party season was fantastic, other times it was a bit stale, depends on the mood of the folk at the time etc.

All we can do is do our best, play the tunes we KNOW work, play any (decent) requests and try to enjoy it - not a lot more we can do if folk aren't really in the mood to party.

Well, drawing pins on the seats is a possibility... :D

[Penfold42]

Well where to start.........it does happen....but you take the rough with the smooth......

As for people in Lincolnshire got to say it is hard to get them going...on the dance floor......
I think every DJ has a 'pandora's box'......you last 'mojo'.....only comes out when the chips are down........i've used this many a time at gig's in Lincolnshire....only to draw a blank......

Best thing to do then is pack up and leave town.....only i can't.....i live here......:p

Not had as much trouble as Dragonfly....AKA...DJ Limpy....:D :D :D but have been sworn at by a woman for not playing her tune NOW....and was told i was :Censored: poo....:eek: by her.....nearly had my rig pushed over by a drunk and a speaker nearly got smashed because one bloke had too many of his friends inside him...'Ron Bacardi' and 'Johnny Walker'.....:D :D :D :D :D :D

I now employ a secretary to handle my booking who works in Derby.....does a very good job.......:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :beer1: :beer1: :beer1:

I do get booking's in Lincoln...but i aim quite high, therefore they are quite nice and are people who want to party......

I also do a far bit af travel outside the Lincoln area......which are also nice booking's.......

Hope this helps.....:)

Da,a,da,a,da,a,da........... 'Batman, Batman, Batman' (http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/42956000/jpg/_42956217_foolsbatman270.jpg)

[summer sounds]

Hi, this is my first post here. I just signed up with a desperate need to scream and shout about the worst DJing night I've had in a long, long time...
I did a gig last night which had been booked for many months and, to be honest, I was really looking forward to more than any of my other Christmas bookings, but - how deflated I was!

After waiting (with background music) for 2 hours which the guests ate, we opened the disco with some classic 70's dance hits (that would work 99.9% of the time) and we had a few people dancing. Within minutes we were asked for 80's - no prob.

So I did a set of 80's and the same few people who'd danced to the 70's stuff danced, but no-one else. SO throughout the night we took requests, mixed them in to the typical 70's, 80's, 90's and cheezy party songs (that had been asked for) but could not win the crowd. I should add that booze was less than a quid a drink so most were well on their way by the time we started.

We'd been booked to do disco and karaoke but only half a dozen people had a sing - although I did get a lot of songs for those few people - even when I tried songs that would normally get the whole room singing along it was like playing at a funeral.

After failing miserably to get 'em involved in the karaoke (that they'd asked for) I got back to music - and a few (poor) requests later I did an hour of my own selections and got more people on the dance floor that throughout the rest of the night - you know you've done something right when there's a unanimous aaaawwwww!!!! when you tell them this is the last couple of songs. But, even though the last hour or so went very well, I just couldn't wait to pack away and go home.

Then the booze kicked in and scraps broke out outside and... Well, typical booze related incidents...

WHat could I have done to get more people in the mood? Never had a problem like this before and even to the point of using part of a 'guaranteed dance floor filler' playlist I always keep on standby didn't work...

Thanks for reading.

Martin

Hi Martin...and welcome...as I work in Lincolnshire just wondering where the gig from hell was?...sso I can add the venue to my 'avoid' list!

[CRAZY K]

Hi Martin...and welcome...as I work in Lincolnshire just wondering where the gig from hell was?...sso I can add the venue to my 'avoid' list!

Probably Belton Woods Golf and Hotel Complex--knowing my luck:D :D :D

Im working there in July next year;)

CRAZY K

[Dragonfly]

Probably Belton Woods Golf and Hotel Complex--knowing my luck:D :D :D

Im working there in July next year;)

CRAZY K

i've only worked there once :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

[djsteve10]

just take the rough with the smooth... we all have good and bad gigs... it's just the way it goes. Don't be disheartend by it just stick at it and you will have some good times.

[PropellerHeadCase]

With quid drinks I'd suggest that the reason it was a crap was that people did not come to dance, they came to drink - you were there for atmosphere and to set a tempo for the drinking games, I'll warrant.

[djsteve10]

With quid drinks I'd suggest that the reason it was a crap was that people did not come to dance, they came to drink - you were there for atmosphere and to set a tempo for the drinking games, I'll warrant.

agreed

Local night clubs where i used to Dj used to have a certain offer 20 quid and all you can drink .... this was causing fighting... binge drinking... and not alot of people was dancing as they was too busy getting tanked up.

[KaraokeDJ]

Cheap booze - definately the cause!!!
Back on the road last night - great night out doing disco and karaoke, everyone had a good time...

Consider me dusted off and back in the saddle!!!


Martin

[BeerFunk]

I don't see how cheap booze can be blamed - OK, it might push some to drink until they lose control of themselves, but on the other hand, generally the more drunk people are - the more likely they are to dance. If the drinks were expensive, you could cite that as a reason why people weren't getting up to dance, as they weren't drinking as much.

I think it was just one of these nights, no need to look for a 'reason' :)

[Dragonfly]

I don't see how cheap booze can be blamed - OK, it might push some to drink until they lose control of themselves, but on the other hand, generally the more drunk people are - the more likely they are to dance. If the drinks were expensive, you could cite that as a reason why people weren't getting up to dance, as they weren't drinking as much.

I think it was just one of these nights, no need to look for a 'reason' :)

what a sad world we live in where people need to have a "chemically induced" good time ..... i'm not of this planet 90% of the time no help needed and on a weekly basis get a telling off from the wife for dancing in asda.

[CRAZY K]

Well where to start.........it does happen....but you take the rough with the smooth......

As for people in Lincolnshire got to say it is hard to get them going...on the dance floor......
I think every DJ has a 'pandora's box'......you last 'mojo'.....only comes out when the chips are down........i've used this many a time at gig's in Lincolnshire....only to draw a blank......

Best thing to do then is pack up and leave town.....only i can't.....i live here......:p

Not had as much trouble as Dragonfly....AKA...DJ Limpy....:D :D :D but have been sworn at by a woman for not playing her tune NOW....and was told i was :Censored: poo....:eek: by her.....nearly had my rig pushed over by a drunk and a speaker nearly got smashed because one bloke had too many of his friends inside him...'Ron Bacardi' and 'Johnny Walker'.....:D :D :D :D :D :D

I now employ a secretary to handle my booking who works in Derby.....does a very good job.......:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :beer1: :beer1: :beer1:

I do get booking's in Lincoln...but i aim quite high, therefore they are quite nice and are people who want to party......

I also do a far bit af travel outside the Lincoln area......which are also nice booking's.......

Hope this helps.....:)

Da,a,da,a,da,a,da........... 'Batman, Batman, Batman' (http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/42956000/jpg/_42956217_foolsbatman270.jpg)

Just reading this confirms my general thoughts on pricing--and I think Dave Dragonfly has confirmed this--although I dont take work in Lincoln , Grantham or Nottingham EVER :eek:

The more people are willing to pay ( generally and there are exceptions) the better they are to deal with.

Last night I did a Wedding where the price was not an issue-- a huge amount of alcohol was being consumed BUT the people were brilliant---bit drunk but right through to throwing out time--absolutely pleasure to deal with.

I take my Cowboy hat off to them :cowboy:

CRAZY K

[electricnite]

you win some, you lose some. you lost that night mate. roll on the next one as i always say

[PropellerHeadCase]

what a sad world we live in where people need to have a "chemically induced" good time ..... i'm not of this planet 90% of the time no help needed and on a weekly basis get a telling off from the wife for dancing in asda.

What comes next chief? Bust a move! :D

[sleah]

Last night I did a Wedding where the price was not an issue-- a huge amount of alcohol was being consumed BUT the people were brilliant---bit drunk but right through to throwing out time--absolutely pleasure to deal with.

I take my Cowboy hat off to them :cowboy:

CRAZY K

I have a "regular" client, well every 2-3 years! and it's just like you describe, money no object, get drunk, but brilliant people:D

[CRAZY K]

I have a "regular" client, well every 2-3 years! and it's just like you describe, money no object, get drunk, but brilliant people:D

LONG AS THEY CAN COUNT OUT THE TWENTIES AFTERWARDS:D :D :D

CRAZY K

[sleah]

LONG AS THEY CAN COUNT OUT THE TWENTIES AFTERWARDS:D :D :D

CRAZY K

Oh and they do :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

None of your cheques and bank account rubbish.....:rolleyes: