Is there any type of gigs that you don't cover?

[cara]

Hi all

after i knocked back a gig today for a 13th birthday party i was just wondering if anyone off here does the same?

i feel as if i can only DJ when i've got some idea of what i'm playing so the gigs i'll knock back are:

1: r&b gigs: (don't like the music, don't know the music, apart from the obvious hits)

2: kids parties: i've seen other dj's do kids parties and you've gotta have that outgoing life & soul of the party vibe going and keep them entertained, hats off to those that do, i just know i'd make a fool of myself.

anything else (rock, indie, metal, cheese etc.) i'm game for

so are there any type of gigs you'll turn down?

[DJWilson]

when my calls start flooding in :) im not going to turn down any. except ones that require a lot of 50's and 60's. because i have none :lol:

[Excalibur]

Hi all

after i knocked back a gig today for a 13th birthday party i was just wondering if anyone off here does the same?

i feel as if i can only DJ when i've got some idea of what i'm playing so the gigs i'll knock back are:

1: r&b gigs: (don't like the music, don't know the music, apart from the obvious hits)

2: kids parties: i've seen other dj's do kids parties and you've gotta have that outgoing life & soul of the party vibe going and keep them entertained, hats off to those that do, i just know i'd make a fool of myself.

anything else (rock, indie, metal, cheese etc.) i'm game for

so are there any type of gigs you'll turn down?


Well I wouldn't take on a three hour Ska gig for eighteen year olds!!!;) :D

I don't particularly like gigs for pre-teens, but I still do them, and some of them go really well. When it comes down to it, some of the best gigs I have done have been the ones I fancied least, so no real bans in place. HOWEVER, if anyone asked for a night of only R'B I might find a previously forgotten prior booking!;) ;) :D :D

[Dragonfly]

13ths are great gigs some of my most memorable gigs have been 13ths which i wont go into.

i might think twice about rnb for 5 hours again as its just plain boring but sometimes it pays to sell your soul to the devil .... if of course you can carry it off effectively.

[discomobiledj]

75 and over, and try to avoid kids parties unless I know the parents.

[BeerFunk]

Kids parties, karaoke, quiz nights... I'm very versatile you know! I try to avoid 18ths too.

[Dragonfly]

Kids parties, karaoke, quiz nights... I'm very versatile you know! I try to avoid 18ths too.

surely you have repeated yourself there :D :D :D :D :D :D :beer1: :beer1:

[Excalibur]

13ths are great gigs some of my most memorable gigs have been 13ths which i wont go into.

i might think twice about rnb for 5 hours again as its just plain boring but sometimes it pays to sell your soul to the devil .... if of course you can carry it off effectively.

For thirty five years I have cheerfully taken money for playing any and every type of music for every class of audience, and have always found something in what I have played which has given me pleasure, C&W, Strict Tempo, Disco, Pop, Rock, Metal, but I can find hardly anything in this R&B to justify playing it, and I know DJ's who have retired, rather than play it!:(

I hate to hear customers say any Music is crap, when what they actually mean is they personally don't like it. Sadly I think R&B is simply crap. Shoot me down in flames if you wish, I won't hide behind the sofa!:D

[leighinstoke]

Open pub gigs where anyone can come in - not my thing.

Prefer parties, events, weddings, etc.

Leigh....

[DJWilson]

Sadly I think R&B is simply crap.


i have to agree, R&B is :pants: the only sort of music i like is club/hardcore/techno/DnB.

[Excalibur]

Open pub gigs where anyone can come in - not my thing.

Prefer parties, events, weddings, etc.

Leigh....

I would say you're being picky....................................... except I covered one for Jay Dee last week, and it brought back memories of the pros and cons of these gigs!;) Fortunately, it was a good one, but it's a long time since I had done one prevoius to that!;)

[Vectis]

I avoid 18ths & 21st like the plague, otherwise anything goes :o

[CRAZY K]

Open pub gigs where anyone can come in - not my thing.

Prefer parties, events, weddings, etc.

Leigh....

Similar--Pub gigs where the "regulars" attend--Private parties and Weddings are OK.

Its all to do with the demon drink plus payment "problems" sometimes.

CRAZY K

[Shaun]

after i knocked back a gig today for a 13th birthday party i was just wondering if anyone off here does the same?



so are there any type of gigs you'll turn down?


There's a few types I avoid.

a) Kids parties under 10 years old.: I honestly feel young children's parties are the most tiring, yet the people that call me for them expect them cheaper than any other type of event. I got tired of people calling me up askign for a quote only to say "HOW MUCH!!! It's only a children's party!." Life's been so much easier since I change my company policy to no children's parties.

b) Specific theme nights: I don't mean the regular 70s, 80's nights etc, moreso the types of themes where I don't feel confident enough musically to do them the justice they deserve. I.e. 'Northern Soul Nights, 'Heavy Metal nights', 'Ska themed parties'. In small doses I'm fine with those types of music, but I wouldn't feel confident doing a whole evening.

c) 18th Birthday's: I don't actually refuse these yet, but I'm very close to it. Too many bad experiences of late. The last one I did I had 20 to 30 youths fighting around my van at the end of the night, throwing pint glasses at each other. I tried to drive the van out of the way and some idiot jumped on the back of the van and started rocking it. I know trouble can break out at any event, but in my experience it happens more at these type of gigs. I'm just getting too old for the hassle it brings.

[PropellerHeadCase]

Shoot ME down if you like but I would happily say there is plenty of good R'n'B, it's just that there's plenty more crap. Timbaland, JT, Nelly Furtado, Alicia Keys, even the Pussycat Dolls and Beyoncé Knowles, in my estimation, are releasing good quality pop music in the R'n'B vein. Gwen is always top notch whether doing R'n'B, Pop or Rock, and I like just about everything that Missy 'Misdemeanor' Elliott has done.

Back on topic...

Any gig that requires working in just one area for more than four hours where I don't know the genre well I will flag - if the client merely wants a specialist genre to be included in the general mix, especially if they give a list of particular favourites, I'll always do it as I see that as an opportunity to learn something.

Specialist areas I won't touch due to insufficient material/knowledge would include Country and/or Western ("we play BOTH kinds" :D ), the so-called indie end of the alternative spectrum (I'd be happy doing the grunge end, though - Nirvana, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, Stone Temple Pilots, etc.).

I also won't play a whole night of Nuskool breaks or Trance because, even though I like a lot of music in those genres it would be very easy to get it wrong (from the client's perspective).

The areas I would consider myself specialist in are Jazz/Swing, Acid-Jazz, Trip-Hop, Deep/Funky House and Café del Mar-style chill-out, oh, and classic hard rock/heavy metal (70s and 80s), and 90s grunge.

[Excalibur]

Shoot ME down if you like but I would happily say there is plenty of good R'n'B, it's just that there's plenty more crap. Timbaland, JT, Nelly Furtado, Alicia Keys, even the Pussycat Dolls and Beyoncé Knowles, in my estimation, are releasing good quality pop music in the R'n'B vein. Gwen is always top notch whether doing R'n'B, Pop or Rock, and I like just about everything that Missy 'Misdemeanor' Elliott has done.

Back on topic...

Any gig that requires working in just one area for more than four hours where I don't know the genre well I will flag - if the client merely wants a specialist genre to be included in the general mix, especially if they give a list of particular favourites, I'll always do it as I see that as an opportunity to learn something.

Specialist areas I won't touch due to insufficient material/knowledge would include Country and/or Western ("we play BOTH kinds" :D ), the so-called indie end of the alternative spectrum (I'd be happy doing the grunge end, though - Nirvana, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, Stone Temple Pilots, etc.).

I also won't play a whole night of Nuskool breaks or Trance because, even though I like a lot of music in those genres it would be very easy to get it wrong (from the client's perspective).

The areas I would consider myself specialist in are Jazz/Swing, Acid-Jazz, Trip-Hop, Deep/Funky House and Café del Mar-style chill-out, oh, and classic hard rock/heavy metal (70s and 80s), and 90s grunge.


As that man said, " never say never" , yes I can't hand on heart say " all R&B is crap" cos it's obviously not. However I feel that the vast majority certainly is! Like I say, one of my personal hates is calling music crap, just cos you don't like it. I personally can't stand Frank Sinatra, yet he is widely acknowledged as one of the greatest ever singers of his era, so calling him crap would be demeaning myself. ;)

[Andy Westcott]

Just popping in to say I'll do most gigs as long as they are of mixed music.

Single genre nights would be something I would find difficult simply because of the amount of one type of music required, although I have done rock nights in the past.

Just to add to the fray: I don't like modern 'R&B' either. :)

[djsteve10]

I try and avoid any gigs under the age of 13,
I don't mind doing the 18th birthday partys providing they are paying me decent money,

I also avoid christenings too, How and why would a baby want or appreciate a disco?

[Penfold42]

Will tackle most gig's......if i'm not sure.....i'll ask on here.....simple.

Will not do R&B......did one with Dave and 4hr's of it numbed my brain....
No thank you.....:)

[Excalibur]

Will tackle most gig's......if i'm not sure.....i'll ask on here.....simple.

Will not do R&B......did one with Dave and 4hr's of it numbed my brain....
No thank you.....:)

Just remembered another class- Gigs in Lincolnshire!:p

[Penfold42]

Just remembered another class- Gigs in Lincolnshire!:p

Watch it you....:boxer2: :D :beer1:

[DJ James Lake]

I must be the only one who doesn't mind R&B gigs then by the sounds of it.

I like the challenge of mixing the stuff up, gives me a chance to get the 1210s out and give them a good beating.

[Tom]

i will do any type of gig apart from wedding as all of you know i have no experiance but for 18th, 21st and theme nights i will pay for extra help to make sure my equipment is safe (mentioned in t&c) and if i get a but stuck for choises then the old man is usefull every now and then.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Shoot ME down if you like but I would happily say there is plenty of good R'n'B, it's just that there's plenty more crap. Timbaland, JT, Nelly Furtado, Alicia Keys, even the Pussycat Dolls and Beyoncé Knowles, in my estimation, are releasing good quality pop music in the R'n'B vein.

I agree. Within any genre, there should be something you think is reasonable.


I also avoid christenings too, How and why would a baby want or appreciate a disco?

It's not for the baby, it's for the others to celebrate the babies christening. :rolleyes:

[BeerFunk]

Shoot ME down if you like but I would happily say there is plenty of good R'n'B, it's just that there's plenty more crap. Timbaland, JT, Nelly Furtado, Alicia Keys, even the Pussycat Dolls and Beyoncé Knowles, in my estimation, are releasing good quality pop music in the R'n'B vein. Gwen is always top notch whether doing R'n'B, Pop or Rock, and I like just about everything that Missy 'Misdemeanor' Elliott has done.
Indeed, and as in another thread, I voted my best commercial track of 2007 as an R&B track ('Kelis - Lil' Star'). That actually amazed myself, as I am with most of you in that I can't stand the majority of R&B!! :mad:

Even if the dire outnumbers the good, there are always great songs in every genre! :)

[leighinstoke]

I would say you're being picky....................................... except I covered one for Jay Dee last week, and it brought back memories of the pros and cons of these gigs!;) Fortunately, it was a good one, but it's a long time since I had done one prevoius to that!;)

Not really - done a few and always had hassle with punters kicking off, the wrong crowd being in, non-dancing heavy drinkers, or the licensee has left the payment with bar staff and it's been short or they've tried it on "He said it was such and such a price....not what you said...." etc - more than enough reasons to not want to do them.

Will do 'backrooms' of pubs though for private bookings as they are totally different and the crowd are there for the disco and being paid by the person who booked me and not the licensee.

Leigh.....

[djsteve10]

I agree. Within any genre, there should be something you think is reasonable.



It's not for the baby, it's for the others to celebrate the babies christening. :rolleyes:

True, i have done 2 christenings and both of them have been a really crap afternoon/night but the thing is people have booked me even after them who have seen me perform at them.

[rob1963]

so are there any type of gigs you'll turn down?

Yes...and I'm a bit similar to you, really.

I don't touch karaoke, kids parties, 18ths, 21sts or anything in central London (unless there are exceptional circumstances).

Everything else can be entertained, although I'd also be reluctant to do a gig where all they wanted was r & b all night!

[Excalibur]

Yes...and I'm a bit similar to you, really.

I don't touch karaoke, kids parties, 18ths, 21sts or anything in central London (unless there are exceptional circumstances).

Everything else can be entertained, although I'd also be reluctant to do a gig where all they wanted was r & b all night!

So you'd do absolutely anything, except an actual disco with an exclusion clause like that? :confused: ;) :D :D :D

[Dragonfly]

gigs under gazebos !!!!! :D :D :D :D :D

[JAMdisco]

I will generally do most disco's, however if I feel uncomfortable with the information given I would probably be a little apprehensive about doing it (or charge an unreasonable amount to put them off)

I don't mind the pub residency that I do (that Peter from Excalibur covered for me last Sat) as I've got to know most of the regulars now and usually know what the person wants even before they come up and ask for it.

Just wish it paid a little better!!!

[Impactdisco]

I turned down a 4yo birthday party last week as I just didn't want to do it.
And last year I turned down a 21st where they wanted indie all night. I could probably have done it as I reckon I must have over 5 hours worth of indie, but my dilemma was that I really don't have that great a knowledge about it, and I didn't think I could do the disco justice and was worried that it would get me a bad name in the long run. Was I right to do that?

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I turned down a 4yo birthday party last week as I just didn't want to do it.
And last year I turned down a 21st where they wanted indie all night. I could probably have done it as I reckon I must have over 5 hours worth of indie, but my dilemma was that I really don't have that great a knowledge about it, and I didn't think I could do the disco justice and was worried that it would get me a bad name in the long run. Was I right to do that?

I think you were justified in doing that. I would always advise against doing any gig where you think you may be either out of your depth or uncomfortable about the music.

I've done a couple of weddings that have been completely indie and rock, but that was after lengthy negotiations about the music and what would happen if no-one else liked the music etc.

The one that sticks in my mind was a couple of years ago in Abingdon where they specified music genres and artists and I remember having half a dozen couples in their 50s and 60s dancing to Jimi Hendrix 'Purple haze', right at the beginning of the evening.

It was funny, 'cos one of the older guys came over at the end and said how much he had enjoyed himself, even though he knew why I was playing what I was playing but it wasn't really his thing!

[cara]

i'm amazed to see how many dj's hate r&b, i just don't like what r&b promotes to children, mainly money, sex, big houses, fast cars & guns, it gives them the wrong idea at that age i think.

so the general feeling seems to be...don't do gigs that you're not comfortable with? makes sense to me

[Corabar Steve]

I don't think there is anything between us we won't cover, but personally I try to avoid kids / teen discos, Techno, R&B, Garage, D&B, & Hip Hop (Urban in general)

[Dragonfly]

i'm amazed to see how many dj's hate r&b, i just don't like what r&b promotes to children, mainly money, sex, big houses, fast cars & guns, it gives them the wrong idea at that age i think.

so the general feeling seems to be...don't do gigs that you're not comfortable with? makes sense to me

I agree totally I find it sexually charged , angst , anti establishment and in the most part politically motivated , as you say not the message I want my children to be listening to ..... I'd agree with the notion that i feel it is a professional approach to turn down gigs that you feel uncomfortable doing or you don't feel you can do full justice to.

after 4 hours of rnb at a gig with Tony Id really have to think about doing that again ..... it just doesnt lend its self to the energy and entertainment factor that i like to incorporate into my shows.

[KrazyKaz]

I avoid 18ths & 21st like the plague, otherwise anything goes :o

me too, but also drum & bass, kids are my preferred and in my opinion, best gigs

[Vectis]

me too, but also drum & bass, kids are my preferred and in my opinion, best gigs

Yep, kids are best but no younger than 6 or older than about 15 :D

We even have a special rig for kids discos - ClubVibe - basically a 6' deckstand loaded with rollers, an impossibled, and lots of lasers and smoke. Goes down a treat.

[rob1963]

So you'd do absolutely anything, except an actual disco with an exclusion clause like that? :confused: ;) :D :D :D

That's right!

:D :D :D

[mikeee]

Is it me or has the obvious been missed???

Never, ever work.....for friends, family or other DJ's :) :) :)

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Is it me or has the obvious been missed???

Never, ever work.....for friends, family or other DJ's :) :) :)

Why on earth not? :confused:

[rob1963]

I've never worked for another DJ, but I've done plenty of gigs for friends & family.

To be honest, they are my favourite types of function, as I find it more enjoyable playing to a room full of friends & family that I know...rather than a room full of strangers!

[Corabar Steve]

Is it me or has the obvious been missed???

Never, ever work.....for friends, family or other DJ's :) :) :)


Why on earth not? :confused:
Exactly what I was thinking

I've never worked for another DJ, but I've done plenty of gigs for friends & family.

To be honest, they are my favourite types of function, as I find it more enjoyable playing to a room full of friends & family that I know...rather than a room full of strangers!
Indeed & one of our best customers is a DJ who doesn't want to work friends & family gigs, so we do all of them.

[Excalibur]

Is it me or has the obvious been missed???

Never, ever work.....for friends, family or other DJ's :) :) :)


Why on earth not? :confused:

Because Family want you to work for nothing, Friends want it for next to nothing, and other DJ's keep telling you what to play next, why you shouldn't play what you are, why their gear is better than yours, and how much better they are in every respect!! ;) :bang: :D :D

[mikeee]

Thank you sir, you beat me to it. And at the end of the night, it's play another on, go on. With strangers you can be somewhat firmer with the reply :) :) :)

[kilmeedyman]

Mmmm....

I have to say, I love working for friends and family. Indeed, its how I starrted and probably how many of us did.

This game is all about providing entertainment as far as I am concerned and if I can help people I know have a good time it is an extra reward in itself as far as I am concerned.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

None of my family have ever asked me to do something for free. It's my living and they know that. Friends have never asked for a discount either, but I generally give one anyway and they are more than happy that I've offered.

More often than not these days, I'm invited and get asked to supply the DJ. This Saturday for example - I'm supplying the DJ and going as an invited guest and this happens more and more frequently.

The last point - other DJs.

I did a staff party on Saturday for a client and there were 8 DJs there and not one mention of willy waving (well maybe in jest) and certainly none of this "I think that would go down better" etc.

I really don't see a problem.

[Have a disco]

I will work for any one regardless of being related or not, I cant see a problem as long as I get paid the going rate then they are just another customer wether related or not

I've done family do's, Ive done best mate do's Ive done radio DJ weddings birthdays you name it Ive probably done it in the last 20 years they all paid most without a discount of any sort. Its a business Im there to make money let alone entertain people the word of mouth is GOLDdust

[Excalibur]

None of my family have ever asked me to do something for free. It's my living and they know that. Friends have never asked for a discount either, but I generally give one anyway and they are more than happy that I've offered.

More often than not these days, I'm invited and get asked to supply the DJ. This Saturday for example - I'm supplying the DJ and going as an invited guest and this happens more and more frequently.

The last point - other DJs.

I did a staff party on Saturday for a client and there were 8 DJs there and not one mention of willy waving (well maybe in jest) and certainly none of this "I think that would go down better" etc.

I really don't see a problem.

Obviously all eight are in your employ, and therefore frightened beyond words to utter anything which might be construed as an affront to their illustrious leader!!;) ;) :D :D :D

[mikeee]

:) :) :) :)

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Obviously all eight are in your employ, and therefore frightened beyond words to utter anything which might be construed as an affront to their illustrious leader!!;) ;) :D :D :D

Complete opposite actually...

All take the pee constantly. ;)

[theoloyla]

Over the years I have done all sorts including friends, family and other dj's and entertainers. Like someone else said doing an unfamiliar musical theme is a learning experience. If they ask me to play Lithuanian flute music I am quite open about it and tell them that I dont have any but if they want to provide some discs and suggestions I will play it for them. All that said however, I do turn away gigs these days but it is on an intangible gut feeling. Sometimes I just dont feel for whatever reason that I want to do that particular gig.

[electricnite]

'18th's' ..... underage drinking, sniffing up bero baking powder thinking its other substance, smoking dodgy tabs. trying to *Content Removed* the opposite sex. then think they are dolph lungdren after 2 shandys. no thank you

[Shaun]

Watch the language please.

[robbiedj]

Is it me or has the obvious been missed???

Never, ever work.....for friends, family or other DJ's :) :) :)

I have done at least 4 shows for other djs, two were friends and the other two found me via the website. I had no problems with any of them. The two I did not know were interested in the gear but declined the offer of playing a set as they didn't understand computer djing. That's professional djs for you.

I avoid 18ths / 21st that are not family affairs.

I also avoid certain weddings, notably Irish ones in certain areas. Knowing a lot of people around, I often get warnings about some which we all know will end up in a big free-for-all. I won't do them.

[Royalblue]

I always try to avoid anything to do with uni students as they can be a nightmare after a few. You always get one who thinks his music taste is what you should be playing and then calls you a fascist when you ignore him.
Have to agree that I'm not keen on the R&B crowd either.