Particular 'Genre'

[Sarum DJ]

I'm fairly new to 'proper' dj'ing, i.e. getting paid in money instead of beer.

I was wondering if you guys stick to a particaular genre/age group. I've up to now played for audiences who enjoy the firm 'favourites' (whever that means).

I know if I want to seriously take this 'business' forward I should diversify into chidlrens/teen, 18th's etc. But to be honest with you this gigs fill me with fear. I get on well with children (less so teens) but i supose i feel intimidated that one wrong track or banter and the whole gig will be ruined by the crowd beating me up for playing Bob the Builder - which is soooo yesterday!!!!

Does anyone have any hints and tips....or shall i just stick to Donner Summer?

[flatliners]

younger crowed modern music ie r&b dance chart stuff with a few songs like y m c a abba timewarp ect

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

younger crowed modern music ie r&b dance chart stuff with a few songs like y m c a abba timewarp ect

I don't really think you can generalise like that.

[Sarum DJ]

I don't really think you can generalise like that.

I appreciate i've got to keep up with the music, my main point is can anyone give me any pointers on how to stand in front of all those little (ummm) darlings and not end up pushed in the jelly and forced fed the cake!!

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I appreciate i've got to keep up with the music, my main point is can anyone give me any pointers on how to stand in front of all those little (ummm) darlings and not end up pushed in the jelly and forced fed the cake!!

What age group are you looking at?

[Sarum DJ]

I suppose the under 18's. In order to make a success of this, do i have to diversify this much, or is it possible to stick to my guns..

[BeerFunk]

Any chart music from the past year then, plus all the favourites that the kids will know - Cha Cha Slide, Macerena etc

[DJ INDIE]

Hi,

Ive played 3 or 4 childrens parties upto now - NEVER something id imagine id EVER do! - I'm not much of a talker or entertainer on the mic - i just do the basics - best thing to do is just be yourself, dont try to be anything that doesnt come natural, youll find most kids will ask for what they want anyway (repeatedly :) - if in doubt keep the music bouncy and happy!!

If its for a younger childs birthday find out beforehand if youre expected to be 'just' a DJ or also a childrens entertainer too, then decide if the gig suits what you do.

Its worth having 'kids' music in your repotoire anyway - i just did a 60th that i was told 60s and 70s would go down a storm, then i turned up and the venue was full of children who wanted all their favourites playing!!

Dont take these as gospel but some songs that help are cheesy songs they can participate with;

Mika - Grace Kelly
DJ Caspar - Cha Cha Slide
High School Musical - the amount of times ive been asked for that is untrue!
you know the type

As for teens - different ball game - Chart/Goth/EMO/Dance/RnB - huge diversity nowadays - youll have try and find out what you can from the person hiring you - ask for a few of their favourite songs and groups, prepare what you can, and judge the rest when you get there.

It never hurts to have a good selection of everything just in case.


Anywho, best of luck

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

If its for a younger childs birthday find out beforehand if youre expected to be 'just' a DJ or also a childrens entertainer too



That is a very very important point as there is a great deal of difference.

[robbiedj]

Or be like me and avoid under 16's completely and peer-group 18ths. Family do, fine, mixed ages you can play a real mixture of music. I am quite happy to drop in a couple of sets for each group.

Some 18ths can be mixed, but others are too set in R&B, hip-hop style which I am just not happy with, and if I'm not happy, they may not be.

[mike8863]

I do quite a few teens parties, they like chart stuff mainly, bag all the now cd's and you won't go too far wrong;) .
I also make a point of when i send booking forms out, including a request sheet, that gives me an idea. Then on the night asking the guests for requests. Some of my best gigs have been this age group, and I'm a bit too long in the tooth to be trendy........:zip:
As Darren says though be careful of very young audiences, I did an 8 year olds party, and although mum and dad were happy, i can't help thinking they thought i was going to organise games and the like:eek: :eek: .

[PropellerHeadCase]

To answer the original question - if the younger groups make you uncomfortable stick to the 30ths, 40ths, 50ths and 60ths, weddings and company dos. There's more than enough of those around to "make a go of it".

[JAMdisco]

I originally aimed my target audience at the 20+ age group but have found that I've been requested more & more for 18 and below. I will not do disco's for under 12's tho as I think that get's close to 'childrens entertainer' territory (which I am not).

I will post my set for a recent girls 18th in the next couple of days so you may get a rough idea of what they (generally) like.

As always though, I get them to complete a playlist (which usually comes back 'rammed' with songs). Some of which I've never heard of :eek: must be getting old!!! I will generally buy tracks I haven't got as I'm sure they'll get used at another similar age group party.

Big favorites at the mo:-

Low - Flo Rida
4 Minutes - Madonna
Rollin' - Chamillionaire
Dirrty - Christina

anything by Pussycat Dolls, Timbaland, Timberlake, J-Lo, Rihanna...
Then as Flatliners said, the old classics like YMCA, Timewarp, Grease Megamix generally seem to go down well. I even stick some Black Lace stuff in their towards the last half hour if I feel they'll be up for it - never failed me yet.

As for behaviour - they are always pretty well mannered, polite and well behaved.

[Vectis]

As Darren says though be careful of very young audiences, I did an 8 year olds party, and although mum and dad were happy, i can't help thinking they thought i was going to organise games and the like:eek: :eek: .

About 40% of my work is older kids/young teens and I really enjoy these events even though personally I'd never in a million years choose to listen to some of the music they want played :p I think relying on 'Now' CDs is a bit of a cop-out. The older end of the age range do like their chart stuff, so how hard is it to make sure you've got all the (playable) Top 40 every week? Once a week I look at the charts, audition the new entries and decide which will be played/requested (I'm 99% right) - usually downloading about 5 or 6 songs a week to keep current. Most of the dodgy-lyric songs are released with radio edits nowadays and for those that aren't there's a bunch of free mp3 editing tools around.

I've done this since forever ago when keeping current meant buying a handful of singles each week, and now I have a really impressive library. Add the occasional kid-specific album (Hannah Montana, HSM etc.) and you're done.

I market a specific rig & style to this age group - ie a "mobile club environment" and quite clearly do not offer games :D Rates are set at approx. 70% of a "normal" gig but that's for just 2 hours playing time. Virtually zero planning, home well before midnight, suits me sir :o :D

[Sarum DJ]

Thank you all for that, plenty of food for thought

Cheers! :beerchug:

[DazzyD]

I will post my set for a recent girls 18th in the next couple of days so you may get a rough idea of what they (generally) like.

Can you post this quicker, JD? I've a girls 18th tomorrow - booked my mum and dad for a "family do". It's been a while since I've done an 18th so your playlist would help me too!


I market a specific rig & style to this age group - ie a "mobile club environment" and quite clearly do not offer games :D Rates are set at approx. 70% of a "normal" gig but that's for just 2 hours playing time. Virtually zero planning, home well before midnight, suits me sir :o :D

Suits you, Sir!