Fixed playlist.

[super-hero]

I have a booking for this Saturday, and have been sent a playlist. The email with the playlist states very clearly that they don't want any talking before, during or after any of the songs, and that the songs must be played in the order they have listed them. I am not to play any other songs until I have exhausted their list. There is only 3hours playing time and their list is 3 and a half hours long.

Now usually I would explain to the client that this makes it very difficult for me to read the crowd and suitable music etc. In fact I would normally not have taken this booking. But, It was a last minute booking and it came through the company I get a lot of Christmas work from. So I have not spoken directly to the client, but I have been told this is what they want, and there is no changing their minds.

I was wondering what everyones thoughts are on this whole booking.
Do you think the client has had a bad dj experience in the past and is trying to make sure it doesn't happen again. Or, maybe they are just a control freak, and like to be incharge.

I am planning to put on the best show I can given the circumstances, and may even do a bit of uplighting just for the hell of it.

What do you all think. Why would they book a dj, when all they needed was a cd player.

[Dynamic Entertainment]

Run with it until it isnt working, and if the B&G come up and query why no ones dancing, explain that its the chosen music and ask if you can divert from it.

If you get guests trying to make requests politely explain why you cant. Word will soon get round the guests why the music is as it is...

[DeckstarDeluxe]

I have a booking for this Saturday, and have been sent a playlist. The email with the playlist states very clearly that they don't want any talking before, during or after any of the songs, and that the songs must be played in the order they have listed them. I am not to play any other songs until I have exhausted their list. There is only 3hours playing time and their list is 3 and a half hours long.

Now usually I would explain to the client that this makes it very difficult for me to read the crowd and suitable music etc. In fact I would normally not have taken this booking. But, It was a last minute booking and it came through the company I get a lot of Christmas work from. So I have not spoken directly to the client, but I have been told this is what they want, and there is no changing their minds.

I was wondering what everyones thoughts are on this whole booking.
Do you think the client has had a bad dj experience in the past and is trying to make sure it doesn't happen again. Or, maybe they are just a control freak, and like to be incharge.

I am planning to put on the best show I can given the circumstances, and may even do a bit of uplighting just for the hell of it.

What do you all think. Why would they book a dj, when all they needed was a cd player.


Quite often Ive found when you mean them in person etc... they either say yes thats how they want it or they say oh its just a few songs that we like etc....

Either way if possible just have a quick word at the start of the night in a friendly way so it doesnt come across in a way that makes them think your not happy in doing so.

[robbiedj]

I don't take "fixed playlists" unless I can get the proviso that, if it is clearly not working, I can adapt it to suit the audience.

I have never got through a whole playlist which would have taken the entire function. Very few clients know their guests well enough to cater for all.

One, who admitted his list was not working, was horrified when I put on Theme From New York. "Nobody dances to Frank Sinatra these days!" Then he turned around, saw a full dance floor and said "Oh, perhaps they do". I tore his list up. Nobody dances to Coldplay. By the way, he was a musician.

[DJ James Lake]

Good luck...you'll need it

[super-hero]

The songs aren't all bad songs, with the possible exeception of Jive Bunny.

I will speak to the client in person on the night about the playlist. I will also try to find out why they have gone down this route.

Oh, and I'm not sure about Ella Fitzgerald, as a big floor filler.

But having said that, the biggest tune of last Saturday was "smells like teen spirit". So you can never tell.

[Disco Tech Liverpool]

Any chance of posting the list ?

[rob1963]

Any chance of posting the list ?

I was thinking the same thing, as I'd be interested to see what sort of stuff is on there...as well as the order.

[TONYTIGER]

I would have no problem put the songs in one of my play lists press mix now and and head for the bar:D

[super-hero]

I have already created a virtual dj playlist, and may do just that... only kidding.

Superstition - Stevie Wonder
I gotta feeling - Black Eyed peas
Celebration - Kool and the Gang
You sexy thing - Hot chocolate
Love Shack - B52s
Get the party started - Pink
Lady Marmalade - All Saints

These are the first songs on the lists, the rest of the list is on my other computer, and I am too lazy to get that out right now.

I also had to pay close attention to the list as some of the songs are not by the prefered artists, Such as Stayin' Alive by N-Trance and not the Bee Gees.

I am not worried at all about the event, as I can only do what has been asked. I just feel I could make the event better, if I was aloud more input.

[Dynamic Entertainment]

I can see that the list has a nice continuity and plenty of transition tracks to blend the styles and genres..... :whistle:

[Megamix]

seems a shame to pay for someone to entertain and then not let them do their job

[Excalibur]

Go with the list, and publicise its existence, constraints and strictures at every opportunity. It's a no lose situation, if you do it right. If it works, you're a genius. If it flops, and you salvage it you're a genius. Geddit?

[DeckstarDeluxe]

I have already created a virtual dj playlist, and may do just that... only kidding.

Superstition - Stevie Wonder
I gotta feeling - Black Eyed peas
Celebration - Kool and the Gang
You sexy thing - Hot chocolate
Love Shack - B52s
Get the party started - Pink
Lady Marmalade - All Saints

These are the first songs on the lists, the rest of the list is on my other computer, and I am too lazy to get that out right now.

I also had to pay close attention to the list as some of the songs are not by the prefered artists, Such as Stayin' Alive by N-Trance and not the Bee Gees.

I am not worried at all about the event, as I can only do what has been asked. I just feel I could make the event better, if I was aloud more input.


I quite like that track and whats even more important is it matters enough to someone that they have already requested it.

[Excalibur]

I quite like that track and whats even more important is it matters enough to someone that they have already requested it.

A phrase is coming to mind about pins and eyeballs. ;) :( :( :(

[DeckstarDeluxe]

A phrase is coming to mind about pins and eyeballs. ;) :( :( :(

I think they did a remix didnt they? lol

[Tony Scott]

But having said that, the biggest tune of last Saturday was "smells like teen spirit". So you can never tell.

Was that a surprise to you? It's a huge tune for the right crowd.



I also had to pay close attention to the list as some of the songs are not by the prefered artists, Such as Stayin' Alive by N-Trance and not the Bee Gees.


... preferred by who? The N-trance version was a big dance floor filler at the time so probably has a lot of good memories for some people... :)


Go with the list, and publicise its existence, constraints and strictures at every opportunity.

Yes I agree with that 100%.

I'd go even further by printing out several copies of the playlist and scattering them around the tables. Put a note at the top stating that the music and running order has been carefully chosen by the hosts for your pleasure and that requests will not be required... have a great evening! :)

[TONYTIGER]

Go with the list, and publicise its existence, constraints and strictures at every opportunity. It's a no lose situation, if you do it right. If it works, you're a genius. If it flops, and you salvage it you're a genius. Geddit?

How is he going to publicise its existence when the client has told him he is not allowed to talk :confused:

[RabbittsKaraoke]

I have already created a virtual dj playlist, and may do just that... only kidding.



If you're not allowed to deviate from the list and not allowed to talk then I fail to see what else you could do!
Others may scoff but if I was given this then I'd put it all straight into VDJ and the only work I could/have to do was move the cross fader on the controller...

....but of course, Rob, the most difficult part of the night would be unloading the gear, setting up, and taking it back down again :D :D :beer1:

[discomobiledj]

How is he going to publicise its existence when the client has told him he is not allowed to talk :confused:

When the guests come and ask for a song to be put on, he can tell them then.

I'm sure the client doesn't mean he can't talk to anyone.

[funkymook]

I'd look at this as equipment and operator hire, they obviously don't want a DJ for whatever reason.
Shame you can't speak to the clients beforehand - I'm sure once they met you and you explained your reservations/experiences of fixed playlists they'd at least agree you could change the running order of the tunes (I suspect this will happen on the night though!)

[TONYTIGER]

When the guests come and ask for a song to be put on, he can tell them then.

I'm sure the client doesn't mean he can't talk to anyone.

Good point but the client might think he is trying to undermine there instructions,personally i would have not taken the booking as he has stated it was a late booking ,quite easy to say he was not available seems more trouble than it is worth.

[Dynamic Entertainment]

Good point but the client might think he is trying to undermine there instructions,personally i would have not taken the booking as he has stated it was a late booking ,quite easy to say he was not available seems more trouble than it is worth.

Not really.

Guest: "can you play xxx"

DJ: "Im sorry but the B&G have given me a playlist and asked me to esure i stick to it."

Simples...

[DazzyD]

I tend to avoid strict playlists nowadays due to my experience being that they really don't work (most of the time). You'd need to be Mystic Meg and Russell Grant combined to read the crowd before the actual gig. Although I will concede it's possible especially with a small group of guests who are all in to the same things.


Not really.

Guest: "can you play xxx"

DJ: "Im sorry but the B&G have given me a playlist and asked me to esure i stick to it."

Simples...

I had to do this at a walk-in gig a couple of months ago. I was subbing for another operator who hadn't told me the client wanted to play his own mix of songs (2CDs!) throughout the second half. I just had to go with it and, when people came up to request a track (or to moan about the tracks being played!), I just had to tell them I was under strict orders to keep to the playlist and they should take it up with the client. Never really had a problem after that.


I don't take "fixed playlists" unless I can get the proviso that, if it is clearly not working, I can adapt it to suit the audience.

I have never got through a whole playlist which would have taken the entire function. Very few clients know their guests well enough to cater for all.

One, who admitted his list was not working, was horrified when I put on Theme From New York. "Nobody dances to Frank Sinatra these days!" Then he turned around, saw a full dance floor and said "Oh, perhaps they do". I tore his list up. Nobody dances to Coldplay. By the way, he was a musician.

Are you hinting that it was a musician from Coldplay? :confused:

[DJ Jules]

I tend to avoid strict playlists nowadays due to my experience being that they really don't work (most of the time). You'd need to be Mystic Meg and Russell Grant combined to read the crowd before the actual gig. Although I will concede it's possible especially with a small group of guests who are all in to the same things.


I've had experience of a few weddings like this. For one of my first weddings I was given a list of tracks and told that I had to mostly play tracks from within the list and only deviate a little, but I had free reign over the play order which meant things went really well. It helped that the majority of the tracks were corkers - the B&G had sat down and had a good think and picked out the "best music" (in their opinion) from the 70's through to present day - and luckily I think most people would have agreed with their choices.

Another time I was given a pair of CD's full of supposedly ballroom dance music and was told to play them in order from CD1 through to the end of CD2. In this selection there were some absolute howlers. The elevator version of Coldplay's clocks, the Cha cha version of a Beyonce track, etc etc. It was just painful for those two hours - and despite the majority of the guests being from the B&G's dance school and so familiar with dancing to the tracks - very very few of them did get up.

I've also been put in the position of being a jukebox DJ as per the OP a couple of times - and I did as suggested above in both cases, when people came to complain I told them the deal and sent them to talk to the B&G. The first time, once a small crowd had formed around the DJ booth, all of them begging me to deviate from the playlist, the groom came over and gave me permission to go with his guests requests. The second time the groom stated that "it was his wedding and the music that he wanted would be played" and asked me to announce this over the Mic. Unfortunately for him, his wedding was in the Town Hall in Bristol City centre within walking distance of all of the major night life, and the majority of his guests walked out. A few of them who weren't so familiar with Bristol actually stopped on the way out to ask me where the nearest pub/club that played xxx kind of music was!! :eek: I got home early that night :D

Julian

[Larry B Entertainment]

seems a shame to pay for someone to entertain and then not let them do their job

A bit like hiring an Electrician and then telling him he can only use the screwdrivers you will provide even though they might be totally unsuitable for the job.

[super-hero]

I am sure I can expalain the situation to the client on the night. Even if I stick to the songs on their list but mix them up a bit.

I like a challenge, and will do my best to give them a good night.

I will try to get some pictures of the evening. Hopefully showing everyone dancing.

@Tony Scott, Totally agree about the Nirvana track, really big song for some people, just not one I would normally play. It was a request, and I followed it up with Blur- Song 2, which worked well.

[robbiedj]

Are you hinting that it was a musician from Coldplay? :confused:

No, but obviously wanted to be! :D

[Excalibur]

I'd go even further by printing out several copies of the playlist and scattering them around the tables. Put a note at the top stating that the music and running order has been carefully chosen by the hosts for your pleasure and that requests will not be required... have a great evening! :)
Amen, Brother.


How is he going to publicise its existence when the client has told him he is not allowed to talk :confused:
See above.


Not really.

Guest: "can you play xxx"

DJ: "Im sorry but the B&G have given me a playlist and asked me to esure i stick to it."

Simples...
'nuff said.