Reading the crowd at a Wedding

[soundtracker]

Following on swiftly from the playlist thread, a few people have said that they prefer to read the floor, rather than to be steered by a playlist, Now "back in the day" it was all so simple then, when there wasn't the great disparity in music that there now is, you could more or less look at a crowd, and have a fair idea of what they would like. But in all honesty, is it now that simple? Take an average wedding, to start with you've got the B&G and their immediate friends, on average in the late 20's to mid thirties age range, so what will they like? Lets go back to when they were going out enjoying themselves - early to mid 90's, so we could be looking at Britpop, what we now loosely term "Old skool", the poppy/cheesey end of the market, Spice Girls, Take That, Five etc, they may have been into Hip/Hop etc, they may have kept up to date with music, and still follow the charty stuff, perhaps enjoy a bit of R'n'B, or, like most, they might still fancy some eighties choons, or heaven to betsy, they may be indie fans, or goths!- now I defy anyone to be able to tell this from looking at a group of people, dressed in their Wedding finery! I could expand this now, either way, looking at older relatives, and of course any younger ones.
I have met three brides this week, all aged between 28 and 30, all booked into nice venues, all splashing the cash, all living in reasonable areas. The first one wants loads of Salsa, lots of big eighties tunes, especially power ballads. The second couple really like The Beatles and the Stones, don't really get new music, and will be happy with some sixties, seventies and eighties. The third couple, detest cheese, they want some good indie rock and to finish the night some big rave tunes, Paul Van Dyke- For an angel 2009, Floor essence - Man with no name (dayglo mix), Mory Kante - Yeke Yeke (hard floor mix) and
DJ Misjah and DJ Tim - Access. Without meeting them, talking top them and getting an idea of their favourites, there is no way that you would ever guess(or read!) There is nothing to distinguish between these people - certainly nothing obvious - so how can we "read the floor" - If people dance to a certain song, then you can stay in that style for a while - but you can't stay there for ever - how do you know where to go next - you use past knowledge, you try what's worked before, if it works fine, if it doesn't, you try something else - this maybe why so many DJs revert to LCD music (Lowest common denominator) which is why 30 years on, we are still playing YMCA!
But basically, with the differing genres and time periods can you actually read the floor - I've been at it 35 years, I used to be able to, but in all honesty, I don't think that its actually possible anymore.

[DeckstarDeluxe]

Following on swiftly from the playlist thread, a few people have said that they prefer to read the floor, rather than to be steered by a playlist, Now "back in the day" it was all so simple then, when there wasn't the great disparity in music that there now is, you could more or less look at a crowd, and have a fair idea of what they would like. But in all honesty, is it now that simple? Take an average wedding, to start with you've got the B&G and their immediate friends, on average in the late 20's to mid thirties age range, so what will they like? Lets go back to when they were going out enjoying themselves - early to mid 90's, so we could be looking at Britpop, what we now loosely term "Old skool", the poppy/cheesey end of the market, Spice Girls, Take That, Five etc, they may have been into Hip/Hop etc, they may have kept up to date with music, and still follow the charty stuff, perhaps enjoy a bit of R'n'B, or, like most, they might still fancy some eighties choons, or heaven to betsy, they may be indie fans, or goths!- now I defy anyone to be able to tell this from looking at a group of people, dressed in their Wedding finery! I could expand this now, either way, looking at older relatives, and of course any younger ones.
I have met three brides this week, all aged between 28 and 30, all booked into nice venues, all splashing the cash, all living in reasonable areas. The first one wants loads of Salsa, lots of big eighties tunes, especially power ballads. The second couple really like The Beatles and the Stones, don't really get new music, and will be happy with some sixties, seventies and eighties. The third couple, detest cheese, they want some good indie rock and to finish the night some big rave tunes, Paul Van Dyke- For an angel 2009, Floor essence - Man with no name (dayglo mix), Mory Kante - Yeke Yeke (hard floor mix) and
DJ Misjah and DJ Tim - Access. Without meeting them, talking top them and getting an idea of their favourites, there is no way that you would ever guess(or read!) There is nothing to distinguish between these people - certainly nothing obvious - so how can we "read the floor" - If people dance to a certain song, then you can stay in that style for a while - but you can't stay there for ever - how do you know where to go next - you use past knowledge, you try what's worked before, if it works fine, if it doesn't, you try something else - this maybe why so many DJs revert to LCD music (Lowest common denominator) which is why 30 years on, we are still playing YMCA!
But basically, with the differing genres and time periods can you actually read the floor - I've been at it 35 years, I used to be able to, but in all honesty, I don't think that its actually possible anymore.

I actually love the challenge that DJing presents like you said. I could imagine people getting bored of playing the same old tunes. I also think this is where mic work comes into its own as not only does it strike up a rappour with your guests but also encourages them to make requests etc..

I also think its a good education to us djs to move out of the "comfort zone" in what we play too. When it works too I get an almighty buzz.

Speaking of weddings I still not got a email about a certain function Pete if you could be so kind ;)

[Vectis]

But basically, with the differing genres and time periods can you actually read the floor - I've been at it 35 years, I used to be able to, but in all honesty, I don't think that its actually possible anymore.

Well maybe it's just practice making perfect but I find "reading the floor" easier nowadays than ever before :o

I think a lot of this comes down to the fact that for many years I've done a large proportion of older kids/young teens parties. It doesn't take that long for them to get into their 20s and start getting engaged and married so an ongoing immersion in current music probably helps over a longer period.

[soundtracker]

Well maybe it's just practice making perfect but I find "reading the floor" easier nowadays than ever before :o



How?

[Vectis]

How?

If I knew that I'd bottle it and make a fortune :)

[Excalibur]

Pete, I agree with every word of your post. Well said.

[rob1963]

Soundtracker,

That wasn't an easy read...you not heard of paragraphs? :p

Anyway, this reading the dancefloor thing isn't really rocket science.

If I put on a 60's motown classic and lots of people dance to it, I'll play a few more afterwards. However, if only a few people are dancing to it, I'll change to a different music style after that one motown song.

If I play a song which is complete cheese (I'm referring to one of those songs which has a dance that goes with it) and it works well, I'll play a few more after it, and will do a few more similar sets later on.

If you play everyone's requests as well as your own selection of many different types of music and nobody is dancing, it's clearly one of those gigs where the people don't want (or feel the need) to dance.

We're all different, buy my ideal situation is to have about two thirds of the music requested in advance by the client...with the other third coming from a combination of requests on the night & my own choices based on reading the dancefloor & also playing songs which in my experience usually work well.

[yourdj]

I actually love the challenge that DJing presents like you said.


Well maybe it's just practice making perfect but I find "reading the floor" easier nowadays than ever before :o

I love it too. i think the fact that people like a more varied spread of music makes our job easier.

I always get suprised when you see a table of old folk sitting there looking at you and discussing the music. You would think sticking some stones on would work but they all get up when I gotta feeling comes on :D

I test the water at first by playing different tracks and seeing what the average likes. If they are completely unresponsive i turn it down and go and chat with people which really works and they then feel obliged to dance if you get a few requests/names on the way.

As Vectis says there is no way to tell other than experience and that is what makes us stand out from the cowboys which is not a bad thing is it?

[TONYTIGER]

Following on swiftly from the playlist thread, a few people have said that they prefer to read the floor, rather than to be steered by a playlist, Now "back in the day" it was all so simple then, when there wasn't the great disparity in music that there now is, you could more or less look at a crowd, and have a fair idea of what they would like. But in all honesty, is it now that simple? Take an average wedding, to start with you've got the B&G and their immediate friends, on average in the late 20's to mid thirties age range, so what will they like? Lets go back to when they were going out enjoying themselves - early to mid 90's, so we could be looking at Britpop, what we now loosely term "Old skool", the poppy/cheesey end of the market, Spice Girls, Take That, Five etc, they may have been into Hip/Hop etc, they may have kept up to date with music, and still follow the charty stuff, perhaps enjoy a bit of R'n'B, or, like most, they might still fancy some eighties choons, or heaven to betsy, they may be indie fans, or goths!- now I defy anyone to be able to tell this from looking at a group of people, dressed in their Wedding finery! I could expand this now, either way, looking at older relatives, and of course any younger ones.
I have met three brides this week, all aged between 28 and 30, all booked into nice venues, all splashing the cash, all living in reasonable areas. The first one wants loads of Salsa, lots of big eighties tunes, especially power ballads. The second couple really like The Beatles and the Stones, don't really get new music, and will be happy with some sixties, seventies and eighties. The third couple, detest cheese, they want some good indie rock and to finish the night some big rave tunes, Paul Van Dyke- For an angel 2009, Floor essence - Man with no name (dayglo mix), Mory Kante - Yeke Yeke (hard floor mix) and
DJ Misjah and DJ Tim - Access. Without meeting them, talking top them and getting an idea of their favourites, there is no way that you would ever guess(or read!) There is nothing to distinguish between these people - certainly nothing obvious - so how can we "read the floor" - If people dance to a certain song, then you can stay in that style for a while - but you can't stay there for ever - how do you know where to go next - you use past knowledge, you try what's worked before, if it works fine, if it doesn't, you try something else - this maybe why so many DJs revert to LCD music (Lowest common denominator) which is why 30 years on, we are still playing YMCA!
But basically, with the differing genres and time periods can you actually read the floor - I've been at it 35 years, I used to be able to, but in all honesty, I don't think that its actually possible anymore.

I know were you are coming from and yes the music is very much more varied than it was in the early days.
The 3 couples have chosen varied styles of music but nothing i would not carry for any job.
This is there taste in music but is it there guests ,they are just a small percent of the crowd you have to entertain i do not believe that they would know all there guests musical tastes.
So yes you have to be flexible and read the crowd if that means playing tunes that guests have requested that does not fit in with Bride & Grooms initial request so be it ,a good dj will overcome this and keep everybody happy.
I think we all forget that all the people attending a function are potential clients.
I am positive that after 35 years you know the score.

[Megamix]

I think you've made a valid point - sometimes such a cross section makes it difficult to know you're pleasing as many people as possible. A larger choice of music - as the decades roll - by only adds to this (plus lots of sub genres)

I notice people are far more 'selfish' in demanding what they like rather than enjoying whats on offer - my love of music comes from embracing as much as possible (except traditional folk music!) - not everyone is that way inclined.

[Ecstatic Events]

I personally like the challenge too - and for me it's all about timing.

You could play the same track and different times during an evening, with the same crowd. And get a different reaction.

There's a knack to reading a crowd, beatmixing, mic work.

You either have it, or you dont.

I would much prefer to consult with the paying clients initially to understand thier tastes and needs. And smash the granny out of the party and get the place jumping :)

I dont think reading the dancefloor has become harder to do. Personal views, of course :)

[soundtracker]

Soundtracker,

That wasn't an easy read...you not heard of paragraphs? :p

Anyway, this reading the dancefloor thing isn't really rocket science.

If I put on a 60's motown classic and lots of people dance to it, I'll play a few more afterwards. However, if only a few people are dancing to it, I'll change to a different music style after that one motown song.

If I play a song which is complete cheese (I'm referring to one of those songs which has a dance that goes with it) and it works well, I'll play a few more after it, and will do a few more similar sets later on.

If you play everyone's requests as well as your own selection of many different types of music and nobody is dancing, it's clearly one of those gigs where the people don't want (or feel the need) to dance.

We're all different, buy my ideal situation is to have about two thirds of the music requested in advance by the client...with the other third coming from a combination of requests on the night & my own choices based on reading the dancefloor & also playing songs which in my experience usually work well.
Could you be any more patronising if you tried?:mad:

[CRAZY K]

I test the water at first by playing different tracks and seeing what the average likes. If they are completely unresponsive i turn it down and go and chat with people which really works and they then feel obliged to dance if you get a few requests/names on the way.



In my opinion you missed the whole point.

A lot of people get very hyped about their Wedding and they want it to be the best it can be.

Why waste time fishing around to see the audience reaction trying out a few tracks that you THINK they might like. Thats wasting valuable time and also if no none dances putting a negative vibe into the event--:eek: oooh look no one is dancing.:eek:

Surely if you have a sensible conversation in advance with the client by phone, email or a meeting you can improve on a hit and hope policy.

They have 50 years of popular music to choose dont forget.

Last nights Wedding was a classic--second dance I used one of their selections ( not a must play ) Barry White--your my first etc with a load of bass end;)

Floor rammed immediately, job done off to a positive start --peoples faces told the story--we are in for a good night.

Incidentally this shrewd couple chose as a penultimate Dance==New York New York and final dance Mr Brightside --which worked beautifully--although I have to say I just dont get Mr Brightside--the quality sounds rubbish even though I downloaded it twice:eek:

BTW these comments dont apply if your working with Corporates, Football Clubs, etc where you cant have effective communication prior to the event--which is why im not doing the Disco tomorrow --just the Barn Dance bit;)

[Silver]

I concur also, with the range of music available now it is not as simple as it was 20 plus years ago.

For instance how many on here (honestly) would play the following in trying to get a 60 year old retiring nurse up and dancing around like a 20 year old?

Need you tonight ... INXS

Pencil full of lead ... Paolo Nutini

Bohemian like you ... Dandy Warhol

Because the night ... Patti Smith

Give me all your loving ... ZZ Top

Call me ... Blondie

Disco 2000 ... Pulp

And wait for it .................

All the same ... Sick Puppies

and the one to crown it all ........... Voodoo People ... Prodigy.

I apologise for taking this slighty away from a wedding thread but these along with twenty or so others were on a sixty year old nurse's playlist who was retiring from the hospital.

I accept some tracks there could have been chosen but the majority are, well surprising to say the least! http://planetsmilies.net/confused-smiley-17488.gif

[rob1963]

Could you be any more patronising if you tried? :mad:

I don't know, but I'll have a go if you like!

The point I was trying to make is that many people over-complicate the whole reading the dance floor thing.

In my opinion, even with all the new (minority) music types that have come along over the last ten or twenty years, reading the dance floor is no harder now than it ever was...certainly not for me.

[Jonathan Ford]

Anyway, this reading the dancefloor thing isn't really rocket science.

If I put on a 60's motown classic and lots of people dance to it, I'll play a few more afterwards. However, if only a few people are dancing to it, I'll change to a different music style after that one motown song.


OK, Rod, so your motown goes down like a fart in an elevator. Looking around the room, how do you figure out what to play next? If the younger crowd were in their everyday clothes, it might be simpler, but when everyone is suited and booted its nigh on impossible.

I'm with you, Pete.

There is such a wide variety of music these days, much of it around so fleetingly, that I find it increasingly hard to predict what people will want just by looking at them. Also, as previously mentioned, people are increasingly fickle, and will dance to their preferred genre of music and not much else.

It certainly feels on some nights that you have to kiss a lot more frogs to find your prince, as it were.

[StarZSoundS]

So why not look for music that crosses every genre and age group......


Tracks that rarely fail whatever your audience....

For instance...

Build me up Buttercup
I've Got a Feeling
I don't feel like Dancing
Shout (LULU)
Footloose
Malice (JAM)

Loads more....................:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

[funkymook]

Can't go wrong with Dancing Queen for the ladies and Baggy Trousers for the gentlemen!

[rob1963]

OK, Rod, so your motown goes down like a fart in an elevator. Looking around the room, how do you figure out what to play next?

I'd either play more of something I'd played earlier which had gone down well, or something from the request list, or my own choice of something which usually gets people dancing. That's common sense for you!

[StarZSoundS]

Can't go wrong with Dancing Queen for the ladies and Baggy Trousers for the gentlemen!

Yep Martin....that type of thing!!Scores of them!!:) :) :)

[Ecstatic Events]

So why not look for music that crosses every genre and age group

Thats EXACTLY what a good DJ would do.

And there are LOT and LOTS of tracks that are suitable...

[MagicMusic]

If the younger crowd were in their everyday clothes, it might be simpler, but when everyone is suited and booted its nigh on impossible.

Haircuts and make - up can be give aways!

[Silver]

I'd either play more of something I'd played earlier which had gone down well, or something from the request list, or my own choice of something which usually gets people dancing. That's common sense for you!

Surely there is nothing else to play, that covers everything! What else is there? http://planetsmilies.net/confused-smiley-17478.gif

Based on what you've said it does sound Rob, as though you have always had a full dancefloor and you've never cleared a dancefloor in your entire career!

[soundtracker]

So basically you're not reading the dancefloor, you are playing "guaranteed floorfillers" that hopefully appeal to everybody - now we're getting somewhere!

[Jonathan Ford]

Can't go wrong with Dancing Queen for the ladies and Baggy Trousers for the gentlemen!

Well, you can these days. Ten years ago I would've agreed with you in a heartbeat.


I'd either play more of something I'd played earlier which had gone down well, or something from the request list, or my own choice of something which usually gets people dancing. That's common sense for you!

That may be common sense, but it's not reading a crowd. To me, reading a crowd is looking at the people that aren't dancing, and trying to remove them from their seats....without using the "fling enough crap until some of it sticks" approach.

[rob1963]

So basically you're not reading the dancefloor, you are playing "guaranteed floorfillers" that hopefully appeal to everybody - now we're getting somewhere!

I was answering Jonathan who asked how I'd decide what to play next if I played some motown and it completely bombed.

As I said, I'd play more of something that had worked earlier, or something from the request list or my own choice of saomething that usually wors well.

These would be the only options, because you can't read an empty dancefloor!


To me, reading a crowd is looking at the people that aren't dancing

What about the people that ARE dancing?

:confused:

[soundtracker]

I was answering Jonathan who asked how I'd decide what to play next if I played some motown and it completely bombed.

As I said, I'd play more of something that had worked earlier, or something from the request list or my own choice of saomething that usually wors well.

These would be the only options, because you can't read an empty dancefloor!



What about the people that ARE dancing?

:confused:

How marvelous! But did I quote you? I was responding in general to all of the suggestions regarding guaranteed floor-fillers, which as Jonathan so correctly said is NOT reading the dance floor

[funkymook]

I don't think you'll ever get a definitive answer on this question, ask 10 DJ's - get 10 (and usually more) different answers, and they'll all be valid and have proven to have worked! Here's mine for what it's worth:


Preparation:
Talk to B&G about music, first dance/last songs, have they prepared a playlist? favourite songs, what not to play (and how to handle it if requested). Then I usually ask about their friends, if any have differing music tastes, what the bridemaids like, B&G's parents etc. By this time you're usually either having a really good conversation about music, or getting loads of 'don't knows!' (so don't push it if they don't seem that bothered).

I always ask for the Best Mans number - mainly to check if they have arranged any 'surprises' on the night that might need my interaction, so another good opportunity to ask about music. And of course if I'm in contact with any other people attending I'll be asking them as well.

On The Night:
Regardless of what I've been told I always take all my music with me (as you never know!).

People watch, any unusual clothing? (bootlace tie - country fan! - goths will usually have some 'gothiness' about them regardless of the occasion etc etc).

Listen to the speeches and thankyou's, relatives from Ireland - got to be a few tunes to be played for them! Any mention of Grooms previous clubbing/groups in Best Man's speech?

If possible and appropiate chat with a few guest.

Background music - any toe tapping, singing along?

Then, once the party has started, apart from using all my preparation I also go into a 'if I were in the audience' mode - I try to imagine myself on the dancefloor, sitting with that group of older people, with the lads at the bar etc and think 'what song next would make me go 'yeah' and make me feel involved' - I suppose empathy is the best word for it.

I'd suspect most people here tune into their audience like this - which, I think, probably helps to make a good DJ.

(and just to avoid any contention - I'm not saying I'm a particularly good DJ, or if you don't feel you tune in to your audience that you're not, if what you do is totally different from what I do and works for you, that's good enough for me - I really enjoy reading all the different ways we go about our DJ'ing :) )

[Jonathan Ford]

These would be the only options, because you can't read an empty dancefloor!

No, but you can read the crowd. This used to be a lot easier.



What about the people that ARE dancing?

:confused:
That's the trick isn't it? Keep the ones you've got and add to them...and in this regard there's no replacement for judgement and experience. It seems these days that I swap one group for another repeatedly through the evening, as the tolerance of the younger generation to alternative genres seems to be limited.

Or perhaps I have my rose tinted glasses on....

[Corabar Steve]

Rob, it might be time for your (new) customary bow out, as some of the things in your last few posts are getting dangerously close to purposely provoking a negative response from other members.







http://planetsmilies.net/sign-smiley-7047.gif (http://planetsmilies.net)

[yourdj]

In my opinion you missed the whole point.

So you get in the joint armed with your clients set list and the floor is rammed from first dance onwards at every wedding?

I meet every client at the venue, get a set list, often chat to the guests and suss them out before hand.

it still amazes me however what people actually want compared to what they appear they may want :)

I think getting to know the crowd and playing a good variety of tracks is a must and always works for me.

[JTRS]

I'd either play more of something I'd played earlier which had gone down well, or something from the request list, or my own choice of something which usually gets people dancing. That's common sense for you!

I don't consider any of them as reading the dance floor

Picking something from a request list that was prepared well in advance of the function has no connection whatsoever with reading the dance floor, and neither does playing something 'that usually gets people dancing'.

I don't think it is possible to read a crowd, but I do think it is entirely feasible to take a stab in the dark and if it works then put on a few more, for example I'll play a couple of motown, if people dance I'll do a miniset of motown, if nobody dances to it then I'll change it to a different genre.

If requests come in and the dance floor is quiet I'll play them very quickly after the request, if the dance floor is busy I'll play them at an appropriate time later on.

Having worked as both a stand up comic and as a DJ I really do not think you can look at a crowd and presume to stereotype them either by age or location.

In my opinion you can make certain presumptions, if they are all dressed in leathers and sawn off denim waistcoats with heavy metal bands embroided onto them then Heavy Metal and Rock is probably a good choice, but that's neither rocket science or reading the crowd, it's just common sense.

Likewise when I did the comedy circuits I knew I could use more risque jokes and offensive language when I was doing stag functions than I could at corporate venues, but again thats common sense, nothing more.

I would defy any DJ of any experience to look at a crowd and say XYZ will work just by looking at them, if you 'test the water' by playing a few tracks of a particular genre and then play a few more because it gets them up that is hardly reading the floor in my opinion.

JTRS

[Corabar Steve]

In my opinion you can make certain presumptions, if they are all dressed in leathers and sawn off denim waistcoats with heavy metal bands embroided onto them
At a wedding?????????

[JTRS]

At a wedding?????????

Probably not.

I was using it as an example of when you could perhaps stereotype a crowd by their clothing, which serves to highlight how difficult it is to 'read a crowd' at a wedding because as you quite rightly intimate the guests will be probably be smartly dressed.

JTRS

[Corabar Steve]

That point was covered pretty succinctly by Pete in the first post & is the point of the thread.

[JTRS]

That point was covered pretty succinctly by Pete in the first post & is the point of the thread.

Yes I read that and I was agreeing with the OP, my replies were in response to those who suggested that it was easy/possible to 'read a crowd'.

JTRS

[rob1963]

Based on what you've said it does sound Rob, as though you have always had a full dancefloor and you've never cleared a dancefloor in your entire career!

Silver,

I'm sorry if it came across like that, because I was not saying anything of the sort.

For the record, I've cleared a dancefloor loads of times in my career, and many of those times have been when I played a song which I considered to be an absolute banker.

There's nowt as queer as folk!


Rob, it might be time for your (new) customary bow out, as some of the things in your last few posts are getting dangerously close to purposely provoking a negative response from other members.

Steve,

Having looked back at my previous posts, I honestly can't understand why you would make that accusation, so I'm clearly missing something...for which I apologise.

Can you give me some examples please?

As always, I'll be happy to bow out of this thread if instructed to do so.

[rob1963]

I'd either play more of something I'd played earlier which had gone down well, or something from the request list, or my own choice of something which usually gets people dancing. That's common sense for you!


I don't consider any of them as reading the dance floor

Neither do I.

I was just answering someone who asked what I'd do if I put on a song which totally bombed.


Picking something from a request list that was prepared well in advance of the function has no connection whatsoever with reading the dance floor, and neither does playing something 'that usually gets people dancing'.


I agree, and I wasn't suggesting otherwise.

[Excalibur]

At a wedding?????????

One of the funniest things I saw, was a crowd all dressed up in their Wedding Finery, Morning suits, top hats, The full monty. With the amount of steel in various parts of their faces, I'd have made more money weighing them in for scrap!! :eek: I've never seen so many studs, rings, and general piercings in one place before.

I helped Justin with a wedding where it was blindingly obvious that the crowd were more than somewhat into their metal, even without the playlist we were working from. And the best received song of the night, filling the floor totally? You guessed it: Abba-Dancing Queen. :D :D :D

I'm finding nowadays, that with the sheer volume of music available to us, I now have probably five times as many to choose from, which in itself makes it harder. Also, the punters are steadfastly refusing to ask for the stereotypical tracks I'd expect from them. The swines! I think it's because they are exposed to such a wide range of music all the time, that they pick up tracks by accident, that they'd never have listened to on purpose.

And many of the guaranteed floorfillers aren't guaranteed any more. Who'd be a DJ, eh?

[Corabar Steve]

Steve,

Having looked back at my previous posts, I honestly can't understand why you would make that accusation, so I'm clearly missing something...for which I apologise.

Can you give me some examples please?

As always, I'll be happy to bow out of this thread if instructed to do so.
I'm not going to go back over the thread to point them out to you, but they are there. There have been a number of threads recently where you have done similar & it has been noted (the playlist thread for one that springs to mind).

My advise to you would be to think very carefully about what you post, because any further posts that appear to be there to provoke an adverse reaction from another member will be deleted & may result in sanctions against you on the forum.

[Jonathan Ford]

I'm finding nowadays, that with the sheer volume of music available to us, I now have probably five times as many to choose from, which in itself makes it harder. Also, the punters are steadfastly refusing to ask for the stereotypical tracks I'd expect from them. The swines! I think it's because they are exposed to such a wide range of music all the time, that they pick up tracks by accident, that they'd never have listened to on purpose.

That's an excellent point, Peter.

[rob1963]

I'm not going to go back over the thread to point them out to you, but they are there.

In that case, I'll bow out of this thread now in accordance with your previous suggestion.

[CRAZY K]

So you get in the joint armed with your clients set list and the floor is rammed from first dance onwards at every wedding?

I meet every client at the venue, get a set list, often chat to the guests and suss them out before hand.

it still amazes me however what people actually want compared to what they appear they may want :)

I think getting to know the crowd and playing a good variety of tracks is a must and always works for me.

We all have different ways of working--I simply think getting the clients ideas at a Wedding is vital--i dont have problems at Weddings to answer your question because--

a. I have received, considered, vetted and advised on the play list by email or phone

b. They are all up for it due to the Barn dance session that happens after the first dance.;)

I would think you should have no problems getting the floor rammed from the beginning if you discovered in your meeting what they want from you musically:confused:

Not forgetting they have been drinking half the day so unless they are complete party poopers should be fine.;)

Im still a bit unsure about the idea that they dont know what they want until you tell them--unless like the play list I have in front of me which is made up of guests requests--its going to need some changing possibly and some advice to leave some out.:eek:

[yourdj]

b. They are all up for it due to the Barn dance session that happens after the first dance.;)

There is a big emphasis on the client - what about the guests?

i know generally exactly what the client wants and when on most events but there are other people there with a massive variety in tastes - looks, apperance and behaviour can be very deceiving. The only way to tell is to ask them directly or judge what works by observation (on and off the dance floor) and what does not for the majority :confused:

Surely every DJ does that? That was my original point :)

I have yet to meet a couple or client who knows exactly what thier guests want unless its a specialist event (ie house music) and even then you get lots of sub genres which can be vitally important and overlooked?

I did think that the barn dance thing would be a big helper as they are all warmed up.
All the ceilidh events i do i always get people asking when the disco is starting as they have had fun but get fed up quickly.
They tend to always party hard after. :)