When Does Your Party Really Start

[JTRS]

Over the past few months I've seen a noticeable increase in enquiries and bookings and when I ask where they got my number from the majority of them have been guests at functions I have DJ'd.

Almost all of them have said that they liked the way I played background music at low volume so they could have a natter and catch up with friends without the music intruding and then started the party after the buffet.

This has had me thinking for a while now, and it's true, unless it's an 18th where they want it 'full on' from the word go, I do tend to play music at a lower volume and not try and fill the dance floor until the buffet has been served (or if at a wedding, not before the first dance).

Is that typical, or do you do it differently?

JTRS

[DeckstarDeluxe]

Nope I paid more attention to the background music section of functions and a few times I've had people come up and say how they loved the fact they could talk over the music easily.

[musicologydisco]

Yep. I pretty much do it the same way and also get many referrals and positive comments about volume.

[Shaun]

Pretty much the same for me too.

[Dynamic Entertainment]

Ditto from me

[Jonathan Ford]

Same here. In fact, I really dislike having to "get started" before the buffet, stopping and then having to get them started for a second time. I'd much rather keep it low key until the buffet is done and then get stuck in.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

I keep it low key too for the early part with minimal lighting and low volume. It makes more of an impact then when you put all of the lights on and increase the volume. I've also had compliments regarding the background music, mainly the choice of tunes (ratpack and chilled stuff).

However, on the odd occasion, I have had some people ask "When are you getting started?".

Sometimes it's pretty tough to call. You want it to be a good, chilled atmosphere with people being able to communicate without having to shout or have lights in their faces but you don't want it to be so chilled that people could get bored straight away.

[Excalibur]

I agree with all of the above, especially Shakermaker. Gauging the exactly correct moment to fire up the afterburners is the really tricky bit. :confused:

[Danno13]

I agree with all of the above, especially Shakermaker. Gauging the exactly correct moment to fire up the afterburners is the really tricky bit. :confused:

Except when it's a Wedding, where everyone knows its at 7.15 so that the photograhper can go home! :D :D :D

[Excalibur]

Except when it's a Wedding, where everyone knows its at 7.15 so that the photographer can go home! :D :D :D

" Hurry up and put the first dance on, before my battery goes flat " ?

[djkneehigh]

I always think volume is important as most guest are family and friends from all over the country and dont see much of each other so at lower volumes thay can catch up but once the buffet has finished they seem to go into party mode with luck lol

[DiscosMobile]

Yeah I dont get the party started till after the buffet but on occasion I do get will you play some faster music so we can dance early on..

I have however thought about my background music alot more since converting to laptop and its better than when I just used to leave a cd on early doors. I play alot of great songs that everyone should know that would never get people dancing.. Ie whole again - AK, robbie williams - something beautiful, and bep's - where is the love

[Megamix]

usually low, buffet then go - but I'm sure we all get the "come on then lets hear some dancing music" just after you turn on the gear

[Larry B Entertainment]

Same here, I let the food get out of the way first so I just keep the volume down until later on in the evening.
Never try to compete with food lol

[StarZSoundS]

This became an issue for me last night...

7.30 Guests arrive.....elderley end.

7.45 playing some chill out tunes (Kenny Rogers...Buble....etc).

8.00 Committee Member comes up......"Play some 70's for the birthday boy....popular when he was growing up...Sweet Mud Slade etc"

8.15 Amother Committee Member comes up....."What are you playing this old :Censored: why don't you put Kings of Leon on and get the party moving"

In the end we had a cracking party....but it was my way in the end....as usual.I think you can turn people against you if you go too loud in the opening stages!!:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:


Too many wannabe DJ's in my club...they will learn!! :) :) :)

[sleah]

Of course the "are you going to get it going, everyone wants to start dancing" brigade, 100% of the time are the ones who WILL NOT start dancing if you comply and in fact are probably some of the last ones to get going late in to the evening:bang:

[Megamix]

Perhaps I'm a bit cheeky but I won't keep playing requests for certain kinds of music if the asker is rooted to their chair - and I tell them so and change accordingly.

[JTRS]

Too many wannabe DJ's in my club...they will learn!! :) :) :)

Yeah and funnily enough its's always the Commitee members.

When that hapens to me I tell them in a firm way that I am the DJ and not a juke box, I take requests that I will fit in as appropriate (and that doesn't mean next) and if they want to be a DJ and dictate the music then they can go out and buy the gear and start DJing themselves, until then leave it to people who know what they are doing.

I have no problem with upsetting Commitee members as long as the people who book me are happy.

JTRS

[StarZSoundS]

Yeah and funnily enough its's always the Commitee members.

When that hapens to me I tell them in a firm way that I am the DJ and not a juke box, I take requests that I will fit in as appropriate (and that doesn't mean next) and if they want to be a DJ and dictate the music then they can go out and buy the gear and start DJing themselves, until then leave it to people who know what they are doing.

I have no problem with upsetting Commitee members as long as the people who book me are happy.

JTRS


Swoon....Spot on!!

Who the :Censored: do they think they are???


You serve the drinks.....I'll serve the Music.They were told in no uncertain terms.It actually earns you respect when you put your foot down.;) ;) ;)

[DeckstarDeluxe]

Yes how rude of people to ask you to play a certain type of music.

I dont have any issue with people requesting songs however its the way they ask which annoys me sometimes.

[Corabar Steve]

Swoon....Spot on!!

Who the :Censored: do they think they are???


You serve the drinks.....I'll serve the Music.They were told in no uncertain terms.It actually earns you respect when you put your foot down.;) ;) ;)
I hope that was intended with a hint of sarcasm hence the ;), because rather than generating respect, I'd just think you were being an arse if I was on the receiving end.

[StarZSoundS]

Yes how rude of people to ask you to play a certain type of music.




But they don't know how to piece an evenings entertainment together....How very dare they.I'd have been alright playing KOL and all the Old Codgers :Censored: off before it started.:eek: :eek: :eek:

[Excalibur]

I hope that was intended with a hint of sarcasm hence the ;), because rather than generating respect, I'd just think you were being an arse if I was on the receiving end.

Perhaps, but I'd guess that you don't wander along to the bar, and tell them they shouldn't be selling Carlsberg, they should be selling Fosters. ;)

[StarZSoundS]

Perhaps, but I'd guess that you don't wander along to the bar, and tell them they shouldn't be selling Carlsberg, they should be selling Fosters. ;)

Peter ....you and I are agreeing with increasing regularity.:) :) :) :)


There was nil sarcasm in my post at all.Its horses for courses!!!;) ;) ;)

[Excalibur]

Peter ....you and I are agreeing with increasing regularity.:) :) :) :)


That is obviously because you have now taken many steps on the path to enlightenment, by following the teachings and wisdom of the Old Git. ;) :D :D :D :D :D

[Corabar Steve]

Perhaps, but I'd guess that you don't wander along to the bar, and tell them they shouldn't be selling Carlsberg, they should be selling Fosters. ;)In fairness, that isn't their choice.

We are there by & large to play what is asked of us & a good DJ will have the collection to back that up. The bar will stock whatever the brewery that they are tied to tells them

[Excalibur]

In fairness, that isn't their choice.

We are there by & large to play what is asked of us & a good DJ will have the collection to back that up. The bar will stock whatever the brewery that they are tied to tells them

We both know that, but it bears no relevance to my post. As I'm sure you realised, my analogy was trying to show that as a Professional DJ, you do not go and tell the venue staff how to run the bar. ;) ( And yes, I know you also have knowledge of running a bar, so for the purposes of this post, we'll have to disallow that knowledge. ) ;) :D :D

The size of a DJ's collection isn't necessarily relevant either. ( Brace yourself for an ancient double entendre. :coat: )

"Size isn't important, it's what you do with it that matters" :eek: :eek: :D :D

Ours is a difficult profession in many ways. Many of us pride ourselves on being request led, thus hopefully putting the wishes of our customers above our own personal tastes. This can be tricky when the request is being made by a gobby drunk :muppet: . Or a venue manager who decrees that you should implement a policy which is totally at odds with your normal practice, or perceived wisdom. After all, we're only a jukebox with flashing lights, aren't we? And how difficult can it be to press play? :whistle:

A tad flippant I know, but I hope it does illustrate the point.