Megamixes....Do you use them?

[Shakermaker Promotions]

I'm off out for dinner with the missus soon for the first time in a long time and due to multiple traffic accidents in town today and the roads being gridlocked, she isn't home yet.....so I have a while to kill while the belly rumbles...

Anyway....I just looked at the 'Dirty Dancing' thread and it reminded me that I wanted to post something about megamixes.

I never use them. I have a few of them on the system but really don't use them.

I think what has put me off of them is that many customers have said to me in pre-function meetings that they don't want anything like that because they think they are cheesy. I did a wedding on saturday night for a young couple who also said exactly that in our meeting but then in the same breath said that they really like the action songs like Timewarp, Macarena etc...

Anyway, I had a number of requests on the night for Five and looked on my system and saw that I had the Five Megamix. I was in 2 minds as to whether I should play it or not because it was classed as a megamix and could be viewed by the customer as cheesy or in the same league as Jive Bunny, Stars on 45 etc etc... I decided that I would play it. The main reason being is that to my surprise I only had 2 other Five songs on the system which were 'If You're Getting Down' and 'Keep On Movin'. Both of those tracks were requested aswell as 'We Will Rock You' (it had to be the Five version) and a couple of others. I knew they were in the megamix so I went with it and the reaction was................brilliant! Everyone on the dancefloor sang along to the words of every song and the Bride came up afterwards and thanked me but also said that she never knew it existed! :eek: (She called herself a fan....Phhht!!).

So, how do you class megamixes?
Do you use them a lot?
What kind of megamixes?
Does anyone use the likes of Jive Bunny or Stars On 45 anymore?
Do you make your own megamixes?
Do you have any customers that ask politely not to play them?
Have you had any grief for playing them?
Which ones work the best?

Over to you!
Cheers :D

[Chris G]

I've used a 'Dirty Dancing' and also the 'Soul Banana' megamix quite a few times which has gone down well and also a 'Ska' and one that is called 'End of Nighter' - all from Mastermix.
I think in moderation they can work quite well and have never been asked by a client not to play them.

[discomobiledj]

Yep, Dirty Dancing is always a hit.

Also done a Stars on 45 megamix.

[funkymook]

I do have some but I've never used them, personally I prefer playing the full versions of the songs as the megamixes don't really fit in with the gigs I usually do.

Though if I had a very cheesy playlist and they were requested I'd have no problem playing them.

[BeerFunk]

Megamixes - no, medleys - yes.

I define a megamix as a continuous mix at a constant tempo, like the Tight Fit Back To The Sixties (which is possibly the only one I'd even consider).

Even medleys I try to avoid where I can, but yes the 5ive one is good, as well as the Abba tribute one from 1999.

[wensleydale]

Nope.
Never use them unless asked, which I dont think has happened in the last few years.

[WWDJ]

Megamixes - no, medleys - yes.

I define a megamix as a continuous mix at a constant tempo, like the Tight Fit Back To The Sixties (which is possibly the only one I'd even consider).

Even medleys I try to avoid where I can, but yes the 5ive one is good, as well as the Abba tribute one from 1999.

The 5ive one is quite good, i've just never had reason to play it and the Thanks Abba for the music also good ... but normal Abba is better IMO.


I've used a 'Dirty Dancing' and also the 'Soul Banana' megamix quite a few times which has gone down well and also a 'Ska' and one that is called 'End of Nighter' - all from Mastermix.
I think in moderation they can work quite well and have never been asked by a client not to play them.

Have tried all these and I still just like the normal tracks mixed together by myself. I may give direct dancing a go at some point as it seems to work very well elsewhere.

I do have one 'medley' I have done myself which is a 'Big Ben chimes -> Aud Lang syne (slade/noddy holder/remix thing) -> I gotta feeling'

I use this at new year so i can get in the crowd and dance with the missus for 5 minutes.

[Sapphire Disco]

Only one I ever use is 12" Soul banana it always works at the right time and gives you time to do anything you may want to.

[Tonsk]

I too only use the Soul Banana 12" mix which plays all the songs in full.

[soundscapes]

soul bannana, mastermixes essential party mix part 7 are handy if you need a toilet break mid set and its a busy room or miles from the toilet and i often use dirty dancing at the end of a night whilst im packing down some of the lighting rig

[MikeW]

I use an Abba mix ( if I remember it was a DMC one ) it works very well for me. Used to use a tight fit back to the 60s but haven't for a while.

Nobody client has ever asked me not to.

[Excalibur]

I rarely use them, but sometimes they can work well. If I play one, I then tend to play others as well. All depends on the guests and the function.

[ppentertainments]

Sometimes stick one on if I need to go for a 'number 2'. Quite useful for this :o

[Dynamic Entertainment]

I use them once in a blue moon....usually to tie in with a toilet break....but only if the crown nd function is right for them.

[DazzyD]

From the other responses it looks like I'm a rare bread as I use megamixes all the time and quite enjoy doing so.

For example, I usually start my wedding shows with the Wedding Floorfillers mixes which are good uptempo party tracks. I've also played the 5ive Megamix and the "Have You Got Any Take That?" mix on a number of occasions to good effect. I've also got genre megamixes such as motown, 80s, rock'n'roll, etc.

However, I tend to use the megamixes at the start of the evening as I like to look around the audience and judge which track "snippets" are getting the best reactions (people singing along, feet tapping, hands tapping knees - that kind of thing) and use these observations to build my show in the "second half".

Oh, and in the cheesy wedding shows that I do, Jive Bunny is pretty much par for the course! ;)

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I don't like then generally, but do use on occasion

Soul banana
Grease megamix
Dirty dancing megamix

[DJ Paulie]

I use them a fair bit, the dirty dancing one has been working well for the last 5 years for me, even more so with the BEP mix, I've got a BEP/Dirty dancing mashup which I tend to play after it. But as most parties I do book me to start at 8 but most people don't arrive til late I don't see the point of playing 'floorfillers' as I'll be burnt out for later !

I use 80's 60's and 70's mixes, or ska, motown, erasure etc if the client likes a particular genre or artist. Never been asked not to play them and they got me out of a hole at a wedding when the 00DJ wouldn't play as I have them on DVDs so could use my portable DVD player. I used the 80's one because everyone loves 80's ! (well that crowd did !)

[Corabar Steve]

Grease once in a blue moon & that's about it.

By & large they're naff

[djdave01]

i regularly use Grease, Dirty Dancing, Soul Banana, Jive bunny, Abba mix and occasionally an Elvis mix.

Usually go down well enough for me

[welby]

I also use Grease, Dirty Dancing, Soul Banana but never Jive Bunny as it is so cheesy In my opinion and has been played to death - sorry folks.

[Larry B Entertainment]

The biggest problem I have with megamixes are the aukward moment when people are dancing to a track but with it being a megamix it quickly goes into another track and you run the risk of it killing the dancefloor.

[JAMdisco]

I use megamixes occasionally.

The Grease megamix gets frequent outings as does the Dirty Dancing megamix.

I do have a lot on my system but generally only play them at the beginning of the night (especially if there is a meal involved) and the guests are a wide age range. Usually on auto-mix and mainly the 60's, Michael Jackson or Soul/Blues megamixes. These are usually played at low volumes so I can still get away with playing the full versions during the course of the night if the need arises.

I've also played the 5 megamix on a few occasions and it mostly gets excellent results.

Hardly ever play the Jive bunny ones - I personally can't stand that damn rabbit :p :)

[Sapphire Disco]

Yes I almost forgot the grease mega-mix I think because it was actually in the charts,
But then their have been a few , Tight Fit , Stars On 45 not that I play those.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I also use Grease, Dirty Dancing, Soul Banana but never Jive Bunny as it is so cheesy In my opinion and has been played to death - sorry folks.

Soul banana is Jive Bunny.

Taxi for Welby...:taxi:

:D

[simonp]

Depends on what type of gig and what's requested or where I think the nights going. I've no issues whatsoever with using a megamix if it'll fit in. I use the Grease Megamix a lot in a party set, but on other occasons I've played the Full versions of Greased Lightning, Summer Nights and a couple of others from the film - again it's dance floor and crowd dependent. I've used the Soul Banana and I also frequently use the 50's rock and roll one which starts with the glen miller 'in the mood' trumpet riff (I'm on the other computer so haven't got the name of it to hand), to kick off my party sets.

I've used the original 1984 DMC Michael Jackson one a few times which is quite good (but you do need the jacko fans on board as it lulls around the middle for me).

I've used the ABBA one but I'm not really a fan of it and prefer to pick and choose what I play as far as ABBA are concerned.

The Dirty Dancing one I quite like and use a fair deal. I've stuck a couple of additional cue points in that one though to cut out the false fade in 'Do You Love Me' and also to jump straight to the start 'time of my life' at the end as there's that awful bit where they've tried to stick in a bit of film dialogue and the levels are wrong and it sounds as though there's a right pregnant pause and everyone looks at you thinking you've forgotton to put the next song on!

[paul1404]

I use the dirty dancing megamix at wedding and 50 + parties - Grease megamix is great as its only 4 mins - But I tend to use these at family orienentated parties i.e when nan and 8 year old emma is up dancing with uncle bill and auntie jean, If Im playing to dancefloor that may be a little more clued up with music I would not play a megamix as they would know instantly and would clock me - I do use mash ups a lot though espicially with new music - sometime you can keep the oldies and youngsters both happy with some mash ups one which really works for me is michael jacks vs kelis milkshake vs billie jean really really works try it this weekend on a DMC mix

[DJ Paulie]

I played a lady gaga/journey mashup and the client said 'you even got my grandparents dancing to lady gaga !' so yes mashups and megamixes have thier place, it's horses for courses though, if you think they will work then play them. But like any song selection it can and will bomb occaisionally !

[paul1404]

oh I use the Boney M megamis this seems to work

[Steve James]

never Jive Bunny as it is so cheesy In my opinion and has been played to death

Soul bannana is Jive Bunny:confused:

[JAMdisco]

Soul banana is Jive Bunny.

Taxi for Welby...:taxi:

:D


Soul bannana is Jive Bunny:confused:

Keep up at the back :p :D

[Steve James]

Keep up at the back :p :D
lol

[DAVESOUNDS SERVICES]

Never ever use them,Only been asked once in 35 years and that was for the dirty dancing megamix which i did think was ...ok.
As i dont smoke and so dont usually need to dissapear and leave a crowd and my gear unattended for 5 minutes i dont really need them.
I suppose they might have their use if the toilets in another county!
Even with Marquees with External toilets ive managed ok.
i Do like a flask or two of tea whilst working!
Cheers

[DiscoDave98]

I try to stay clear of them as much as possible but now and again I have been known to dust one off - normally upon request though.