I guess I'll just be pressing the PLAY button.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Hi all,

This weekend I have 2 weddings at the same venue. Both weddings are for couples in their late twenties but they are so different from eachother.

Friday's wedding - The couple have been pretty laid back about their playlist. They've given me some indications as to the music that they don't want (nothing out of the ordinary really) and they've said that a good mix through the decades to suit everybody would be cool. If people ask for some cheesy stuff then they're cool with that too. Pretty much the usual scenario really.

Saturday's wedding - This is totally different hence the title of the thread. It seems like I'll be just selecting the requests that they have given me and pressing the play button which is not really my cup of tea. I have advised all of the usual stuff when couples have a request list that is predominantly their personal taste but they are quite adamant that I play as many as I can.
I am sat here with a request list of 241 songs that they have compiled. It's the biggest pre-request list I have ever had. It has everything from Aloe Blacc to Womack & Womack.
Don't get me wrong, it's a decent list of songs and a lot of it is right up my street but I can envisage it not having the desired effect with everybody.

I am going to have to go through the list and put the tracks into sections and genres because it's in alphabetical order at the moment.

To give you an idea how adamant they are that I stick to the list.... In the meeting I asked if their guests were into the same kind of music. They said that the majority should like them but at the end of the day, it was their day and they wanted all of their favourites played. The list has come from their I-tunes folder/library. I had a look through the list and saw a couple of tracks and said that it was great because it would give me pointers and I could chuck in other tracks that would work. They said they'd rather I didn't deviate away from the list. I also asked what they wanted me to do should their list not go down as expected and they said to just stick with it (that may change on the night...who knows?).
When we spoke about the background/warm up music as guests arrive etc, I advised of the kind of tracks that I usually play and they didn't like any of them and again said that they'd like to think that they've provided me with enough music not to stray away from the list.

If it all works well and it's one of the best gigs ever, cool...I'll let everyone know when it's over but it looks like one of those "Why didn't they use their I-Pod?" moments. Ok, an I-Pod can't make announcements and big up the first dance etc but at the moment I'm thinking of going in fancy dress as an I-Pod because that's what I might as well be!

Just to add, I have advised as much as I can and gone over everything. I know 241 tracks will never get played in 4.5hrs and it's one of those occasions where I am simply going to do what they have paid me for and that's play the music THEY want to hear from their list.

Anyone ever had a massive list like this and been told that they have to stick with it?
Did it work?
If it didn't work, were you told to stick to it rigidly and therefore as a result, ended up with guests moaning or looking bored?

The weather forecast looks terrible so a lot of people will be staying put in the venue. It has lovely grounds but they are all in the open and there's no cover. I will be letting everyone know that I have a pre-request list of tracks that the Bride & Groom have chosen for their evening and hope that it kind of covers me.

Of course, I could be totally wrong and it could be an amazing gig? We'll see won't we.

[lazersounds]

I have had exactly that many times, one list was 412 songs! Told not to stray off the list as it was their day etc and stuff everyone else.

9 times out of 10 nobody dances, everyone looks bored then the guests start getting moody and asking why i feel it necessary to play such tripe at a wedding (those were a actual guests words!)

I explain I have a list i have to stick to and it usually leads to people going up to the bride and moaning at her about her choice of music.

I overheard one guest the other week saying to the bride, "if your gonna book a dj, why give them a rigid playlist, why not just bring in a ipod and some hifi speakers!, it does the same job"

Sadly its not nice for the bride but sometimes i do wish people would allow us to do what we are paid to do. I activally discourage huge playlists now and now include on my t&c that I can only accept playlists of upto 20 tracks.

[Excalibur]

Well chaps, I can't beat a four hundred track playlist, but I can shade Gary's by thirteen tracks! :p Two hundred and fifty four. :eek:

I was however given Editorial Control, apart from a handful of must plays, and at the last minute the bride specified the last three tracks. ( And when I say at the last minute, I mean thank the Lord for digital playouts. ;) )

I got a backhanded compliment, as well from the Father of the Bride.

" You did a brilliant job, but then again, you did have all the music chosen for you already by Diana. "

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Cheers for the comments.
I don't discourage anyone from providing playlists and I class myself as very 'Request Friendly' but I know exactly where you're coming from.
I find it much more of a challenge having a list of 10 songs and trying to work out what the guests like rather than having a massive list.
I've had a couple of instances where someone has commented about what I have been playing and I have shown them the list. Usually it's because the person has requested something which is on the 'Don't Play' list.

I have to say though, even if I was a guest at a wedding and didn't like what was being played, the last thing I would do is go up to the Bride and have a moan at her. As I said, I will mention it (probably more than once) that I have a "Great list of pre-requests from the Bride & Groom that has something for everyone in it"....or something like that.

[lazersounds]

I have to say though, even if I was a guest at a wedding and didn't like what was being played, the last thing I would do is go up to the Bride and have a moan at her. As I said, I will mention it (probably more than once) that I have a "Great list of pre-requests from the Bride & Groom that has something for everyone in it"....or something like that.

I totally agree with you there, sadly thats some peoples attitudes these days.

On a different note, Sometimes the bride and groom see that a playlist is not working and will come over and say, "forget it and play what you think will make people dance"

I have noticed that on playlists i get a lot of slow music or songs that are near impossible to dance to, as you previously said, I think some people just give me a printout of their itunes librarys without really thinking about it.

Then again I get playlists that 95% of the tracks I would usually play anyway, its a strange old world :)

I do activally encourage people to request songs during the evening as well as it shows people are listening and enjoying the music being played

[Shakermaker Promotions]

I do the same. Encouraging people to request songs. Sometimes you are swamped with loads, sometimes you don't get a single one.
Regarding the slower songs, I generally pick them out and play them during the warm up, background music period.
As you said, sometimes (and it's happened in the past), the Bride & Groom will realise that their 'favourites' aren't everybody elses favourites and aren't working as well as they'd expected...you know, "best laid plans" and all that and they'll be a bit more laid back and let you do your thing but it's not always the way. I have had a couple of examples over the years where they simply won't budge and you can see on guests faces that it's boring them and they aren't enjoying themselves and there's not a lot you can do.

That's why I think it's important to mention clearly (worded in the right way of course) that the songs being played throughout the evening are the choices of the customer. I can't help thinking when I am in this situation that the guests think it's me choosing the tracks and I'm rubbish. Whether I am or not is another thing (I'd like to think I'm not) but when you haven't got a choice or any input to what is played then what can you do but grin and bear it.

I try to advise as much as I can and I also say that it's their big day, it costs enough and it should be a night to remember. They should be able to look around during the night and see happy faces and guests enjoying themselves and dancing etc....not looking bored.

[deltic]

had very similar a couple of weeks ago young shaun (flatliners) was roadie for me,bride was adamant only play songs off the list no requests no exceptions,she did relent slightly just before we got set up maybe you can play songs not on the list,but must be same genre but she didn't want us too.

it does make a difference to the night although the bride spent most of the time on the dance floor with a select few of her friends dancing,the rest i think did join in but probably because they felt it the done thing and they were all aware we were playing off the brides list.

fortunately B&G left early,after seeing them off safely the crowd were back on the dance floor, more than one person made the comment

"bride and groom have gone ...throw that :Censored: list away and let's have a party"

[Shaun]

I can't help thinking when I am in this situation that the guests think it's me choosing the tracks and I'm rubbish. Whether I am or not is another thing (I'd like to think I'm not) but when you haven't got a choice or any input to what is played then what can you do but grin and bear it.



This is why I refuse these types of gigs. As well as providing the entertainment for the clients, each event is an opportunity to showcase the service I offer to all the guests in attendance - and music selection is a HUGE part of that. It's true I could keep making announcements to let the guests know it's the brides music choices being played, but if the evining is a flop and I'm constantly 'reminding' people that the music being played is requested by the bride, then I feel that could backfire by making my clients feel akward. I'd much rather just leave these type of events to DJs that are happy to do them.

[lazersounds]

Thinking about it, its only been maybe the last 18 months that I seem to get playlists for every event wether a birthday or wedding, did something change as I rarely got a playlist in the previous 9 years before that even though I have always asked for "favorite songs" etc.

[theoloyla]

I dont like them either (who does). Just grin and bear it

[Excalibur]

I have to say though, even if I was a guest at a wedding and didn't like what was being played, the last thing I would do is go up to the Bride and have a moan at her. .
Sadly, not everyone works on a similar principle.


As I said, I will mention it (probably more than once) that I have a "Great list of pre-requests from the Bride & Groom that has something for everyone in it"....or something like that.
Hmm, nice choice of words, I like that.


I

Then again I get playlists that 95% of the tracks I would usually play anyway, its a strange old world :)

Mine for Friday fits that description exactly.

. I'd much rather just leave these type of events to DJs that are amenable enough to acquiesce to the wishes of their customers, for after all, we must never forget that we are a service industry. * :whistle:



* I altered Shaun's quote for comic effect. He is a man of integrity who is prepared to pass on a job, rather than take one which has constraints preventing him from delivering his best possible performance. Me, I'm just a soldier of fortune. ( Well it's a classier phrase than some others used. )

[funkymook]

I've never had a client who insisted I stick to their list - I've had some who initially have had that attitude but I've always managed to get them to loosen up when I've met them.

I'm either very lucky or handle them in the right way.

[lazersounds]

I think your lucky lol, some brides know what they want and won't budge, but to be fair, its their day, they would have spend thousands on it. I'll just say its not the actual norm for me, its only happened once so far this year :)

[Excalibur]

I've never had a client who insisted I stick to their list - I've had some who initially have had that attitude but I've always managed to get them to loosen up when I've met them.

I'm either very lucky or handle them in the right way.

If I'm honest, I've had quite a few where before the event great importance has been attached to the List, and when the evening comes, there are so many other things going on that as long as I've cherry picked from it, then that's absolutely fine.

I can't remember ever being told to play only from a rigid playlist.

[funkymook]

If I'm honest, I've had quite a few where before the event great importance has been attached to the List, and when the evening comes, there are so many other things going on that as long as I've cherry picked from it, then that's absolutely fine.

I can't remember ever being told to play only from a rigid playlist.

I've always had their agreement before the event - I prefer having that sort of thing sorted out well before the night itself.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

This is why I refuse these types of gigs. As well as providing the entertainment for the clients, each event is an opportunity to showcase the service I offer to all the guests in attendance - and music selection is a HUGE part of that. It's true I could keep making announcements to let the guests know it's the brides music choices being played, but if the evining is a flop and I'm constantly 'reminding' people that the music being played is requested by the bride, then I feel that could backfire by making my clients feel akward. I'd much rather just leave these type of events to DJs that are happy to do them.


In my defence Shaun, I had no idea that they would have a list as extensive as this and also that they would be so insistent. It's a surprise to me to be honest and unfortunately, it's a bit late now to do anything about it as it's this Saturday.
As I said, a few songs...fine. Around 50 requests, yes I can deal with that.
This is a bit out of the norm' for me, hence me posting the thread otherwise, yes, I'm on your wavelength mate.

[Shaun]

Peter, I know you're jesting with your earlier altering of my quote, but for fear that some of our newer members (or indeed the wider viewing public that may come across these threads) might not realise that you say these in jest, I feel I have to clarify that your comment in the quote alteration couldn't be further from the truth in regards to the service I provide.

I just could not however take on a gig that limits me in providing a creative and professional services that utilises my skills and allows me to perform to the best of my abilities. :beer1:

[super-hero]

I had a wedding over the weekend, same as you, about 240 songs on 3 pages. All 80's music. To be fair they did get up and dance, but I feel it could have been better had I deviated a bit more.

[Excalibur]

Peter, I know you're jesting with your earlier altering of my quote, but for fear that some of our newer members (or indeed the wider viewing public that may come across these threads) might not realise that you say these in jest, I feel I have to clarify that your comment in the quote alteration couldn't be further from the truth in regards to the service I provide.

I just could not however take on a gig that limits me in providing a creative and professional services that utilises my skills and allows me to perform to the best of my abilities. :beer1:

Point taken, I'll go back and add a disclaimer. I'll consider my wrist rightfully slapped.

[Shaun]

I'll consider my wrist rightfully slapped.

Not at all. :)

I was just adding the disclaimer before you had the chance to. :d

[DJ Davy]

I did one several years ago, the bride and groom gave me a playlist... rough idea of the tempo ; Alanah Myles - Black velvet was about the funkiest!
4 x A4 pages of **** . I died big time... after playing for an hour I took matters in to my own hands and played the big song at the time, Rock DJ.. bingo, the dance floor was full. The groom stormed up to the stage and told me the song was not on his list, I pointed at the full dancefloor and told him his guests were enjoying it. He told me to change back to his tracks. I made an announcement and went back to the list. The party finished early, with nobody dancing... not even the B & G.
I vowed after that day to limit requests to 20 songs max. that way I could play any naff ones at the beginning of the night, or during the buffet.
I did a wedding for a work colleague reicently, and kept on prompting him to fill in the planning forms, which he didn't do. One week before the event his bride to be sent me 2 x A4 sheets of music choices, this time, heavy rock and death metal (I think... there is lots of screaming and growling in it!) again, she insisted I stick rigidly to this. I told her I wouldn't do this due to the reason above, told her I would play as much as I would get away with.... it turned out 95% of the guests were just as unhinged as the B & G and loved it, my ears are still bleeding.

[Javlingames]

Unhinged, hehe i like that.

I'm glad I don't do weddings!

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Unhinged, hehe i like that.

I'm glad I don't do weddings!

And yet you were saying that you wouldn't take a wedding on if you couldn't advertise earlier? :confused:

[Javlingames]

And yet you were saying that you wouldn't take a wedding on if you couldn't advertise earlier? :confused:

Thats correct

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Thats correct

So you wouldn't take a wedding on if you couldn't advertise, even though you don't do weddings.

Makes sense...:confused:

[Corabar Steve]

That's why he doesn't do them. No Bride in their right mind would want a disco with signage on it :sj:

[Shakermaker Promotions]

What if a friend of yours (Javlingames) really wanted you to do their wedding but requested that you don't advertise?
Would you do it?

[Javlingames]

Hi Gary, I do 1 or 2 a year for friends only at a discounted price so yes it would be a condition I could display 'Gavin james' on the front

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Hi Gary, I do 1 or 2 a year for friends only at a discounted price so yes it would be a condition I could display 'Gavin james' on the front

So that you can advertise at a wedding, to get more weddings the very thing you don't do?

:lol:

[Javlingames]

So that you can advertise at a wedding, to get more weddings the very thing you don't do?

:lol:

So everyone in the audience only book a Dj for a wedding?

[Corabar Entertainment]

So everyone in the audience only book a Dj for a wedding?

Maybe not, but it's often the case that groups of friends get married within a year or two of each other, and you'll look a bit of a :muppet: when one of the guests phones up to ask you to DJ their wedding, and your reply is "Sorry, I don't do weddings"!

:daft: :daft:

[Javlingames]

Maybe not, but it's often the case that groups of friends get married within a year or two of each other, and you'll look a bit of a :muppet: when one of the guests phones up to ask you to DJ their wedding, and your reply is "Sorry, I don't do weddings"!

:daft: :daft:

Sorry i dont agree with that comment at all. Yes there will be groups of friends looking to get married, also there will be people having birthdays, celebrations, any kind of event.

I would explain that I did it as a favour for a friend and that i am able to recommend a colleague with a similar style OR if they are prepared to pay a very high fee i could do it. Everything is for sale if the price is right!

[deltic]

Sorry i dont agree with that comment at all. Yes there will be groups of friends looking to get married, also there will be people having birthdays, celebrations, any kind of event.

I would explain that I did it as a favour for a friend and that i am able to recommend a colleague with a similar style OR if they are prepared to pay a very high fee i could do it. Everything is for sale if the price is right!

what an attitude.......surprised you get any work.

[Javlingames]

what an attitude.......surprised you get any work.

Care to explain further?

[deltic]

well you seem to just contradict yourself,you don't do weddings but will for close friends....unless the price is right then you will for anybody else.

you seem very concerned that when you dj everybody can see your advertising signage which seems more important than the djing.
having said that there are possibly some functions where signage would be appropriate but you wouldn't expect to walk down a buffet and see a sign saying sausage rolls by bob the butcher would you?
if you provide an excellent service anybody who wants to book will soon either ask for a card or contact the host to find your details.

when having your name in front of your disco was the thing,afterwards if you asked anybody who was at the function who the dj was 9 times out of 10 they couldn't tell you,pretty much sums up signage on a disco.

[Javlingames]

well you seem to just contradict yourself,you don't do weddings but will for close friends....unless the price is right then you will for anybody else.

you seem very concerned that when you dj everybody can see your advertising signage which seems more important than the djing.
having said that there are possibly some functions where signage would be appropriate but you wouldn't expect to walk down a buffet and see a sign saying sausage rolls by bob the butcher would you?
if you provide an excellent service anybody who wants to book will soon either ask for a card or contact the host to find your details.

when having your name in front of your disco was the thing,afterwards if you asked anybody who was at the function who the dj was 9 times out of 10 they couldn't tell you,pretty much sums up signage on a disco.

I do not promote myself as a wedding dj, I do maybe 2 weddings a year for close friends. If someone says they understand that i dont do weddings but really want to book me for their wedding, which has happened in the past, and if they are prepared to pay me well, i will do it. Hence my 'everything is for sale at the right price comment'. I can pretend to be having the time of my life for a decent wage!:D

This whole signage thing has been blown out of context, I dont even use signage lol!!! I made a point last week that If a dj has his name TASTEFULLY and DISCREETLY placed on black cloth or wherever for that matter, I dont see that being a problem. Huge lightboxes with fluorescent lighting/writing in are definately a thing of the past!! By the way if i saw a sign saying 'bobs sausage rolls' it wouldnt cause me great distress or make me consider never hiring 'bobs sausage roll company again!

[Shakermaker Promotions]

I don't promote myself as a Wedding DJ either but on average I do around 40 a year on my own. Weddings are around 70% of my bookings. I don't advertise at any gigs at all and just do what I do.

[funkymook]

Hi Gary, I do 1 or 2 a year for friends only at a discounted price so yes it would be a condition I could display 'Gavin james' on the front



This whole signage thing has been blown out of context, I dont even use signage lol!!!

???

[Javlingames]

???

I am having some frontage designed at the moment, its not ready yet


???

Also Gary was asking me a hyperthetical question :D

[DazzyD]

I don't promote myself as a Wedding DJ either but on average I do around 40 a year on my own. Weddings are around 70% of my bookings. I don't advertise at any gigs at all and just do what I do.

On average 40 weddings a year? That's pretty good going for someone who doesn't promote themselves as a wedding DJ. I do and was only getting in to the mid-30s - and that was when the market was quite bouyant!! Last year I did 3!! :eek:

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Just goes to prove what a load of nonsense some people post on here for the sake of an argument!

[Javlingames]

Just goes to prove what a load of nonsense some people post on here for the sake of an argument!

Its discussion dazz. I just do not agree with not being allowed to use signage! There has been no arguments, just discussion. I do wonder about you at times.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

On average 40 weddings a year? That's pretty good going for someone who doesn't promote themselves as a wedding DJ. I do and was only getting in to the mid-30s - and that was when the market was quite bouyant!! Last year I did 3!! :eek:

True!
The only thing I have on my website is a dedicated page to Weddings. I have photos from Weddings that I have done but I do not promote myself as Shakermaker Promotions - Wedding Specialist or Shakermaker Promotions Wedding DJ or anything like that. I just happen to get lots of enquiries for them and at this moment in time, they are my bread & butter. In fact, it seems to have always been that way since I started. The majority of bookings I get are Weddings.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Its discussion dazz. I just do not agree with not being allowed to use signage! There has been no arguments, just discussion. I do wonder about you at times.

What do you wonder about me Gavvz?

You are saying things that blatantly aren't true about doing weddings and using signage. You don't do weddings, but you do. You only do weddings which you don't do, if you can use signage, which you don't, cos you haven't got a sign...

Make sense?

No, thought not.

[Javlingames]

What do you wonder about me Gavvz?

You are saying things that blatantly aren't true about doing weddings and using signage. You don't do weddings, but you do. You only do weddings which you don't do, if you can use signage, which you don't, cos you haven't got a sign...

Make sense?

No, thought not.

Whats not true? I do the odd wedding for close friends and thats it. Not sure what is so hard for you to understand?

I took interest in a thread about signage becuase it was something i was looking into, and ive decided I am having something designed. Im not going to repeat everything ive said because you cannot be bothered to read the thread properly.

[Excalibur]

and you'll look a bit of a :muppet: when one of the guests phones up to ask you to DJ their wedding, and your reply is "Sorry, I don't do weddings"!
:daft: :daft:

Perhaps not as daft as it appears Angela. In the Day Job I stipulate that I don't do painting and decorating. Some customers insist that I might as well do the painting, as I've done everything else so far, and they don't want to hire a painter when I've already got the ladders out.

So there I am, sloshing the masonry paint on some window surrounds, and three doors away comes up and asks " Could you do the same on my house? "

Answer: " No. We don't do painting". :daft: :daft:

[ajm]

As I have said before I never work to playlists, it's a ridiculous situation and makes a dummy out of the mobile dj.

[funkymook]

As I have said before I never work to playlists, it's a ridiculous situation and makes a dummy out of the mobile dj.

What do you mean by a playlist?

It's a word that means different things to different people in my experience.

I use playlist to mean any list of songs suggested by the client as a guide to their and their guests tastes. (Key word here is guide). I love 'em, they get me talking music with clients, adding my own suggestions etc.

Others think it's a list of songs that must be played in the exact order they're printed.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Agreed totally.
In my opinion, a Playlist is what the customer wants you to play.
A Request List is what they have requested but generally they are a bit more leanient.
I'm probably wrong.

[funkymook]

Agreed totally.
In my opinion, a Playlist is what the customer wants you to play.
A Request List is what they have requested but generally they are a bit more leanient.
I'm probably wrong.

There's no rights or wrongs - but it's always good to define what we mean to avoid talking at cross purposes.

[ajm]

A Playlist is a list of songs that they would like played, that's why it is called a play list. And by reading other dj experiences with them it is not a guide to what they would like played as it seems to cause offenc when a dj does not keep to what is on the list.

I have just got of the phone to a client who is getting married on Saturday and we talked music and she gave me a guide to what she would like played. I asked her the core age group of guests and she said around 30 years old, so I suggested that maybe they would like a bit of 90's and a good mixture of party music with a bit of cheese. She said her brother likes Elvis so can you play an Elvis tune and her future hubby likes reggae. Along with the First Dance and Father and Bride song I asked if there was any other song she would like played or not played (in case of recent funerals).

That is what I call a guide as to what she would like played.

She was happy with the knowledge that my experience and ability to read the crowd will be enough to play the right music.

[Excalibur]

Agreed totally.
In my opinion, a Playlist is what the customer wants you to play.
A Request List is what they have requested but generally they are a bit more leanient.
I'm probably wrong.
Well I for one would say you've defined them both exactly.

[funkymook]

A Playlist is a list of songs that they would like played, that's why it is called a play list. And by reading other dj experiences with them it is not a guide to what they would like played as it seems to cause offenc when a dj does not keep to what is on the list.

I have just got of the phone to a client who is getting married on Saturday and we talked music and she gave me a guide to what she would like played. I asked her the core age group of guests and she said around 30 years old, so I suggested that maybe they would like a bit of 90's and a good mixture of party music with a bit of cheese. She said her brother likes Elvis so can you play an Elvis tune and her future hubby likes reggae. Along with the First Dance and Father and Bride song I asked if there was any other song she would like played or not played (in case of recent funerals).

That is what I call a guide as to what she would like played.

She was happy with the knowledge that my experience and ability to read the crowd will be enough to play the right music.

OK - we call things different names then. I call any list of songs a playlist. I use it as an aide memiore and for inspiration, usually I've added as many tunes to it as the clients (and it can have a lot of tunes on it, at least 5-6 hours worth) - so is that would you'd call a guide?

[CRAZY K]

Well chaps, I can't beat a four hundred track playlist, but I can shade Gary's by thirteen tracks! :p Two hundred and fifty four. :eek:

I was however given Editorial Control, apart from a handful of must plays, and at the last minute the bride specified the last three tracks. ( And when I say at the last minute, I mean thank the Lord for digital playouts. ;) )

I got a backhanded compliment, as well from the Father of the Bride.

" You did a brilliant job, but then again, you did have all the music chosen for you already by Diana. "

Just noticed this one.

I ask for requests before the event.

Of course its not the list that matters---its the order, choice and timing of the tracks by the DJ that counts--I would certainly point that out--after all the Bride might have chosen a new kitchen for her house--but she paid someone to put it together expertly!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wonder if her Dad would say---course my daughter chose all the fittings:daft:

Even a listing on an I pod has its problems---many times I have seen people trying to do this and realising their list is not working because of things changing at the event.

I pod lists are for background music and personal listening---not getting a load of reluctant people to join in at a Wedding.;)

[theoloyla]

That's why he doesn't do them. No Bride in their right mind would want a disco with signage on it :sj:

And while you are at it remove the Rolls Royce badge from the front of the limo. peel off the Moet labels from the bubbly and the Hilton sign from the outside of the Hotel. Signage is one thing blatant advertising is another.

[Nakatomi]

Since Theo resurrected this old thread I might as well chip my 2p worth in..

The guy I used to work for has told me sorry tales of a few times he got landed with massive long playlists...

Two where the bride saw it wasn't working & got him to come away from the list which resulted in a great end of the night

One where the groom had insisted on heavy rock all night & it simply didn't work at all. Groom refused to pay in the end & it all got a bit sorry

And plenty where nobody got up all night because the music was entirely navel gazing self indulgent dirge.

I like seeing playlists up to a point, and I love requests because in both cases you get a valuable insight into people's tastes. A lot of the huge request lists I've seen (nowhere near even 200 tracks though) have come from suggestions from guests though, so even long lists aren't always all bad.

I'd love to have the luxury of just walking away from a 300 song list type gig where the customer's expectations are pie in the sky but being in a residency I'm never entirely sure what I'm going to get. Work is afoot to get around this though - with a questionnaire being provided for the customer to fill in for me.

The customer is always right, unless they're the wrong customer ;)

[funkymook]

One where the groom had insisted on heavy rock all night & it simply didn't work at all. Groom refused to pay in the end & it all got a bit sorry



And can anyone spot the two basic things wrong with that scenario?

[Nakatomi]

And can anyone spot the two basic things wrong with that scenario?

1. A lack of communication between customer & DJ until it was too late (the venue, customer and the DJ to blame).
2. No contract, no money up front.

[ckpr2]

I have only once been given a playlist and it was about a dozen tracks.
So I played them. Half an hour later the birthday girl came up and asked when I was going to play her tracks !
Apparently she had been out of the room when I played them.

So I played them again.
Her dad was paying so I guess what ever the customer asks for is right.
Her playlist was quite good and people were able to dance to it.

I always ask for requests so there is no excuse at the end of the night if someone says I was crap.

[Andy P]

I'm honestly considering not accepting bookings which had a fixed play list. There almost an insult to our ability and Im pretty sure you dont pick up WOM bookings from these gigs as the crowd think your pants.