Struggling dancefloor... what do you do

[velocityroadshow]

Hi,

So we've all been in those situations where the dancefloor just isn't filling for whatever reason, weather, no atmosphere the list goes on. Changing genres but nothing is working. What do you do?

[DJColsie]

In the hot weather with an older audience, reduce the tempo. Match the tempo to the energy in the room.

[velocityroadshow]

In the hot weather with an older audience, reduce the tempo. Match the tempo to the energy in the room.

Like that idea.

For me I get from behind the booth and start walking around seeing what people want.

[Benny Smyth]

Hi,

So we've all been in those situations where the dancefloor just isn't filling for whatever reason, weather, no atmosphere the list goes on. Changing genres but nothing is working. What do you do?

I find banter works quite well. If I see people shuffling in their chairs to the music, I tell them that due to health and safety they are not allowed to dance in their chairs and will have to move to the designated dancing area. That in itself doesn't make them get up (never in the history of man has a DJ said "Oi, get up and dance" and everyone sitting down thought "Y'know what? He's right!", but if you can have a joke and make them chuckle a little, you make yourself and the dancefloor more inviting.

Come the end of the night, if it's one of those that taper off and only a few left, I like to do a 'Benny's Jukebox'. In between each song, talk on the mic and ask people on the dancefloor what they want next, then play it immediately. Do that for the last half hour. Again, it's another chance to have a joke with folk.

[funkymook]

And as we all should know, you can't always judge the success of the night by the number of dancers. Some people never go out to clubs or bars etc to have a dance, it's just not what they enjoy...to suddenly expect them to hit the dancefloor at a wedding or birthday party isn't realistic - and there's nothing worse than an ever more desperate sounding DJ trying to cajole people onto the floor (as Benny says, you can make the dancefloor more inviting, but can't order people onto it).

If you start panicking because all your sure fire dance tunes aren't working and you don't know what else to play then you need to increase your musical knowledge, you should be able to play a decent couple of hours (at least) of most popular genres - no good accidentally hitting on a style your crowd suddenly respond to (they all start line dancing to the Mavericks for instance) and having no idea what to follow it with.

And volume - increasing the volume because no one is dancing is likely to drive people even further away....(it's the same as the DJ shouting at the crowd to get on the dancefloor).

Preparation - having a discussion with the clients beforehand and getting a long list of tunes they like (not a strict playlist, just songs they like) can help prepare you. And of course during that discussion hopefully you'll also be asking about what they know about their family and guests tastes (which is a great way of getting them to think about other peoples tastes).

[DeckstarDeluxe]

If there is a clear reason why such as weather (doesn't help that venues have sound restrictions such as windows need to be shut after 7 pm etc..), photobooth just opened etc... then as been said reduce the tempo and play more toe tapping stuff.

If it's one of those ones you are panicking a bit with people sitting on their hands then engage them with on the microphone. For me it's just a simple "hello, how you all doing don't forget you're more than welcome to make requests". Make yourself as approachable as possible.

I've had a few over the years where it's been soul destroying trying everything and nothing.....yet a couple of days later a letter arrives from them which couldn't of praised me higher.

[velocityroadshow]

I've had a few over the years where it's been soul destroying trying everything and nothing.....yet a couple of days later a letter arrives from them which couldn't of praised me higher.

That's very true. Been there and done that.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I pack up and go home, then end my career and find a new one...;)

[DazzyD]

I used to fret when people weren't getting up to dance ("Why oh why aren't the guests getting up to boogie here at the old folks' home over 100's christmas party????") and I used to blame myself for not being good enough. But then I realised what Martin is saying. Sometimes, no matter what you do, people won't dance. But this doesn't mean they didn't have a good time. One of the best tips I got (money - woo hoo!!)was from a guest as such a party. He said I'd played some of the best music he'd ever heard, thanked me and showed his appreciation with purple money! Yet I was thinking that I'd somehow done a poor job because the dancefloor wasn't heaving all night.

But I'm older and wiser (well, at least older!) now! ;)

[Excalibur]

I pack up and go home, then end my career and find a new one...;)
Blimey, you must have had a lot of jobs! :p:D:D

[Imagine]

I've had a few over the years where it's been soul destroying trying everything and nothing.....yet a couple of days later a letter arrives from them which couldn't of praised me higher.

I'll drink to that. Had several of those myself and I've now learned that you're not ALWAYS going to get the crowd moving, especially now the weather's hot....people just don't want to exert a load of energy when they're wearied after a hot day.

That said, I've been lucky all this week so far whilst it's hot...loads of school discos and the kids have had more energy (and sweat) than I can cope with.

[Pe7e]

If the usual floorfillers have failed I would try some of the classic 'sing alongs' to get some interaction going, especially if they'd consumed a few jars by then. It doesn't always work, but it has done for me on many occasions, not all audiences actually want to dance, I've noticed school reunions, when the former school friends are in their 50s - 60s are more likely to catch up on old times than throw a few shapes on the dancefloor. If all else fails, turn yourself into a human jukebox/request fest, and don't fret about it, all DJs get them occasionally despite how skilled and experienced they are.

[Creature]

Just look around at the audience, if you can see peoples feet tapping, fingers moving, or maybe even a bit o singing, then there happy.

not everyone wants to dance these days and with people coming out later on and events foced to close at midnight, many people not caught up with there friends n families before its all over.

I used panic when i couldnt get people on the floor, now i just turn the volume down and often will bring old some real oldies or songs no longer played by djs and get on the mike and say if anyones got any old favs that they just dont here anyore to come n let me know, usually before long the dancefloor is a lot healthier. :)