Playing music at a 50th Birthday

[philbrown84]

Hi all,

I tend to DJ for the 18-30s age group, which strictly speaking is usually the latest music, plus a few classics. I can DJ these types of events with my hands tied behind my back.

I'm trying to broaden out into 40th/50th birthdays and weddings (eventually!), and have a 50th birthday booking this weekend. The client has given me a rough idea of the type of music she would like me to play (mainly a mix of 80s, 90s and 00s).

My question is how would you normally sequence this/play through the decades and styles during a 5 hour set? Would you start off in the 80s and then bring it up the present day? Or play a couple of similar tracks from each decade/style and then switch to something else?

Previously when I've played this age group, I've played 4-5 songs of the same style or era then changed depending on the mood on the dance floor. Should I be switching styles quicker, i.e. a couple of 90s tracks, then 80s, then back to 00s etc etc and to keep it fresh so people don't get bored? Or should I play what's working and carry on until people want something different? You can usually tell as people start to drift off to get a drink, or sit back down!

I never quite have the confidence to switch quickly (e.g. a 90s into a 00's into an 80s in quick succession) and usually try and get a gradual progression (which doesn't always work!).

Any ideas appreciated, it's good to know how other people approach this.

Many thanks,

Phil

[funkymook]

It's impossible to predict what will work on the night - just play it by ear. Personally I tend to avoid going through the decades as I think it sounds formulaic.

There may be some clues in the clients choice of music - what particular tracks has she asked for? For example if there's a lot of 80's soul that'll give you an idea of which big tunes to save for later (you wouldn't play I Found Lovin' early for instance).

[ckpr2]

My DJ software just has an alphabetical playlist.
So I just go through the list top to bottom and select the tracks I think people will like.
This means the genre and date is very mixed.

[funkymook]

My DJ software just has an alphabetical playlist.
So I just go through the list top to bottom and select the tracks I think people will like.
This means the genre and date is very mixed.

You must filter it in some other way as well - most DJ's have upwards of 10,000 tracks (most many more). I'd still be scrolling through the A's as the song finished.

[ckpr2]

You must filter it in some other way as well - most DJ's have upwards of 10,000 tracks (most many more). I'd still be scrolling through the A's as the song finished.

I don't have such a big playlist.
I tend to buy just what I consider to be the best tracks.
So if I go through the A's then I will probably play most of them.

[philbrown84]

It's a real mix to be honest (which is good). Some 70s disco, 80s soul/groove (Gary Byrd - The Crown, Booker Newby - Love Town, The Whispers - Love Thing) , bit of 90s and 00s (pop/dance). The 80s soul is probably my weakest point. I'll probably throw in Somebody Else's Guy, Ain't Nobody, that kind of thing.

[Creature]

and to add to phils omment rock thru to metal!

I rember few years back doing a retirement party and was asked by the organisor to play some Metallica - weirdly at that time - the youngsters staid sat down and the floor filled to over 50s n 60s dancing away :)

as at that time i was in my late 40s gave me some hope :)

As been mentioned already anything goes

whats a playlist? never used one and never will