Announcements for tomorrow's wedding

[Casual77]

Following on from my post yesterday and the helpful advice I received I've been drafting out my announcements so that I can practise them and get them sounding more natural. I've shamelessly plagiarised parts of people's announcements that I have read on past posts so parts of them may sound extremely familiar to some of you.

I'd appreciate any comments on whether these will be suitable/appropriate and of course any suggestions for improvements. I've abbreviated the bride and grooms names to protect their privacy.


Welcome Announcement

Good evening ladies and gentleman and welcome to the Workstation. I hope you're all having a great time helping N and C celebrate their special day.

My name is Allan and I'm your DJ for the evening.

As you may have gathered from the walk in music earlier, this isn't going to be your typical wedding disco! I've got an interesting selection of N and C's favourite songs to play for you tonight as well as songs from some of Sheffield's finest homegrown artists and even a few Motown classics.

So.... Are you all up for a party? I said.... are you all up for a party?? (if required). Great! That's what I like to hear!

(pause)

I'm going to continue with the background music for now but In a few moments time we will be welcoming N and C onto the dancefloor for their first dance. So, please could you make sure you have your cameras at the ready.



First Dance

Right ladies and gentleman. We have come to that special moment in the evening where it is time to welcome your bride and groom on to the dancefloor for their first dance as man and wife.

N and C have chosen 'One Day Like This' by Elbow for their first dance. It's quite a long song and they have asked me to request that you join them after the first couple of minutes. So.... When I give you the nod, if you could all come on to the dancefloor it would be greatly appreciated.

Right, without further ado could you please put your hands together and give a warm welcome to your bride and groom.... the new Mr and Mrs D!


Sheffield Selection

Right folks.... Here is that selection of Sheffield's finest that I promised you earlier starting with this one, Disco 2000 by Pulp.


Motown Selection

If we have any Motown fans this is the time for you to hit the dancefloor and show us what you've got. We'll kick things off with this one by Stevie Wonder.



Any thoughts anyone?

[funkymook]

Sheffield Selection

Right folks.... Here is that selection of Sheffield's finest that I promised you earlier starting with this one, Disco 2000 by Pulp.


Motown Selection

If we have any Motown fans this is the time for you to hit the dancefloor and show us what you've got. We'll kick things off with this one by Stevie Wonder.



Disco 2000 is a big track, big enough to be the last song in fact - are you sure you want to play it that early? What else have you got in the Sheffield bit?

I wouldn’t do a Motown section as such, play 2 or 3 at a time and then you have more to play later.

The announcements are fine, personally I wouldn’t tell people what the next tune was going to be, but that that’s just a difference in style.

[Benny Smyth]

They all seem fine. The 13 year old boy in me did giggle at Mrs. D, but I digress...

The only thing I would point out is gearing people up by asking them if they are ready to party, then saying that you'll be going back to playing background music. On your marks, get set...the race starts in 10 minutes!

What I would advise is read what you've done, get used to it and then bin it. If you script it, you will mess up. Just have the key points in your head of what you need to say, then insert your words around them to insert your personality into it. Make it sound as natiral as possible. :)

[Shaun]

All looks good, but as Benny as pointed out try not to make it sound scripted. Use the notes as a rough guide and just be natural. Best of luck, let us know how it goes. :)

[yourdj]

Great your scripting as that can really help, I should do it far more often. :)
Video it too from the other side of the room and see if you can hear/understand it.
If you get the chance have a look at the workshops like Derek Pengelly and also toastmasters international meetings.
That will really get you out of your comfort zone.

I find less is more works well and you will trip up with all of that text to remember.
Start with the basics and then add stuff as you get more confident.

I would personally just say before "OK everybody its 10 mins before adam and stephanies first dance, so don't go anywhere and get your cameras ready. (Pause), ten minutes before first dance". Doing it twice, or even three times sometimes is good as then people don't miss it.

As for first dance - welcome guests and let them know something is about to happen (I always like them to get up and come over). I would cut the waffle and just get on with it as i have found that people still natter amongst themselves, until the stars of the show (the B&G) come in. no one really gives a monkeys about who you are and what you are doing, they just want to see the first dance. :)

*Advertising removed*

Good luck. Very exiting :)


The only thing I would point out is gearing people up by asking them if they are ready to party, then saying that you'll be going back to playing background music. On your marks, get set...the race starts in 10 minutes!

I used to do that, but feel that it detracts from the bride and groom and is not really needed. You also fall foul of no one reacting and looking like a tool. Even worse there could be a family rift and someone could shout NO! This one some years back I tripod up and gave the wrong command by saying 'raise your hands' rather than put your hands togather. You can see confused guest doing it anyway. I am also really trying to get rid of saying right! as its a bit aggressive. This video shouts 'Its all about ME' which is not great. I focus far more on the Bride and groom these days. :)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXqOLul0FGI

[Casual77]

Disco 2000 is a big track, big enough to be the last song in fact - are you sure you want to play it that early? What else have you got in the Sheffield bit?

I wouldn’t do a Motown section as such, play 2 or 3 at a time and then you have more to play later.

The announcements are fine, personally I wouldn’t tell people what the next tune was going to be, but that that’s just a difference in style.

There's going to be a couple of Pulp, couple of Arctic Monkeys, a Longpigs song, a Heaven 17 song, a Human League and maybe 'Sing it Back' by Moloko. I'm going through for a chat with the B&G and I'm hoping they will agree to me playing the big well-known songs rather than obscure album tracks that no one else will know.

Announcing the songs isn't my style either. I would rather do as little talking as possible but I need to get out of my shell a bit and stop being nervous about using the mic. I was thinking that just twice at the start of big sections would be ok but I get your point about maybe breaking the Motown section down into smaller units

[yourdj]

I would personally wait until after first dance, big applause and then say brian and emma have selected loads of indie (or what ever genre) tonight, so if you have any requests fitting that description please do come up and ask, my name is James. Buffet is at 9pm, we finish at midnight, and you also have a casino to keep you busy - have an excellent time.

If you clever enough you can time it for the song to drop in (like on the raido) or loop a track and then unlock it at the end. billie jean is a good one.

[Casual77]

They all seem fine. The 13 year old boy in me did giggle at Mrs. D, but I digress...

The only thing I would point out is gearing people up by asking them if they are ready to party, then saying that you'll be going back to playing background music. On your marks, get set...the race starts in 10 minutes!

What I would advise is read what you've done, get used to it and then bin it. If you script it, you will mess up. Just have the key points in your head of what you need to say, then insert your words around them to insert your personality into it. Make it sound as natiral as possible. :)

Good points. Perhaps I should ask if they are ready to party as the first dance song is finishing and drop a big song there instead?

I think script or no script there's a chance I will slip up because I sometimes get tongue twisted when I'm nervous. I'm aiming for 'passable' on this one and working on being better for the next one. Unles of course I decide weddings are more stress than they are worth and stick to birthday parties etc

[Excalibur]

e and then say brian and emma have selected loads of indie (or what ever genre) tonight, so if you have any requests fitting that description please do come up and ask, my name is James.

But that would be a fib, Toby.




My name is Allan and I'm your DJ for the evening.

[Casual77]

I would personally wait until after first dance, big applause and then say brian and emma have selected loads of indie (or what ever genre) tonight, so if you have any requests fitting that description please do come up and ask, my name is James. Buffet is at 9pm, we finish at midnight, and you also have a casino to keep you busy - have an excellent time.

If you clever enough you can time it for the song to drop in (like on the raido) or loop a track and then unlock it at the end. billie jean is a good one.

I've been told to not invite requests and politely decline any not in keeping with the other music or that feature artists on the do not play list they have provided.

I think despite your slip up in the video that your delivery sounds pretty good.

Mod note:
Please do not use asterisks or symbols to get round the forum censor. Thank you.

[yourdj]

I've been told to not invite requests and politely decline any not in keeping with the other music or that feature artists on the sh*t list they have provided.

I think despite your slip up in the video that your delivery sounds pretty good.

Thanks. Its OK, but is about 3 years old, so its a bit better nowadays. I found simplifying it and just making that as good as possible works better.depends on the wedding and the time of day mind you. :)

Setting the scene right at the start lets the guests know what is going to happen and that you are not just playing your own stuff. reinforce that a few times with "another one from the smith (an example) setlist" or here is one from rebeccas list. Having a bride and groom top 10/20 helps distinguish who like what.

You think you have problems, this is my top 10 for tonight. so i will make dead sure everyone knows its the bride and grooms selection, not mine. ;)

First Dance
No Matter W 1. hat acoustic – Papa Roach

RACHAEL & DAVID:
2. Through Glass – Stone Sour

Bride & Groom Songs
1. To be Loved – Papa Roach
2. Maybe Someday – Black Stone Cherry
3. Bad Company – Five Finger Death Punch
4. Enter Sandman – Metallica
5. Happy Song – Bring Me the Horizon
6. Forever – In This Moment
7. Absolute Zero – Stone Sour

[funkymook]

You think you have problems, this is my top 10 for tonight. so i will make dead sure everyone knows its the bride and grooms selection, not mine. ;)

First Dance
No Matter W 1. hat acoustic – Papa Roach

RACHAEL & DAVID:
2. Through Glass – Stone Sour

Bride & Groom Songs
1. To be Loved – Papa Roach
2. Maybe Someday – Black Stone Cherry
3. Bad Company – Five Finger Death Punch
4. Enter Sandman – Metallica
5. Happy Song – Bring Me the Horizon
6. Forever – In This Moment
7. Absolute Zero – Stone Sour

Personally I think announcements like that just makes the DJ sound whingy and clueless.

But please keep it up, that’s the sort of attitude that pushes work my way :)

[Benny Smyth]

Personally I think announcements like that just makes the DJ sound whingy and clueless.

But please keep it up, that’s the sort of attitude that pushes work my way :)

Sorry Toby, but:

http://healthchilli.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/effective-home-remedies-for-burns-1.jpg

Martin wins the internets.

[DeckstarDeluxe]

Go with that, see how it gets on and then see if it feels right for you.

Personally for me I'd never say "and coming up we have this little number" as it just screams cheesy radio DJ to me and that's not my style.


Personally I think announcements like that just makes the DJ sound whingy and clueless.

But please keep it up, that’s the sort of attitude that pushes work my way :)

I actually fully appreciate where Toby is coming from and I'd say 9 out of 10 times when you get a feeling little set lists like this aren't going to "work" then it's really annoying when you can feel people looking at you and thinking "play something decent". It's striking that balance between letting the client have things their way and also the fact you're the best qualified person at that function to judge what people will dance to (which is strictly speaking what we're paid to do).

[funkymook]

Go with that, see how it gets on and then see if it feels right for you.

Personally for me I'd never say "and coming up we have this little number" as it just screams cheesy radio DJ to me and that's not my style.



I actually fully appreciate where Toby is coming from and I'd say 9 out of 10 times when you get a feeling little set lists like this aren't going to "work" then it's really annoying when you can feel people looking at you and thinking "play something decent". It's striking that balance between letting the client have things their way and also the fact you're the best qualified person at that function to judge what people will dance to (which is strictly speaking what we're paid to do).

It’s the assumption I take issue with, the gig hasn’t happened yet and excuses are being made already. And if a DJ can’t manage to slot in 10 must play tunes throughout the night without making a big deal out of it and feeling they need to shift blame then they’re a very limited DJ.

[DeckstarDeluxe]

It’s the assumption I take issue with, the gig hasn’t happened yet and excuses are being made already. And if a DJ can’t manage to slot in 10 must play tunes throughout the night without making a big deal out of it and feeling they need to shift blame then they’re a very limited DJ.

I read it as those were to be played in that order, if not then my point doesn't really apply for the reasons you mentioned.

[funkymook]

I read it as those were to be played in that order, if not then my point doesn't really apply for the reasons you mentioned.

I read it as a top 10 must plays rather than a mini-set....

[Benny Smyth]

Surely, as a guest, you're aware of the B&G's taste in music before you turn up to the wedding?

[Casual77]

I've been told to not invite requests and politely decline any not in keeping with the other music or that feature artists on the do not play list they have provided.

I think despite your slip up in the video that your delivery sounds pretty good.

Mod note:
Please do not use asterisks or symbols to get round the forum censor. Thank you.

Sorry mods. I didn't know there was a swear filter. I inadvertently got round it by censoring myself. I will bear it in mind for future posts though.

[Casual77]

I've just been to visit the venue and meet the bride, groom and best man. I'm not going to say that the nerves have all gone but I feel far more comfortable now that I've met them in person. I guess that will be the problem with working through an agency because for more straight-forward wedding gigs they won't want me having direct contact with the client. Maybe I will have to insist on it if they want me to do their jobs though because I don't like turning up to gigs if I don't know what I'm doing.

The venue looked reasonable and easily accessible but a new scenario for me in that the meal will be served on a mezzanine floor above me... So I will be playing a large part of my background music to an empty room while they are eating upstairs.

On a positive note, the bride and groom are planning to be on the dancefloor all night so it will be easier to pass off some of their more obscure song choices.

[Excalibur]

Can't be arsed to multiquote, I'm on the tablet mid-gig.

Toby, what if those ten tracks ram the floor? Perhaps all the guests love them. ( BTW, I love Enter Sandman, and I'm not a Metallica fan )

Martin and Neil, I got the impression it was play these in this order.

Allan, relax. Be yourself, work with what you've got. It's usually the case that you can find something you know that fots in with the flow just fine.

[yourdj]

I currently am playing the 10 in order and watching people leaving the room in mass. Waited until 11.15pm.
Only the B&g on the floor - screwy shout rock.

So on this occasion its not the case, but i know what you mean. :p

Been a great night up until now, but this is far too heavy for the guests! :daft:
Should end up with about 10 people at the end this rate.

Red wine after this (on their list) to pacify things a bit.

[Nakatomi]

I've just been to visit the venue and meet the bride, groom and best man. I'm not going to say that the nerves have all gone but I feel far more comfortable now that I've met them in person. I guess that will be the problem with working through an agency because for more straight-forward wedding gigs they won't want me having direct contact with the client. Maybe I will have to insist on it if they want me to do their jobs though because I don't like turning up to gigs if I don't know what I'm doing.

The venue looked reasonable and easily accessible but a new scenario for me in that the meal will be served on a mezzanine floor above me... So I will be playing a large part of my background music to an empty room while they are eating upstairs.

On a positive note, the bride and groom are planning to be on the dancefloor all night so it will be easier to pass off some of their more obscure song choices.

No. Working blind is bloody awful. Hate it hate it hate it. Everything works so much better when there's contact with the customer, even if it's only by email. And now at last, that's happening for me & I'm aiming to improve it even more.

Don't worry too much about something obscure clearing the floor of everybody but the people who asked for it. If we only ever played the usual suspects life as a DJ would get pretty dull very quickly. I love throwing curveballs into my sets. They usually work well but when they don't I tend not to panic because I know I can bring people back pretty easily. Dancefloors are fickle places sometimes & even what filled a floor at your last 10 gigs might very well decimate it tomorrow. It happens. When I would worry though is if I ever have a night where I'm like countless DJs I've seen who can pack a floor with something easy (the shooting fish in a barrel trick) & then completely ruin it by messing up the flow. I was talking to the photographer tonight about this - he saw a DJ the other week ram the floor with "I've got a feeling" & followed it with Michael Jackson 'Heal the world'. I mean on whose planet would those 2 songs work back to back?! Hmm?!

[Casual77]

Well, it's the morning of the gig and I've been up for the past hour or so with butterflies. I'm sure I can pull the gig off with out any problems and that I've got more than enough music that they want to fill the night but I can't seem to shake off the pre-match nerves.

I'm still not experienced enough to be able to relax and enjoy gigs yet until after they have finished. I feel like I'm going in to an important exam having done plenty of revision but still with nagging worries about how it will all pan out. It doesn't help that I've had a few minor technical issues with my computer/controller and lights recently which are unsettling. The worry about making announcements and sorting out the right lighting for the first dance just add to the tension.

Having said all that, I expect that I'll be back on here tomorrow morning saying that it went really well and that I enjoyed it. I'm sure as long as I play the right music and do a half decent job of the announcements that the bride and groom will be happy enough.

[Daryll]

I'm still not experienced enough to be able to relax and enjoy gigs yet


And that my friend happens to us all now and again , good luck today , sure it will be fine.

Cheers

Daryll

[Nakatomi]

I'm still not experienced enough to be able to relax and enjoy gigs yet until after they have finished

As Darryl says it happens to loads of us sometimes. You've prepared. You have a very 'can do' attitude. I'm sure you'll be fine.

[Casual77]

Thanks. It's days like today when you really value having a forum like this where you can pick up invaluable advice and reassurance from people who have gone through the same experience.

[DJColsie]

I have been DJing at different levels since 1984.

Got a big wedding today for a colleague in my day job with 150-180 people.

Must have done 1000 weddings or more over then years but still got butterflies for tonight.

You have to embrace it and use it as "an edge" to keep you fresh and not stale!

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Don't worry about the nerves for starters. It happens to us all and I still get them from time to time. It means you want to do a decent job at the end of the day.

I'd just like to add that I agree with you when it comes to this forum being helpful, it really is. Yes, it's good to see videos of what others do and get ideas and it's also good to get tons of advice but eventually you will have your own style before long and it will come naturally.

I'm sure you will be fine.

As for the more 'alternative' or guitar based tracks. I wonder sometimes why people appear to be scared of guitars or a bit of attitude when it comes to the music.
I am of the opinion that the customer gets what the customer wants. It's THEIR big day and they should have what they want on THEIR day. Yes, you (and they) have to take their guests into account but is it really that much of a problem playing some of their favourite tracks that may not be appreciated by their guests?
Is it that much of a problem for a guest to sit there and listen to something they don't like for 30 minutes or something, especially when they have more than likely been fed and watered by the Bride & Groom?

I have said in the past over the microphone that I have a huge list of requests of some of the Bride & Groom's favourite songs and hopefully there is something there for everyone. I don't think that is passing the buck or covering myself, I just think it is telling everybody that the Bride & Groom have requested a bunch of songs. Whether the guests like those songs or not is another thing but they should respect the fact that it's not their day.

I think sometimes the whole thing is made difficult when it really shouldn't be. It's just music at the end of the day and not everyone likes everything do they?

[yourdj]

I have been DJing at different levels since 1984.

Got a big wedding today for a colleague in my day job with 150-180 people.

Must have done 1000 weddings or more over then years but still got butterflies for tonight.

You have to embrace it and use it as "an edge" to keep you fresh and not stale!

Same here. Dead easy wedding with 130, in my resident venue tonight, Must have done hundreds of weddings there now, but I still want to leave an hour before I need to (20 mins down the road) just so I am there and can set up in my own time. The rock wedding last night was 1.5 hours down the M3 and we hit a traffic jam at the end, so it was rather stressful. Arrived dead on time mind you, but not what i wanted as we had a photo booth to set up as well as disco and only 2 team members. :)

[Benny Smyth]

So...how'd it go?

[Casual77]

So...how'd it go?

It was certainly eventful! I'll put a full report on later but needless to say it was my favourite gig so far and the bride and groom were generally delighted with how it went.

I just got this email from the groom...

"Sir, that was bloody brilliantly done. Everyone was raving about how great you were and what a lovely chap you are. Thank you so much for making the day exactly what we wished for, sorry I was a bit drunken by the end of the night (and covered in glitter).

If you're about today, please give us a shout, there's going to be a contingent of us around all day at the pondarosa."

Apart from a few problems (details to follow in the good gig, bad gig section) it couldn't have gone much better. The agency will get a glowing report and I got on well with both the bride and groom and I think I've probably made a few new friends. I'm not sure if some would consider it ethical to mix business with pleasure but I consider it a good result.

[Nakatomi]

Congratulations. Sounds like any problems you had didn't especially bother the customer, if they even noticed. Well done!

[funkymook]

It was certainly eventful! I'll put a full report on later but needless to say it was my favourite gig so far and the bride and groom were generally delighted with how it went.

I just got this email from the groom...

"Sir, that was bloody brilliantly done. Everyone was raving about how great you were and what a lovely chap you are. Thank you so much for making the day exactly what we wished for, sorry I was a bit drunken by the end of the night (and covered in glitter).

If you're about today, please give us a shout, there's going to be a contingent of us around all day at the pondarosa."

Apart from a few problems (details to follow in the good gig, bad gig section) it couldn't have gone much better. The agency will get a glowing report and I got on well with both the bride and groom and I think I've probably made a few new friends. I'm not sure if some would consider it ethical to mix business with pleasure but I consider it a good result.

Excellent, well done.

Look forward to the gig report and a playlist would be interesting as well.

[Casual77]

Excellent, well done.

Look forward to the gig report and a playlist would be interesting as well.

Thanks. Will post both on here later today along with a few photos if I can get them to upload.

[Benny Smyth]

Great work. Beer for that man! :beer1:

[Excalibur]

Excellent, well done.

Look forward to the gig report and a playlist would be interesting as well.

What he said. Well done, I'm really pleased for you, sorry I missed it. I was across in Bandit Country ( otherwise known as The West Riding ) for the sprightliest 80 year old I've ever seen . I was tired just watching her!! :eek:

[Shaun]

Well done that man! :beer1:

[Casual77]

Arggghhh! just spent over half an hour writing a detailed gig report and I've lost it whilst logging back in!

I can't bring myself to type it again tonight so I'll try again tomorrow.

[Daryll]

Well done mate , getting the first one out the way is great , looking forward to a gig report.

Cheers

Daryll

[mattydj50]

I must have been of some use then! Glad you had a good one. Still got NYE in for you here too.

[Casual77]

Right... here goes again. The gig report I wrote last night was a bit like 'War and Peace' so I'll try and make this version a bit shorter.

I arrived at the venue at about 1.20pm and was pleased to be able to pull up outside and unload quite quickly. I'd had to cram everything into my Prius because there was no way I would find somewhere close to the venue to park my large van.

After parking I had around 90 minutes to set up before the arrival of the wedding party and that was plenty of time as I would be able to set up the lighting when the meal was being eaten later in the day. I've been having a few technical concerns over my music system so decided to go belt and braces with two separate systems running in tandem.

I was asked to set up on the ground floor just in front of a large shutter door and was pleased to see I had plenty of room to set up in front of a tiled area which would serve as a dancefloor.

I was feeling fairly relaxed and managed to get everything set up in time (other than wiring the lights) for 3.40pm in advance of an expected 4pm start. This was where my wedding inexperience first became evident. I had got it into my head that the bride and groom followed by the guests would descend upon the venue from the Town Hall at 4pm. What actually happened was that the guests started arriving at 3.45 and the bride and groom didn't show up until over an hour later. This wasn't a problem though and I got on with playing the background music that I had agreed with the bride and groom the day before (think Air, Royksopp, Daft Punk, Massive Attack and mellow hip-hop).

At some time shortly after 5pm the best man notified me that the Bride and groom had arrived and were ready to make their entrance. I cued up 'Sabotage' by The Beastie Boys and prepared myself to announce their arrival. I could see them outside the main door through a side window and remember deciding whether to say 'Give it up for the bride and groom' or 'Please put your hands together for the Bride and Groom'. In the end I contrived to say a combination of the two. "Ladies and Gentleman.... Please put it up for the bride and groom". Not a great start but as they entered the guests gave them a huge reception as I blasted out Sabotage and I don't think anyone really noticed my slip (or particularly cared for that matter).

I let the song play at full volume for about 90 seconds before lowering the volume and resuming with the background music.

Despite fears that the weather was going to be terrible, it was actually a gloriously sunny day in Sheffield and it was very pleasant playing in front of the opaque windows of the large shutter behind me. It was about 20 minutes after the grand entrance that the manageress came over to tell me that the guests were too warm and to ask if I minded the shutters being raised. I said 'no, that should be fine' but was surprised when the shutters which were 2 storeys high were raised fully. All of a sudden I was almost out on the pavement and half of the guests took the cue to spill past me and out into the street. Its the first time I've had to contend with DJing 'in the round' and I felt a sudden need to try and tidy up all the debris I had hidden under my booth because it was now on full show to the world outside!

At around 6.30pm the guests all went upstairs onto the mezzanine floor for their meal. I took the time to get my lights set up in preparation for the first dance. After considerable stress during the week I soon realised that, with the sun shining directly in to the room, I needn't have worried so much because you could barely see them. I also put the haze machine in place at the side of my booth and double checked with the management that use of it wouldn't be a problem.

Once I was happy I was good to go I went upstairs to listen to the various speeches. As well as the usual, there was a speech by the bride's mother and her younger sister who was Maid of Honour. The bride and her family all being from New York gave an interesting dimension to the speeches and I have to say that they were all entertaining and well-delivered.

As soon as the speeches finished I went back downstairs and got ready for the first dance. It was a bit clumsier than I would have hoped because the best man gave me the thumbs up to say that the bride and groom were ready when in fact they weren't so I announced them and nothing happened. I had to announce them a second time before they eventually came on to the dancefloor. Again, I don't think anyone minded the minor indiscretion because they were a friendly and informal kind of crowd. I explained that it was a long song and that after a couple of minutes they wanted to be joined by all the guests. At an instrumental section 2 minutes in I asked everyone to join
them but then wished I'd waited a bit because there were about 40 people on the floor looking awkward because they weren't sure how to dance to dance to a song with no beat.

Just before the first dance the brides attractive younger sister asked me if I would play a song off her phone. It was something she had arranged with some of the brides cousins/ friends. Despite promising the groom that I wouldn't play any cheesey prescribed dance songs I agreed and publicly apologised to the groom as I put it on. I'm not sure what the song was but the bride clearly knew the dance moves. Needless to say it was very 'American'.

I then dropped into a five track Motown classics section including 'Jimmy Mack' by Martha Reeves and the Vandellas which I thought was apt given that she was performing live at the other side of Sheffield that night at the Tramlines Festival. This went down well with both sets of parents on the dancefloor and a large number of guests plus the bride and groom. After this section I decided to drop the song that the bride had specifically requested figuring that everyone would feed off her enthusiasm for it. The track was the Fake Blood remix of 'Animal' by Miike Snow and many in the room clearly knew it. I decided to give the haze machine a bit of a blast to add to the atmosphere and shortly after the fire alarm went off! I turned the haze machine down, expecting them to turn off the alarm, and carried on with the music. I had just mixed into 'Midnight City' by M83 when the electric shutter went back up and the manageress announced that everyone had to leave the building. I announced the fact and everyone spilled past me still dancing as they went. The groom suggested I spin the speakers round, which I di, and for a glorious 30 seconds about 80 people were dancing on the pavement outside the venue. We were suddenly part of Tramlines! This was short-lived though because the management kindly requested that I stop the music, which I did.

Ten minutes later the alarm was stopped and we were back in the building. I took the opportunity to drop 'Firestarter' by Prodigy and everyone clearly appreciated the joke. I was just starting to play the next song, 'Kids' by MGMT when the manageress came over saying she was soory but that the fire engine was on it's way and everyone would have to leave the building again! This time we were outside for about 25 minutes as we watched the fire service arrive complete with flashing blue lights to confirm that we were all safe. The American visitors clearly found this quite entertaining. It was during this break that it was suggested that it was someone smoking in the toilets that may have set off the alarm rather than my haze machine but this was never verified either way.

We were eventually allowed back in the venue and it was clear that no-one's enthusiasm had been dampened by the break and that it had all added to the sense of occasion. The groom asked me for 'Fire' by Prodigy this time and I duly obliged.

We had lost quite a chunk of the evening so I said I would be happy to play on beyond the 12am agreed finish time as long as the management and bar staff were ok with it. They confirmed that they were thankfully.

I played the Sheffield section with Pulp, Arctic Monkeys, Human league, Heaven 17, Moloko and Longpigs which went down well before moving into a dance classics section ('No Good' by The Prodigy, Yeke Yeke by Mory Kante (Hardfloor Mix), 'Something Good' by Utah Saints, 'Hard to Beat' by Hard-Fi (Axwell Mix) and 'Somebody Told Me' The Killers (Mylo Remix)which was equally well-received.

At 12.20am I spoke with the groom about what time to wrap it up and we decided to start winding it up. He requested 'Electronic Battle Weapon' by Chemical Brothers which everyone on the dancefloor clearly knew and liked and after a couple of Robyn tracks which the bride and her sister wanted I moved into 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' as the last track of the night (which went down brilliantly). I let this play out and then received huge calls for one more. I looked to the bar staff who gave me the nod that it would be ok, and then dropped 'Sabotage' again to end the day where it had started. The whole place erupted and it was a fitting end to what was a good night clearly enjoyed by all. I resisted calls for more and the lights came on.

The bride and groom both came up to me and gave me a hug for delivering exactly the kind of night they had hoped for and I received compliments from both sets of parents.

I arrived back home at 3.15am feeling happy that I had played a part in making it a great (and memorable) day for all involved.

Yesterday I received a text from the Bride and Groom inviting me to join them at Tramlines and they kindly treated me to a free ticket to see Mobb Deep and De La Soul as a 'thank-you' for my efforts. All in all it was a very good weekend!

[Casual77]

I must have been of some use then! Glad you had a good one. Still got NYE in for you here too.

Yes Matthew, it was certainly helpful. I've been fortunate enough to watch a few different DJs in action and pick up pointers from the way they do things.

I was going to ask you about that NYE gig. I've already got it pencilled in the diary but I did want to double check with you because I've had someone else asking if I'm free on that night.

[Casual77]

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A few photos from Saturday to go with the gig report

[mattydj50]

Yes Matthew, it was certainly helpful. I've been fortunate enough to watch a few different DJs in action and pick up pointers from the way they do things.

I was going to ask you about that NYE gig. I've already got it pencilled in the diary but I did want to double check with you because I've had someone else asking if I'm free on that night.

Yes, it's a definite go on that one. I was talking to the bride and her mum at an open day recently and explained how I can't do all 3 functions there on the same night!!

[Casual77]

Ok. Consider it penned in now then!

Have they got any particular requirements or is it pretty standard fayre (other than it being New Year's Eve)? Presumably you wouldn't have any objection to me speaking with or meeting the couple prior to the night?