Playlists, good or bad?

[Excalibur]

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.

I understand what you're getting at, but I think you're wrong.
I've had some great gigs with playlists that looked set for disaster. I took one which another DJ had backed out of. I ( and some others on here ) had concerns about it, but as is often the case, I found some common ground I was very familiar with, and we had a great night.

I took on a wedding which didn't look promising on paper, but after meeting the bride and groom, it became apparent that there were no significant issues musically.

Another wedding with music that wasn't usual wedding fare, and I took it on. Again, the playlist didn't bode well, but I tried to cherrypick from the list, and fit in more accessible ones in the same vein. Must have worked, cos I got a glowing review for it. Had alot of fun as well, not playing The Usual Suspects all night.


I just know Martin's going to dive in with his advice that almost all issues can be resolved by communication, and he's absolutely right.

Floor's yours folks.

[DJColsie]

I agree with you and will take on playlists and work with them, even if they cover the whole evening. I will not take on playlists that cover the whole evening if I have limited knowledge or enthusiasm for the genre.

I usually recommend they provide me a list of 20-25 songs they would like played on the night.

[Shaun]

Strict Playlists, I won't take on those bookings. They're not for me.

I accept up to 20 'Must Plays', and will only guarantee those 20 will definitely be played. They can still provide as big a list as they want, which I'll use to get a good understanding of their musical likes and dislikes - and on the night I have the option of cherry picking the ones I feel will complement the evening.

[funkymook]

How do people handle it when they’ve confirmed the booking (no mention of playlists at that stage) and then the client sends a strict must play list a few weeks later?

[Shaun]

How do people handle it when they’ve confirmed the booking (no mention of playlists at that stage) and then the client sends a strict must play list a few weeks later?




As soon as the booking is confirmed they're invited to provide list of up to 20 songs and to let me know about their musical likes and dislikes (which can done via the interactive weblink I send them in the email). So right from the get-go they know there are limitations.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/ShaunF/Screenshot_zpsr3qrsr6p.jpg.



For those that wish more of an input their more than welcome to provide as large a list as they want, in fact I encourage it, as long as they are aware that it will be used as a guide to their tastes. I've had instances in the past where the extended list was excellent so I've played many from it. I can be flexible (to a certain degree. Strict playlists, a definite no no though.

[theoloyla]

I have done loads of gigs with request lists ranging from just a couple to many more than I could possible fit in. The latter is good coz I can cherry pick three hours out of 6 hours of requests and the former are good coz if there are only a few to play the rest of the evening is free for me to interpret. I have also in the past come across dj's (not me) who will not take requests at all as "they know best what will work and can read the floor". I have also once done a wedding where I was given a playlist (i.e. a list of songs and what order to play them from start to finish). I made sure I was paid in advance. I felt uncomfortable doing it but in fact they had chosen well and it was a successful night. I was able to inject my personality onto the evening by dint of the way I introduced the music and events. Personally when I take a booking I ask for a list of 10 requests and any don't plays plus a general overview. I find this works best. If they suddenly told me that they wanted me to play a musical genre all night that I was not comfortable with and which we had not discussed when they booked me then I would cancel my performance and suggest that they ind someone more suitable. I mean why would anyone book me for a punk rock or drum n bass night?

[DeckstarDeluxe]

How do people handle it when they’ve confirmed the booking (no mention of playlists at that stage) and then the client sends a strict must play list a few weeks later?

Grin and bear it. It's the clients event/party and if they want to use my services in that fashion then that's up to them.

[Andy P]

Good question

Firstly, nice new thread Excalibur, and I understand your stance completely. Currently I take play lists but for me they have been detractors rather than improvements. I'm happy to not play X or play plenty of Y or don't take requests etc. But 4 hrs of playlist just seems to be a waste and I normally find these are the gigs I dont enjoy and unlike a normal job I got on this wagon for enjoyment at work.

[Nakatomi]

I say yay to playlists whatever happens. My old boss hated them with a passion but I find they're a valuable 'way in' at a gig.

What do you do when you don't get any input about music upfront? Just plug away with the usual suspects til something sticks? You might never end up with a great night on your hands if you stick to that method. Customers & guests can remain reticent even when prompted.. And with so much music to choose from it could take literally all night to find the right seam to mine.

Our profession has a really poor reputation for (not) giving the customer what they want. A lot of people I encounter think we're all just doing it by numbers, playing the same tracks every night. In the same order. I take exception to that because I'm always trying to do exactly the opposite while still pleasing as many people as I can.

Even when I've been given playlists there've ended up being wild cards requested by the customer which lifted the roof right off... Sometimes even tracks I'd never have even considered.

So let's not be blinkered by our previous experiences

[Andy P]

I'm not saying I wont take a play list, or even a large one. I'm saying no to being an ipod and playing 4 hours of their picks with no input or ability to change if it goes pete tong.

As I said earlier I'l work with a theme, I'll work with an era, I'll even work with a big ban list. But if my only job is to arrange songs by BMP i'd rather just jam it on auto mix and join in the dancing.

As for peoples feelings on the DJ community i'll happily prove them wrong on that.

[Benny Smyth]

Playlists are fine up to a point.

I've had people give me playlists that last longer than the event and I will stick to it, with three exceptions:

1) Guests are at the point where they are not enjoying the night.
2) The enjoyment level has reached a point so low that it damages my credibility as a DJ (it is my name on the front of the Liteconsole after all).
3) I can throw in tracks to compliment the playlist that the client hasn't thought of.

[Excalibur]

How do people handle it when they’ve confirmed the booking (no mention of playlists at that stage) and then the client sends a strict must play list a few weeks later?

Well round here, it appears that you send the deposit back, and get me or Justin to do the gig! :D:D


Right, quick before the tablets wear off. Refusing the gig may show integrity. If you can't do it properly, then don't do it at all. Seems reasonable.

Refusing it because it's too long, or too rigid, well that's just wrong. Talk to them, you may find a middle way that's fine for both.


I have done loads of gigs with request lists ranging from just a couple to many more than I could possible fit in. The latter is good coz I can cherry pick three hours out of 6 hours of requests and the former are good coz if there are only a few to play the rest of the evening is free for me to interpret. I have also in the past come across dj's (not me) who will not take requests at all as "they know best what will work and can read the floor". I have also once done a wedding where I was given a playlist (i.e. a list of songs and what order to play them from start to finish). I made sure I was paid in advance. I felt uncomfortable doing it but in fact they had chosen well and it was a successful night. I was able to inject my personality onto the evening by dint of the way I introduced the music and events. Personally when I take a booking I ask for a list of 10 requests and any don't plays plus a general overview. I find this works best. If they suddenly told me that they wanted me to play a musical genre all night that I was not comfortable with and which we had not discussed when they booked me then I would cancel my performance and suggest that they ind someone more suitable. I mean why would anyone book me for a punk rock or drum n bass night?
Pragmatism and commonsense as usual, Theo. Only bit I'm not in total agreement about is cancelling, and even then, I suspect we're not too far apart. I remember Creature telling us about a gig he tried to refuse because he wasn't at all up on the music, and the customer still insisted he was the man for the job, as they liked him.




Even when I've been given playlists there've ended up being wild cards requested by the customer which lifted the roof right off... Sometimes even tracks I'd never have even considered.

So let's not be blinkered by our previous experiences
Amen, Brother. We're not psychic. Sometimes a track you haven't played for years packs the floor, because it means something to all of them.


I'm not saying I wont take a play list, or even a large one. I'm saying no to being an ipod and playing 4 hours of their picks with no input or ability to change if it goes pete tong.

.
I hear what you say ( well not strictly true. Actually, I see what you type, but let's not split hairs. :) ) I haven't had one of those yet, and I'm not sure even I would take one on. And I'm not sure I wouldn't either.


Playlists are fine up to a point.

I've had people give me playlists that last longer than the event and I will stick to it, with three exceptions:

3) I can throw in tracks to compliment the playlist that the client hasn't thought of.
And that my dear boy is the ideal scenario.

OK, why might the client give us a 200 song playlist? Perception.
1) DJs don't take requests, so if I get them down on paper from the off, I can have some input on the gig.
2) As suggested earlier, all DJs play the same fifty songs in the same order every night.
3) My DJ might be a DJ of very little brain. If I help him with a guide, the evening will go better.
4) I don't want those same fifty songs at my party. I know my friends don't either, and I do know what they will like.
5) I'm a control freak/ the DJ will do what I pay him to do. ( I've had those. :mad: :zip: )


Is it insulting to be given a list, because it implies you won't be capable of doing a good job without? Of course not. Blimey, but there are some Primadonnas about. This discussion is currently going on in Another Place, and I don't know whether to laugh or cry at what I'm reading there.

When will people realise that we're a service industry? Not servile, by the way. Find a way to give the customer what they want, in a manner you're happy with. Imagine you go into a restaurant and order steak. The waiter brings scampi, because he thinks you should have scampi. It's exactly the same.

[Shaun]

When will people realise that we're a service industry? Not servile, by the way. Find a way to give the customer what they want, in a manner you're happy with.

I don't think anyone has said anything in this thread that goes against the grain of what you've just said.

[Creature]

never used a playlist :) :)

[funkymook]

I think all the DJ debates around playlists is down to different interpretations.

Some think a playlist is a must play list supplied by the client.

others think it’s just a guide to what the client likes,

and some think it’s a list a DJ uses at every booking.

If I’m talking about one and someone is talking about the other then we’re immediately talking at cross purposes.

A definition of terms is required when discussing any subject so we all know we’re talking about the same thing.


And whatever you think a playlist is I’m sure no one would disagree that having an idea of what your clients tastes are is a bad thing.

[Nakatomi]

So if you play a night where everything's been playlisted by the customer down to the very running order & you get word of mouth bookings out of it.. do they also turn out to be playlist dictats? Can you end up being typecast?

I generally interpret lists of track titles given to me as 'must play' if they don't say otherwise & it's a fairly short list. Otherwise I go by the principle the list is just a bunch of suggestions. The customer usually keeps everything clear though.

[musicology]

I was getting ridiculously long lists so a couple of years ago I introduced, and have stuck to, a limit of 20 specific songs with guidance on eras and genres and had no problems ever since.

[Tony Murphy]

Would never work from a playlist. It is an insult to a dj's ability.

[Excalibur]

I don't think anyone has said anything in this thread that goes against the grain of what you've just said.

Having reread the posts, I'm inclined not to disagree with you.



If I’m talking about one and someone is talking about the other then we’re immediately talking at cross purposes.

A definition of terms is required when discussing any subject so we all know we’re talking about the same thing.

Simple souls like myself send out a form with three categories:
Must play
Play if possible
Don't play.

Simples.



And whatever you think a playlist is I’m sure no one would disagree that having an idea of what your clients tastes are is a bad thing.

Pah!! I'm a professional, I can read the floor, and work out what to play myself, thank you very much. :whistle:

[funkymook]

Would never work from a playlist. It is an insult to a dj's ability.

So are you saying you’d totally ignore any list of songs your client gave you?

[Nakatomi]

So are you saying you’d totally ignore any list of songs your client gave you?

A DJ who used to work for my old gaffer (not me I must add!) was known for saying to a bride/groom combo.. "I'm sorry, I haven't got your first dance song". And not followed by "Not a problem though, I'll just nip online & buy it for you" either.

[Shaun]

Would never work from a playlist. It is an insult to a dj's ability.
Why do you think it's an insult? With so many different clients having very varying tastes, surely it's good to have an understanding of their likes and dislikes (even if you won't work to a strict playlist)?

[Tony Murphy]

If a client gave me a playlist I would tell them to go and find an Ipod.

People book me because they trust me to get it right on the night. The idea of planning the music days, or weeks before an event is ridiculous, what happened to reading the crowd. I choose the next track after I see the response from the track I am currently playing. It works for me and I am usually booked up to 6 nights a week.

[funkymook]

If a client gave me a playlist I would tell them to go and find an Ipod.

People book me because they trust me to get it right on the night. The idea of planning the music days, or weeks before an event is ridiculous, what happened to reading the crowd. I choose the next track after I see the response from the track I am currently playing. It works for me and I am usually booked up to 6 nights a week.

Seem a bit harsh, why shouldn’t your clients tell you their favourite tunes for you to play at their own party?

[Shaun]

If a client gave me a playlist I would tell them to go and find an Ipod.

People book me because they trust me to get it right on the night. The idea of planning the music days, or weeks before an event is ridiculous, what happened to reading the crowd. I choose the next track after I see the response from the track I am currently playing. It works for me and I am usually booked up to 6 nights a week.

I doubt many DJs plan their playlist in advance. Unless of course they're one of the DJ's that doesn't mind playing from a strict playlist organised by the couple.

I'd never dream of saying anyone does it wrong, if you're style works in your favour then fair play. For me personally, I couldn't imagine not finding out the styles of music my customers would like included. Personalising the evening (however small) is an integral part of customising each event to each of my clients.

Out of interest. How do you handle requests from guests on the night?

[yourdj]

I love a good playlist as I always try and make each event different musically.

i generally ask for 30 for guests/b&g, 10-20 each personal ones (separated by bride & groom), and any tracks that relate to the guests (wedding anniversary, birthday, guest fans etc) - plus. Ending tracks.

I usually get about 30-40 but don't mind up to about 60. :)

[funkymook]

Playlist doesn't always mean a list of songs that must be played in order - it’s just a list of songs, and we all use those.

I bet every DJ has their music in some sort of order and they browse through various lists on their computer or through their CD’s to get inspiration - no different from cherry picking from a clients list really.

And if we have a theme night night coming up we put al the appropriate tracks together in one place.

No DJ relies 100% on memory and doesn’t use any sort of list as an aid.

But totally agree it’s impossible to pre-plan a good party (and I’m sure no DJ on here does that anyway) but getting some sort of framework of tunes together is just good practice, it beats going in blind with no customer consultation anyway.

[Tony Murphy]

I think a lot of people have forgotten the basic skills of being a Dj.

If you need a list to do your job then fine.

[Nakatomi]

Playlist doesn't always mean a list of songs that must be played in order - it’s just a list of songs, and we all use those.

I bet every DJ has their music in some sort of order and they browse through various lists on their computer or through their CD’s to get inspiration - no different from cherry picking from a clients list really.

And if we have a theme night night coming up we put al the appropriate tracks together in one place.

No DJ relies 100% on memory and doesn’t use any sort of list as an aid.

But totally agree it’s impossible to pre-plan a good party (and I’m sure no DJ on here does that anyway) but getting some sort of framework of tunes together is just good practice, it beats going in blind with no customer consultation anyway.

Darn right it does. What else are you going to do, because the 'skills' we all have amount to playing something & observing how it's received - and then basing our decision what to play next on that observation. The other 'skills' we might have is remembering what went down well, when & how - tracks which go well against that, tracks with certain similarities.. etc.

You could easily waste 75% of a night trying the 'every trick in the book' method. Who wouldn't want a shortcut to less stress and overall more satisfied customer? A daft person, IMHO.

Extreme example, but you're called in to do an emergency wedding gig. Everybody is decked out in run of the mill wedding garb.. ordinary suits for the men & frocks for the ladies. The first dance song you know, is something by Mr Sheeran. So far, so 95% of all weddings in the UK. Nobody's told you that apart from that one song, and Grandma who likes Dancing Queen, everybody is really heavily into heavy industrial death metal. How long is it going to take using the poking & prodding method to find that out?

[Pe7e]

:agree:

The 'I know best' DJ is the main driver behind the success of my current business, long may they live. Seriously though, ignoring the music choice of your clients won't win you friends, this is especially true with weddings where a wide range of ages and musical preferences are inevitable. Club / Resident DJs have a easier time since the type of music required is pretty much predetermined and the selection of tracks to be played is far more defined. Back in the mid to late 60s when I was what would now be classed to as a club DJ, both myself and a local rival DJ, had very similar play lists, and they worked night after night with only minor additions/alterations to the content, because that was what our audiences wanted, not because we couldn't be bothered to introduce different genres/styles. Ignore your clients wishes at your peril

[yourdj]

I think a lot of people have forgotten the basic skills of being a Dj.

If you need a list to do your job then fine.

I generally do weddings where a personal service to me is paramount. i tend to meet all clients twice and get a good idea of what they want, but its always sup rising on the day and a list really helps me gauge exactly what the bride and groom want at times where i would only be guessing. I was at a meeting with a groom that loves britney Spears on Sunday. I would never have guessed that in a million years LOL.

The skill of Djing is also important to me and i will generally mix and select tracks on BPM, but with weddings there is so much more to being a 'DJ' than playing the music, especially now days as people have a thousand fold increase in the ways that they can access music as opposed to the olden days of having to go to a record store or listen to a highly controlled radio stations idea of what people want to listen to. Friday it was heavy rock, Saturday it was older rock (dire straights etc.) and sunday it was house music that worked. 3 weddings in the same venue, but all very different. Not sure I would have picked up on that 100 % without requests from guests and also a very detailed list from the client. Perhaps 70%?? :)

I certainly don't need a list, things are miles easier without one as i tend to do this for private and corporate parities. I think working from a list is miles harder than reading the floor and just playing the same old set of 1000 tracks in relation to that, especially if you are mixing the music and also reading the crowd at the same time. Its just nice to know exactly what the B&G like and also they choose my business as they know that I will never do any two weddings with the same set list. I assume people that choose a "I am the DJ and i know what i am doing" type of business are happy with that approach (assuming they have not booked it on a cheaper cost), everyone is different and lots of people like to sit back and let the DJ do all the work, which as you say is fine. We all work differently.

I tend to attract a happy medium as i would hate to have control freak clients. Only bloke gave me a time line with what to play and when. I said "you have sex on fire during the buffet, do you think that is a good idea" he then backtracked on that one. ;)

http://yourdj.co.uk/music-ideas/

[Shakermaker Promotions]

I think a lot of people have forgotten the basic skills of being a Dj.

If you need a list to do your job then fine.

I personally think that a lot of DJ's have forgotten that we are a customer reliant business.
I don't like it when a customer hands me a playlist of 200 songs and expects them all to be played in 3 or 4 hours just the same as I don't like it when I get 2 songs on a list and nobody is requesting on the night itself.

Firstly, I am always of the opinion that what the customer wants, the customer gets. They are paying my wages and if it means they are supplying me with lots of requests then fair enough. I am not an iPod or a jukebox or a robot and it's not just a case of standing there, selecting their songs and pressing play. Unless you are under strict instructions to play them in the order they've listed them (which doesn't happen that often to me by the way), then as well as the announcements and lighting etc, you use your skill and experience to put them in some kind of order that will work and keep the night flowing.

Secondly, personally I have found that the introduction of digital playout systems over the last decade or so has actually made my job harder and less enjoyable if I am being honest. Ok, it is easier in the fact that you're not carting around boxes of vinyl or CD's anymore but I used to like browsing through the vinyl or CD's to find tracks to play. There was a kind of thrill about having a minute or 30 seconds left on the song that was playing whilst you're trying to find the next one to play. It was all there in front of you. These days, it doesn't matter how good your tagging is on your digital tracks or how well you've set out your various folders, you still have to have a decent memory to look for the tracks in the first place!
Over the past year or so I have got into the habit of putting all of the customers requests in a separate folder so they are easily accessible. I have to admit to myself that my memory when it comes to the latest tracks isn't that great anymore.

Lastly, going back to the customer and like I said, they pay the wages. I am not the type of person to (a) take offence at a customer dictating how they want or expect things to go because it's their right as the customer and (b) I won't turn down work because I think I am being seen or used as an iPod.

[Excalibur]

I personally think that a lot of DJ's have forgotten that we are a customer reliant business.
.

Not only that, but some don't seem to understand the concept.

[funkymook]

I think a lot of people have forgotten the basic skills of being a Dj.

If you need a list to do your job then fine.

So are you saying you don’t have any of your music in any order at all and you do everything from memory? You never write down the first dance, father daughter dance, any songs the client really wants played? You have far better recall than me if you can do that and never get it wrong.

I think you’ve got it into your head that anytime a list or playlist is mentioned it means it’s being played as it’s presented - no DJ on here does that, give us a bit of credit!

You obviously work a lot so you can’t tell me that clients have never given you songs that they want played - which means you are using a list - just like we all do. (and no, I don’t mean playing the list in order, just adding the songs to the night as and when appropriate)

Get past your misconceptions and perhaps you can contribute a bit more to how to handle clients that want us to work that way, overcoming their objections etc. rather than assuming we don’t know how to DJ.

[Tony Murphy]

There are many varied methods of Dj-ing, which is just as well because customers are also varied and they need to have a choice. It's a shame some customers choose a disco through price only, instead of finding the one that best suits there needs.

Dj-ing is something I immensely enjoy doing, and have done since 1979, I work mainly in the one town so most of my work is repeat bookings and recommendations. For me, a quick discussion about what the customer wants is enough without having to make extensive song lists. Of course I would play any must play songs but I do ask them to limit the number to 10.

A lady called me last night and explained to me that for her 50th Birthday Party, she would like's 70's disco (Young Hearts Run Free) and 90's r&b. After a few probing questions from me about guests and what they would also enjoy listening/dancing to, we decided to extend the music selection to include a bit of 60's, 80's and a few popular (non-rap) new tracks. I don't need a list from her because I already have 100's of song choices in my head which I know would pack the floor because of previous experience. Reading the crowd, talking to guests during the evening (either face to face conversations or with the microphone), is enough. People love hearing there song request being played, but if it's one that would probably empty the floor, I do try and explain this with them and together find an alternative that would keep people dancing. Recently at an 18th birthday party an uncle asked for T-Rex, we did compromise because he also liked Meghan Trainer, he walked away happy with a smile on his face and I kept the floor full.

Extensive/strict playlists is something I avoid because it's not for me, and I do make this clear to any potential clients (it is also written on my booking form). But I can fully understand that some customers have very unique tastes and would prefer a playlist.

And if I did do Long Playlists then I would charge extra for the time spent organising the list and for any songs I never had and would have to buy.

[Tony Murphy]

So are you saying you don’t have any of your music in any order at all and you do everything from memory? You never write down the first dance, father daughter dance, any songs the client really wants played? You have far better recall than me if you can do that and never get it wrong.

I think you’ve got it into your head that anytime a list or playlist is mentioned it means it’s being played as it’s presented - no DJ on here does that, give us a bit of credit!

You obviously work a lot so you can’t tell me that clients have never given you songs that they want played - which means you are using a list - just like we all do. (and no, I don’t mean playing the list in order, just adding the songs to the night as and when appropriate)

Get past your misconceptions and perhaps you can contribute a bit more to how to handle clients that want us to work that way, overcoming their objections etc. rather than assuming we don’t know how to DJ.

When I said about basic skills I was referring to a lot of skills not being used nowadays from microphone use etc. mixing, song selection etc.
So get over you misconceptions.

[funkymook]

When I said about basic skills I was referring to a lot of skills not being used nowadays from microphone use etc. mixing, song selection etc.
So get over you misconceptions.

It’s always best to explain what you’re talking about if you want to stray away from the main topic of the thread (no problem with that, most conversation meander a bit ) but we’re not blessed with telepathy ;)

[Benny Smyth]

When I said about basic skills I was referring to a lot of skills not being used nowadays from microphone use etc. mixing, song selection etc.

You specifically said:


I think a lot of people have forgotten the basic skills of being a Dj.

If you need a list to do your job then fine.

So it's understandable why Martin said what he said. If you can pull off a successful night with no input from the clients, then I say more power to you but don't look down on those who want to do as much research as possible into their clients to ensure that they get the job done right. It just shows that there is certainly more than one way to do this job, and neither is right and neither is wrong.

As for the other skills you've mentioned, I have to say that I have had a much different experience to you. I see a lot of DJs stepping up their game to compete in what is a very over-saturated market. From my personal experience, I believe that this standard that is available now is considerably higher than it was 10/15 years ago. Of course there is some right tripe out there, but that happens in any industry. In my very humble (and probably irrelevant) opinion, there is a lot more gold out there than coal. :)

[funkymook]

There are many varied methods of Dj-ing, which is just as well because customers are also varied and they need to have a choice. It's a shame some customers choose a disco through price only, instead of finding the one that best suits there needs.

Dj-ing is something I immensely enjoy doing, and have done since 1979, I work mainly in the one town so most of my work is repeat bookings and recommendations. For me, a quick discussion about what the customer wants is enough without having to make extensive song lists. Of course I would play any must play songs but I do ask them to limit the number to 10.

A lady called me last night and explained to me that for her 50th Birthday Party, she would like's 70's disco (Young Hearts Run Free) and 90's r&b. After a few probing questions from me about guests and what they would also enjoy listening/dancing to, we decided to extend the music selection to include a bit of 60's, 80's and a few popular (non-rap) new tracks. I don't need a list from her because I already have 100's of song choices in my head which I know would pack the floor because of previous experience. Reading the crowd, talking to guests during the evening (either face to face conversations or with the microphone), is enough. People love hearing there song request being played, but if it's one that would probably empty the floor, I do try and explain this with them and together find an alternative that would keep people dancing. Recently at an 18th birthday party an uncle asked for T-Rex, we did compromise because he also liked Meghan Trainer, he walked away happy with a smile on his face and I kept the floor full.

Extensive/strict playlists is something I avoid because it's not for me, and I do make this clear to any potential clients (it is also written on my booking form). But I can fully understand that some customers have very unique tastes and would prefer a playlist.

And if I did do Long Playlists then I would charge extra for the time spent organising the list and for any songs I never had and would have to buy.

Pretty much how most DJ’s work - a combination of clients wishes, guests requests and the DJ’s experience.

I’m impressed you can keep every song in your head and never need to browse through your collection for inspiration. I like scanning through my folders and seeing if there’s any forgotten gems I can slip in rather than relying solely on what I can remember, I find I play a far more varied set like that.

Perhaps we need to refer to a clients ‘guidelist’ when we’re talking about a non-prescriptive list of songs as ‘playlist’ has negative connotations to some people (and rightly so, no decent DJ really wants to follow a song list to the letter).

[Tony Murphy]

I think a lot of people have forgotten the basic skills of being a Dj.

If you need a list to do your job then fine.

Yes it did sound wrong and apologies for that as it was not my intention.

[funkymook]

Yes it did sound wrong and apologies for that as it was not my intention.

No worries, we’ve all done it, we know exactly what mean in our heads as we’re writing it :beer1:

[theoloyla]

To me it is a question of definitions here. A request list is just that a playlist is compulsary. Different emphasis. I have no problem with requests but I think we all have problems with "Play my song next".

[yourdj]

To me it is a question of definitions here. A request list is just that a playlist is compulsary. Different emphasis. I have no problem with requests but I think we all have problems with "Play my song next".

Never thought of that. :)

[funkymook]

I think all the DJ debates around playlists is down to different interpretations.

Some think a playlist is a must play list supplied by the client.

others think it’s just a guide to what the client likes,

and some think it’s a list a DJ uses at every booking.

If I’m talking about one and someone is talking about the other then we’re immediately talking at cross purposes.

A definition of terms is required when discussing any subject so we all know we’re talking about the same thing.


And whatever you think a playlist is I’m sure no one would disagree that having an idea of what your clients tastes are is a bad thing.

Must have been an invisible post....:D