Complaints about music from the current party about the night before

[Nakatomi]

As I mentioned in my latest 'good gig bad gig' post I had my head seriously bitten off last night by a lady who'd been in the hotel the night before the wedding she was a guest at. I'm not sure what relation she was to the bride, but they were pretty close. She came in with both barrels straight away. The previous night had called for some pretty extreme cheese & this wasn't on for her. All fair comment I suppose, but it didn't need to be so... angry.

This is the first time anything like this has happened despite many guests 'crossing paths' with previous weddings but I'm guessing it was only a matter of time. Only on Friday morning did I ponder what that night's bride might have made of the music I played at the prom on Thursday.

Have you ever ran into something like this, where somebody's heard you play another (successful) gig & they weren't too impressed when you show up at theirs?

[CRAZY K]

As I mentioned in my latest 'good gig bad gig' post I had my head seriously bitten off last night by a lady who'd been in the hotel the night before the wedding she was a guest at. I'm not sure what relation she was to the bride, but they were pretty close. She came in with both barrels straight away. The previous night had called for some pretty extreme cheese & this wasn't on for her. All fair comment I suppose, but it didn't need to be so... angry.

This is the first time anything like this has happened despite many guests 'crossing paths' with previous weddings but I'm guessing it was only a matter of time. Only on Friday morning did I ponder what that night's bride might have made of the music I played at the prom on Thursday.

Have you ever ran into something like this, where somebody's heard you play another (successful) gig & they weren't too impressed when you show up at theirs?

No but surely irrelevant if you ask for a playlist.

You play what the Bride and guests want then everyone is happy.

You tell this person OF COURSE I play what the Bride wants.

Does this stupid person think you play the same tracks every gig😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄

I always insisted on play lists for Weddings and still do for private parties.

[Benny Smyth]

Does this stupid person think you play the same tracks every gig

Why stupid? How would this person know whether or not we play the same songs night in, night out?

[Nakatomi]

No but surely irrelevant if you ask for a playlist.

You play what the Bride and guests want then everyone is happy.

You tell this person OF COURSE I play what the Bride wants.

Does this stupid person think you play the same tracks every gig

I always insisted on play lists for Weddings and still do for private parties.

There was no need for a playlist on either night so I never got one. It wasn't the bride who complained about the music from the night before. Far from it! It was someone I'd had no previous contact with at all. Somebody who frankly didn't have any business sticking their oar in IMHO.

As far as pre gig contact goes, of 12 weddings this month only one (saturday just gone) has been in touch. Of August's 14 weddings, so far none have made any contact yet.

Just another joy of residency work eh. I don't mind winging it. I'm good enough at crowd reading in the majority of cases to cope.

Back on topic then... I guess this is one of the curses of not being a specialist too.

[Excalibur]

How would this person know whether or not we play the same songs night in, night out?

Because we do. 20,000 tracks, of which we play the same 250 each night, in the same order. :sofa:

[Nakatomi]

Why stupid? How would this person know whether or not we play the same songs night in, night out?

I really think it's part of the 'naff' image wedding & mobile DJs have. It's quite easy to assume that certain songs will be played & they often are. Then again sometimes it's the customer or guests perpetuating it saying things like "but it's a wedding! You've GOT to play Come On Eileen!!!".

Also some DJs really are that predictable. I prefer not to be one of them if only for my own sanity.

[funkymook]

Because we do. 20,000 tracks, of which we play the same 250 each night, in the same order. :sofa:

You do some long gigs!

[Benny Smyth]

You've GOT to play Come On Eileen!!!".

I ended with Bump N Grind a couple of weeks back. The Bride was massively chuffed with me doing that, but there was a guest who told me that I had to play New York, New York as it's a wedding. I just informed her that reality begs to differ. ;)

[Shakermaker Promotions]

I think this woman was completely out of order and I would have told her so too.
I'd not have appreciated her being so rude and abrupt and if I'd had the time (which I expect you didn't) then I'd have attempted to explain to her that each booking is individual. That's how I treat bookings anyway. Once one booking is done then that's it and move on to the next one with a cleared mind and (hopefully) some guidance to what the customer wants via a song request list.

Hopefully this is still on topic but it is kind of like when someone wants to book you that has either been at a previous party you've done or wants to poke their head around the door to see you in action.

Firstly, I'd inform the person that wants to book who'd been at a previous party of what I've mentioned above.
Secondly, I don't like the idea of someone poking their head around the door to see how I go about things for a number of reasons.

I'm rambling (again)....I just think this woman sounded horrible and I'd have none of it.

[mattydj50]

There was no need for a playlist on either night so I never got one. It wasn't the bride who complained about the music from the night before. Far from it! It was someone I'd had no previous contact with at all. Somebody who frankly didn't have any business sticking their oar in IMHO.

As far as pre gig contact goes, of 12 weddings this month only one (saturday just gone) has been in touch. Of August's 14 weddings, so far none have made any contact yet.

Just another joy of residency work eh. I don't mind winging it. I'm good enough at crowd reading in the majority of cases to cope.

Back on topic then... I guess this is one of the curses of not being a specialist too.

I had a happy couple at one wedding who asked me if I was going to play the same music as they had heard me play the previous night while sitting in the hotel bar, That night, the b&G wanted the last hour or so to be full on dancey trancey housey housey (bingo) music, so I duly obliged. These two, of course, had asked for a "general mixture", so were a bit apprehensive. I explained that I was only playing to orders the previous night and they seemed to be happy, though I sensed they were still a little unsure.

By the end of the night, their fears had been well and truly wiped away and they commented on how I had run such a good (and varied) music selection.

Residency work can be (and often is) made difficult simply by the reluctance (or incompetence) of the venue to give detailed information and then prevent me from having contact direct with the B&Gs. Only last Saturday, I had received the bride's music sheet from the venue around 3 weeks ago saying that she wanted Heartland - I Loved Her First as First Dance. Now, I know that to be a typical Dad/daughter dance so I was suspicious. Well, on the night, she did indeed want to start the dancing with her dad, to Heartland, but then for him to hand her over to her new husband and for them to dance to John Legend - All Of Me.

She didn't write it down because she wasn't sure that I could play two songs like that, going from one to another. She didn't discuss it with the venue so they couldn't tell me. She of course never thought to ask for my number so couldn't (didn't) contact me. Apparently, the venue can't pass on the client's contact details to me as it is against Data Protection, so I am unable to contact them.

[CRAZY K]

Why stupid? How would this person know whether or not we play the same songs night in, night out?

Because the Hotel would have told the customer that Justin has a huge range of music on his hard drive etc--

Mind you it wasnt the customer.:daft:

Politely tell them to butt out methinks--its not THEIR party !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1


Because we do. 20,000 tracks, of which we play the same 250 each night, in the same order. :sofa:

PRECISELY :rolleyes:

[Excalibur]

I really think it's part of the 'naff' image wedding & mobile DJs have. It's quite easy to assume that certain songs will be played & they often are. Then again sometimes it's the customer or guests perpetuating it saying things like "but it's a wedding! You've GOT to play Come On Eileen!!!".

Also some DJs really are that predictable. I prefer not to be one of them if only for my own sanity.

I'd love to say that's absolute :Censored:s, but in truth, I fear that can often be the case. :(:(


You do some long gigs!
Well spotted, Sherlock. I didn't feel the need to work out how many songs we play usually per hour, and multiply that by four and a half.


there was a guest who told me that I had to play New York, New York as it's a wedding.
Predictability and familiarity versus individuality. The perpetual quandary, the tightrope we walk each gig. :confused::confused:



I'd not have appreciated her being so rude and abrupt and if I'd had the time (which I expect you didn't) then I'd have attempted to explain to her that each booking is individual.
We're back to Benny being expected to play NY, NY. The eternal uphill struggle to convince guests/clients that we're not all McDJs, all offering exactly the same thing wherever you are. :(

It can really be a big surprise to customers to find that we can offer them exactly what they want, and not imply a one size fits all product. :eek:

[CRAZY K]

As far as pre gig contact goes, of 12 weddings this month only one (saturday just gone) has been in touch. Of August's 14 weddings, so far none have made any contact yet.

.

What about the FIRST DANCE and if you dont have it :daft::daft::daft:

[Benny Smyth]

Because the Hotel would have told the customer that Justin has a huge range of music on his hard drive etc--

Mind you it wasnt the customer.:daft:

So the guest was stupid because the hotel may have had a conversation with their client, which wasn't the guest in question?

Genius. :rolleyes:

[Nakatomi]

I think this woman was completely out of order and I would have told her so too.
I'd not have appreciated her being so rude and abrupt and if I'd had the time (which I expect you didn't) then I'd have attempted to explain to her that each booking is individual. That's how I treat bookings anyway. Once one booking is done then that's it and move on to the next one with a cleared mind and (hopefully) some guidance to what the customer wants via a song request list.

Hopefully this is still on topic but it is kind of like when someone wants to book you that has either been at a previous party you've done or wants to poke their head around the door to see you in action.

Firstly, I'd inform the person that wants to book who'd been at a previous party of what I've mentioned above.
Secondly, I don't like the idea of someone poking their head around the door to see how I go about things for a number of reasons.

I'm rambling (again)....I just think this woman sounded horrible and I'd have none of it.

FWIW the hotel has very good sound transmission pretty much everywhere so there's little chance of escaping music unless you go outside.

I tried explaining to her that I approach every booking differently & it was just the case on that night that the 'offensive' tracks came up - but no, I was in for a rollocking no matter what. Because of previous experiences I tend to err on the side of biting my lip. If they're not listening, there's not much I can do.

As for the remit of the music on Saturday - I asked my standard questions of the bride when she contacted me - any must play songs, any definitely don't play songs, and any genres to avoid.. and only one must play came up (other than the first dance tune) which was Footloose because the hen party went on a course & learned a dance routine to do with it. Even then, it was only a relaxed 'it would be great if you could play'. Even then I didn't just whack it on, it got the full looped intro & explanation treatment - which gave everybody ample time to assemble.

Anyway as far as I'm concerned, the bride had a great time & that's the most important thing. I was editing footage I took last night & was chuffed to bits seeing her go 'awooooooo' & waving her arms as Fatman Scoop - It Takes Scoop was playing out (her request on the night, played almost instantly I might add - because it fitted right in). Funny, I'd never really imagined that as a 'wedding' track but ... "it takes two to make a thing go right..." etc? Oh yeah. The most useful requests were very insightful & they came from another bridesmaid... She really likes Will Smith eh? News to me, but let's get some on..

There was a murder mystery night I did a short time after playing an 80th birthday party earlier in the year - Rock & Roll took some hammering at the 80th gig - and who should I bump into outside before the disco started? Only the photographer who was at the party. "So, is it gonna be a rock & roll onslaught again then?" he said... I sighed, then he said he was kidding. He used to be a DJ too, and he knows what it's really like.


What about the FIRST DANCE and if you dont have it :daft::daft::daft:

I'm kinda stuffed until I can get on the hotel wifi (or as last Monday, outside with both laptop & tethered phone) to download it. It's sometimes quite quaint to be handed a CD though.. Not that I can easily play CDs.. my playout software won't do it!

[Excalibur]

I sighed, then he said he was kidding. He used to be a DJ too, and he knows what it's really like.

And again, he only knows, because he used to be a DJ. Most guests won't know. :(

[Shakermaker Promotions]

....and he still said it (even though he was 'kidding').
That still would've got on my nerves to be honest.

At the venue I was in on Saturday, when I arrived to set up the girl running the place (Rugby Club) who knew me anyway said "Ooh, at least we know the music will be good. Last night's wedding was terrible. It was all R&B and Hip Hop all night.

I could have sat her down and explained to her that the R&B and Hip Hop may have been exactly what those particular customers wanted.
I could have told her too that all bookings are different and there isn't a particular set in stone formula that we as DJ's must all abide by.
I could have asked her if it was a good night and if there was lots of dancing and also more importantly.....were the customers happy and did they do well over the bar.

But I didn't....... I just smiled and said "Oh right".

[Nakatomi]

Thinking about this some more there's been more than one occasion where I've asked what somebody would like (in person) & they've gone "oh you know... Just xyz party music". No, you tell me!

The variety of crowds I play to I'd be absolutely up the creek with no paddle if I always did the same thing. I think most if not all of us here would be too.

I don't think I said but in stark contrast to the one who rollocked me everybody else ( even the bride) seemed genuinely sorry to be bothering me. Look, I really do welcome requests! It sometimes worries me they're trying not to upset me or something. Do other mobile & wedding DJs act like dukes when asked to play songs or something?

[Benny Smyth]

Do other mobile & wedding DJs act like dukes when asked to play songs or something?

Yes, and were there be a moment of relaxation on the rules about swearing on this forum, my thoughts on those DJs would make this post a lot more colourful.

[Excalibur]

Look, I really do welcome requests! It sometimes worries me they're trying not to upset me or something. Do other mobile & wedding DJs act like dukes when asked to play songs or something?
Well obviously. We're the professionals, who know what we're doing, we don't have time to be dealing with amateurs who want something completely unsuitable. :mad:



Nurse!! My tablets please, and quickly. ;)


Yes, and were there be a moment of relaxation on the rules about swearing on this forum, my thoughts on those DJs would make this post a lot more colourful.

For the benefit of pottymouths liike Benny, who would apparently like to give us a technicolour account of his dealings with the great unwashed, in profanity ridden prose, may I recommend enlisting the help of this foul mouthed little fella. :Censored::Censored::Censored::Censored::Censored:

[Nakatomi]

I have to admit I don't always play every request I get but I'm very reasonable about it. If there's a way to get to it I'll find it.

I've seen a few Dj group posts on facebook where the subject of playlists comes up. There's always at least one idiot ranting about his (it's always a him) artistic :Censored: integrity & being an expert in floor filling no matter what. I think we all know what that means. I thought they'd be in the minority but maybe more are just afraid to admit it in a public forum.

[CRAZY K]

So the guest was stupid because the hotel may have had a conversation with their client, which wasn't the guest in question?

Genius. :rolleyes:

I did say it wasn't the customer.


I have to admit I don't always play every request I get but I'm very reasonable about it. If there's a way to get to it I'll find it.

I've seen a few Dj group posts on facebook where the subject of playlists comes up. There's always at least one idiot ranting about his (it's always a him) artistic :Censored: integrity & being an expert in floor filling no matter what. I think we all know what that means. I thought they'd be in the minority but maybe more are just afraid to admit it in a public forum.

Ignore it--words of stupidity.

NO ONE HAS A CRYSTAL BALL.

UNLESS you play to the same audience every time. Huh?

Possibly as Gary at Shakermaker appears to play to a lot of connected people he might know what people like--otherwise forget it.


Yes, and were there be a moment of relaxation on the rules about swearing on this forum, my thoughts on those DJs would make this post a lot more colourful.

Well there was the Wedding where I did the warm up Barn Dance and met the DJ in the bar.

He was looking at the Brides carefully prepared handwritten in copper plate playlist.

He took one look and tore it up.

We ain't playing any of those he said.:daft:

I got out the venue at lightning speed after my spot.

Hopefully people like that are out of business now.

Swear away Benny I'm with you.:D

[Nakatomi]

Ignore it--words of stupidity.
But it was on Facebook! ;-)

Take it as read there are more keyboard warriors there than virtually anywhere else.

[CRAZY K]

But it was on Facebook! ;-)

Take it as read there are more keyboard warriors there than virtually anywhere else.

We dont do Facebook here so no worries :D:rolleyes:

[Corabar Steve]

Apparently, the venue can't pass on the client's contact details to me as it is against Data Protection,

That's twaddle.


She really likes Will Smith eh? News to me, but let's get some on..

How many of that type of request are usually for the person you're talking to & not the person they are talking about? I usually respond with something like "Isn't it curious that there's nothing by them on this 30 or so long request list the B&G have supplied me with!


"but it's a wedding! You've GOT to play Come On Eileen!!!".


No Problem!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCzWPBR30Nk

[Excalibur]

Apparently, the venue can't pass on the client's contact details to me as it is against Data Protection, so I am unable to contact them.


That's twaddle.


True or not, it's an oft repeated line.

[CRAZY K]

She didn't write it down because she wasn't sure that I could play two songs like that, going from one to another. She didn't discuss it with the venue so they couldn't tell me. She of course never thought to ask for my number so couldn't (didn't) contact me. Apparently, the venue can't pass on the client's contact details to me as it is against Data Protection, so I am unable to contact them.

Just saw this, just get the venue to ask the client to ring YOU.

Theres no problem.

I really would not want to play at a Wedding without having had a chat about first dance, last dance, exit strategy and general requests.

Everyone to their own.

Im not looking for Weddings now so not a problem.

[Nakatomi]

How many of that type of request are usually for the person you're talking to & not the person they are talking about? I usually respond with something like "Isn't it curious that there's nothing by them on this 30 or so long request list the B&G have supplied me with!


In the case of the irate bridesmaid it was the former. In the case of the nice bridesmaid it was the latter. Funny, that. And yes, sometimes people do forget tunes in their suggestion lists.

And Steve.. WOW! A version of Come On Eileen I actually like!

[Benny Smyth]

That's twaddle.

Unless the contract that the clients sign states that they give permission to the venue to pass on their details to the relevant suppliers, I'm afraid that it's not twaddle.

To be pedantic, if somebody called your house and asked the question "Is Steve there?", the answer that whoever answered has to give under Data Protection is something to the effect of "I cannot confirm nor deny if Steve is here."

An extreme and silly example, but it's true.

[Corabar Steve]

It depends on how the venue decides to interpret the Data Protection Act, but strictly speaking it is twaddle.

[CRAZY K]

It depends on how the venue decides to interpret the Data Protection Act, but strictly speaking it is twaddle.

Even the Police couldnt interpret the Act properly remember so unless the Hotel are even more PC than the Police ( highly unlikely ) then its very open to interpretation.

Surely a word in the right place at the Hotel would do the trick.

After all the client can always say they dont want to speak to the DJ who is doing their Wedding:fp::fp::fp:

[DJ Jules]

It depends on how the venue decides to interpret the Data Protection Act, but strictly speaking it is twaddle.

The principles of the data protection act are that the data is used fairly and appropriately for the purpose that it was given. Passing on details to a supplier to allow the night to be planned is in keeping with the original purpose that the data was provided for (i.e. the wedding), so I wouldn't expect there to be any issue as long as the hotel has an agreement with the supplier that the data will be used only for the purpose of planning the wedding and will be deleted after the event. I expect the issue hotels have is that if the supplier doesn't stick to this, they're liable.

If I were the hotel or a wedding planner I'd make the call based on my relationship with the supplier in question. There are some people I work with who I would never put in direct contact with my clients and others where I wouldn't hesitate.

Julian

[Nakatomi]

I have a pretty good relationship with the venue & do indeed plan to be pre-emptive. If I get no joy there, then it's back to business as usual with everybody crossing their fingers hoping for the best. It's hardly the end of the world if I have to scrabble around trying to find a tune to play.

[mattydj50]

I have a pretty good relationship with the venue & do indeed plan to be pre-emptive. If I get no joy there, then it's back to business as usual with everybody crossing their fingers hoping for the best. It's hardly the end of the world if I have to scrabble around trying to find a tune to play.

That's just how I play it. I check each week what the following week holds and, if I have any shortcomings, I drop them an e-mail. I try to be pro-active where possible, though this Saturday's booking, which they gave me last Tuesday, when they had had it booked in for 4 months, when I queried a blank Saturday does show up their lack of attention to detail. They only realised when, at their weekly functions meeting, one of the managers noticed there was no booking form to/from me in that event's folder, yet the summary sheet said "our disco - booked". It wasn't. It is now.

I have a chat with the general manager from time to time and express my views. Not much changes though, but, on the whole I have few problems. I did suggest that the venue's contract held authority for them to pass on client's contact details to third party suppliers, but, as far as I know, that's never happened. They DO invite clients to ring / e-mail me direct though, which many do.

At least the "on the day" team there and I have a good relationship and, when they have their client meetings in the 7 day run-up to an event, they ask the right questions (I have given them a crib sheet) so I do get most of the holes filled.

[Nakatomi]

I've been sole disco resident at my place for 13 months & it'd be fair to say it's mostly been plain sailing. At least 98% of bookings are followed through & I have more than ample notice for. Its the other stuff I need to straighten out.

With me at the helm it's not so much leaving it all to chance & more about winging it. Until of course I walk in on a full-on Asian wedding or something.