New years eve

[Daryll]

For all of you doing a NYE gig to night , all the best..
Mines a short one 11:00pm until 1:00am....:banana:

See you all next year

Daryll

[Excalibur]

Mine's longer, 8-1.30, but I have a room and full English in the morning, so all good.

[DJ Jules]

Mines supposed to be 8pm to 12:30am, but the venue doesn't close until 2am and I've just been asked to start 30mins later so I can kind of see where this is going...

Unfortunately I have an hours drive home too at the end :(

This is probably going to be the last Xmas where I take bookings through agencies or other DJ's. I've lost count of the number of room and timing changes I've had throughout December.

Julian

[Imagine]

Seeing some of the reports coming in on the Book of Faces at the moment, I'm glad I'm at home with a beer.
I'm hearing from people at the moment with just 4 people in their venues (and it's not just pubs). I know it's still a bit early doors, but doesn't bode well for a good night :(

To those that are out....may your dance floors be busy and have a Merry New Year

[Daryll]

The best thing about tonight.............

less than 1/4 mile away....

[mbp]

Hope everyone has a good night....and a trouble free one.

Decided to stay a home this year as getting too long in the tooth for idiots and fools that seem to come out on New Years Eve!

At home, with partner and ;lots of chilled bottles of nice Cava!

Had a quick peek at the Book of Faeces and seen a few venues without a disco!.....what's goin on at the moment!!

[Imagine]

Hope everyone has a good night....and a trouble free one.

Decided to stay a home this year as getting too long in the tooth for idiots and fools that seem to come out on New Years Eve!

At home, with partner and ;lots of chilled bottles of nice Cava!

Had a quick peek at the Book of Faeces and seen a few venues without a disco!.....what's goin on at the moment!!

Just opened a cheeky little Sauvignon Blanc myself :beer1:

Don't know what's going on this year. Lots of people moaning that their gigs are dead (even some of the bigger names).
My local has just opened the jukebox tonight rather than hire a DJ. Seems like NYE is fast becoming a thing of the past.

[Daryll]

Back home.
Less people than I or the landlord thought , but not a bad night , played until 1:30am
Free one next week at Basingstoke for the staff , then a weekend off.......:banana: , then it all starts again on the 20th Jan , 80th birthday party

Daryll

[DJ Jules]

Mines supposed to be 8pm to 12:30am, but the venue doesn't close until 2am and I've just been asked to start 30mins later so I can kind of see where this is going...

Thankfully this didn't go where I thought it would. I ended up starting at 8:50 (the venue wanted to keep their own PA on while people ate - I'm guessing they've been burned in the past by dumb ass DJ's who think that "background" music should be played at full volume). The numbers dropped rapidly following midnight so I packed up at 12:30 and they closed the bar at 1:00am instead of 2:00am.

I also had to "have a word" with the bar staff who put the big screen tele on at 23:50 (despite me warning them not to). Luckily they managed to turn it off with a little over a minute to go. I didn't really want a repeat of previous years with multiple midnights :P

Still possibly one of the oddest gigs I've done this year though. The venue is a fairly sizable Microbrewery/Restaurant that sold tickets in advance and managed to pack the place nicely (170 diners, 80 drinkers). The down sides were that a) they didn't finish serving until 22:00 (it was supposed to be last food out at 21:00) so I had to keep it pretty low and chilled for the majority of the evening, b) they had no way to turn the lights off (I'm not sure why I bothered with mine) and c) there was absolutely no space for dancing! I had plenty of people dancing at their tables though (either seated or standing) and some very strong support in the sing-a-longs so all in all it wasn't a bad night.

At least I had people, and none of them were rude :D

Julian

[Corabar Steve]

All of ours were venue booked gigs with largely older audiences.

All happy.

[DJWilson]

Local boozer was shut by 9PM last night. Not sure if they bothered opened at all.

The last two years it has been dead in there.

[rth_discos]

So that's New Year's Eve done.

A new venue for me, as I chose to spend last New Year's Eve in Malaga.

I knew I was well and truly in Toby country as I passed Careys Manor!

This was a local restaurant/pub/hotel for a small town, and was a ticketed event with a 3 course meal, followed by disco - my preferred style of evening, as everything is much more 'controlled'.

100 people booked in - capacity, so was looking forward to this one. Quite a small room, so I took my new favourites, the Maui 5. I also recently purchased the new QTX Party Derby FX Bar, specifically for smaller gigs/upstairs etc, so this was its first outing.

Arrived at 4pm to set up, as guests arrive from 6pm onwards. I was told that the meal would be finishing around 9:30pm.

I assumed I'd need to play some background music, but as it was, I was in a different room to the restaurant, so literally had nothing to do until 9:30pm.

I was aware the crowd were predominantly 50+, which I'm fine with, and was looking forward to.

Many of the crowd were 70+, and I must be careful before I receive the wrath of Peter for any age generalisations!

After 9:30, it was very slow to pick up - and one of the guests who had been last year noted how much older the guests were, and that she thought they had all gone to bed already (her words, not mine!!)

A continuous amount of a few people dancing, until 11:50 when all the remaining guests come in (I counted about 30 in total) and we do the countdown. The guests remain dancing until the end time of 12:30.

Not quite the New Year's Eve I'm used to, but I'd prefer that civilised experience to some of the horror stories!!

Quick note about the QTX Party Derby FX Bar - this thing is amazing. For a smallish room, it's more than adequate. The wash and derby effect did the job perfectly well. In fact, once I'd set up, even the manager commented on how good the setup looked!! A smart starlit booth, with 1 tidy light behind, and the Maui 5s with a bit of uplighting in each corner looked nice and tidy, and was spot on for the venue.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

It was such a nice change for me NOT to be doing a NYE gig and I did think of those of you that were out for the evening for all of 2 minutes (sorry!).
We'd made plans to go over to a friends house until 11.30pm and then walk back to the in-laws to celebrate with everybody round there (about 15 in total).

Throughout the day I found myself thinking "Well, I'd usually be setting up around this time..." etc etc and it did feel strange not being out DJing but, that's probably because I did it for so many years.
A few bevvies were consumed at our friends house before someone mentioned popping out for a beer at the pub nearby so off we went and I wish we hadn't because I saw what was possibly the worst DJ ever.

We walked into a half full pub (or half empty, depending on which way you look at it), and the music was far too loud and distorted.
Whoever the DJ was, I couldn't see them at first and that was because he was stood at the bar, drinking. As I am sure most of us do, I couldn't help but check out his set up as I walked to the loo and well, 2 x active speakers (never seen them before and can't remember what make they were), a little notebook connected to a 12 channel mixer and some LED rope lights. The pub had some par cans set up which I assume are there all the time, and that was it.

As I said, the music was blaring out and it sounded like a mix CD to my ears. Nobody seemed to be taking any notice of it anyway and as we sat at a table (we easily found one), and shouted to each other over the distorted music, I did the see the 'DJ' go back and forth to his set up and fiddle with his notebook and then return to the bar. It could have been a local who had some equipment or it could have been a paid DJ but he looked scruffy and uninterested and it was bad.

We stayed for 20 minutes before returning to the house and it was the topic of conversation until we staggered back to the in-laws.
Thankfully, not all places are like that and certainly not all DJ's are like that either.
I was asked by our friends if I regretted staying in and not working...... I won't repeat what I answered.

Happy New Year!

[yourdj]

I knew I was well and truly in Toby country as I passed Careys Manor!

Was it the huntsman? Should have popped in for a pint. Nice to be ticketed, I don't think I would do a walk in NYE event ever again? ;)



I was in a different room to the restaurant, so literally had nothing to do until 9:30pm.

Should have popped in for a drink, we do bugger all for at least 3 hours, most Christmas nights.

Amazing what venues will not tell you, (especially if you dont ask them). I ended up setting up at 6.20pm, guests arrived at 7.30pm, DJ set did not start until 10.20pm - 1am. Lovely timings to ram in all the big hits. Most of them were over 65 yo, so were gone by 12.30. A lot of people that live in the New Forest are well over 60 yo as the property prices are almost as high as London (especially in Brock), so a conservative set list is a good bet. :)

[Excalibur]

Seeing some of the reports coming in on the Book of Faces at the moment, I'm glad I'm at home with a beer.
I'm hearing from people at the moment with just 4 people in their venues (and it's not just pubs). I know it's still a bit early doors, but doesn't bode well for a good night :(

I was in the same venue as last year. The one that was packed last year, and booked me on the spot for a replay. I looked forward to an " action replay " this year. Nope. Half empty, damp squib of a gig. What's happening? :confused: ( Actually, in my case, I have a vague idea what may have had an effect )


The best thing about tonight.............

less than 1/4 mile away....
Can beat that. This year, a 250 mile round trip. Next year, a 250 yd round trip. :D




Had a quick peek at the Book of Faeces and seen a few venues without a disco!.....what's goin on at the moment!!
The world and his wife have been asking if anyone's free, and today I heard of a no show. :mad:


. Quite a small room, so I took my new favourites, the Maui 5.
Sob. :cry::cry: More on that elsewhere. :cry::cry:

I can understand why you love them. :agree: Yesterday, we ran them side by side against something which should have annihilated them. My but the little blighters aquitted themselves admirably. They have no right to do what they do. Like I said, more on that later, it's been a long day.

[yourdj]

Yesterday, we ran them side by side against something which should have annihilated them.

What system was it out of interest? I am interested in the battery units. :)

[Jim - Scotland's Party DJ]

The wife and I are spending Christmas and Hogmanay in Vegas.

We had planned on meeting up with some expats at a local-ish restaurant that were doing a flat fee all you can drink thing but they shut down the whole strip to traffic so he messaged me and said they might not be able to get near the place.

Hedging our bets (and mindful that I've literally only met this guy for a few hours to watch the old firm game and don't know any of his friends) we booked into a bar downstairs in the hotel which was $5 more expensive but had a singer on.

We headed down there, the guy was pretty good, the timbre of his voice grated on me a bit but he did an ed sheeran type thing where he looped his guitar and sampled stuff and so on. Much better than the RnB :Censored::Censored::Censored::Censored: that was being piped in before he came.

The place wasn't overly busy so the drink was flowing nicely too.

Quarter to Midnight we headed up to the room to watch the fireworks. The expat dude had been messaging me throughout the night asking if we were going to pop in - to be fair his night did look fun - I said we were heading out onto the strip after the bells so would go down to see them.

I take a phone call from my parents after the fireworks, finish off my wine, turn round and find my wife tucked up and catching ZZZs. I consider going down to the strip myself, think better of it, stick the TV on, watch a few Rick and Mortys and doze off myself.

It's quite nice not to wake up with a hangover on the 1st :D

[Excalibur]

What system was it out of interest? I am interested in the battery units. :)

Here you go, Toby. (http://www.forum.mobilediscodirectory.co.uk/showthread.php?44125-Goodbye-Maui-5s)

[rth_discos]

Was it the huntsman? Should have popped in for a pint. Nice to be ticketed, I don't think I would do a walk in NYE event ever again? ;)


It was The Beach House in Milford on Sea, so a fair drive on past Careys Manor. It was only as I drove past it I realised where it was! I'd always assumed your venues were 'deeper' within the New Forest!

I've always stayed on site during a gig... I'd hate to leave the venue and then suffer a breakdown or some other issue that causes me to return late.

This was soon after midnight...

18510

A nice crowd - I chatted with quite a few people, and they were a nice friendly bunch.

[ukpartydj]

I had an interesting one for NYE. A wedding.
Wasn't half as bad as I thought it'd be, there was an odd lull about 30mins before midnight but a very impressive fireworks show and a weird Scottish song and we were back in business for an hour.

Oddly I had an enquiry for NYE 2019 a few months ago at the same venue (again a wedding). Is this a new wedding trend?

[mark@pegasus]

back to my regular of 3yrs for me. Numbers were definitely down on previous years but had the pleasure of working alongside a 6 piece 'Bond' themed band, although including 'Live & Let Die' in the set without a guitarist didn't sound quite right. rebooked for next year this time working alongside the Wurzels

[mattydj50]

back to my regular of 3yrs for me. Numbers were definitely down on previous years but had the pleasure of working alongside a 6 piece 'Bond' themed band, although including 'Live & Let Die' in the set without a guitarist didn't sound quite right. rebooked for next year this time working alongside the Wurzels

I did a Bond themed NYE some years ago that turned into an absolute farce. I've described this on the thread. NYE Mistakes (http://www.forum.mobilediscodirectory.co.uk/showthread.php?44123-New-Year-s-Eve-Mistakes/page2) thread


Wurzels - jammy sod. Enjoy!

[Nakatomi]

Despite the best efforts of some requesters to dull the mood I had a great gig on NYE. I just can't grasp for the life of me what possesses a person to ask for songs like Whiter Shade of Pale, Nights In White Satin, Time of Your Life (green day) while a party is in full flow, I really can't.
I appreciate that no party can carry on at breakneck speed all night & that some slowing down might be needed occasionally, but to that extent? Hmmm. We took a detour via Wonderful Tonight (Clapton) at 11.15pm which left plenty time to apply a defibrillator for the ramp up to midnight.

I furnished every request bar one - and bear in mind this lady came with a list.. And because I forgot to include a Blondie track I'm a loser. Thanks for almost spoiling my night, 'lady'.

In all though everyone else was lovely & very appreciative of my efforts to balance the massive age range (15 to approx 80). Definitely the best nye in many a year.

[Excalibur]

. And because I forgot to include a Blondie track I'm a loser. Thanks for almost spoiling my night, 'lady'.



And because I wouldn't play " just one more, pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeease ". I'm a Boring Old Fart. Old Old Fart. Charming! :mad:

[Nakatomi]

And because I wouldn't play " just one more, pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeease ". I'm a Boring Old Fart. Old Old Fart. Charming! :mad:

Boring? Boring?! Heavens above anyone who's ever spent more than 10 minutes in your company could never come out with that surely.

I was in such a good mood I gave em one more at the end. That's Amoré as a matter of fact. And ENJOYED it! For the benefit of readers who might not know my history, many years ago I worked for a leisure company who insisted it be played at the end of the night, every night.. Or you'd be unceremoniously sacked. Such fun.

[mattydj50]

And because I wouldn't play " just one more, pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeease ". I'm a Boring Old Fart. Old Old Fart. Charming! :mad:


That makes two of us then.

[Jim - Scotland's Party DJ]

That makes two of us then.

I NEVER do it but unless it's been previously discussed with my bride and grooms however, against my better judgement...., I did it in October at a fantastic gig which was more like a rave than a wedding. Finished just before Midnight - the place was booked until 1.

They were all into their house music and absolutely gagging for one more so I dropped Frankie Knuckle's Your Love and they went nuts.

Until the venue caretaker screamed in my face that if I didn't cut the music he'd pull the power to the full place :p:rolleyes::daft:

[Imagine]

I NEVER do it

Round 'ere - we're not allowed to do it!

Seriously, local licensing is so strict on end times (and yes, they DO patrol as well) that running over time is completely out of the question.

I always discuss with my B&Gs what will happen for this one, and it's normally a dummy finish 3-4 mins early if the night's going well to allow for the "one more DJ" request. If it's a dead night....hey ho!

[rth_discos]

And because I wouldn't play " just one more, pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeease ". I'm a Boring Old Fart. Old Old Fart. Charming! :mad:

From hero to zero!

I take it as a compliment that they want more :)

It's when they walk away saying 'I'm glad that's over' that I'd start to worry!!

[mattydj50]

Round 'ere - we're not allowed to do it!

Seriously, local licensing is so strict on end times (and yes, they DO patrol as well) that running over time is completely out of the question.




Likewise. The venue had a visit one night when I wasn't there and the function had booked their own disco. He was told in no uncertain terms what the score was.

Fortunately the management were able to convince the noise police that he wasn't a regular there and that this was a one-off. Which it was.

At 2359, 0029 or whatever-9, the house lights are fired up and "that's all folks".

[Nakatomi]

Re one more song I've now lost count of the number of times I've been booed or called names we're not allowed to use on this forum because I've refused to play one more. I'll only ever do it in exceptional cases. It's hard to take it as a compliment when the crowd are chanting the C word :cry:

[Jim - Scotland's Party DJ]

Round 'ere - we're not allowed to do it!

Seriously, local licensing is so strict on end times (and yes, they DO patrol as well) that running over time is completely out of the question.

I always discuss with my B&Gs what will happen for this one, and it's normally a dummy finish 3-4 mins early if the night's going well to allow for the "one more DJ" request. If it's a dead night....hey ho!

Pretty much the same up here hence why I never usually do it - this was a case of the janitors: "When you on till, the hall is booked until 1" being misconstrued as something other than - "they have the hall to 1 to clean up, you better not play a second after midnight"

Anyways the boos and jeering were firmly directed at him in this case :D He did apologise when I was tearing down for having a go, I said I should have double checked it was OK with him but it was a spur of the moment thing. No hearts or bones broken, no probs. Actually just booked a gig for that venue on the same date this year (dont think I've ever done that before) so I'll keep it very much in mind :D

[yourdj]

Pretty much the same up here hence why I never usually do it - this was a case of the janitors: "When you on till, the hall is booked until 1" being misconstrued as something other than - "they have the hall to 1 to clean up, you better not play a second after midnight"

Anyways the boos and jeering were firmly directed at him in this case :D He did apologise when I was tearing down for having a go, I said I should have double checked it was OK with him but it was a spur of the moment thing.

I really don't like jobs worths like that. Moody grumpy hall managers, or night porters, that should just retire or become shelf stackers. Why would anyone finish NYE at midnight. 12.20 perhaps, but on the dot, really? :)

[Jim - Scotland's Party DJ]

I really don't like jobs worths like that. Moody grumpy hall managers, or night porters, that should just retire or become shelf stackers. Why would anyone finish NYE at midnight. 12.20 perhaps, but on the dot, really? :)

The one I'm talking about was a wedding in October :D

As tends to be the case with these things, too many neighbours and too many idiot bands = the venue having to take a hard line.

[yourdj]

The one I'm talking about was a wedding in October :D

As tends to be the case with these things, too many neighbours and too many idiot bands = the venue having to take a hard line.

I can sometimes see their points, especially with rude guests and long hours.



I've refused to play one more.

Seems obvious, but have you tried the fake ending then at 11.50. You then have ten mins to play a corker and then something a bit slower, upping the lights slowly and dipping the volume.

[Benny Smyth]

I just embrace the chants, to be honest. Before I play the last song, I sometimes say that this is going to be the last song so if yer gonna chant one more song, or the DJs a tanker*, then now's the time to do it.

Make a thing of it and have a bit of fun. Even if the one more song chants happen after the last song, we just smile, nod and say sorry, no more. Then, when their chants dies down, we start chanting "10 more songs!" and have a laugh with the guests.

Turning it into banter makes it fun.

*Typo

[Excalibur]

Why would anyone finish NYE at midnight. 12.20 perhaps, but on the dot, really? :)

I had one NYE booked in a venue which closed at midnight, Toby. It happens. :p

But to be honest, it didn't happen. Your logic that it should go on past midnight is impossible to contradict, and after a couple of months arguing between committee members and organisers, I withdrew gracefully. No idea what eventually happened. :confused:




Turning it into banter makes it fun.


Not a tactic I have ever employed or envisaged. Fun is not the emotion in my heart at this stage, when I have been insulted as this young " lady " did. :mad:

[Nakatomi]

I can sometimes see their points, especially with rude guests and long hours.




Seems obvious, but have you tried the fake ending then at 11.50. You then have ten mins to play a corker and then something a bit slower, upping the lights slowly and dipping the volume.

Yes I've borrowed the fake ending from you actually Toby - and I had to stop doing it because it was having the opposite effect more often than not!

Now I tell the crowd early on that we're finishing at whatever time & remind them throughout the night - at last orders time they're told they've got about 15 minutes left. After the next track they're told it's the penultimate - and finally - especially if it's a wedding .. "there's only time for one more song but before I play that, I'd like everybody to join me once more in wishing blah & blah all the very best... ". Seems to do the trick nicely, assuming there are enough people remaining at that point.

[yourdj]

Yes I've borrowed the fake ending from you actually Toby - and I had to stop doing it because it was having the opposite effect more often than not!

Now I tell the crowd early on that we're finishing at whatever time & remind them throughout the night - at last orders time they're told they've got about 15 minutes left. After the next track they're told it's the penultimate - and finally - especially if it's a wedding .. "there's only time for one more song but before I play that, I'd like everybody to join me once more in wishing blah & blah all the very best... ". Seems to do the trick nicely, assuming there are enough people remaining at that point.

Yes great to let people know, I often walk about and politely tell groups its finishing (especially people gassing outside), as a lot of clients mention that "the wedding ended and we did not know" from other peoples events. Finding out what the people sat outside really want works, play one of their track and make them guarantee they will all pile in at once, which is amazing at picking up tired and boring people LOL. I do all of the above (what you have listed) and just finish with 7-10 mins to spare. I usually devote the last track (after the 3 cheers) to the bride and groom, which always dispels any issues as its their day. Its when you get a pain in the bum client that has had too many drinks and wants to carry on that it can be a pain.

I think making the end track slow/romantic/chilled and not reacting to anyone is key. doing the lights and sound (especially the bass) subtly just removes all the energy to a "thanks for having me we are off" type atmosphere, but there is still a bit of music in the background. How DJ's can just finish at midnight and turn the lights up with silence is beyond me, not surprising they still have people shouting at them LOL. :)

[rth_discos]

I think making the end track slow/romantic/chilled and not reacting to anyone is key. doing the lights and sound (especially the bass) subtly just removes all the energy to a "thanks for having me we are off" type atmosphere, but there is still a bit of music in the background. How DJ's can just finish at midnight and turn the lights up with silence is beyond me, not surprising they still have people shouting at them LOL. :)
Yes, absolutely.

I've found a massive improvement by playing very low level 'background music' immediately after the last song.

It seems to work better than sudden total silence.

[ppentertainments]

I think making the end track slow/romantic/chilled and not reacting to anyone is key. doing the lights and sound (especially the bass) subtly just removes all the energy to a "thanks for having me we are off" type atmosphere, but there is still a bit of music in the background. How DJ's can just finish at midnight and turn the lights up with silence is beyond me, not surprising they still have people shouting at them LOL. :)
I tend to turn the light up (where possible) about a minute before the last song has finished and turn my disco lights off then, together with making it 'obvious' it is the very last song using the mic.

Never thought about putting background music on, but surely you will just get people asking for it to be turned up or making requests ?

I never play one more as always ask the B&G to pick a song to finish on and make sure everyone knows that the final song is one specially chosen by the B&G.

I think playing background music could create further problems - when do you actually turn it off for one ?

[DJWilson]

I think playing background music could create further problems - when do you actually turn it off for one ?

Also, if the venue wants the music off at X time, they mean off not down?

[yourdj]

Never thought about putting background music on, but surely you will just get people asking for it to be turned up or making requests ?

Usually a big 3 cheers, one last massive track (usually 53 past), and then straight into something slow/relaxed, sometimes the first dance again etc. Thinking out loud is my fav as it now spans all ages. More importantly it has an instrumental near the end, so the vol, bass can be dropped. By then is about 57 mins past, and i will follow it on with something that wont get everyone up dancing. Again Toto Africa is a goods one. This is on VERY low and i let it run to the end, which is usually 1-2 mins after the hour. By this time all the house lights are turned up slowly and the guests are ready to vacate.

I rarely have any issues. its only after a band when i play for an hour or so when i get issues. Or the venues where everyone sits outside and comes in in the last 40 mins. In those situations, then I will just smile, ignore and usually divert it to the client, whom has been pre advised in the meeting thats the end. To be fair they are usually knackered and relieved its finished. If someone is adamant or offers me £700, I will say its the venues licence and thats that, they will usually run out of steam quickly, but only if I am not rude or aggressive. I sometimes go against the rule and play one more, but hardly ever go over the curfew, especially at hotels. Its a legal requirement, but also not fair on other guests whim have been told that the music will go off at .... :)

Do I need to play background music after i have chilled out and calmed everything? Probably not, especially when people are still talking, but I feel it does make as difference to just shutting off. In an already dead wedding I think its crucial as people will be quite shy. In that time I tend to dismantle a few bits and collect uplighting so its not wasted. :)

[Daryll]

No problems at the Venue I do regularly ,at midnight , or just after ( depends on the length of the last song) , the house lights come on , that kills it dead.
I have been asked for one more , when half the gear is in the van :eek:

Daryll

[mattydj50]

No problems at the Venue I do regularly ,at midnight , or just after ( depends on the length of the last song) , the house lights come on , that kills it dead.
I have been asked for one more , when half the gear is in the van :eek:

Daryll


Ditto. One bloke recently offered me £100 to play one more song. I pointed him in the direction of the venue manager, saying he's the guy you need to ask and he's much more expensive!

[fullcontact68]

Ditto. One bloke recently offered me £100 to play one more song. I pointed him in the direction of the venue manager, saying he's the guy you need to ask and he's much more expensive!

I would have taken the £100 and told the venue my clock must have been wrong on my laptop :o, and I'll correct for the next time.

[mattydj50]

I would have taken the £100 and told the venue my clock must have been wrong on my laptop :o, and I'll correct for the next time.


I would have loves to. However, the house lights were full on by then and tables and chairs were already being stripped and stacked. Very strict there as they have had noise issues previously and the entertainment licence is up for renewal soon.

[yourdj]

I would have loves to. However, the house lights were full on by then and tables and chairs were already being stripped and stacked. Very strict there as they have had noise issues previously and the entertainment licence is up for renewal soon.

Man I hate it when venues just start stacking up chairs and stuff when the party has only just finished, especially for an expensive wedding. It like they are saying "thanks and now bugger off". Thats kind of why i like to eat them into the going home time gently. :)

[ukpartydj]

The best tactic I've seen employed was a month ago. 5 minutes before the end the venue opened all the doors, around midnight I started feeling the draft and noticed everybody grabbing their coats!

My personal tactic is announcing the last half hour, then last orders, the last 3 tracks and slowing my light show down, announcing 2 tracks and slowly dimming half my lighting, congratulating the couple / wishing happy birthday along with some jibber jabber rubbish about getting home safe and lovely day etc (I don't talk on the mic much so it'll be quite odd to hear me so much) then the last song with less bass and slowly turning it down towards the end followed by "that's it I'm afraid, goodnight".... I'd love to say it works... But it's 50/50! occasionally I'll play background music...nornally hit the road jack or some other Ray Charles track but only if allowed and if the client hasn't specified a last track. Hit the road Jack works well for me, nobody dances to it, they all seem to sing it to themselves. Winner!

[ppentertainments]

Man I hate it when venues just start stacking up chairs and stuff when the party has only just finished, especially for an expensive wedding. It like they are saying "thanks and now bugger off". Thats kind of why i like to eat them into the going home time gently. :)

It is a big bugbear of mine. We have a really nice (and not cheap) venue which do around 300 weddings a year and it really is like a conveyer belt. The staff don't just stack chairs etc, they actually start setting up and laying tables for the following day.

[Nakatomi]

It is a big bugbear of mine. We have a really nice (and not cheap) venue which do around 300 weddings a year and it really is like a conveyer belt. The staff don't just stack chairs etc, they actually start setting up and laying tables for the following day.

I know! Lots of disco companies even start de-rigging before the last song has finished. It's almost as if they can't wait to get away! Absolutely shocking

[mattydj50]

I know! Lots of disco companies even start de-rigging before the last song has finished. It's almost as if they can't wait to get away! Absolutely shocking

Ah, that I don't do. I have been known to disappear off to the toilet though, so there is no-one to ask "one more" to!

[ppentertainments]

I know! Lots of disco companies even start de-rigging before the last song has finished. It's almost as if they can't wait to get away! Absolutely shocking
I used to be guilty of that until I realised how bad it looks. Still often shut down backup laptop etc but always stuff nobody can see, even then it is pointless really as only saves seconds at the end of the night.

I used to use different coloured plugs so I knew what to unplug which I still use as easier to trace if any fault occurs.

Race Night discos are different though - I end up with a light, mixer, laptop and speakers by the end but is a completely different situation.

[Nakatomi]

I used to be guilty of that until I realised how bad it looks.

I tried doing it once. Ended up with a 3/5 review because the only time the customer noticed the amount of lights was at the fade of the very last tune when all that was left up still was the wash system. Ooops :blush:

[DJWilson]

I used to be guilty of that until I realised how bad it looks. Still often shut down backup laptop etc but always stuff nobody can see, even then it is pointless really as only saves seconds at the end of the night.


Guilty of shutting down back up laptop too and closing CD cases.

Also kill the smoke machine about 15 mins before everything as it takes a while to cool and venues want you out in 10 mins...

[Shakermaker Promotions]

I've also done it on occasions but it has generally been when (a) It has been a mediocre night and there are a handful of stragglers still hanging around at the bar, uninterested but determined to get their 'money's worth', or (b) When the 'get everything out of the venue' time is looking a bit tight.
It's never been that noticeable to the public though. I turn off and pack up the back up laptop and maybe the pars behind the Equinox screen and unplug and pack those away.

There was one occasion though where I was having a banger of a night and I kept getting hounded to play "One more!" so I checked with the venue to make sure it was ok and I explained to the birthday boy that I would keep the music going but I'd start packing up everything else. They were fine with that and I was still out of the venue by Midnight even though I'd played the last track at 11.45pm.

I don't see too much of a problem getting prepared, just as long as it is not obvious because it may look like you can't wait to get away..... which, if we're honest, is exactly that (sometimes).

[ppentertainments]

closing CD cases.


What's a 'CD Case' ?? :shrug::Laugh::Laugh::Laugh::Laugh:

[DJWilson]

What's a 'CD Case' ?? :shrug::Laugh::Laugh::Laugh::Laugh:

I know. Some bulky shiny thing. Soon to be gone thankfully!

[ukpartydj]

There was one occasion though where I was having a banger of a night and I kept getting hounded to play "One more!" so I checked with the venue to make sure it was ok and I explained to the birthday boy that I would keep the music going but I'd start packing up everything else. They were fine with that and I was still out of the venue by Midnight even though I'd played the last track at 11.45pm.

I don't see too much of a problem getting prepared, just as long as it is not obvious because it may look like you can't wait to get away..... which, if we're honest, is exactly that (sometimes).

I do that on occasion (usually parties on private premises), it definitely takes me longer to do it though. I don't mind to be honest only adds 10 mins. I tend to get the "are you leaving the equipment here" halfway though packing away when I do that though followed by "how are we supposed to listen to music" haha.

[yourdj]

I know. Some bulky shiny thing. Soon to be gone thankfully!

They are getting more and more uncommon now. As an early Serato user makes me laugh all the digital haters that now proudly rock a controller and laptop. Don't see a problem in using CD's though, the quality is better for one on originals.

[Nakatomi]

They are getting more and more uncommon now. As an early Serato user makes me laugh all the digital haters that now proudly rock a controller and laptop. Don't see a problem in using CD's though, the quality is better for one on originals.

Not always better quslity. There are some very ropey rehashes on a lot of compilations.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

I agree with that totally.
You can play the same track on 2 different CD's and sometimes the difference in sound quality is amazing.
Some of the record companies probably churn them out as cheap as possible. Don't take it for granted that the cheap 4 x CD box set compilations, usually available for £5.00 or thereabouts, are going to be inferior quality either. I've got loads of them and they are fine, some are better than the higher priced ones.

[Daryll]

Maybe a Mod could step in here , we have strayed way off topic ( yes I am guilty as well) , maybe start desperate threads for the various branches of the discussion

Daryll