Heavy Metal?

[fullcontact68]

A regular customer of mine asked me last night if I do weddings! (Which I do).

Apparently their friend had been let down by a DJ who was going to do their wedding for free, and they are struggling to find a replacement. (The DJ was a family friend, but pulled out)

Yes, I answered, then came the comment. They are heavy metal fans, and are looking for a heavy metal DJ! (Most of the guests are fans too), wanting heavy metal all night. They have a band booked 17:00 - 19:00, then wanting a DJ for after the band. (Been told they have the room until 2AM :daft:) Venue is a recording studio in Sheffield.

Well, as you can guess I know absolutely :Censored: all about heavy metal, and told her this. I said that her friend would have to provide me with the music and a playlist to cover the event, since my knowledge is zero.

Anyway she is going to pass my details onto her friend, lets see what happens.

Any heavy metal guru's out there who could advise on music etc?

[rth_discos]

I have a fair bit of knowledge about heavy metal, having spent some time in their 'sphere' (not a type of music I enjoy though)!

The number one thing to remember is that 'heavy metal' alone isn't what people listen to - it comes in lots of sub genres, and each person has their own preference(s), such as Black Metal, Death Metal, Doom Metal, Extreme Metal, Folk Metal, Metalcore, Power Metal, Thrash Metal etc. And even those genres have their own sub genres!

Have a listen to..

Power Metal: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dG7Rl3qxUqY
Folk Metal: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GclKDei5hHU
Death Metal: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjb0j9l1sz4

Fancy a laugh - this is an example of the genre of 'Pirate Metal' (yes, it genuinely exists) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJ_eVIZkjZE

As you can hear, each genre is *very* different. So you'll want to keep genres together, like you would with different genres at a 'normal' party.

I'd want to know what percentage of guests are genuine metal fans. Hopefully it's in excess of 75%... otherwise you'll end up with many unhappy guests! Metal isn't exactly one of those genres you can 'listen to' if you don't like the music!

Bloodstock Festival can give an outline of who the big bands are: http://www.bloodstock.uk.com/events/boa-2018/stages

One thing I will add: metal fans are lovely people. Despite looking 'scary' in their 'black' outfits, they are the nicest people you'll come across. Nothing wrong with being up front with them on the night, saying you know nothing about metal music, but want to play their favourites - they'll soon be happy to guide you with artists and titles they want to headbang and mosh to (and headbanging and moshing is about the extent of their dancing!).

Good luck!

[yourdj]

Apparently their friend.

Any heavy metal guru's out there who could advise on music etc?

They may class their friends music tastes as heavy metal, but they may be Foo Fighters or Kiss fans so a decent list is your friend here. I would distinguish how many guests are going to like the music and more importantly know the tracks. I have done a lot of metal weddings and only a couple have been a success as the music has been so hard that it has sent untie June and Uncle Pete, were running for the door with their hands over their ears!

I am no means an expert, so I would get a top 10-20 list, separated by bride and groom, a further list of 20-30 as you don't know the genre. Then most importantly formulate a fafe list to fall back on that comprises of easier listening pop rock as this is a good safeguard (ACDC, GUNS & ROSES, METALICA, NIRVANA, KISS, FOO FIGHERS, BON JOVI etc.) . If they want to just do their list then forget it and get them to book a specialist rock DJ. I had this once where they just wanted a list of music I had never even heard and it fell flat on its face from the start. Never again.

You can start off with more rocky relaxed music or girl friendly tracks like Shut up and dance, Nickelback, sweet home alabama etc. and Generic classic rock & teenage dirtbag genre is always a sure fired hit and pleases most members of the wedding.

Stuff like this:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cx9z8YO_K4



Iron Maiden sounds perfectly normal to me but some guests may go home early!!
Choose tracks like Enter Sandman and you might find they all get up dancing as its very popular mainstream now
I usually go on a rule, if I know the track/band then fine, if not then they should hire a rock specialist DJ!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZlDZPYzfm4&t=50s

This is by no means a great list but its got quite a few well known more alternative tracks in there.

Don’t Stop Believing - Journey dont Don't Starship
Here I Go Again 87 (CLASSIC ROCK - SLOW START) Whitesnake
Sweet Home Alabama Lynyrd Skynyrd
I Want To Know What Love Is Foreigner
Bryan Adams - Summer of 69
Pour Some Sugar On Me Def Leppard
Nothing Else Matters Metallica
Enter Sandman Metallica
You and Me Song The Wannadies
Two Princes Spin Doctors
Teenage Kicks The Undertones
Teenage Dirtbag Wheatus
Should I Stay or Should I Go The Clash
She's So Lovely - Scouting for girls Scouting For Girls
Run DMC Featuring Aerosmith- Walk This Way Run DMC Feat. Aerosmith
Michael Jackson - Just Beat It

Keiser Chiefs - Everday I love you less
I'd Do Anything For Love Meat Loaf
I Bet You Look Good On The Dance Floor Arctic Monkeys
Guns N' Roses - Sweet Child O' Mine O’ OF
Girl You've Really Got Me Going The Kinks
eye of the tiger
Bohemian Like You The Dandy Warhols
Beat It Michael Jackson
Are You Gonna Go My Way Various Artists
Are You Gonna Be My Girl Jet
American Idiot Green Day
Bohemian Rhapsody Queen
Green Day - Basket Case
Where I Find My Heaven Gigolo Aunts
greenday - when i come around
Florence - You've Got the Love Florence + The Machine
Ace Of Spades Motörhead
Alive Pearl Jam
all right now Free
All Summer Long Kid Rock

Always (slower version) Bon Jovi
...And Justice For All Metallica
The Bad Touch Bloodhound Gang
Beat It (Ft. John Mayer) Fall Out Boy
The Beautiful People Marilyn Manson
Best Day Of My Life American Authors
Black Chandelier Biffy Clyro
Crazy, Crazy Nights KISS
Danger! High Voltage - FIRE DISCO Electric Six
Dreaming of You The Coral
In Too Deep Sum 41
Little Lion Man (Radio Edit) (139 BPM) Mumford & Sons
Love Gun Kiss
Master Of Puppets Metallica
More than a feeling Boston
Mountains Biffy Clyro
My Generation The Who
My Sharona The Knack
Nickelback - Rockstar Nickelback

No One Knows Queens Of The Stone Age
Paint It Black (Stereo Version) The Rolling Stones
Pretty Vacant (were so pretty) The Sex Pistols
Rebel Rebel David Bowie
Rocks Primal Scream
Rope Foo Fighters
Run to The Hills Iron Maiden
Scar Tissue Red Hot Chili Peppers
Seven Nation Army The White Stripes
Sharp Dressed Man ZZ Top
She Sells Sanctuary - the Cult Various Artists
She's All Natural Buffalo Summer
Since You Been Gone Rainbow
Smooth Criminal Alien Ant Farm
Status Quo - Rockin All Over The World - rocking
Thunderstruck AC/DC
Valerie (Feat. Amy Winehouse) Mark Ronson
Weak Skunk Anansie
Whole Lotta Love (Edit) Led Zeppelin
You Give Love a Bad Name Bon Jovi
Foo Fighters - The Pretender
Learn To Fly Foo Fighters
Californication Red Hot Chili Peppers
Foo Fighters - Everlong (acoustic) Foo Fighters
Dire Straits - Sultans of Swing
Ho Hey The Lumineers
Led Zeppelin - Stairway to Heaven
ACDC - SHOOK ME ALL NIGHT LONG
Whole Lotta Rosie AC/DC
Down Down (Single Edit) DEEPER Status Quo
Every Breath You Take The Police

Van Morrison - Brown Eyed Girl
Pompeii Bastille
Kids MGMT
Pumped Up Kicks [Album Version Foster The People
Chocolate The 1975
Fat Lip Sum 41
Steal My Sunshine Len
Buddy Holly Weezer
The Darkness- I Believe In A Thing Called Love The Darkness
Place Your Hands Reef
Buck Rogers Feeder
Song 2 Blur
Rock the Casbah The Clash
A Town Called Malice The Jam
Chelsea Dagger The Fratellis
Guns N' Roses - Welcome to the Jungle
Paradise City Guns N' Roses
Rollin' (Air Raid Vehicle) [Radio Edit] Limp Bizkit
Come As You Are Nirvana
Nirvana - Nevermind - Lithium
Just A Girl No Doubt
Last Resort Papa Roach
Perl Jam - Daughter Pearl Jam
Heaven Is A Halfpipe (If I Die Opm
The Offspring - Pretty Fly for a White Guy
Still Into You Paramore
Give it Away Red Hot Chili Peppers
Take On Me Reel Big Fish
I'm A Believer Smash Mouth

the smiths - this charming man
Fool's Gold The Stone Roses
Last Nite NIGHT The Strokes
LIVE Too Much Too Young The Specials
Sweet Disposition The Temper Trap & The Temper Trap
A-Punk Vampire Weekend
Same Jeans Various Artists
Woman Wolfmother
Moving To New York The Wombats
MEGADETH - Holy Wars the Punishment Due
Iron Maiden - The Trooper
Inside Various Artists
Rock Bottom UFO
Doctor Doctor UFO
Ready To Go Republica
No Tomorrow Orson
Breaking The Law Judas Priest
Don't Matter Kings Of Leon
My Favourite Game The Cardigans
Bubbles Biffy Clyro
Highway to Hell AC/DC
Madness - Baggy Trousers
Ever Fallen In Love (With Someone You shouldn't've) Buzzcocks
Shake It Metro Station
Linkin Park - Numb
Linking Park - What I've Done
Supermassive Black Hole Muse
Higher Ground Red Hot Chili Peppers
Steve Harley - Make Me Smile (Come Up And See Me)
Romantics - What I Like About You
The Rolling Stones- GET NO Satisfaction
Rolling Stones - Honkey Tonk Women
Louie Louie The Kingmen
Oasis - Don't Look Back In Anger
Kaiser Chiefs - Ruby
Europe - The Final Countdown
black sabbath - PARANOID
iggy pop - passenger

money for nothing
Blister in the Sun Violent Femmes
The Boys Are Back In Town - Thin Lizzie Various Artists
Nutbush City Limits Tina Turner
I Am the Resurrection The Stone Roses
Golden Touch Razorlight
I'm gonna be 500 Miles The Proclaimers
saturday nights alright - for fighting Elton John
Smoke On The Water Deep Purple
Parklife Blur
I Love College Asher Roth
Scummy Arctic monkeys
Between Angels and Insects Papa Roach
Trouble (ROCK - NICE) Skindred
Girl All The Bad Guys Want Bowling For Soup
Misery Business Paramore
Dance, Dance Fall Out Boy
Sugar, We're Going Down Fall Out Boy
Fire, Fire Heaven's Basement
Monkey Wrench Foo Fighters
Goo Goo Dolls - Iris (Acoustic)
Wake me up inside / Bring me to life - linkin park Evanescence
Tainted Love Marilyn Manson
Fear Of Dying (ROCK - GIRL SINGING) Jack Off Jill
Movies Alien Ant Farm
When You Were Young The Killers
Use Somebody Kings Of Leon
One Way or Another Blondie
Monster The Automatic Automatic
Many Of Horror Biffy Clyro
The Kooks - Naive
Stacy's Mom STACIES MUM Fountains Of Wayne
Snow ((Hey Oh)) chill Red Hot Chili Peppers
Take Me Out Franz Ferdinand

Back In Black AC\DC
Whatever You Want Status Quo
Jimi Hendrix - All Along The Watchtower
I Can Dream Skunk Anansie
Gravemakers & Gunslingers (SWEARING)
Nowhere Therapy?
Digging The Grave Faith No More
The Gentle Art Of Making Enemies Faith No More
I Was Made For Loving You Kiss
Whiskey in the Jar Metallica
Don't Let Me Get Me Pink
So What Pink
One Week Barenaked Ladies
Run To You Bryan Adams
Closing Time Semisonic
Livin' On A Prayer LIVING Bon Jovi
Mr Brightside - RADIO EDIT The Killers
Fallout boy- Thanks For The Memories Fall Out Boy
Out Of The Black Royal Blood
Blue Orchid The White Stripes
Want You Bad The Offspring
Land Of Confusion Disturbed
All Star Smash Mouth
Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt We Are Scientists
The Great Escape We Are Scientists
Superman Goldfinger
My Friends Over You New Found Glory
I Miss You blink-182
All The Small Things Blink 182

Butterfly Crazy Town
Last Resort Papa Roach
Wake me up inside (GOOD COPY) w/ linkin park Evanescence
hey mickey! Spice Girls
Greenday - Dookie greenday
Iris Goo Goo Dolls
I'm A Believer - DAY DREAM Smash Mouth
Sc8er Boi - Skater boy Avril Lavigne
Semi Charmed Life Third Eye Blind
I Wish Skee-Lo
Take Me Home Jess Glynne
First Date Blink-182
Riot Girl Good Charlotte
Generator The Holloways
Gives You Hell The All-American Rejects
Counting Crows - Mr. Jones
The Rock Show Blink-182
Plug In Baby Muse
What's My Age Again? Blink-182
CLEAN Panic! At The Disco - I Write Sins Not Tragedies PANIC
20Th Century Boy Various Artists
Ace of Spades - country cover (banjo) Hayseed Dixie
Afrika Shox [Radio Edit] Leftfield & Afrika Bambaataa
Lovecats Cure
Hong Kong Garden Siouxsie & the Banshees
Monkey Man The Specials
Underworld - Born Slippy (Trainspotting Soundtrack)
Girls On Film Duran Duran
Garbage - Drop Dead Gorgeous Garbage
Echo Beach Martha & The Muffins
Duality Slipknot
Pantheon Inme

Through The Fire And Flames Dragonforce
Tears Don't Fall Bullet For My Valentine
Immortals Fall Out Boy
What I Want (Featuring Slash) Daughtry
Predictable Good Charlotte
Temptation Cradle of Filth
Kids In The Dark All Time Low
Helicopter Bloc Party
All Day And All Of The Night Kinks
All My Life Foo Fighters
All Sparks Editors
Always Bon Jovi
Anarchy In The Uk Sex Pistols
Around the World Red Hot Chili Peppers
Bad Moon Rising Creedence Clearwater Revival
Bangarang feat. Sirah (Original Mix) Skrillex
Bat Out Of Hell - MEATLOAF Meat Loaf
Beautiful Day U2
Beck - Loser

Big Gun Ac/Dc
The Bitter End Placebo
Black Dog Led Zeppelin
Blue Monday (ROCK COVER) Orgy
blue oyster cult - DONT FEAR THE REAPER
Bombs over bagdad Outkast
Born To Be Wild Steppenwolf
Bowling For Soup -Girl All The Bad Guys Want
Boys Don't Cry Cure, The
Break Even The Script
Breakfast At Tiffany's Deep Blue Something
The Breeders - Cannon Ball The Breeders
Brimful Of Asha Various Artists
Any Way You Want It Journey
Jerk It Out Caesars
Prodigy - Firestarter
KNOCK ON WOOD - The Impression That I Get (ska - upbeat clueless) The Mighty Mighty Bosstones
Party Hard Andrew W.K.
Dani California - CALIFORNIACATION Red Hot Chili Peppers
When Your Heart Stops Beating (SWEARING) Plus 44
Lifestyles Of The Rich And Famous Good Charlotte
All My Best Friends Are Metalheads Less Than Jake
Be Quiet And Drive (Far Away) Deftones

[ckpr2]

Heavy metal covers such a wide range.
One extreme is soft rock and the other is death metal.

I think you are right in asking for the music to play.
Or at least a play list.
Trying to second guess might cause a riot !

I have had ipods handed to me at the beginning of some gigs and simply let that play all night !

[Vinny]

I simply would not take a gig on with music that I knew nothing about.

[Excalibur]

I simply would not take a gig on with music that I knew nothing about.

Absolutely correct. But:

If we only did gigs we knew off by heart, we'd never learn anything. With a little forward planning and communication, coupled with a hefty dose of the invaluable Spotify, it's possible to do these at a more than acceptable level.
Once you've got a heads up about what's requested, you can often see songs you're familiar with which would work.

Some of my best reviews have come from gigs where on paper I wasn't overly familiar with the music beforehand, but once in the swing of things I found a lot of songs I knew which fitted in nicely.

Also, there's an immense amount of knowledge and help available on this forum, so he wouldn't be going in blind.

[fullcontact68]

I simply would not take a gig on with music that I knew nothing about.
Yeah that's my initial thought too... I'm going to be honest with them if they get in touch, if they do, and supply a playlist for the night, I'll do it (since its for a friend of a regular client)



Thanks for all the comments/suggestions. Going to have to play this one by ear, 1st, if they do contact me, and 2nd, if they supply the music they require.

[DazzyD]

I simply would not take a gig on with music that I knew nothing about.

Totally agree.


Absolutely correct. But:

If we only did gigs we knew off by heart, we'd never learn anything. With a little forward planning and communication, coupled with a hefty dose of the invaluable Spotify, it's possible to do these at a more than acceptable level.
Once you've got a heads up about what's requested, you can often see songs you're familiar with which would work.

Some of my best reviews have come from gigs where on paper I wasn't overly familiar with the music beforehand, but once in the swing of things I found a lot of songs I knew which fitted in nicely.

Also, there's an immense amount of knowledge and help available on this forum, so he wouldn't be going in blind.

I'm going to have to disagree with Peter on this one for the following reasons.

Firstly, this is not a pub rock night where you get to try out some tracks that others have told you "might" work. This is someones' wedding. Their special big day. It's a specialist genre which deserves a specialist DJ. You play some of those tracks that Toby mentioned at a "heavy metal" party and you'll get lynched. Remember, metalheads are big, hairy, ugly so-and-sos (and that's just the women!) so it's best not to get on the wrong side of them. "Heavy Metal" is not the same of "soft rock" and I'm a big Status Quo fan but I know I'd be in trouble for playing them at some of the heavy metal gigs I've done in the past.

Secondly, yes, we have a wealth of knowledge here but that's only good in the preparation period of the booking. What happens on the night when you get a guest come up asking for a request along these lines "Can you play that song that goes '<<insert lyrics of choice here>>'? It's one of my favourites but I can't remember it's title right now as I've been drinking since early this morning!". You need to think on your feet and, as always, musical knowledge is key. Will you say "Hold on, I just need to post in MDD to find out what you're talking about!"? :confused:

I do believe that, from time to time, it's good to step out from your comfort zone a little. But I also believe that this should only be done at the right place and at the right time. A specialist themed wedding is neither the right time nor place. In today's society of "where there's a blame there's a claim" if you mess up someone's big day you could find yourself in bother. This all may sound very negative from me but, these days, I'm more a realist than I've ever been!

[Excalibur]

Totally agree.



I'm going to have to disagree with Peter on this one for the following reasons.

You play some of those tracks that Toby mentioned at a "heavy metal" party and you'll get lynched. !
What? You mean like Michael Jackson, Van Morrison, Biffy Clyro, Dire Straits and David Bowie? Surely not! :D

[DazzyD]

What? You mean like Michael Jackson, Van Morrison, Biffy Clyro, Dire Straits and David Bowie? Surely not! :D

Status Quo jumped out at me from the list and that was as far as I got! :daft:

[DazzyD]

Heavy metal covers such a wide range.
One extreme is soft rock and the other is death metal.

I think you are right in asking for the music to play.
Or at least a play list.
Trying to second guess might cause a riot !

I have had ipods handed to me at the beginning of some gigs and simply let that play all night !

This isn't true. Heavy metal doesn't cover such as wide range and it certainly doesn't encompass soft rock! Rock is the overall over-riding genre and heavy metal, soft rock, death metal, hard rock, etc are all sub-genres of rock in their own right. But each have individual traits and characteristics.

But you are right in that trying to second guess a specialist genre, especially at someones' wedding, is never a good idea! Blagging might get through a few tracks and subsection of a night but not a full-on metal-fest!

[yourdj]

This isn't true. Heavy metal doesn't cover such as wide range and it certainly doesn't encompass soft rock!

Or prog & glam rock (is there a smiley for being sick) :p:p

I was thinking that, heavy metal is a sub genre in itself.
Probably what the friend means if that they are metal heads, which as I have said encompasses any rock that is on the harder side.
There is a great run down of them all here: https://beat.media/guide-to-metal-subgenres


You play some of those tracks that Toby mentioned at a "heavy metal" party and you'll get lynched.

metalheads are big, hairy, ugly so-and-sos (and that's just the women!)

I was friends with this band and used to go to the metal nights they played at & no you would not get away with playing Status quo thats for sure (I would not even class that as soft rock, its in my cheese/chavs playlist!) its no different to playing house in a happy hardcore night.. Yes they are an ugly bunch of sweaty gits, but Download festival was full of the nicest people i have ever met! It's the Urban music events that have the most violent people as the music is largely about gangs and sex! Much better to sing about evil, death, hell & stuff like that LOL ;)


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

Definitely agree with not doing it if they need specialists help, its is a wedding. In this case my guess is that even if the bride and groom only love classic heavy metal then only a small proportion will follow suit and it will be a mixed wedding, so its very unwise to just go armed with a lot of heavy metal. If they wont accept a back up list then forget it. :)

Out of interest do you don't know the following tracks then give it a miss!!
I am certainly no rock expert, but I think you need some form of knowledge/interest before taking the booking.
Yes this can be gained, but would require many hours listening to the following music:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9d4ui9q7eDM


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L397TWLwrUU


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfg0_FbIqqw


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

[Nakatomi]

Being a resi there's a lot of gigs where on paper I'd have thought a specialist would've been more suited to but you know - if you're any good at spotting similarities & patterns in tracks there's a lot you can learn by just winging it. To quote Mr Pengelly - Brides don't know what they don't know, right? So if they don't know that not every DJ is knowledgeable about every genre going (or read their mind that by 'heavy metal' they actually mean what I call 'pop punk' - yeah been there, got that T-shirt)... they just go with A DJ.

Anyway have you ever tried looking for a rock or metal specialist wedding DJ? :O In my part of the world there doesn't seem to be any such thing - I know of one DJ who claims to be an expert in rock & metal but he doesn't advertise the fact! Similarly, dance music specialists who don't advertise they specialise in dance music... Infact most of the people I know who advertise in specialisms don't actually pin any special fields down (they 'specialise' in non-specifics :daft: ) There's a hell of a lot of 'experts in all genres' BS floating around too. You can be jack of all trades for sure, but master of everything? Bah!

[simon1969]

I simply would not take a gig on with music that I knew nothing about.

Oh why?

I would have thought it give a DJ experience ?
As long as you get some sort of playlist, and they say what they definitely don't want playing it shouldn't be to hard.

[rth_discos]

Oh why?

I would have thought it give a DJ experience ?
As long as you get some sort of playlist, and they say what they definitely don't want playing it shouldn't be to hard.

Experience? That's something you gain from knowing the genre. Not when someone is paying you.


Firstly, this is not a pub rock night where you get to try out some tracks that others have told you "might" work. This is someones' wedding. Their special big day. It's a specialist genre which deserves a specialist DJ.

Absolutely. Metalheads are massively in to their music. Their music is their life. I got a booking the other day for a wedding because I knew who Skindred were - they only wanted a couple of metal songs, but because I was the only DJ to know who Skindred were, I got the booking (they're a Welsh reggae-metal band for anyone interested!)


You play some of those tracks that Toby mentioned at a "heavy metal" party and you'll get lynched.

Yup! Imagine turning up to play at Ministry of Sound and spinning The Conga, YMCA and Agadoo. That's what you'd be doing playing Bon Jovi, Semisonic and Tina Turner at a gig full of metal fans!


Heavy metal covers such a wide range.
One extreme is soft rock and the other is death metal.

Soft Rock is absolutely not metal. In fact, hard rock is not metal. Play hard rock, and you'll get a very disappointed crowd.

If anything, the responses I've read on this thread just highlight why a DJ shouldn't ever take on a gig that is outside of their knowledge and expertise.

[yourdj]

Anyway have you ever tried looking for a rock or metal specialist wedding DJ?

Yes, I use Dave Mills when I don't know a single track that a bride is presenting me. I had one with a very strange lady (literally no eye contact and was raising her eye brows all meeting) who said "I have nothing else to do with the wedding so the music is mine". They were getting married on Halloween in a witch village near me, and I felt that it would be wrong to take the event and to be fair did not want to do it as it would have been really hard. I think she reminded me of my hippy ex girlfriend too much LOL.

https://www.facebook.com/djdavemills/

[DazzyD]

Oh why?

I would have thought it give a DJ experience ?
As long as you get some sort of playlist, and they say what they definitely don't want playing it shouldn't be to hard.

You would use someones wedding to gain genre experience that you don't have before the wedding? Thankfully, I have no need to get married in Nottingham! :eek:


Experience? That's something you gain from knowing the genre. Not when someone is paying you.
...

If anything, the responses I've read on this thread just highlight why a DJ shouldn't ever take on a gig that is outside of their knowledge and expertise.

Couldn't agree more. There are some very blaise attitudes to performing on someone's big day! Before I quit, even after 20+ years of DJing weddings, I still got nervous before each one. I put that down to me wanting to be the very best that I could and give them the very best for their wedding that I could. And even though I did some kids parties from time to time, I actually tried to sway each of those clients in to booking, not me, but an experienced, specialised kids entertainer rather than just a DJ who can play a few games while being a bit silly (i.e. me!). This is why I started my business. I saw a niche in the market for a mobile disco that revolved around giving the client what was best for them rather than just yet another generic DJ show, a role I'd done many times myself working for others whilst thinking to myself "Surely this whole process could be better and more customer-focused?". And that's what I did. I would never try and win bookings that I wasn't best suited to.

Oh, and for the record, I'm an old-school rocker with a slight crossover in to the metal world! ;) And even I wouldn't take on a metal wedding (at least without giving it a lot of thought and discussion with he client) but I could recommend a couple of DJs who could do that job!

[Excalibur]

So based on the premise that you must never do a function where you aren't totally comfortable with every piece of music required, how do we expand our knowledge? :confused:
On the basis that we might need to DJ at a Metal Wedding, do we go to night classes and gain a degree in the subject, just in case? How do we know what functions we're going to be asked to do? :confused:

" Sorry Mate, I'd love to do your Punk wedding, but foolishly I majored in Northern Soul, with Tamla Motown as an add on ". :(

So when is a fifteen year old DJ permitted to do a wedding? By your logic, not until he's in his early thirties, or has served his apprenticeship somehow, and has papers to prove it. Last time I looked, there wasn't a City and Guilds in Mobile DJ'ing, sadly.

I said it before, and I'll say it again. With good preparation and good communication, it's possible to do gigs outside your comfort zone,and thus expand it. If you only do things you already know, how will you ever learn? Some of my best reviews have come from bookings where I wasn't on paper the man for the job, but as Justin says, you get an idea of what will fit in with the music. I will freely admit however that a good internet connection, and a willingness to download music on the fly is an enormous advantage, and quite possibly essential.

Simply going in with fingers crossed and a copy of Black Sabbath's Greatest Hits isn't the way to do it.

[rth_discos]

So based on the premise that you must never do a function where you aren't totally comfortable with every piece of music required, how do we expand our knowledge? :confused:
On the basis that we might need to DJ at a Metal Wedding, do we go to night classes and gain a degree in the subject, just in case? How do we know what functions we're going to be asked to do? :confused:

Take the rather excellent Dave Mills, who has already been mentioned on this thread.

His love of music is in the heavier side of things. He knows that inside out.

Equally someone who has a passion for Northern Soul is the right person for a Northern Soul gig.

You wouldn't expect to see a heavy metal enthusiast taking on the decks at a nightclub where the latest dance songs are required. So why put a party DJ in to an event where metal music is required?

If you don't like metal, no one is going to enjoy 5 hours of it being played loud of out their speakers.

I really detest this view that DJs should be Jack of All Trades when it comes to music genres. No, we should each play to our strengths.

I've said it before, and I'll repeat it again - we should be proud of the music we have the most knowledge in, and proudly display it on our website, rather than the awful catch all 'all types of music catered for'.

It's one of the reasons DJs are seen as a generic commodity, because we don't do enough to individualise ourselves.

[Excalibur]

I really detest this view that DJs should be Jack of All Trades when it comes to music genres. No, we should each play to our strengths.
I've had one gig in ten years playing sixties music. Unless I command six figures a night, that's not a living wage. :(




You wouldn't expect to see a heavy metal enthusiast taking on the decks at a nightclub where the latest dance songs are required. So why put a party DJ in to an event where metal music is required?

Well this " Party DJ " has been listening to Metal for a lot longer than you've been on the planet, so why not? :confused:


I've said it before, and I'll repeat it again - we should be proud of the music we have the most knowledge in, and proudly display it on our website, rather than the awful catch all 'all types of music catered for'.
Yeah right. " I play -insert genre/label of choice here- and if you want a DJ who'll play what you actually want you can jog on". That's one hell of a marketing strategy.


It's one of the reasons DJs are seen as a generic commodity, because we don't do enough to individualise ourselves.
Baa. :)

OK, whimsy over. We're all rocking up with stick rigs, using two Barrels on sticks, with a scaffolding booth ( hideously ugly things in my opinion, but who cares ) playing digitised music with controllers and laptops to customers who want " just a mix of music we can dance to ". Not that much wiggle room in my opinion.

Yes, I'm stretching a point, but not that much. How many " Wedding DJ Specialists " are there now? I think being a Jack Of All Trades will soon be my USP. :)

[rth_discos]

I've had one gig in ten years playing sixties music. Unless I command six figures a night, that's not a living wage. :(


Well this " Party DJ " has been listening to Metal for a lot longer than you've been on the planet, so why not? :confused:



Sounds like you're qualified to take on a metal gig - do you promote yourself as such? What about your sixties knowledge? All the time you promote yourself as a generic DJ, you'll often be overlooked for the specialist gigs.

Nothing wrong with separate websites for each specialism - you aren't restricted to 'one' specialism.




OK, whimsy over. We're all rocking up with stick rigs, using two Barrels on sticks, with a scaffolding booth ( hideously ugly things in my opinion, but who cares ) playing digitised music with controllers and laptops to customers who want " just a mix of music we can dance to ". Not that much wiggle room in my opinion.

Yes, I'm stretching a point, but not that much. How many " Wedding DJ Specialists " are there now? I think being a Jack Of All Trades will soon be my USP. :)

Agreed - 'specialist wedding dj' in itself is no longer a specialism. That ship has now sailed.

So it's time to be more specialist than that...

[simon1969]

You would use someones wedding to gain genre experience that you don't have before the wedding? Thankfully, I have no need to get married in Nottingham! :eek:

Excuse me? I would be careful with what your implying !!
If you do your research and find out what your client wants specifically it can be done and explain that you haven't much knowledge of that genre, long as you communicate this they cant blame you.
I have extensive musical knowledge indie, dance , hip hop etc etc, and if I didn't I would explain this to a potential customer communication is key and potential customers appreciate this.
Blasé attitude I don't have, meeting my customers needs and a can do attitude I do have.

Cheers

[Excalibur]

Sounds like you're qualified to take on a metal gig - do you promote yourself as such? What about your sixties knowledge? All the time you promote yourself as a generic DJ, you'll often be overlooked for the specialist gigs.

Nothing wrong with separate websites for each specialism - you aren't restricted to 'one' specialism.

Agreed - 'specialist wedding dj' in itself is no longer a specialism. That ship has now sailed.

So it's time to be more specialist than that...
I agree with your view. However, I don't regard myself as a specialist in anything, in the truest sense of the word. I do however have a good grounding in many styles, eg 60's, 70's and Tamla. Classic rock, 70's Disco and 90's Dance are genres I lived and worked through. You can't help but gather knowledge of them, but I still wouldn't use the word Specialist.

While you're absolutely correct that multiple websites are undoubtedly a fine idea, and might well pay for themselves, I'm struggling enough with what I already have. :daft: Were I nearer the beginning of my career than the end, well who knows? :)



If you do your research and find out what your client wants specifically it can be done and explain that you haven't much knowledge of that genre, long as you communicate this they cant blame you.
I have extensive musical knowledge indie, dance , hip hop etc etc, and if I didn't I would explain this to a potential customer communication is key and potential customers appreciate this.
Blasé attitude I don't have, meeting my customers needs and a can do attitude I do have.

Cheers
Blame? I'd be looking for praise. That implies a defeatist attitude.

Now let's apply this to the OP, which seems a long time ago, in a far off and distant land. The original DJ was a mate, who has bailed out of the booking, for whatever reason, that's irrelevant. So, they haven't got a disco. Immediate options look like equipment hire+ Ipod/Spotify, or source some sort of replacement disco.

While the Ipod route may provide exactly the music required, I'm sure we all agree that a disco provided by someone approaching the task in a diligent and professional manner, even if they don't have encyclopaedic knowledge of the music themselves, would be preferable. Taking advice from folk who have, and doing research yourself on the playlist supplied by the customer, is the way forward.

I think Simon, Justin, myself and Allan are working on this principle. I'm sure none of us would advocate turning up with no preparation, and fingers crossed you got out alive and with money.

As Professional DJs we must at all times behave with transparency, honesty and integrity.

[Nakatomi]

In my experience since hitting the decks again in 2015, it's the customer who can be blasé too. We've all got spotify, youtube etc haven't we? "Whaddya mean it's illegal to play music off of youtube? Get away with you just DO IT!"... etc. "It's alright we'll just bring a USB stick with 'our music' on it".

I've been landed with surprise crowds of all ilks where I've said to myself "you know what - it'd have been really good to have been warned their guests music tastes were so left of field" - by this stage it's already too late & you just have to get on with it. People are generally friendly enough & ask for exactly what they want. It's up to your musical chops whether you can fill in the gaps or not. This, my friends, is really how we learn new tricks (and earn brownie points when they see how you're bending over double to give people what they want - as if you really had a choice!).

There'll always be a place for genre specialists but getting the customer to recognise they need an expert.. and actually finding one.. these are challenges too. Some people apparently don't think their taste in music is that far from the (predictable) norm.

[yourdj]

If you take this event have a look at this video (just watching it again now):

The other one this guy did (a head bangers journey) is a very good insight into metal and why people like it:

http://putlockers.tf/watch/ox0m2qGe-iron-maiden-flight-666.html