worst disco for a while! Help!

[Pazz]

Afternoon,

Last night I did an engagement party for a young couple early 20's. Before I got to the venue I didn't have any idea what sort of crowd would turn up and had to basically rely on my instincts and crowd reading skills. This is never usually too much of a problem. The venue (with medium sized dancefloor) was quite full and I setup in good time, got my music sorted (still using CD's for now) and got things started about 8pm. Built things up nicely for the first hour - few from the 70's and 80's but not much happening. I thought fine as they hadn't opened the buffet yet, people still arriving and they hadn't had their dutch courage (alcohol consumption). Buffet opened at 9 so I kept going and then re-started with more 70's disco, some fifties and 60's for the older ones - my usual stuff.

The problem was I just couldn't get the dancefloor going - I added some recent chart songs to the music and some 90's. They got up for "Do you Love Me", Wanna Dance With Somebody" but then cleared again. I think I had the dancefloor fullISH for 3 songs all night. I then got lost completely by putting on that long lost hit "Do You Really Like It" by DJ Pied Piper and that's when I got a reaction - a middle aged woman came up to me and said "do you really want us to dance this evening - if you do you better play some 70's?!" - I was fuming at this point as that's what I had been playing most of the night and remained miserable until the end. I played my last song "I've had the time of my life" and then they all get up and the requests start coming so I ended up staying on for another 20mins (to save face if anyhting!) playing love songs for the happy couple ranging from Kiss from A Rose to Daniel Bedingfield.

In all honesty I was glad to get out of there - worst gig for a while! Can any of you suggest anything to get a crowd like this going, have any of you had similar nightmare evenings and any suggestions, are all engagements dodgy affairs as I don't do many for this occasion - I prefer weddings where the crowd are all up for it? Any tips or advice for getting these type of crowds interested would be appreciated.

I'm at a 40th surprise birthday tonight and I know already that it will be a good night even after last night's disaster!

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Surely you realise that sometimes people just don't want to dance?

You can't wave a magic wand and get people up - you have to be realistic.

Some people just enjoy the atmosphere and the music without wanting to dance.

[Pazz]

I take your point that some people just want to enjoy the atmosphere but when you have an empty dancefloor most of the evening it's not a brilliant feeling! Im only just recovering - but maybe as I haven't experienced this for a long while its just a bit of a shock. I am a positive thinker so I will learn from this and I always aim to improve.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I take your point that some people just want to enjoy the atmosphere but when you have an empty dancefloor most of the evening it's not a brilliant feeling! Im only just recovering - but maybe as I haven't experienced this for a long while its just a bit of a shock. I am a positive thinker so I will learn from this and I always aim to improve.

It's not a brilliant feeling, but part of the territory unfortunately. You shouldn't take it so personally.

[ross@rds]

It does feel like your not doing your job if people aint dancing but as Darren said people dont have to dance to enjoy them self , i had an 18th not that long ago and it was only younger ones dancing all night there were a couple of older people up then got a request for madness for the older people but still none of them got up so i looked around and seem most of them tapping the feet and singing away.

Its like me i hate dancing so when at discos i normaly sing and sit tapping the feet lol. Your 40th tonight will be a good one the older people know there music young ones just want new music , love 40ths play nothing but 80s retro baby :)

[Pazz]

Yes I should have looked for those tapping their feet but I think my head was stuck in my cd collection all night finding songs! I'm looking forward to tonight as it's a new local venue I been meaning to play at for a while and as you said 40th's and the older crowd are always a good bash.

[Shaun]

It happens sometimes. It may be that they're enjoying the music, but not really dancers. There could also be other outside factors that has put a dampener on the party (i.e. Problems within the family, recent bereavment etc), you'll never know. Don't dwell on it, just look forward to your next gig.

[Dillmiester]

Always makes me laugh when some know it all comes up and says "when are you going to play some Motown". When ive just played a load of Motown about half hour ago!
I have resigned myself to the knowledge that some people just dont want to dance all night (myself included).

[CRAZY K]

Afternoon,

Last night I did an engagement party for a young couple early 20's. Before I got to the venue I didn't have any idea what sort of crowd would turn up and had to basically rely on my instincts and crowd reading skills. This is never usually too much of a problem. The venue (with medium sized dancefloor) was quite full and I setup in good time, got my music sorted (still using CD's for now) and got things started about 8pm. Built things up nicely for the first hour - few from the 70's and 80's but not much happening. I thought fine as they hadn't opened the buffet yet, people still arriving and they hadn't had their dutch courage (alcohol consumption). Buffet opened at 9 so I kept going and then re-started with more 70's disco, some fifties and 60's for the older ones - my usual stuff.

The problem was I just couldn't get the dancefloor going - I added some recent chart songs to the music and some 90's. They got up for "Do you Love Me", Wanna Dance With Somebody" but then cleared again. I think I had the dancefloor fullISH for 3 songs all night. I then got lost completely by putting on that long lost hit "Do You Really Like It" by DJ Pied Piper and that's when I got a reaction - a middle aged woman came up to me and said "do you really want us to dance this evening - if you do you better play some 70's?!" - I was fuming at this point as that's what I had been playing most of the night and remained miserable until the end. I played my last song "I've had the time of my life" and then they all get up and the requests start coming so I ended up staying on for another 20mins (to save face if anyhting!) playing love songs for the happy couple ranging from Kiss from A Rose to Daniel Bedingfield.

In all honesty I was glad to get out of there - worst gig for a while! Can any of you suggest anything to get a crowd like this going, have any of you had similar nightmare evenings and any suggestions, are all engagements dodgy affairs as I don't do many for this occasion - I prefer weddings where the crowd are all up for it? Any tips or advice for getting these type of crowds interested would be appreciated.

I'm at a 40th surprise birthday tonight and I know already that it will be a good night even after last night's disaster!

Maybe a play list might have made things easier---

BUT as Daz says sometimes people just dont want to know the Dancing.

I did a 40th recently-- booked in as a Barn Dance --but later on they said oh the rock bands not turning up can you play some Disco?

Got a playlist and used it but really it was all a waste of time.

The audience werent interested-- the birthday girl and a few friends did a bit of Disco dancing ---basically most of just went for the Barn Dancing all night:D

CRAZY K

[spin mobile disco]

I've had a similar problem recently since the smoking ban is getting closer. A lot of people set up outside so they can smoke and dont bother coming back into main party until it gets dark or starts to rain. So you play to yourself till about 10 - 11pm and then they all come in for the last half hour and expect me to go on for another hour because they didnt come in ealier.
Bottom line its their fault not yours. If they dont want to dance thre isnt a lot you can do. If your playing the right music and encouragments over the mic dont work then not a lot will shift them short of electrifying their chairs.

[PropellerHeadCase]

I think every DJ hates the moment when someone comes over and gives you an earful about you should be playing which is exactly what you had been playing up until 90 seconds ago.

[BeerFunk]

We've all been there, and it does make for a miserable night, and it is hard to avoid the feeling that you are somewhat responsible.

In these situations, when you finally accept that the crowd just aren't into dancing (tried everything from Summer Of 69 to the Abba Megamix!), I try to up the quality of the music, and drop the cheese factor down a notch. I'll also go for more toe-tappers and singalongs - it helps to imagine you are one of the guests.

[Tony Scott]

It's a real bummer when you get a night like that, I find that more often than not if it's gonna be a naff night it will be on a Friday rather than a Saturday.

Fridays can be tricky coz people have got home from work, rushed to get ready and don't relax so much. Saturdays they most likely have not been to work and have had a more relaxing run up to the night.

I know when me and Katherine (my gorgeous wife) are off out on a Saturday night we put on some good dance music, have a few beers/vodkas/pro plus etc. and get right in the mood - I'm sure were not alone in this ritual! :D

Some gigs just ain't gonna work no matter what you do and you end up doubting yourself and start to panic, it's easy to loose it and to start getting messy just trying everything and anything to get them up!! :(

[PropellerHeadCase]

Yep, following on from Tony, I've come to the conclusion that I need to put together some pre-planned, good quality, middle of the road (dance or toe-tap) sets, if I feel my continuity start to go out the window in the search for something people will dance to I can then just retreat to that rather than the 'try a little bit of everything' approach is usually doomed to failure (and sounds bad).

[Tony Scott]

Yep, following on from Tony, I've come to the conclusion that I need to put together some pre-planned, good quality, middle of the road (dance or toe-tap) sets, if I feel my continuity start to go out the window in the search for something people will dance to I can then just retreat to that rather than the 'try a little bit of everything' approach is usually doomed to failure (and sounds bad).

Agreed.

I think the pre-planned thing is a great idea for these situations, that's my afternoon taken up then!! :D :D

[Ricesnaps]

Maybe a play list might have made things easier---

BUT as Daz says sometimes people just dont want to know the Dancing.

I did a 40th recently-- booked in as a Barn Dance --but later on they said oh the rock bands not turning up can you play some Disco?

Got a playlist and used it but really it was all a waste of time.

The audience werent interested-- the birthday girl and a few friends did a bit of Disco dancing ---basically most of just went for the Barn Dancing all night:D

CRAZY K

This isn't actually as daft as it seems. While a playlist generally can be a collection of tracks you would have played anyway, it is also a huge get out clause for nights like you've had, even a short list of tracks they like can help. When the "why didn'y you play songs we could dance to" comments roll in, it's easy, you played what was on the list!

[Tony Scott]

This isn't actually as daft as it seems. While a playlist generally can be a collection of tracks you would have played anyway, it is also a huge get out clause for nights like you've had, even a short list of tracks they like can help. When the "why didn'y you play songs we could dance to" comments roll in, it's easy, you played what was on the list!

Yeah I agree playlist do make it easier, what I do now is print out the list and put a copy on every table with my cards & request slips.

On the list I put my banner at the top followed by the venue, date, event etc.

From last night:

www.partyshopdisco.co.uk

The Manor Hotel, 30th June 2007
Graig & Natalie
BRIDE and GROOM'S PLAYLIST


FIRST DANCE:

Elton John/Shania Twain - Something About The Way You Look Tonight (LIVE)


SONGS:

DEEP BLUE SOMETHING- BREAKFAST AT TYFFANY’S
UB40- RED RED WINE
ORSON- NO TOMORROW
ALICE COOPER- POISON
ROBBIE WILLIAMS- ANGELS
NICKLEBACK- HOW YOU REMIND ME
WHITE SNAKE- HERE I GO AGAIN
QUEEN- DON’T STOP ME NOW
TAKE THAT- PATIENCE
DEXY’S MIDNIGHT RUNNERS- COME ON EILEEN
RICHARD MARX- RIGHT HERE WAITING
CHARLES AND EDDIE- WOULD I LIE TO YOU
BONNIE TYLER- TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE HEART
JEFF BECK- HI HO SILVER LINING
GARETH GATES- UNCHAINED MELODY
ATOMIC KITTEN- ETERNAL FLAME
SINEAD O’CONNER- NOTHING COMPARES TO YOU
MEATLOAF- I’D DO ANYTHING FOR LOVE
LEANNE RIMES- HOW DO I LIVE
SHANIA TWAIN- YOUR STILL THE ONE
GYM CLASS HEROES- CUPID’S CHOKEHOLD

ARTISTS:

KEANE
THE KOOKS
BEAUTIFUL SOUTH
JAMES BLUNT
RAZORLIGHT
UB40
THE FEELING
GABRIELLE
PHIL COLLINS
DAVID BOWIE
RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS

REQUESTS VERY WELCOME, JUST LET US KNOW WHAT YOU WANT TO HEAR!

DJ Tony Scott



I find this works incredibly well, lets everyone know what to expect from the evening and gives you a get out if it all goes Pete Tong!!! :D

[CRAZY K]

This isn't actually as daft as it seems. While a playlist generally can be a collection of tracks you would have played anyway, it is also a huge get out clause for nights like you've had, even a short list of tracks they like can help. When the "why didn'y you play songs we could dance to" comments roll in, it's easy, you played what was on the list!

Daft? Its common sense----and as you say a bit of " Insurance"

Al ( PHC) I thought you researched your clients musical tastes before hand--so you would have a play list ?

I have a fall back Mini disc--also handy if the CD player or USB goes wonky:eek: Not that mine have :D

Its the Best Easy Album ever--cost a fortune at the time --£18-50 but worth a lot more to me--the usual suspects--Andy Williams, The Rat Pack, Nat King Cole etc.

Very handy (unless its an 18th birthday) :D

CRAZY K

[Pazz]

Thanks for all your comments I have to say you have all boosted my confidence a lot! Last night's 40th disco went brilliantly - the hall wasn't full but the dancefloor was from about 8.30 - 11.45. There was always someone dancing - what a contrast to the night before. They were requesting songs galore - I have to say this helped a lot compared to the other crowd. So I had a good idea early on what they were into and it soon became obvious that they liked RnB eg Umbrella, Promiscuous Girl and older one like Hot In Here, Ignition and Shake Ya Tailfeather. I then was able to read the crowd a bit and I soon started playing allsorts. As you can tell Im very happy with last night!

I like the idea from some of you about making playlists - I have never actually sat down and done this and I think I will put some of my time towards this soon as it will be an insurance and a fall back if all else fails (as you mentioned).

Do any of you have any suggestions on where to start with this? I have always had mini playlists stored in my head like knowing a few songs that go together well eg 70's/80's mixture could be It's Rainin Men, Rock The Boat, Faith, Wanna Dance With somebody. 60'S/70S could be Brown Eyed Girl, Build Me Up Buttecup, Brown Sugar, Maggie May.

If anyone could suggest anything to get me started it would be appreciated or has this been covered in a previous post?

Thanks for your help once again

[CRAZY K]

Thanks for all your comments I have to say you have all boosted my confidence a lot! Last night's 40th disco went brilliantly - the hall wasn't full but the dancefloor was from about 8.30 - 11.45. There was always someone dancing - what a contrast to the night before. They were requesting songs galore - I have to say this helped a lot compared to the other crowd. So I had a good idea early on what they were into and it soon became obvious that they liked RnB eg Umbrella, Promiscuous Girl and older one like Hot In Here, Ignition and Shake Ya Tailfeather. I then was able to read the crowd a bit and I soon started playing allsorts. As you can tell Im very happy with last night!

I like the idea from some of you about making playlists - I have never actually sat down and done this and I think I will put some of my time towards this soon as it will be an insurance and a fall back if all else fails (as you mentioned).

Do any of you have any suggestions on where to start with this? I have always had mini playlists stored in my head like knowing a few songs that go together well eg 70's/80's mixture could be It's Rainin Men, Rock The Boat, Faith, Wanna Dance With somebody. 60'S/70S could be Brown Eyed Girl, Build Me Up Buttecup, Brown Sugar, Maggie May.

If anyone could suggest anything to get me started it would be appreciated or has this been covered in a previous post?

Thanks for your help once again

EASY, go to my site, www.crazyk.co.uk

I have a playlist which is about 5,000 songs I think, quite a lot of old stuff, also some Menus with more modern tracks.

Just use that as a starting point if you want.

Have you heard of copy and paste at all????????????????:D :D :D

CRAZY K

[Tony Scott]

EASY, go to my site, www.crazyk.co.uk

I have a playlist which is about 5,000 songs I think, quite a lot of old stuff, also some Menus with more modern tracks.

Just use that as a starting point if you want.

Have you heard of copy and paste at all????????????????:D :D :D

CRAZY K

Sneaky way of getting your hits up eh!! :D :D :D

I linked from the gallery to a video on my site a couple of weeks ago, coz of the file size and the number of hits I got I hit my download limit and TELIVO blocked my site.

I had to give them another £10 to get it up & running again, it was only down for a couple of hours but worried me a bit. At least I got the extra now.

Why so many Bay City Rollers tunes Al, something you wanna tell us, got a Tartan scarf tucked away somewhere? :D :D :D

[Megamix]

If you play little sections of every kind of well known music (not extremes) and they don't dance - you've tried everything. Sometimes slowing it down once or twice helps if nobody is dancing - then you can bring the tempo up gently whilst you have the smoochers there. Unfortunately (especially Friday nights I find) you sometimes can't keep them on the floor -- This may help...

YOUNG MONK - "Master, a man robbed me and Kwai Chang Caine on the way to the market"
MASTER PO - "And what did you learn from it"
YOUNG MONK - "Never trust a stranger"
MASTER PO - "And what did you learn grasshopper?"
YOUNG KWAI CHANG CAINE - "To expect the unexpected, Master"

[Tony Scott]

This may help...

YOUNG MONK - "Master, a man robbed me and Kwai Chang Caine on the way to the market"
MASTER PO - "And what did you learn from it"
YOUNG MONK - "Never trust a stranger"
MASTER PO - "And what did you learn grasshopper?"
YOUNG KWAI CHANG CAINE - "To expect the unexpected, Master"

..........thought that was a list of tunes for a second!!! thought I was missing some essential oriental genre! :confused: :)

[CRAZY K]

Sneaky way of getting your hits up eh!! :D :D :D

I linked from the gallery to a video on my site a couple of weeks ago, coz of the file size and the number of hits I got I hit my download limit and TELIVO blocked my site.

I had to give them another £10 to get it up & running again, it was only down for a couple of hours but worried me a bit. At least I got the extra now.

Why so many Bay City Rollers tunes Al, something you wanna tell us, got a Tartan scarf tucked away somewhere? :D :D :D

Well theres only about 4!

I love Rod ( Stewart) Maggie May and You wear it well--- used to use up half the night playing those continually at Football Club Discos in 70s!!!!!!!!!!!

You probably didnt get to Beatles or Rolling Stones--plenty of those:D

And Status Quo of course!

CRAZY K

[theoloyla]

I thought I was going to have one of those nights last night. The b 7 g were very nice and so were the bride's parents who had booked me. Mum said "I hope you do better than the disco at the engagement party - nobody danced all night after the first dance." "Uh Oh" I thought. 45 minutes of background music whilst evening guests arrive and are greeted. First dance at 8.15. Only a few of the audience join the b & g on the floor. A second surefire slowie doesnt add anything. First up tempo number everyone sits down except mum and dad of the bride. After that they sit down too. The nothing. Dead from the neck down. Cant get any interest in dancing to new, old, fast or slow. I have to say I am not phased by this now as, as has been pointed out, some audiences just do not dance. Anyway evening buffet comes out and I retreat to some rat pack background stuff. Post buffet I get bride and some friends up for some cheese and it just snowballed. Ended up a real good night. Phew!

[Dragonfly]

Mine was one of the best ive had for a while last night ...... floor flooded (excuse the pun) right from "let me entertain you" till 2am thought at one point of the old jaws quote ......"we're gonna need a bigger boat"

at one point though had 3 people queued up for requests ...

1. upto date latest dance
2. 70s funk
3. 60s singalongs

[Penfold42]

Yeah I agree playlist do make it easier, what I do now is print out the list and put a copy on every table with my cards & request slips.

On the list I put my banner at the top followed by the venue, date, event etc.

From last night:

www.partyshopdisco.co.uk

The Manor Hotel, 30th June 2007
Graig & Natalie
BRIDE and GROOM'S PLAYLIST


FIRST DANCE:

Elton John/Shania Twain - Something About The Way You Look Tonight (LIVE)


SONGS:

DEEP BLUE SOMETHING- BREAKFAST AT TYFFANY’S
UB40- RED RED WINE
ORSON- NO TOMORROW
ALICE COOPER- POISON
ROBBIE WILLIAMS- ANGELS
NICKLEBACK- HOW YOU REMIND ME
WHITE SNAKE- HERE I GO AGAIN
QUEEN- DON’T STOP ME NOW
TAKE THAT- PATIENCE
DEXY’S MIDNIGHT RUNNERS- COME ON EILEEN
RICHARD MARX- RIGHT HERE WAITING
CHARLES AND EDDIE- WOULD I LIE TO YOU
BONNIE TYLER- TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE HEART
JEFF BECK- HI HO SILVER LINING
GARETH GATES- UNCHAINED MELODY
ATOMIC KITTEN- ETERNAL FLAME
SINEAD O’CONNER- NOTHING COMPARES TO YOU
MEATLOAF- I’D DO ANYTHING FOR LOVE
LEANNE RIMES- HOW DO I LIVE
SHANIA TWAIN- YOUR STILL THE ONE
GYM CLASS HEROES- CUPID’S CHOKEHOLD

ARTISTS:

KEANE
THE KOOKS
BEAUTIFUL SOUTH
JAMES BLUNT
RAZORLIGHT
UB40
THE FEELING
GABRIELLE
PHIL COLLINS
DAVID BOWIE
RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS

REQUESTS VERY WELCOME, JUST LET US KNOW WHAT YOU WANT TO HEAR!

DJ Tony Scott



I find this works incredibly well, lets everyone know what to expect from the evening and gives you a get out if it all goes Pete Tong!!! :D

Mmmmm...I like this.:)

[Corabar Steve]

Always makes me laugh when some know it all comes up and says "when are you going to play some Motown". When ive just played a load of Motown about half hour ago!I'd put that down to the fact that your average punter (& some DJs) cannot grasp the fact that Motown is a record lable & not a genre. Most people's idea of Motown seem to revolve around 60s Soul & most of the stuff they ask for when they say Motown actually came out on Stax or Atlantic. Motown also released such stuff as Michael Jackson solo stuff, Shanice - I like your smile, Debarge, the Commodores, & Rockwell - Somebody's watching me, none of which would automatically come to mind when somebody asks for Motown.

I agree on your point though, I've lost count of the times that somebody comes up & asks for some XXXX when I've only finished playing some a matter of minutes ago (usually when nobody was dancing & I've decided to see if something else will work)

I wouldn't worry about nobody dancing. I had a nightmare gig on Thursday when despite numerous requests for requests (& playing all that came in) & several "When are you going to play something decent?" "What do you want?" "Dunno, something decent. You're the DJ" type conversations, nothing would have got them away from the bar, short of using cattle prods!

[Dragonfly]

I like your smile, Debarge, the Commodores, & Rockwell - Somebody's watching me, none of which would automatically come to mind when somebody asks for Motown.!

indeed i did a motown night and did a section of 80s-90s motown rockwell , shanice etc and the landlord told me to i quote .... "get this :Censored: off its not motown"

most memorable for me was a couple of months back

played 5 of that weeks top 20 back to back and as christina aguileras candyman the 5th one finished a girl came and asked fore ...... yep .... something uptodate!!!! :bang: :bang: :bang: :bang: :bang: :bang: :bang:

[theoloyla]

And with lots of the audience now going outside for a fag and not hearing what you are playing we are going to get even more requests for stuff we have just played.

[Nabeel]

Hi, This post is very informative, however I would like some specific information. If someone can help me then please send me a private message. Best Regards,

[Shaun]

Hi, This post is very informative, however I would like some specific information. If someone can help me then please send me a private message. Best Regards,

Welcome to the forum.

I've removed all the spam from your post. Links to real estate serve no purpose on a Mobile DJ Industry forum.

If you would specific information regarding DJ related information discussed in this topic please feel free to ask in this topic. There's really no need to conduct it via PM. What specific information are you after?.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Welcome to the forum.

I've removed all the spam from your post. Links to real estate serve no purpose on a Mobile DJ Industry forum.

If you would specific information regarding DJ related information discussed in this topic please feel free to ask in this topic. There's really no need to conduct it via PM. What specific information are you after?.

He's just a spammer Shaun.

Stop being so nice!! ;) :D

[ross@rds]

indeed i did a motown night and did a section of 80s-90s motown rockwell , shanice etc and the landlord told me to i quote .... "get this :Censored: off its not motown"

most memorable for me was a couple of months back

played 5 of that weeks top 20 back to back and as christina aguileras candyman the 5th one finished a girl came and asked fore ...... yep .... something uptodate!!!! :bang: :bang: :bang: :bang: :bang: :bang: :bang:

People think they know better than us well news flash they dont music is our living or life and my first love :D lol when they say that i say well what you want ? emmmm .......... anything new personaly i think they just want to wind us up :mad: :bang:

[PropellerHeadCase]

Al ( PHC) I thought you researched your clients musical tastes before hand--so you would have a play list ?

I missed this when it was first posted...

Yes, sir, I do, if they let me, some people don't want to go the whole hog, though.

[Shaun]

He's just a spammer Shaun.

Stop being so nice!! ;) :D

At the time of posting it I just kneeeeeeew you would reply with something like that. LOL, you're getting to be as predictable as me. :D

You know me though...always prepared to give people the benefit of the doubt. The nice streak is an infliction. One day I'll snap though and run through the forum with an uzi shooting wildly.

(apologies for straying off-topic. Carry on)