:agree:Quote:
Originally Posted by djtrev
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:agree:Quote:
Originally Posted by djtrev
While I'm all for tolerance in these matters, we must remember that we have no idea of the circumstances. What if you had to be up at four in the morning for something vital, or were working nightshift? Was the music simply a noticeable tone in the background, or was it shaking the plates off the dresser? Was it music only likely to appeal to a niche market, or something more likely to appeal to a wide audience? I could go on, but I hope you get my drift.Quote:
Originally Posted by djtrev
And if it had been a forum member providing the music, then I hope they'd have had the professionalism to pitch it at a volume which didn't offend the neighbours.
With so many variables, we can not offer advice on a suitable course of action to take.
I agree with what Peter has said so can't really comment on what would be the right or wrong thing to do.
However, I will say that parties that I have done at the customers residence have more often than not seen me asking them in advance (enquiry stage) if the neighbours are aware or have been notified. If I have any doubts (which hasn't been the case), then I would (maybe) turn down the gig.
It's a weird situation because I guess you can't win either way. You have a customer that isn't that co-operative and could also be disgruntled because the music has been turned down which could result in them being funny about paying the full amount (which once again takes us back to the 'get paid in advance' thing), or you have neighbours that can get narked and take it out on you.
In this instance I would simply have directed them to the customer and told them to sort it with them or I would have got on the microphone and advised everyone of what had happened or was happening. As I said, pretty tough call really.
3.The so-called Best friend of the organiser, every two songs, came over and started asking for Tinnie Tempah, despite most of the request being of the Agadoo, birdy song variety and having a moan.
4. Another guest, a young girl in her early twenties, who said she and her friend were wannabe Red Coats
The Big 21st /18th argument half want cheese the others want Modern
Most gigs I get this - I usually get mr/ mrs annoying to stand next to me for a few songs and show em that you have to please everyone - make em feel that they are the DJ choosing the songs - After this they normally leave you alone
Ok, firstly this was pre-DJ days (4yrs+ ago).Quote:
Originally Posted by djtrev
Secondly, at the time I was running around putting Bouncy castles into peoples gardens at weekends and had to be up pretty early and the job was physically tiring so I could do with a good nights sleep.
Thirdly, I had two very young children at the time (1yr & 2yrs)
Fourthly, they had it cranked way beyond anything called for given that it was a smalll garden party for 40 guests with no marquee. My house is a good half a mile away from theirs and there are two rows of houses and a good amount of foliage between us - but the police receptionist could still hear the music clearly down the phone through a closed double glazed window when I called them about it. All of the neighbours in our cul-de-sac were wandering around in the street trying to work out where it was coming from!! Bizarrely, this wasn't even bass heavy music, it was the highs which were carrying.
If it was me DJ'ing, I would have turned it down to a respectable level and explained to the guests why I was doing it. I certainly wouldn't have started up again at 11:30 at night at the same ridiculous volume - that was just plain ignorant/inconsiderate of them. In my specific instance I lay part of the blame with the performer concerned and part with their customer. The customer must have instructed them to carry on, but the performer should have been able to gauge their volume better for the circumstances (but it's likely that this would have been one of the first times they'd played outside)
Anyway. Back on Topic.
It's been a while since I did a proper review and last nights gig deserves one I think.
It was a Wedding for a very nice couple that had booked me well over a year ago. It was at The Coppleridge Inn, Shaftesbury, Dorset.
I don't tend to travel that far out of my usual radius but these two really wanted me to DJ for them and they paid a nice price for it. I left at 5.00pm and travelled the 60 miles to the venue.
Quite a nice venue, parking was rubbish but access was very, very easy. It was quite a small function room and all of the guests were seated in the marquee and just finishing their desserts when I arrived at 6.15pm. I was set up in a small corner (quite tight really) next to a massive fireplace which was a nice feature so I uplit it and put a speaker either side of it. I was done by 7.00pm and ready for a 7.30pm start. The speeches over ran and it was 7.55pm before I could play any music. I played one background song and then it was the first dance at 8.00pm.
From the word Go, it was onwards and upwards. There was a great list of pre-requests as I had suggested when I first met the couple that it would be a good idea to get song requests off the guests in advance. 99% of the tracks worked with a full dancefloor all evening.
The list consisted of lots of Chart, Indie and 80's and 90's with some cheese and also some 50's and Rock n Roll.
After the first dances, I went straight into some Chart stuff and it packed the floor out. After about 20 minutes the Groom came over and asked if I would mind just playing a few 50's and Rock n Roll tracks for the 'oldies'. I said "No problem" but I guess the Groom saw the doubt in my face as I knew what would happen. The dancefloor was rocking already and it wasn't even 8.30pm yet and I knew that changing the style drastically like he'd suggested would kill it. He laughed and said "If it doesn't work, just change it" so I gave it a go.
I'd just finished playing 'Moves like Jagger' and everyone was loving it so I thought rather than go straight into 'Great Balls of Fire' which had been requested, I'd ease into it via some 60's and Motown etc. I picked 'Proud Mary' to start off with and it worked a treat. The dancefloor got even busier. Then it was Stevie Wonder, Jackson 5 and eventually I got into some of the requests for 50's & Rock n Roll. I lost a lot of people unfortunately so made sure I just played the ones that were requested so that the people dancing got to hear what they had asked for.
After that it was back to some more Chart, 80's and Indie and the dancefloor was back to capacity again.
I've noticed a lot that Brides and Grooms of this age love the 90's stuff. The likes of Five, Spice Girls, Peter Andre, Chaka Demus & Pliers, Backstreet Boys and Blue were all requested and went down really well. People were coming over to me as I was playing them and smiling and commenting that it was great which was encouraging.
Before I knew it, we were in the final hour and everybody was well up for it so I did some classics (got asked for 'Men in Black' which really worked). I beefed it up a bit with some David Guetta, LMFAO and DJ Fresh (all requested) and followed that with Chesney, Erasure, Steps and Queen (again, all requested). The last song of the night was 'Chasing Cars' and everyone joined in with the Bride & Groom. A massive round of applause at the end and thank you's too.
Then it was breaking down time and everything was back in the van pretty quickly. I struggled to get out because people were sat or stood in the way of me. Back on the road by 12.25am and in the house after putting my foot down on the way home by 1.35am.
A couple of things to mention though.
The venue room I was in wasn't that big and I thought that the Mackies would be plenty on their own. There were 120 guests and they were quite loud too at times. The ceiling was very high and wooden with beams. I noticed that at times, I was adjusting the gains on the mixer to get more volume. I checked out front a couple of times and it was fine but I was concerned that the mixer was going into the red. I have it in my head that there is something wrong with the mixer so I'm going to do a check this week and try another mixer with the Mackies as I have a couple of spare ones.
I haven't got my Denon mixer as yet and I am sure that will make a big difference.
Great gig though and a great crowd.:)
Sounds like a good night. Did you take any pictures?Quote:
Originally Posted by Shakermaker Promotions
Cheers.
No, I didn't really get time once it got going.
I did actually take one with the phone of the set up space but it was too blurry.
I don't tend to take loads of photos which I should do really.
I also totally forgot to mention the biggest and best moment of the night. It was a classic.
During the night, most of the guys ended up with their ties around their heads (it's happened before). An asian guy came over to me and asked me if I had 'Jai Ho' from Slumdog Millionaire as he'd taught the father of the bride a few moves. I wasn't sure whether to play it or not as it was getting late and I had loads of requests left but I went with it and I am glad I did.
It went down a storm with a number of asian guys and girls all doing the moves and the father of the bride copying them. Everyone was clapping along and trying to join in. I had a quick think and the only other song I could think of was the Punjabi MC track so I played that too and it had the same effect.
A 'shivers down the spine' moment.
Well, the 16th birthday went alright last night.
To be honest, they are quite easy in comparison to other gigs. No pressure to get them dancing, just played requests. Generally this age group don't want interaction, so I didn't say anything until the last 30 minutes.
The caretaker for the hall was brilliant. He let us overide the noise limiter and was very helpful, showing us around and telling us that there was no rush to get out - what a change!
The Mum of the birthday girl told me she had allowed them to drink as she'd rather they had a drink while they were there and not get off their faces before they arrived and be sneaking drink in. I wasn't sure what to expect when she told me this, but I have to say that she was right. The kids were drinking but were fairly sensible. No-one being ill or falling over and no fighting or hassle.
Once a year is enough to play the amount of explicit R&B and dubstep that I played though...ears are still ringing!
Yeah, it's good fun, I've had it happen loads of times, makes a change from Blame it on the Boogie!Quote:
Originally Posted by Shakermaker Promotions