Good Gig, Bad Gig.

I didn't work last night as I was playing a festival gig with my band (which was amazing as it goes).
Shame you both had idiots at your functions.
When it comes to people moaning about the Bride & Grooms music choices, I always make sure that I tell the person saying "I'm going to speak to the Bride & Groom" to just leave them alone, it's their day and they don't need the hassle.

What is it with some people? At the most it's 4 maybe 5 hours in the evening out of someones life. It can't be that difficult to just TRY and enjoy yourself can it? It's just music!
It's not a matter of life or death if some 'moaner' can't hear something like 'Dancing Queen' because the Bride & Groom don't want to hear it and would rather hear something different on THEIR big day.

Yes, take the guests into account and all that BUT it is THEIR day.

I had a rare kids party on Friday, 10th birthday so ages 9 - 12'ish, about 50 guests in a very small room (unlike the main hall next door where the same amount just made it look empty, always prefer small venues).

2 hours of non stop dancing, a few games, favourite songs played several times, no tantrums or fights, no drunken 'one more song' at the end (wished all guest's parents would whisk then away at the end of gigs). Even found a reggae version of Happy Birthday with the girls name in it - told her friends I had it made specially for her when they asked who sang it :D

Highlight was Gabz - The One, room in darkness apart from glow sticks being waved above their heads as they sang along.

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Originally Posted by surround sounds

Overall a excellent gig last night BUT..
The bride and groom booked me last year for a high end wedding, This would include Mobile Disco, Led Curtains and Uplighters.
When they sent me the booking forms back they stated there may be a band playing. I stated from day one there would not be much room because of a fire door in the way because i have done this venue before and there is just enough room for me (5metres x 2 metres)
Well 1 month before i had a email from the bride and groom stating there was a ska band turning up. I emailed straight back stating my terms and conditions about room, sockets and no bands could use my equipment. They said fine they would sort it..

2 days before there wedding i send them the normal email stating all there details like access times, starting and finishing times etc and they said it was all correct.
They also said that the band would set up while guests was in the room around 7.30. This straight away thought it was weird and unprofessional and i thought there would be trouble.
As i thought i was correct. Band arrived at 7.40 and he said he was going to plug into my sound system (they never asked, they told me). I said no chance i have guests on the dancefloor and no one uses my equipment. The band member then said fine he would go home then and told me to :Censored: . I could not believe how rude he was.
5 mins later he came back over and said he would have to use my plug sockets. I said i have got a extension lead they could lead and there nearest plug sock was 4 metres away. He said that no:Censored:good and he started unpluging some uplighters to make room.
I plugged them back in and he said he already had enough and was going home. My response was have a word with the bride and groom 1st before leaving cause its very unprofessional.
Anyway soon enough he admitted defeat and started setting up his own equipment with a extension lead from the other socket.
Bride came over and said they would start at 9pm. At 8.50 without warning they did a sound check while the dancefloor was busy and straight away guests was looking at me as if it was my fault.
Anyway the band done there 2x 45 min slots and it went done ok. At 11.15 i was back on, The the bride came over and said could i play new chart music for the last 45mins (midnight finish). I replied yes fine. Well dancefloor was packed and the groom came over at 11.55 asking for Stone Roses and i said ok i will play it next and it would be the last one. He replied ok great.
I wish it was that easy. I finished at midnight and the groom came back over and he said he wanted 1 more indie song. I told him i was booked till midnight and i have already gone over and i had to be out of the function room before 1am. He would not have it. He said i have paid you a lot of money for tonight and you will do what i want. I said 1 more song and thats it.. I then played 2 more songs and finished at 12.15. The groom rushed back over saying i had to play 1 more. I said i have already turned equipment off and we had finished. He was not happy and the bride came over and calmed it down.
While i was packing away all i could hear from the groom was i am going over to the dj in a minute and knock him out (yes he was slightly drunk). When the bride left the room he came over and threatened me but i kept cool and just asked him with short answers to his questions. This went on for 15 mins until some of his friend decided enough was enough and they taken him away.
Its the first time something like this as happened to me really. I hope its just the hot weather getting to peoples head

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That band sound like a joke.

As for the groom, there's no effin way I'd have played anything after him saying "I've paid you a lot of money, you'll do what I say." We're hired professionals not dancing monkeys and are entitled to the same dignity (and safety / freedom from harassment) at work as anyone else.

If I'm having a really good night and think I might get the 1 more song thing I always run it by the bar to see if they're OK with it. I worked bars at functions for years and the last thing you want is some superstar DJ (even if you're just doing the client a favour, it doesn't always come across that way...) playing later meaning it'll take longer to clear the tables, get the punters out and get home... just something to consider.

Another thing to consider is that by playing one more song except in exceptional circumstances really doesn't have any benefit to you. You bent over backwards for this ignorant prat and the end result is you've worked longer for no extra money, got home later, potentially annoyed the bar staff / venue and he'll still be running you down stinking this morning.

Laptop closed, mixer off, jobs a good un. They're not going to keep at it when you tell them the exceptionally long amount of time it'll take to reboot your DJ software and set your system back up ;)

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Originally Posted by Jim - Scotland's Party DJ

That band sound like a joke.

As for the groom, there's no effin way I'd have played anything after him saying "I've paid you a lot of money, you'll do what I say." We're hired professionals not dancing monkeys and are entitled to the same dignity (and safety / freedom from harassment) at work as anyone else.

If I'm having a really good night and think I might get the 1 more song thing I always run it by the bar to see if they're OK with it. I worked bars at functions for years and the last thing you want is some superstar DJ (even if you're just doing the client a favour, it doesn't always come across that way...) playing later meaning it'll take longer to clear the tables, get the punters out and get home... just something to consider.

Another thing to consider is that by playing one more song except in exceptional circumstances really doesn't have any benefit to you. You bent over backwards for this ignorant prat and the end result is you've worked longer for no extra money, got home later, potentially annoyed the bar staff / venue and he'll still be running you down stinking this morning.

Laptop closed, mixer off, jobs a good un. They're not going to keep at it when you tell them the exceptionally long amount of time it'll take to reboot your DJ software and set your system back up ;)

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Yes band was a joke and some good points you have said.
On upsetting the staff etc. I always check what time they what me out (this case it was 1pm. i was gone at 12.55)
I always ask what time bar is open till (This case 12.30)
About the laptop thing etc- Thats what i had to do in the end and thats when he kicked off.
As stated before in 20 years i have never had this problem before but everyone always get 1 once in a while

It's hard to 'back down' sometimes when you have a customer who has paid you to provide a service and you want to keep them happy.
I guess that sometimes it seems like the previous 4 or 5 hours however good they were, can go to waste and be forgotten by the customer and they could concentrate on the last few minutes because they weren't happy. Does that make sense?

What I mean is, everyone has had a great time and the customer is happy but it's that last bit of the night where they've kicked off that will be remembered and could affect the feedback they provide. I must admit, I check with the bar about calling last orders and time etc and I always ask if there is any leeway on the finish time. Saying that though, what I do in advance at my meetings with the customer is get a last song of the night from them so it tells everyone and kind of indicates that the last song really IS the last song. I'll announce it 5 minutes before the finish time, thank everyone and get a round of applause for the Bride & Groom or Birthday Boy/Girl and then play the song and 99.9% of the time I'll finish when I am supposed to.

I've had a customer before (couple of weeks ago) ask for one more song after I have played their agreed last song. On this occasion, the song requested was on my laptop as it was a last minute addition to the request list and I had to get hold of it and hadn't added it to the Denon as yet. I had turned the laptop off, unplugged everything and it was back in it's case because it was no longer needed. The night flew by and I hadn't played it. The Groom came over after the last song as the lights went up because it was finish time. He simply said "Any chance?" and I told him that I had to finish. He was fine, no arguments, no "I'm paying you, do what I say" type stuff....He just said "No worries, thanks for a brilliant night".

I did feel quite guilty actually as he was a nice guy. To be honest though, if I had a customer that was getting all high & mighty and narky with me, I would have definitely not budged one bit. They pay us to provide a service and we quote for a specific duration. We've done what we're supposed to do.

I had an alright wedding last night, was a 15 hour day in total with my first FULL mood lighting using all 16 uplighters. Took me an hour and 30 mins to pack away going as fast as I could which I don't think the venue were all too happy about as everybody else was finished in 40mins!

Some people are unbelievable, I've been very lucky with my last few weddings and upcoming ones - all details have been discussed I've spoken to the bands / venues so I'm hoping I've covered all angles.
I think it's quite important to get to know the bride and groom / chat with them on the night so they have a more personal connection are more forgiving when you end the night before they are ready.
I've only ever had the "one more song" problem with people I've not had much chance to talk to.

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Originally Posted by Jim - Scotland's Party DJ

That band sound like a joke.

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Some might be inclined to say "Aren't they all"? but of course I wouldn't, because I respect my fellow Professional Entertainers.


Blimey, a low flying Gloucester Old Spot has just knocked my chimney pot off!!! :eek:



OK, before anyone points out that I'm not being fair, may I point out that I'm not being serious, either. Some bands are an absolute pleasure to deal with. The last two I've worked with have been superb. Would that they all were.

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Originally Posted by surround sounds

On upsetting the staff etc. I always check what time they what me out (this case it was 1pm. i was gone at 12.55)

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Indeed. How I wish though that they helped us a little more, ie venue lights on full at the appointed finish time. Not only does it help to convey to punters that the Entertainment has ceased, it helps me to see to pack my kit up and :Censored: off.

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Originally Posted by Shakermaker Promotions

It's hard to 'back down' sometimes when you have a customer who has paid you to provide a service and you want to keep them happy.
I guess that sometimes it seems like the previous 4 or 5 hours however good they were, can go to waste and be forgotten by the customer and they could concentrate on the last few minutes because they weren't happy. Does that make sense?

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Oh Gary, never was a truer word spoken. Many many years ago, when I complained to a mate that my punters weren't dancing (early on ) he told me that they wouldn't remember the beginning of the night, but they would remember the end. Wise words.

Sadly, a two edged sword though. Isn't it amazing how you can be the best DJ they've ever seen for two hours, and when you won't play "one more" you're :Censored: ?

.

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Originally Posted by Shakermaker Promotions

I did feel quite guilty actually as he was a nice guy. To be honest though, if I had a customer that was getting all high & mighty and narky with me, I would have definitely not budged one bit. They pay us to provide a service and we quote for a specific duration. We've done what we're supposed to do.

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Again, absolutely true. Sadly, they weren't taking any notice of the first three hours we did, and only left the bar with an hour to go. Then they asked for their song while we were playing the last two songs cued up. :bang:

That last icon in your post is spot on. Yes, it is like knocking your head against a brick wall sometimes.
As the Doors said "People Are Strange".
The more I think about it, the more I think that sometimes we might aswell just do a 2 hour Disco starting at around 10.00pm once everybody is full of alcohol. That sounds silly I know but it could appeal to those scenarios where the "One More" crowd are in attendance.
I will say though that they are (in my case anyway) in the minority thankfully. Most bands that I have worked alongside HAVE been professional and a pleasure to work with. One of the most important things is co-operation and planning in advance. Ideally I don't want anyone going through my system and if the band are professional (and usually earning a lot more than me because each member has to earn enough for it to be worthwhile them doing the gig), they SHOULD have their own system to go through.

I guess it might be because I have been in bands myself and I am also in one now but I make a concious effort to get on with them. I see it as WE (both of us) are there to entertain and it's not a case of trying to outdo eachother. I've helped out before and carried in equipment once I have been set up or I have commented on levels when they've soundchecked etc...

I remember one band in particular that I worked with a few years ago that weren't so co-operative. On this occasion it was a wedding and they were a covers band who had massive egos from the start. One guy in particular was instantly dislikeable. We'd both set up and were sitting around waiting as the day was running late and the wedding party and guests hadn't finished speeches yet and hadn't come into the room where we were. We chatted and within minutes I had heard this guys life story, what he'd done over the years etc etc. He came across as very condescending at times and the "DJing is easy" comment came up at some point followed by "No offence". It was then that I decided to give him some of his own medicine and I did something I never do and that's big myself up. I probably came across the same way as I saw him (arrogant) but thought "Sod it".

I told him that I had been in a band a few years back and he didn't really take much notice until I told him that I had made records, toured the UK and Europe with named bands and had been on TV too. I said it was all original stuff too and not covers. Covers were/are easy to do etc. He soon shut up and probably knew where he stood with me from then on.
As I said, this was a rarity because the majority I have worked alongside have been great. They don't feel the need to get all egotistic. I have nothing against covers bands at all as there are some brilliant ones out there and at the end of the day, we're all there to entertain. That's how I see it and that's how the majority of bands I have worked with have seen it too.

I'm working with a band at a function towards Christmas and what's the betting that all of the positive things I have said above just go out of the window and they turn out to be the biggest ego monsters ever! Let's hope not eh!

Well, the nice weather strikes again.

Spent most of the night DJing to an empty room while everyone was outside. B&G came up to me at the end & told me it was a great night & apologised for the weather keeping everyone outside.

Also a night for a first. Due to the lack of people inside, the first dance was put back & put back & put back. At 11pm I had a brainwave & suggested to the B&G that maybe it would work to have their first dance as the last dance of the night. Neither of them had been dancing until this point. They loved the idea, so that's what we did. At 4 minutes to midnight....."Ladies & Gentlemen, please welcome to the dancefloor for their first dance as man & wife....."

An odd, but somehow fulfilling night.

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Originally Posted by Corabar Steve

Well, the nice weather strikes again.

Spent most of the night DJing to an empty room while everyone was outside. B&G came up to me at the end & told me it was a great night & apologised for the weather keeping everyone outside.

An odd, but somehow fulfilling night.

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How true. I had the bride on Friday night asking me (after I had fully set up in the empty room, if I could set up again outside. She offered to get "the lads" to help me carry it all out. I did explain that it would take 2 hours to break down, carry out and re-set and that sort of put her off.

Then, of course, you have the neighbours who always have to be advised in writing if there is an outdooor function at the venue, and that any outdoor function has to end at 1100 (90 minutes earlier than indoors) due to noise etc.

Finally of course, would these "lads" still be there to help me carry all of my gear back round the building to my car?

You can guess the rest!