Good Gig, Bad Gig.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Interested to hear how your farmers gig went Peter.

Last night I had an amazing wedding gig. It was the Indie/Alternative one and it has to be in my Top 5 weddings ever.
I posted the playlist the other day and I think a few people may have thought that there could have been a few disgruntled guests.... Not the case!
Well...apart from one lady who was pretty drunk who firstly asked me if I would play Gangnam Style. I told her that unfortunately I couldn't as the Bride & Groom had said that they didn't want that type of thing. She was fine. Then later on she started pestering me on regular occasions as she wanted me to play 'The One & Only' by Chesney Hawkes as a wind up for someone. Again I told her that the Bride & Groom didn't want to go down that avenue. She wouldn't have it. She said she'd go and ask the Groom. I told her not to bother them and take my word for it. It was their special day and they had specific music requests. I watched her as she went over and pestered the Groom and I watched as he shook his head. I read his lips when he said "No way" and then I had to tell her again when she came straight back over to me and told me that he'd said it was fine. She did say it with a grin on her face and I think she knew that I knew she was trying it on. She was fine after that and I think she stayed in the bar. She was the only one out of 120 guests that actually asked for something. Everyone else was dancing from the off.

First song of the night was actually the first dance. It's only the second time I've done this. The guests were ushered in to the room by the MC and surrounded the dance floor and as the first song played the Bride & Groom entered the room to lots of applause.
First dance was REM - Nightswimming.
Second dance was Billy Idol - White Wedding

I went into their 80s requests after the second dance and kicked in with Simple Minds - Don't you forget about me and the dance floor was packed. It was like that for a good 90 minutes as I played classic 80s and New Wave. I announced that the BBQ was available and lots of people left the dance floor to get food. I used that opportunity to play some 60s, Motown, Funk and Disco and it was funny seeing lots of people dancing with hotdogs and burgers in their hands.

As we hit 10.00pm I started on the full on Indie/Alternative and it was mad. Lots of great stuff played and the reaction was brilliant. Most tunes got a cheer when they started.
Midnight came and I knew I had an hour to go and there were a lot of Rockier / Grunge tracks that I hadn't played yet so I got on with those and the 50 or so people that were left just danced to everything.

Classic moments of the night were when I chucked in Champagne Supernova and everyone started singing along. The Bride was crying as she sang as it was one of her favourite songs and she came up to me after it and hugged me and said "I can't believe I didn't put it on the list, it's one of my favourites".
Another moment was when one of the staff of the hotel walked in to collect some glasses and ended up on the dance floor in the middle of a mosh pit to Breed by Nirvana.

Last song of the night was John Lennon - Imagine and it was a nice moment as everyone danced around the Bride & Groom.
I've never seen a Bride & Groom dance to almost every song all night.
I've also never had so many people shake my hand and hug me at the end of the night. We could easily have gone on until the early hours. It was an absolute pleasure to play music I am passionate about to a bunch of people that have the same taste.

I was buzzing when I got home and have been awake all night. Today is going to be a long day. I have band rehearsal at 10.00am and then I am meeting my dance floor guy at 4.30pm to install a black & white dance floor and uplighting at one of my residencies out of town.

I have more Indie / Alternative weddings coming up this year and if they are half as good as last night then I'll be more than happy!

[dj foureyes]

It makes it all worthwhile when you have nights like that. Well done Gary.

[Ryu]

Had one of THOSE nights last night, having had a great earlier part of the day, ceremony and breakfast background, the evening gig was real hard work. Just one of those chemistry things I guess, a combo of issues including a mix of age groups, guests request list, uninterested old people, uninterested young people, super interested people wanting a specific type of music, super interested people wanting the exact opposite of the other group, room layout and, yep, I admit, a DJ who didn't instantly have all the answers.


Perhaps it was the long day I'd had, trying too hard or not sticking to what I know, but combos and ideas which at other gigs have worked just didn't. Hugely frustrating. Even more so when folks approach you and speak to you as if you were TRYING to clear the floor, like that's what I wanted.


I guess it's one of those deep breath shrug your shoulders and move on type nights.

Ironically enough, as I was leaving, the B and G were really (hopefully genuinely) thankful, as was the brides mother.

I followed up my 15hr working day with 4hrs sleep. I shall be doing surprisingly little today.

[Excalibur]

Tonight is upstairs in a Rugby Club, for Young Farmers. Sounds like an "Interesting" night.

Interested to hear how your farmers gig went Peter.

Well first of all Gary, congratulations on that one . Sounds like an absolute dream gig. I'm very jealous.

My gig? Well, I'll give you a clue. Pack around 200 teenagers into a room that comfortably holds 100, give them access to a bar, and play loud music for six hours. What do you think the result was?

Nigh on six hours of full throttle chart music, bodies incessantly crashing into the DSB for the last hour, a DJ pausing the music every time a glass came on the dancefloor ( cos we had to stop it earlier for clearing broken glass, and I was asked to be very vigilant. All to no avail, floor was littered with btoken glass. Couldn't park near the dors, as there was so much glass outside. ) and a load out down two flights of stairs. I don't usually accept offers of help carrying kit, but on this occasion, I did so gratefully.

When I got home, I was totally cream crackered, and glad that John had sourced a roadie for Saturday Night, so I was able to fall asleep on the sofa. I think I'm getting old.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

That's just about what I expected Peter. I did the same last night after I had set up for the 40th Birthday last night.
I had a Black & White dance floor hire and Uplighting at one of my residencies out of town. I didn't supply the Disco as the customer had already booked one elsewhere before he called me for the dance floor and uplighting.
I was there when the DJ was setting up and to be honest, although he had quality equipment etc etc etc...there was far too much of it! I provide Discos at the venue throughout the year and one of the comments that the venue owner said to me when I first started providing discos there was that he'd seen various suppliers go in with enough equipment to fill Wembley and he personally didn't like it. That's why I have always kept it quite compact and discreet. Saying that though, we don't know what the customer requested and he could have requested a large set up for all we know. The venue owner was there when we were setting up and he said to me that there was far too much equipment too. Brownie points for me I guess in a weird kind of way?

There was a bit of a nice budget for this 40th Birthday party. Nice LED table directions, Chocolate Fountain, Photo Booth, Dance Floor, Uplighting and Free Bar apparently all night.
I did find it slightly funny though that it seemed like no expense was spared on all of the above yet they'd bought in table cloths that were too small for the tables.

I've just had a reply from the customer who said he was really happy with how everything went. I've posted a couple of photos on my facebook business page for those that follow me so you'll see what I mean about those table cloths.

[STEVE HANLEY]

Had done four weddings in a row at the same venue this week. No two were the same and Saturdays gig looked like it was going to be a stonker. 7pm bang on start after room turn around and the bridesmaids and their friends were immediately into it. Played some 80's stuff straight away. Within minutes the dancefloor was full a and it was only 7:15pm. So Immediately I started playing up to them, to keep them on the floor and it worked. The first dance wasn't until 8:30pm. After that I played another 30 minutes to a full floor ( I couldn't believe my luck) and I still had all my usual floorfillers to come.

9pm Buffet anouncement. I was hoping this hadn't peaked too early, and rest assured that's exactly what happened. After the buffet I couldn't believe how quickly the room emptied. Parents taking the kids home. OAP's had their grub. (That disco's too loud for me) Time for home and various other folk who had decided. "Well we've showed our faces. We've been fed and watered. We're off". By 10:30 there'd be about a dozen people left.

The manager of the place came over and said to me. "I want you to call last orders at 11:15 and last record off at 11:30. It's just been a strange one and I'm
If I'm letting play to less than half a dozen punters". (Was supposed to be on until midnight) We both commented early on about how good this one looked like it was going to be. I had a funny feeling it had peaked too early, but what are you going to do?

Tonight's was exactly the opposite . Different venue (Played there 3 times in the last year. Love it). Couldn't put a foot wrong. Lovely couple.

[JAMdisco]

Had a belter of a gig on Saturday night - venue was Hodgson's and my first disco obtained through NaD.
It was a surprise 25th wedding anniversary and I had plenty of communication with the daughter - a pleasure to do business with.

Well, firstly, I got all my gear in my new Honda Civic (with room to spare) and the venue was literally 5 minutes from my house so nice and local. Easy load in (able to back right up to the main entrance) so was all setup by 6:45 pm for a 7:30 start (although guests started arriving at 7). The couple who's anniversary it was were due to turn up at around 7:45-8:00 and I asked to be informed when they where almost there (which I was). I played background music up until they arrived and just before they came in I killed the music & lights. To say they where surprised is an understatement - they really jumped when everyone shouted "SURPRISE" lol.

It was a bit slow to start off with which I kind of expected, lots of hugging and chatting - I suspect there where some people they haven't seen for a long time.
There where a few dancing before the buffet which was due at 9:30pm but ended up being nearer 9:45pm by the time all the food was out. after that (from 10:00pm til 12:30am) the dance area (not a dance floor as such) was rammed. They danced to every track I played and also the requested tracks (including the celebratory couple).

There was a short break for speeches and cake cutting around 11pm (this always surprises me at birthday's and anniversaries - the cake cutting!!!) and the whole gig went without any hitches whatsoever. I was slightly concerned as they had a sound limiter in the room but a quick check with the bar staff and they reassured me it wasn't actually connected to the power supply which was a relief. To be honest I didn't think it was as I've played there a few times and it's never cut out (I never noticed it before lol). They said they can cut the power from behind the bar but they would ask for it to be turned down first - anyway, even though it was on red all night they never said anything!

The load out was the typical pain in the rear with everyone stood in the doorway smoking and waiting for transport home.

But the main thing is that everyone had a really good night and the party organiser said she would leave me a glowing review on NaD - so hopefully soon I will have a gold DJ Mark

Next week sees me at Tickton Grange on Thursday for a wedding (I did her sisters wedding at Rowley Manor on 1st December last year and it was a blinding night). Then residency on Friday night in Goole and then an engagement party at Lazaats on Saturday - hopefully these should be good too.

[messiahwannabe]

ok this isn't actually a wedding gig but i have to get it off my chest, it was i moment of awesome in a night of meh. + a genuine good gig/bad gig to boot.

quick backstory, i rocked 3 weddings hard at a bali hotel, so when the manager wanted to start a club night fridays (to "copy" the completely different venue next door's sunday parties) and the first dj quit, he thought of me. now, i did a string of maybe 6 club gigs late 2011 but since then it's all been weddings & my band, the pay is like 5 x better and frankly i'm too old for that anyway. i thought it through and decided to turn down the offer, but was too scatterbrained to cancel till it was too late so there i was, half-ass prepared with last years tunes and maybe 3 random bangers i downloaded for personal pleasure. and... HOLY IT WENT OFF! I felt like a rock star, reminded me why i got into this dj thing in the first place. the manager loved it and accepted my hardball price, just enough to make it worth a fun friday night on a regular basis, and there's my monthly grocery money sorted as well. win!

Cue to next week. i've been downloading fresh stuff along the lines of what everyone was going mad for the week before. all organized, keymatched, checked the beatgrids, hi energy mid energy anthems commercial folders, the works. show up with an opener I KNOW is gonna blow up, and... fail. surprise! 2 minutes in and half the partys already frikkin left, i'm not even exaggerating. great. I'm 10 years into this career and I know I can probably save the night if I change things up post haste, but in my heart of hearts I was hoping for another brilliant night. I'm on stage, so smile and act like it's nothing but inside I'm the sad sad dj, sniff sniff. well, better frikkin get to work then!

...and here comes mr. drunk yahoo. "hey mate, well done, you just killed the party in 2 minutes flat! something something you're crap," complete with mr. superiority grin. to be honest this stings a bit cause he's not wrong at all. but! I dj weddings don't I? like I need this crap. best client smile. "hey, thanks, that's a really nice thing to say! nice one! you've just about made my night!" he deflates a bit, I can see it cross his mind I'm actually fellow human being. i'm stuck for words for a second, i mean he *is* right, so it's time for the arm-around-shoulder alpha brohug, despite he's bigger than me. then the words just flow from my mouth, still all smiles. "i mean, you actually walked all the way across the room, just to tell me that! everyone loves a guy like that. I can tell you right now, you're going to have a very, very nice life. seriously! hope you have a great evening. bet everyone else does too." turn away, whip up new song in a completely different style in 15 seconds, crowd literally cheers. I look over and dude's just like shellshocked. I can see it sinking in, he knows I'm not just being a dick - *he* is. the look on his face! priceless! Seriously, I wouldn't be surprised if he actually remembers this moment one day when his f'ed up sh** karma really kicks in.

Tip: Don't trashtalk the dj, we deal with drunk punters every week.

Mod Note: Please be careful with the bad language, this is a family friendly forum, amd profane language is not tolerated. If you need to use bad language, let this fella do it for you. He's a real pottymouth.

Also, please please don't substitute dashes, asterisks or characters to get round the censor. If the forum censor doesn't allow it, don't say it, or use Thank you.

[djdave01]

had a rather dull 60th birthday last night. For the first 3 hours, no one danced and only the kids made requests.

Apparently 100 were invited, about 40 actually showed up, in a hall that can take 120.

By 11pm, most had gone. I had about 15 left, although they did start dancing and requesting songs.

One guy, who was extremely drunk, asked for 'simply the best'. I wont normally play it, but the bar staff said it was fine. He decided he wanted to sing along. I wasn't keen, but the organiser said it was ok. He proceeded to 'sing' along on the mic, substituting the correct words for his own expletives. Several adults in the room didn't look pleased with him.

At the end, I was asked to play Runrig's 'Loch Lomand', to which the drunk guy decided to sing again. I kept the mic turned very low, and everyone ignored him.

While packing up, the drunk came and thanked me for letting him sing and for a good night. Later, while loading the car, he came and shouted the I was a DJ and I should off and never DJ again. Several people heard him, his wife looked mortified and apologised to me for his behaviour. The drunk man then feel over. No one helped him up, and he was still lying there when I left.

Not a great night

Ive got another 60th birthday tonight, hope I get a better crowd.

[messiahwannabe]

ok this isn't actually a wedding gig but i have to get it off my chest, it was i moment of awesome in a night of meh. + a genuine good gig/bad gig to boot.

quick backstory, i rocked 3 weddings hard at a bali hotel, so when the manager wanted to start a club night fridays (to "copy" the completely different venue next door's sunday parties) and the first dj quit, he thought of me. now, i did a string of maybe 6 club gigs late 2011 but since then it's all been weddings & my band, the pay is like 5 x better and frankly i'm too old for that anyway. i thought it through and decided to turn down the offer, but was too scatterbrained to cancel till it was too late so there i was, half-ass prepared with last years tunes and maybe 3 random bangers i downloaded for personal pleasure. and... HOLY IT WENT OFF! I felt like a rock star, reminded me why i got into this dj thing in the first place. the manager loved it and accepted my hardball price, just enough to make it worth a fun friday night on a regular basis, and there's my monthly grocery money sorted as well. win!

Cue to next week. i've been downloading fresh stuff along the lines of what everyone was going mad for the week before. all organized, keymatched, checked the beatgrids, hi energy mid energy anthems commercial folders, the works. show up with an opener I KNOW is gonna blow up, and... fail. surprise! 2 minutes in and half the partys already frikkin left, i'm not even exaggerating. great. I'm 10 years into this career and I know I can probably save the night if I change things up post haste, but in my heart of hearts I was hoping for another brilliant night. I'm on stage, so smile and act like it's nothing but inside I'm the sad sad dj, sniff sniff. well, better frikkin get to work then!

...and here comes mr. drunk yahoo. "hey mate, well done, you just killed the party in 2 minutes flat! something something you're crap," complete with mr. superiority grin. to be honest this stings a bit cause he's not wrong at all. but! I dj weddings don't I? like I need this crap. best client smile. "hey, thanks, that's a really nice thing to say! nice one! you've just about made my night!" he deflates a bit, I can see it cross his mind I'm actually fellow human being. i'm stuck for words for a second, i mean he *is* right, so it's time for the arm-around-shoulder alpha brohug, despite he's bigger than me. then the words just flow from my mouth, still all smiles. "i mean, you actually walked all the way across the room, just to tell me that! everyone loves a guy like that. I can tell you right now, you're going to have a very, very nice life. seriously! hope you have a great evening. bet everyone else does too." turn away, whip up new song in a completely different style in 15 seconds, crowd literally cheers. I look over and dude's just like shellshocked. I can see it sinking in, he knows I'm not just being a dick - *he* is. the look on his face! priceless! Seriously, I wouldn't be surprised if he actually remembers this moment one day when his f'ed up sh** karma really kicks in.

Tip: Don't trashtalk the dj, we deal with drunk punters every week.

Mod Note: Please be careful with the bad language, this is a family friendly forum, amd profane language is not tolerated. If you need to use bad language, let this fella do it for you. He's a real pottymouth.

Also, please please don't substitute dashes, asterisks or characters to get round the censor. If the forum censor doesn't allow it, don't say it, or use Thank you.

sorry, my bad, it's just how i talk if i'm not at work. i'll try to tone it down in the future