The Last Saturday Before Christmas...

[Gary 0]

Im sure that most of us have seen certain trends develop with audiences over each December...eg: Friday and Saturday audiences tend to be generally more "up for it" than say; a Monday or Tuesday audience etc... while several factors could be the cause, the fact that many of them have got to face going to work the next morning after a mid-week gig, no doubt makes "some" people a little more reserved in the Alchohol and overall "go for it" areas.

 

Also, weve seen that Christmas functions held very very early in December are often viewed by attendees as being "too early for Christmas" and "Christmas is still weeks away".

 

So, in theory, the last Saturday before Christmas should be the ultimate party night....in theory.

 

In practice however, Ive noticed over previous years that many people "Shop til they drop" on this final pre-Christmas Saturday, fit for nothing but to have 4 or 5 courses placed in front of them, and with barely enough energy left to operate their knife and fork ~ let alone manage the Macarena, writhe about to Racheal Stevens, sway to the Sugababes, or even sing along to Slade...

 

Theyve obviously encountered a few of the following shopping nightmares....

 

"Sorry, that item is out of stock until January"

 

They manage to grab the very last toy/item that youve been searching for, only to find that the box is ripped, and makes an unhealthy rattling noise when moved.

 

You cant get to the aisle/shop that you want to reach, due to old biddies, pushchairs, dogs, street vendors, being in you way. Worst still is the doorway of a shop being blocked by some oblivious muppet yacking on their mobile in the way of dozens of people....

 

 

So, this evening will all be about Energizing your audience....lots of sympathetic mic work, give them a few more down~tempo "recovery" tunes, eg: maybe a couple of mid~disco smoothcies, a little more RnB than usual, add in/extend any regaee/bob marley/ub40 requests...gradually build'em up to the more energetic party tunes...

 

Or buy everyone a can of "red bull"...

[Dukesy 0]

Good points!

 

Big ups to the forum agony uncle!

 

EYYYEEE!

http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/071.gif

[Gary 0]

And I didnt even mention...(duh duh daaaaa) "Finding a car parking space" or "queues at the tills" http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/scared.gif

[C.S 0]

They will be dancing on the tables by midnight or else!

[DJJ 0]

I couldn't agree more with you Gary... this Saturday has been pretty darn quiet for me (see my post elsewhere on this forum about Saturday night).

 

I think people have had enough of the Christmas shopping with all of the problems and stress it brings on. They've been to the works Christmas party (or they should have done so by now) and they just want to take a little time out before they head back out for the X-mas eve party or the Boxing Day party.

 

I'm just glad that this Saturday night in question is over and done with!

 

DJJ

[Eskie 0]

'kin 'ell, where do I start.... I am buzzing http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/smile.gif

I had an absolutely wicked gig tonight and am still on a big high even after packing all the gear down, driving 1 hour to get home and unloading the gear into my house.

It was a wedding and the bride had sent me a small list of some of the songs she wanted me to try to play during the night, and it was very different to your average wedding request list, including the likes of Roy Ayers, Terry Callier, Nuyorican Soul-Black gold, Brand New Heavies-You are the universe, Sergio Mendes, Jean Knight & Lina to name a few http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/thumbup.gif

I replied to her by email a few days ago remarking what a great request list it was and that I'd actually seen Terry Callier & Roy Ayers performing live within the last few months.

When i arrived at the venue and the bride saw me, she came running over excitedly syaing how much she was looking forward to hearing my music, and then after I started playing a guest came up to me saying "you're the Eskie! we can't wait to hear you're great tunes"!! and this happened again with another girl a little while later!

It turned out that a lot of her friends were also into Terry Callier & Roy Ayers and when I'd sent her that email the bride was so excited that she'd sent it round to a few of her friends and they'd all been checking out my website and reading up on me http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/wacko.gif

My only problem though, was looking at the crowd it 'seemed' like a pretty normal wedding crowd, i.e. a mixture of ages etc and I was wondering how i was gonna be able to program deep soul such as Terry Callier into my set without clearing the floor! especially considering that Kylie and Room 5 had all the guests dancing. Another problem was that the meal and speeches had over-run by nearly 2 hours and I didn't actually start until gone 10.30 and it was a midnight finish!

I had to try to play music for a few different generations and also some deep soul and keep everyone happy http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/fear.gif

The crowd were absolutely fantastic, not one complaint. All of them were smiling and happy and having a great time and even when I played 'Roy Ayers-Can't You See Me', the floor was still really busy. I then followed it up with 'Donald Byrd-Dominoes' and then 'Terry Callier-I Don't Want To See Myself Without You' and a large section of the crowd were going mad and singing so loud, I thought they were gonna set the limiter off http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/laugh.gif

At the end of the night I had so many people coming upto me and congratulating me on a great nights music it was amazing. Then the B&G came over and couldn't stop thanking me and some more of their family members did the same... I could have floated home without the need of any transportation http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Then to top it all off the B&G told me that they'd looked at quite a few other DJ's before booking me and that many of them were charging far more than me but were nowhere near as good and they told me to put my prices up cos i was too cheap and then they paid me my fee of £450 http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/smile.gif

Sorry to go on so much but I'm just really buzzing and there ain't a lot of people to tell it to at 3am http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/rolleyes.gif

[YourBigEvent 0]

Friday night the venue only had about 50 people in, ALL in fancy dress and ready to party, the best night of the Christmas period.

 

Saturday night complete opposite, 100 people in, 6 dancers, no drinkers, in fact the bar only took £145 all night

 

Only hope that tonight is better

[Ian Stewart 0]

Eskie,

 

weddings like these make it all worth while, anyone who is into Terry Callier is alright by me.

 

i did a birthday party for a couple who's engagement & wedding I DJ'd at 15 years ago and had not seen or heard from them since. (Christ how well they have done now living in a £1million house)

 

nice to get away from the normal xmas party event.

 

day off today, hooray

[Paul Smith 0]

Last year the final Sat before christmas was a very quiet affair and I put it down to the fact that in order to reserve tables for this date required bookings to be made around easter - so it was all the anoracks that were there - people that plan their lives with a diary (DJs excepted) http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif .

 

This year the complete opposite, the atmosphere was electric from the momemt they sat down for the meal, helped along by a nice snow storm outside (which had melted by the time we left) and by 11.00 they were dancing on the chairs, tables and the whole length of the room which is well over 100' long (with me in the middle).

 

This is my 2nd year at The Castle (a genuine 17th century one fully restored) and judging by last nights conversation with the manager I'll be there next year as well which is good news for me as they used to have a policy of changing entertainment every year.

 

So with well over 3,000 people entertained during December and the only complaints were: not playing their requests fast enough, 'can you play my song again?', 'turn the volume up' and 'go on play just one more' (most nights I went on to about 1.15 but they still wanted more) I would say that 'The jobs a good 'un' which should tide me over for a very slack Jan 2004.

 

The only whinge I have is the 3 potential bookings I have so far received as a result of these gigs I couldn't accept because I'm already committed for those dates which is bad considering the 326 free days that I do have.

 

All I want for Christmas is for next years weddings to be half as good as Decembers gigs or like Eskies wedding last night and I'll be a happy hallowe'en bunny http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/wacko.gif

 

http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/offtopic.gif Whilst driving home at 2.30 this morning I heard Sybil Rosco on radio 2 play a special request for all the mobile DJs up and down the country returning home so thank you Sybil. It's the only time I listen to radio 2 but she plays some good music on her show.

 

PaulS http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/xmas.gif

[Tonsk 0]

QUOTE

I heard Sybil Rosco on radio 2 play a special request for all the mobile DJs up and down the country returning home so thank you Sybil. It's the only time I listen to radio 2 but she plays some good music on her show.

 

I have to agree - I dont tend to listen to Radio 2, but on Fridays and Saturday nights its nice as a lot of gigging people (bands and DJs) tune in so it's like an airborne DJU, only with Musicians and a female Chris... Hmmm.. http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/bash.gif I think i'll shut up now!!

 

As to the last Saturday - I agree.. No one was really up for it at my gig until the last two hours... When the floor did get packed throughout... Hard work gettin em there, but they did stay so.....

[kazzachi 0]

I must be on the same cloud as eskie!.... Last nights dinner dance - well - I had a look at them and it was very obvious that they were not "disco" people - you know the sort of crowd.... mad scientist lookalikes! Well, it was an absolute pleasure, and for once, I actually had to think about what tunes I would play! Four different groups ranging from rockers to the northern soul brigade! Yes, two very different music tastes there, but each of them appreciated the others choices and made the most of it! I havent played "aint nothing like a house party" in years.... Drop that tune once in a while people! In fact I would say that this was the best gig I have done this December - and I got invited to a northern soul gig at the end of January by one of the punters!

[C.S 0]

Well i had them up on the tables by midnight ..... a huge aquarium exploded and the alternative was to dance in water and fish! So punters thought pints with goldfish in them were quite a novelty. I am glad you had a good one esk ole mate but i am afraid i am not alright because i dont know who Tony Callier is so i suppose i am just going to have to be inferior compared with all you top class djs! http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/rolleyes.gif Mind you all the people who have heard of Morten Abel are alright by me http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/rolleyes.gif

[ChrisPointon 0]

Well Saturday night was less of a success than Friday. Sometimes at "older" functions you wonder why they bother booking a D.J when 99% of the guests would be far happier playing Birthday Bingo or tucked up in front of the telly watching Miss Marple. I'm not ageist at all (unless its when i'm winding Karen & Mikee up http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/smile.gif ) but common sense says that if booking a D.J is going to fall flat with the vast majority of your guests, and they have pre-booked Taxi's for 9.30 then why bother wasting their time and ours? http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/wallbash.gif.

 

A few waltzes and Quicksteps got a few up, but that was as far as it went, and the much requested rock 'n' roll failed to get any of them on the dancefloor. I refused to accept defeat and put on a few of the old sing alongs which went down well, but it was very hard work. We got a drink and a tip at the end of it, so it wasn't all bad and the diving club are interested in passsing their private function work onto us in the New Year http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/thumbup.gif , but I'm not anxious to repeat a function like that in a hurry.

 

If you are looking for an interesting Xmas gift and haven't bought anything for your parents, spouse etc then consider this idea. The family of the Guy whose 60th it was last night had bought him a Recording Session at a local studio. He was mad on Elvis, so he was taken to the studio where he had his photo taken at the Mic for the Cd Cover. He then sung two of his favourite tracks which were recorded to CD. I thought it was quite a novel idea - Your own CD!....Paula there is a nice business oportunity for you! http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/smile.gif

[The Moog 0]

QUOTE (Eskie @ Dec 21 2003, 04:37 AM)

Then to top it all off the B&G told me that they'd looked at quite a few other DJ's before booking me and that many of them were charging far more than me but were nowhere near as good and they told me to put my prices up cos i was too cheap and then they paid me my fee of £450 http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/smile.gif

What??? How Much??? And he told you to put your fees up!!!?!

 

Man am I ever living in the wrong part of the country ??? http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/014.gif

 

I've been DJing for 17 years and consider myself to be well accomplised and certainly a more polished and 'aware' (I'll not use the word better http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif ... but I do mean better http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/tongue.gif) all round DJ than a lot of my peers locally. But I could never dream of getting work round here (Yorkshire) on that kind of money (£250 is a top earner in the land of the tight fist and the worried sheep, never mind £450)

 

Eskie, I applaud you (and I just might be moving in down the road from you real soon http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/thumbup.gif )

Edited December 22, 2003 by The Moog

[paula 0]

QUOTE

Your own CD!....Paula there is a nice business oportunity for you!

http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/laugh.gif If only you knew http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/188.gif http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif

 

QUOTE

i am afraid i am not alright because i dont know who Tony Callier is so i suppose i am just going to have to be inferior compared with all you top class djs!  Mind you all the people who have heard of Morten Abel are alright by me

http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/scared.gif

You better go hide there gonna have you for breakfast.....and I mean Ian and Esk.......O...o http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/fear.gif

[YourBigEvent 0]

HOW MUCH !! £450, Even £250 is £100 more than this part of the country. Any gigs going.....I'll travel http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/tongue.gif

[The Spindoctor 0]

QUOTE

Any gigs going.....I'll travel

 

Well you could....................... but then take off the cost of fuel and time.

awwwwwww sorry mate maybe you'll just have to leave it us lot!!

 

http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/071.gif

 

Spin

[Ian Stewart 0]

Re what Eskie charged, there are also DJ's in & around the London area who charge £80-£150, and everything upwards.

 

I to had a similar experiance, I was working in a bar in the city and was approached by a nice young lady who told me that theyt were looking for a DJ for their Xmas party, and that they normally pay £500 would I do the gig, of course I replied.

 

the main differance between the cheaper DJ's and the more expensive is quality & experiance and the balls to ask for the money.

 

however there are things to consider when working in the city

 

1. Congestion charge, (last thursday i was 200 metres inside the zone for 10 minutes, but it still cost me £5.00

 

2. Parking - there is hardly ever any parking at or near the venues, so you have to unload (20 minutes allowed and you will get a ticket) and then drive off and fine a space, either a NCP (eskie recently had a £31 bill for an afternoons parking) or a metre that can be anything from £1 every 15 mins or recently I had 50p per 3 minutes. you then have to walk back to the venue, i once had to park 1/2 a mile away.

 

3. in most cases there are stairs, and very narrow ones at that

 

4. If there is a lift, you share it with the other staff, who will if your back is turned take your stuff out and put theirs in (or take it to another floor and take it out there)

 

5. and when you have finished you have to repeat all of the above

 

6. oh i forgot, there is heavy traffic in London 24 hours a day, last week it took me 1 hour to travel 4 miles at 2am

 

that is why we charge so much

[Dukesy 0]

100% right Ian

[C.S 0]

QUOTE

You better go hide there gonna have you for breakfast.....and I mean Ian and Esk

Yeah Right!

 

I charge a lot because i can!

[kazzachi 0]

On the subject of dosh.... I have just spoken to the venue I am doing christmas eve and they have TOLD ME that they are gonna put another £100 on next years fee for me! WOOW .......how great is that! http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[The Moog 0]

http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/offtopic.gif

I was not saying Eskie charged too much - far from it! I feel DJs like ourselves, who put 110% effort into entertaining the people we are there to entertain, deserve better money than most of us are getting.

 

Case in point.... I've been working a premier city centre hotel over Christmas in Leeds City Centre. One of the nights I worked a private party alongside two.... emm.... for want of a better description - second rate Black Lace impersonators (the originals were enough of a nightmare!). These guys arrived late, had second rate sound equipment, were unprofessional in their approach off stage and to a lesser extent, on stage... all in all, a pretty poor northern working mens club novelty act http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/wacko.gif (There are some excellent ones out there too!)

 

They performed three half hour slots and took home £650 (!!?!) for their efforts. Where is the justification when (I'm sure) all of us work longer, harder, are more professional and have higher overheads than a lot of so called 'artists', such as these fools.

 

Why should we be getting such dramatically lower rates??? In USA / Canada the DJ is more on a par with other entertainers and is paid accordingly. In turn, a higher degree of professionalism is expected of the American DJ - which is fair!

 

I've noticed, since the popularity boom of so called 'reality TV' shows, Karaoke culture and the Stars In Their Eyes mentality, that people are satisfied with a lower standard of entertainment. I come from a show business background (I'm the less talented member of the Dynasty http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/tongue.gif ) so I have been in a position to notice this decline in expectations. Does anyone else agree or relate to this theory???

 

(or am I just a raving madman http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/fish.gif )

Edited December 22, 2003 by The Moog

[ChrisPointon 0]

Have to agree with moogie

 

Still awaiting for the Southerners to take up the "Up North Challenge" and charge £350 for a gig up here. 6 months and no takers! http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/rolleyes.gif

 

Although to put it into prospective, if you take a look at the ongoing DJU poll HERE you will see that the 47.95% of D.J's who took part in the poll, charge between £101 - £150. If you add up all of the sections, then in total 80.83% of D.J's, who took the time to vote, charge under £200 a night http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/smile.gif

 

So in conclusion, although it may not seem like it during these discussions, but if the poll is accurate, then it means that £200+ per night is the exception, rather than the rule.

[DJshaggy 0]

This weekends gigs have been great, Fridays party with Bernie Marsden and Mick Moody playing in a band on stage was amazing. and saturdays was very good except for one guy coming over to argue with me every five minutes cos 'he is a bit of a DJ' and i wouldnt let him have a set. which i can usually deal with on my own but security had noticed i was having a bit of a problem with this chap and were keeping a closer eye on him. until the last straw when he saw i was looking through my cd box and waled over to the cd player and stopped the track only to bot only get me really p:cense:s*d off, but also the 4 very big aussie security gurads in the hotel saw this a great chance to drag him out side to the applause of the room. was possible the weirdest moment in my DJ life span

[kazzachi 0]

I would have to agree with you moog! You are a madman!!!!

 

Crispy - how far is melton mowbray "up north"? I get paid a big fee to go up there and play once a year!

 

This is what gets me about the north/south divide.... You pay the same for petrol as we do, you pay the same for a 3/4/5 star hotel as we do, but you charge so much less than we do! If there are any salesmen amongst you, I bet you could organise a meeting with a quality hotel and they would pay you a higher fee. I would not say that jo public who is having a bit of a bash at the local church hall would be prepared to pay a higher price...., but if a good hotel wants to embrace a totally professional service, they are willing to pay the price.

 

There are two ways of looking at this.... Either you dont charge them enough, or they wont pay.... If all of you stuck to your guns no matter what, then you could command a much higher fee. Sell yourselves and get the money you deserve.