Gig Report

[geoff1960 0]

We did a 50th Birthday and strict instructions to play music at talking level from 7-9.30pm ok that was fine by us. They had canopes, sushi etc being brought around by outside caterers and the host supplied all the wine, champagne etc At 9.30 we slowly turned the music up, we had a fab playlist and 25 tracks the host wanted, then this foul mouthed woman kept coming up turn this crap off :devil: I explained the music she was complaining about was the Birthday girls choices and she more aless called me a liar :pro:

 

Then at 10.30 there were 3 drunks dancing and almost pulled my lighting rig over and then fell into the DJ stand, what a nightmare.

 

At 11.45 last number playing warwick ave and then this woman came back calling me all the names under the sun. Funny thing was she was dancing all night

 

Hosts came up to us and said brilliant music, played everything we asked for :pro:

[MintyDave 0]

We did a 50th Birthday and strict instructions to play music at talking level from 7-9.30pm ok that was fine by us. They had canopes, sushi etc being brought around by outside caterers and the host supplied all the wine, champagne etc At 9.30 we slowly turned the music up, we had a fab playlist and 25 tracks the host wanted, then this foul mouthed woman kept coming up turn this crap off :devil: I explained the music she was complaining about was the Birthday girls choices and she more aless called me a liar :pro:

 

Then at 10.30 there were 3 drunks dancing and almost pulled my lighting rig over and then fell into the DJ stand, what a nightmare.

 

At 11.45 last number playing warwick ave and then this woman came back calling me all the names under the sun. Funny thing was she was dancing all night

 

Hosts came up to us and said brilliant music, played everything we asked for :pro:

 

Sadly Geoff, going on other recent posts, this is becoming the typical 'text book gig'

 

Happy host is the main thing and sounds like you did the job.

 

[deejaymitch 0]

Your customer was happy, so you did a good job. Keep the faith brother.

[Robster 0]

I actually print out the requested list when a abusive customer comes along i say politely words along these lines ...i understand you would like different music but if you have a look at this ,this is the music the customer has paid me to play and as it is there night and there requests that's what i am doing exactly what i was hired to do..sorry your not happy with that but this is what is going to be played there are some good tunes on this list so no doubt at some point you might be happy with the music choice but i am not here to please just you so please don't ask for any other songs or shout complaints as it wont make any difference to what i am going to play. I have found polite but firm works they often sulk for five minutes and have a think then get up dancing again lol this only works if they are tipsy and not on there way as once they are drunk nothing you say will stop them going off on one.

 

on a personal note I do think it is a little selfish for a host to dictate a whole night of music and not think of other guests or let the DJ do his/her job and read the crowd but more and more want set lists. I dont mind playlists of say 20 songs but lists for the whole night are boring and i could be just a ipod for those customers.

The thrill of dropping a random tune and it going down like its the best tune ever is the buzz i live forand i guess a lot of other dj's too.

 

Sounds you did a great job dont let them get to you matey

[milhouse 0]

As long as the person who is paying you say's they are happy - then thats all you need worry about! Sounds like you did a good job - and it does sound like a standard gig at the moment. Every DJ I know is on the receiving end of abuse at the moment.

[Teez 0]

I actually print out the requested list when a abusive customer comes along i say politely words along these lines ...i understand you would like different music but if you have a look at this ,this is the music the customer has paid me to play and as it is there night and there requests that's what i am doing exactly what i was hired to do..sorry your not happy with that but this is what is going to be played there are some good tunes on this list so no doubt at some point you might be happy with the music choice but i am not here to please just you so please don't ask for any other songs or shout complaints as it wont make any difference to what i am going to play. I have found polite but firm works they often sulk for five minutes and have a think then get up dancing again lol this only works if they are tipsy and not on there way as once they are drunk nothing you say will stop them going off on one.

 

on a personal note I do think it is a little selfish for a host to dictate a whole night of music and not think of other guests or let the DJ do his/her job and read the crowd but more and more want set lists. I dont mind playlists of say 20 songs but lists for the whole night are boring and i could be just a ipod for those customers.

The thrill of dropping a random tune and it going down like its the best tune ever is the buzz i live forand i guess a lot of other dj's too.

 

Sounds you did a great job dont let them get to you matey

 

 

Small side topic here - I would NEVER do an entire gig based upon a client's playlist. A list of 'would likes' is OK.

 

Otherwise, I'd rather be at home watching some TV and have a cold beer. As you say, they would just need an ipod for that. The money isn't worth it.

 

:joe:

[vokf 0]

Small side topic here - I would NEVER do an entire gig based upon a client's playlist. A list of 'would likes' is OK.

 

Otherwise, I'd rather be at home watching some TV and have a cold beer. As you say, they would just need an ipod for that. The money isn't worth it.

 

:joe:

 

 

I did take a 100% playlist gig last year. A dirverse playlist that had cheese, and some rock. I was a little concerned when they asked for this, but took the gig anyway.

 

The night was a success. It was an Asian bride and a Dutch groom, so a bit of a mixed crowd.

I must say, it was a very good night, not many drunks - and a mainly full floor from the 2nd dance.

 

She left the order of songs to me, and I did play one or two songs that were not on the list (but fitted very well).

 

We provided mic hire, and obviously lighting, with some announcements for the venue.

 

I guess on a night like this, an iPod would do the job, but would not spot an empty floor (if the guests DIDN'T like ACDC!) So for me, it was a fairly easy gig.

I would do it again, but luckily most clients struggle to give me 10 or 20 songs.

 

On the subject of getting abuse, I've taken to putting me headphones on and pointing to the request sheet - if I think I'll be getting grief.

Happy drunks are ok (as long at they don't put my gear at risk!), but I do not talk to those that are trouble.

I don't take much :crap: in my day job, so don't want to put up with it when DJing.

 

Getting full payment in advance of the night, with signed terms (which has a clause for abuse) helps a lot. Not possible for residencies though :-(

 

[milhouse 0]

On the subject of getting abuse, I've taken to putting me headphones on and pointing to the request sheet - if I think I'll be getting grief.

Happy drunks are ok (as long at they don't put my gear at risk!), but I do not talk to those that are trouble.

I don't take much :crap: in my day job, so don't want to put up with it when DJing.

 

I tried the headphone thing - but people got round it by prodding me in the arm until I responded. Then I got called ignorant and "why are you ignoring me?"

 

 

[MintyDave 0]

makes me laugh when you are in the middle of an announcement and they start talking to you or giving the prod. are they also deaf?

 

i remember one night i was trying to sort a mix out with somebody twittering in my ear after i had told them i was just going to sort the next song out then i would be happy to talk to them. I was struggling to find a song to fit and had 30 seconds left so i found a reasonable tune but let the music die at which point the twitterer was shouting so everybody head her.

 

the dancing stopped and somebody shouted some sarcastic comment and i very rapidly put the blame on the twitterer

 

had a few laughs at the expense of the ignorant woman.

[geoff1960 0]

makes me laugh when you are in the middle of an announcement and they start talking to you or giving the prod. are they also deaf?

 

i remember one night i was trying to sort a mix out with somebody twittering in my ear after i had told them i was just going to sort the next song out then i would be happy to talk to them. I was struggling to find a song to fit and had 30 seconds left so i found a reasonable tune but let the music die at which point the twitterer was shouting so everybody head her.

 

the dancing stopped and somebody shouted some sarcastic comment and i very rapidly put the blame on the twitterer

 

had a few laughs at the expense of the ignorant woman.

Thanks for your replies greatly appreciated :joe:

[Norfolk DJ 0]

 

Just as a footnote to this thread my T&C includes the following:

 

Abuse from hirer’s guests, customers and or venue management or staff will not be tolerated and will result in the performance being terminated with no loss to the Disco.

 

It's a difficult one to call but the hirer needs to be informed if a problem persists.

[Teez 0]

It's not just the pond life that abuse DJ's.

 

Did a great wedding yesterday will all the trimmings. Must have cost thousands and judging by the cars in the car park (one of the many lawns surrounding the mansion) and the fact that most of the penguin suits were not rental it was a wealthy group.

 

Imagine my surprise after queueing up my next track when I find standing behind me some bloke with a bottle of beer in his hand. He had worked his way round behind the speakers without me spotting him.

 

"So when are you going to play some decent stuff then?" he asked as the filled dancefloor bounced to one of my selections.

 

I probably shouldn't have said it but I was already holding back from telling him to bleep off. I was also conscious that the B&G had paid top dollar and I didn't want to upset anyone.

 

"Here you go fella, if you think you can do better" and I handed over my headphones to him.

 

It was funny because for a split second he considered it but I spotted him looking at my computer screen in full flight with VDJ spinning and the full flashing displays on the Pioneer, mixer, mike unit and standby units and said

 

"Sorry I wouldn't know where to start"

 

He raised his bottle and walked off.

 

That was a close one. I do get upset when so many people are clearly enjoying themselves and one door handle comes up and spoils it for me. I know about keeping it professional and all that but if you're passionate about your work you always search for that perfect night where everything clicks.

 

Anyway, it's funny now and thought I'd share it. I won't offer headphones again though because you never know when someone might say yes.

 

:joe:

[Dukesy 0]

..or "mistakenly" pour their bottle drink on your kit!

[Teez 0]

..or "mistakenly" pour their bottle drink on your kit!

 

 

Totally agree.

 

It wasn't my best one liner but it was a snap decision between that or ramming the bottle up his nose.

 

:joe:

[McCardle 1]

Abuse from hirer’s guests, customers and or venue management or staff will not be tolerated and will result in the performance being terminated with no loss to the Disco.

 

A good and valid inclusion. After all anybody with a day job wouldn't expect their boss to get drunk and swear abuse at them during their working day. Why should we be any different?!

 

 

"Here you go fella, if you think you can do better" and I handed over my headphones to him.

 

What would you do if he trashed your kit, after you had effectively and publicy handed over permission for him to gain access to it?. Sometimes guests and clients may surprise us by calling our bluff

 

Roadies and Apprentices are great and earn their keep in more ways than one. Not only do they help lug the gear in and go to the bar for drinkies, but they also keep annoying guests at bay, allowing me to deal with the job in hand

 

There is 2.2 million unemployed out there, if you can find somebody happy to work unsociable hours, lug heavy gear in and out of venues and has good PR skills then you are onto a winner .

Edited April 11, 2010 by McCardle

[Wayne 74 0]

Had a mixed sort of weekend. Started Thursday night, with a local pub, normally quite busy when I go there, but for some reason, had a total of 28 people in. The music was appreciated, a few people having a dance, but others satt around, happily drinking, tapping there feet away,

 

Friday Night - Pub across town, little village, started off slow with mussic and karaoke, but after i'd done a few songs myself, people started getting up, and it was a pleasant night. Ended up knocking it on the head just after midnight.

 

Saturday Night - 18th B'day party at a pub in Grantham. Told initially that the party was due to start at 7pm. Got there early, set up, then at 7.15pm, the mother walked in with cakes and balloons, said people would start to arrive around 8ish. The birthday boy arrived at 7.50pm, already drunk, and not too happy that there were embarressing photo's of him all over the pub. All guests had arrived by 8.20 ish. Playing mostly up to date, but threw a nice amount of oldies in, and had a packed dancefloor until around 10.50, when everyone decided to go into town, so the pub regulars came in for a dance. No probs, good night, got lots of good comments, and people asking who they could contact to book me in the furture,

 

Cheers,

 

Wayne