Mid-week Wedding..

[vokf 0]

Hi Guys,

As some may know - I've sold (ie taken deposit) for my Car. It needs the windscreen replaced due to a crack, and thats booked for tomorrow morning, and I'll be handing the car over in the evening.

 

Yesterday, I had a smallish wedding in my local- last minute, and so left work at 4:30 to get home for load-up, shower and casual set-up.

 

Joinin the M25 from the A1... the clutch failed

1 hr wait for the AA, then slow transporter back to my area and dropped the car off at the garage I called.

Got back at 6:30.. client (or someone!) called asking where I was (I'd said the absolute earlist I could get there would be 6:30, probably 7pm.

So, briefly explained that I was delayed by a bit, but was literally across the road (gave them a wave) and would be setting up at 7pm.

So, home, hair-wash, shirt and then into Carmens car for the 200yrds trip to the pub.

 

Lots of kids, lots of people saying I was late, and also most were drunk.

 

Set-up was ok, I know what I'm doing, and what to bring. Took about 20mins, with cables strapped away :joe:

 

The couple were actually fairly young, I'd say mid-late 20's. 1st Dance was "Hungry Eyes" as received by txt the previous night.

Modern chart went down well with full dance area for about 30mins.. then I guess they needed drinks+fags.

Chatting to a few people whilst setting up - they wanted 70s/80s, and so car wash got them up, I did about 30mins of this, and then played a few requests. A fair bit of Mic work.

 

Then problems started - one guy wanted his request played. I'd been fitting in his requests fairly instantly during the chart stuff, but was now playing older tunes. He wanted Roll Deep, and I agreed I'd play it soon(good happy tune). However, "soon" wasn't good enough, so every 2 songs or so he kept coming over "call yourself a DJ?"... My actual reply was "it looks like it!" lol It was fairly good natured, and not serious- but I wasn't going to drop that song mid-way though a 70s set!

 

Later, a few girls wanted some club stuff (ie house). I kicked off a remix and started mixing - aiming to do about 20mins - trying to get through quite a few tracks.

Starting to mix track2 (a specific request of the girls), and drunken lady shouted "change music".

Me "Pardon?"

Her "Change Music now"

Me "Pardon?"

etc ...

 

I tried to explain that I've been playing a wide selection of music, and this currently has about 10 people dancing. I'll play this for another 15mins, and then move onto a different style.

No such luck...

Her "Change Music now"

Ok, tried to simplify my plan to her. I was then told that "we're paying, change music now, want disco".

Not sure who she was, but getting pretty annoyed- I said "I would appreciate a PLEASE". This really wound her up, but I did get it.

 

Now, I don't normally mind people forgetting to ask nicely. Most requests are "Hi, can you play....", and know what its like. But, she was really winding me up.

 

So.. was gonna let the new song finish, but after 2 mins, I got "change music now" again. She wanted disco, so I stopped the current track, announced that I've been told to play some disco... and then hit them with 30mins of that stuff.

Dance floor emptied, most went outsite. "change music now" lady was outside smoking..

 

She came in, and I got the same "want rock and roll". I pushed again for a "please", got that, and did an Elvis set with some rapid cuts.

 

Most other guests were fine - bride was up quite a bit, kids were mainly ok (apart from constantly requesting Justin Beiber..)

Pub had 2 Windows Broken in Gents loo, I told the Landlord who was pretty upset (haven just paid for a refurb..).

 

So... not a great day! However, I took payment on arrival, none of my kit was damaged, and a few regulars could see what I do. (normally they're strictly old rock/ska and 90s - I generally only get to play a token modern track or 2... lol)

 

End of night, my client thanked me for a good job and said she had my number for the next wedding.

 

My fee... £180 7:30 until midnight, for basically a pub gig with me being a bit smarter and introducing the 1st dance.

Its a shame the B&G and Client were not really interested in a meeting. They were local and so would have been fine to pop over for a chat about music etc.

They would have got more for their money, and I could have done a better service. Also.. with some kind of guidelines to music, it would have been easier to deal with "change music now" lady.

I suspect she was the grooms mum - but not sure. Totally wasted thou, even when we arrived...

 

Ho Hum...

Fridays wedding will be better :-) 4hrs, twice the money, met couple the other month and its all very well planned.

[Paul The Party DJ 0]

Sounds like a testing time - well done, you passed!

 

Why do some people have to screw life up for other people?

The world is changing and we have to live with that, but I despair when I read posts of people treating DJ's badly. All we want to do is give everyone a good time!

 

Again well done for getting the job done and thanks for posting - next time I have a "difficult" day I'll remember it doesn't just happen to me.

[stardust 0]

Crikey! Nightmare scenario!

So what's happening with your Car then? are you going to replace the Clutch and sell?

 

At least at the end of the night whilst drinking your horlicks you were £180 better off!

[vokf 0]

Cheers Guys...

Overall, it wasn't a bad night - the car problems did not impact the start time and the bride looked to be having a great time dancing to Girls Aloud etc.

 

However, these problems come along now and again, and I'm really not THAT experienced in handling them.

In the cosy warmth of a forum, its easy to work out the right way of doing things.

 

Perhaps I would have clarified WHO the "change music now" lady was, and found my Client (sister of the groom) and explained how I work.

 

I was firm, but polite, didn't take too much :crap: the lady was the big issue - the guy was just being an idiot.

 

 

I also find it hard Paul - I guess its just bad upbringing/lack of respect etc.

I insist my kids are polite, and even with some current supplier problems at work - I give them grief, but do thank-them for their efforts and keep it friendly.

 

However, I'm sure some in here have much worse stories, and we did get paid and no damage to gear or Carmens car.

 

 

Anyway.. My car is currently at Garage, should be done today - otherwise, I need to call the buyer (he's keen to collect asap).

I guess at least he's benefiting from a new clutch...

 

[milhouse 0]

Blimey! You did well to keep your composure in this situation, well done, it looks like you remained professional under pressure from the drunken idiots.

 

We all get it, I get it a lot in my bar residencies. It's when it crosses the boundary and becomes general abuse raher than a complaint about the music that I don't take lightly.

[Dukesy 0]

I've worked for a residency where the venue paid me up to 11.00pm and the client pays a few ££'s for the last hour (if required). Even when only a few ££s have been paid for that last hour (or not!), probably 2-3 gigs out of 10, I used to get the same type "attitude" as mentioned. Quite :cense: ignorant yes, but to be fair, even the better paid gigs can have their fair share of " :cense: 's" !

 

Edited June 23, 2010 by Dukesy

[Carmen 0]

Well at least we got a chance to test out "emergency procedures". We found out that the gear necessary for a fairly minimal setup will fit in my car and I can load the car up on my own. Though the SEAT Ibiza isn't the ideal car for loading due to the deep lip on the back which makes things difficult when putting big heavy things (Mackies in Gator bags) in the boot.

Edited June 23, 2010 by Carmen

[DJMickeyk 0]

That sort of abuse is getting more and more common, I simply can't understand the mindset of somebody that would go up and treat the DJ like that, what utter ignorance. I often get clients like that, who want to dictate the style of music for the entire evening, yet will spend most of it outside smoking. And then the ones who ask for a request, which you play, they then come up asking for it again, claiming "but I was outside having a fag, play it again". I just think of the fee and grin and bear it usually, but some punters really wind me up at times I must say. I do think that alcohol has alot to do with it in many cases, but still, people should have more consideration.

[MintyDave 0]

well done to both of you for getting thru it in one piece, teamwork. Mrs MD stands watching me and usually does nothing but criticise my lights or sound rig, need less to say i leave her at home.

 

well done for biting your lip Jas and giving it your best, sadly some days our best is just not good enough for some.

 

Onwards!

[vokf 0]

That sort of abuse is getting more and more common, I simply can't understand the mindset of somebody that would go up and treat the DJ like that, what utter ignorance. I often get clients like that, who want to dictate the style of music for the entire evening, yet will spend most of it outside smoking. And then the ones who ask for a request, which you play, they then come up asking for it again, claiming "but I was outside having a fag, play it again". I just think of the fee and grin and bear it usually, but some punters really wind me up at times I must say. I do think that alcohol has alot to do with it in many cases, but still, people should have more consideration.

 

I'm used to the people who make a request - the song fits, so I'll play it next - only to see they've gone outside for a fag. I don't play it again (unless requested by others), this is often after I say "nice one..I'll play it next"!

 

Last night was about the fee to me - esp knowing I'd have a hefty bill today. I did make an effort - played with the kids, and the problems aside, it was ok - the problems put a dampener on it for me, but you can't let that show...!

 

Goodish news.. Got the car back. New clutch, driving good- and £300 lighter :-( Could have been worse...

Tomorrow sees the screen fixed, then its handed over..

 

Was rocking out to Carmens "Queen CD" on the way into/back from work today in her car! :Thumbup:

[milhouse 0]

That sort of abuse is getting more and more common, I simply can't understand the mindset of somebody that would go up and treat the DJ like that, what utter ignorance. I often get clients like that, who want to dictate the style of music for the entire evening, yet will spend most of it outside smoking. And then the ones who ask for a request, which you play, they then come up asking for it again, claiming "but I was outside having a fag, play it again". I just think of the fee and grin and bear it usually, but some punters really wind me up at times I must say. I do think that alcohol has alot to do with it in many cases, but still, people should have more consideration.

 

On Bank Holiday Sunday I was in a bar residency in a city centre - there are hundreds of bars to choose from. These two 30-something women were sat sulking in the corner. One came over and asked for a song. I was polite - said yeh that is no problem.

 

Within a minute she was back "Where's my song?". I again kindly said it was on it's way and I'd had some requests already and I would play her song.

 

Two or Three minutes later she came over again. "Will you turn this sh.. off. Play something decent, where the hell's my song?". Bemused I asked her point blank, but in a nice way, "why are you being so aggressive?"

 

She said because the music was awful. I said to her well then leave, go somewhere else, I really don't mind. She carried on telling me how awful I was, so I ended up having the doormen throw her and her friend out. They were both clearly out to have a great night!

[DJMickeyk 0]

I ended up having the doormen throw her and her friend out. They were both clearly out to have a great night!

I had to get a guy ushered to the door a few weeks back for knocking the music off twice on my mixer because he didn't like the song, gave him a warning the first time but the idiot did it again afterwards. Maybe I'm just being nostalgic nut I really don't think this would've happened a few years back, I also have a karaoke residency that I started a few weeks ago, and the abuse I get is unreal, people coming up when it's not their turn and then refusing to get off the stage, getting called a :cense: when I won't let them skip the queue etc. All part and parcel of the job but that doesn't make it right.

[milhouse 0]

I had to get a guy ushered to the door a few weeks back for knocking the music off twice on my mixer because he didn't like the song, gave him a warning the first time but the idiot did it again afterwards. Maybe I'm just being nostalgic nut I really don't think this would've happened a few years back, I also have a karaoke residency that I started a few weeks ago, and the abuse I get is unreal, people coming up when it's not their turn and then refusing to get off the stage, getting called a :cense: when I won't let them skip the queue etc. All part and parcel of the job but that doesn't make it right.

 

I get it all the time mate - dont let it get to you. Just think when your out earning a living these people have probably never had a job in their lives and spend every night getting drunk!