DREADED 21st looming

[DJ SPARKO 0]

got a couple of 21st coming up and a mate of mine whos very experienced had done a gig for the same people and crowd a few weeks back. and his diagnosis was the family and people in general were complete total w http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/censored2.gif rs.

Hated the music, complained, hurled abuse at the dj, didnt dance etc.

 

And i have been to functions where he has played and he is BRILLIANT.

 

i have done very few 21sts in my time as i usually 8/10 times get weddings and birthdays of a higher range e.g. 40ths and 60ths. So heres my plan of action...

 

I am doing 7.30-12.00pm

 

7.30-9.00pm play chart cr*p i.e. stuff on the radio and from NOW cds.

 

9.00pm buffet break usually play a 60s mix as back round music while peopole chow. This needs alternative action. suggestions?

 

9.30/10.00pm start the night going with classic 60s, 70s and 80s

 

i.e

 

The drifters

the foundations

Barry white

young hearts run free.

working my way back to you

(70s disco)

 

then when every one seems a bit pi:cense:ed

 

kick out a bit of cheese/dancy chart cr*p

 

i.e

 

YMCA

house of pain

hey baby

kylie etc

 

then a few dance tracks and old skool

 

i.e

 

rhythem is a dancer

u sure do

dreamer

i luv you baby

 

and a few dance tracks that are popular at the time i actually do the gig.

 

Then finish off with a bit of

 

the real thing

tina turner

and good old frank sinatra?

 

so suggestions please as this crowd is gona be tough!!!

please take into acount that with a 21st i think most of the younger crowd will p*ss off early to manchester so this as well wont do me any favours either!!! http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/fear.gif

 

thanks

 

SPARTICUS

 

 

 

[YourBigEvent 0]

Wouldn't have a clue, until at least 9pm, then play it by ear.

 

The worst thing you can do is worry, and the second worst is making a playlist in advance.

Edited March 16, 2005 by ADS Entertainments

[kazzachi 0]

The first thing I would do is scrap your "order of play"...... Get a good rapport going with the crowd..... and take it from there!

[ChrisPointon 0]

Worrying about it wont solve anything, apart from make you uneasy and perhaps on the defensive on the night. (How I wish I could take my own advice sometimes!)

 

Play it by ear and don't automatically assume that it'll be full of problems. If you keep an open mind and play it cool then you may be surprised.

 

With regard to the other DJ's 'report', Regardless of his professionalism there may have just been a clash of personalities between DJ and Client - it happens sometimes you can be the best DJ in the world but if the client takes an instant dislike to you it isn't going to count, and always remember that there are two sides to every story, and even DJ's can exaggerate sometimes and there may be other facts leading up to the problems which he conveniently hasn't shared with you.

 

If it comes to the worst, then bite your tongue, do the job and get paid. http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/smile.gif

[YourBigEvent 0]

QUOTE

If it comes to the worst, then bite your tongue, do the job and get paid.

 

Surely this should read

 

Get paid

Bit your tongue

Do the job

[DJ Marky Marc 0]

scrap the play list........

 

put some back ground tunes on........

 

when there are enought people taping there feet, crank the volume up and break into somthing classic like soul to soul and invite people to request tunes

 

watch the dance floor fill and work your magic.......

 

 

 

[DJ SPARKO 0]

cheers that wasent my actual play list just a 'template' so to speak of how to approach the night music wise although cheers 4 advise people http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/smile.gif . i know play to ear is the best thing as 'what the crowd are up to stick to' is usually my philosophy. even if it does not really fit the type of function i'am doing.

[mikeee 0]

A 21st, in the Manchester area, you have a lot of good bands from that area. You don't say whether it's black tie (Uni / Ex-Uni type) or run of the mill Fri and Sat down the pub type crowd. Over the evening, I would probably go from the Happy Mondays to Greenday.

 

My 2p worth

[BigBen 0]

Sparko - I have learnt, from this forum, to mingle with the guests early on. Talk to them, befriend them, find out what they like to hear. Until 9pm I'm a jukebox for them. By this time you've played 20 requests from movie themes to hard rock - at palletable volumes.

 

If you've still got loads of jukebox requests, keep them going through the buffet, if you haven't then play them something a bit different - obvious one at the minute is Tony Christie's Amirillo, find out when the birthday boy was born and play some tracks that were in the charts that week. Or Number ones on his birthday for the last x years.

 

By buffet close you know exactly what the audience want to hear - they also know that you play requests so if something awful comes on you can say "....well that table requested it...". It all creates a rapport and can make for a great night.

 

Good luck and don't worry too much - just because your friend failed doesn't mean you will.