Awkward wedding help please!!

[Hayd 0]

I have an unusual request list for a wedding, basically the groom has fairly specific taste. I was wondering what tunes people might suggest playing that will have a broader appeal without offending him. The last line is the biggest worry " typical party records ! Here's list as follows :

 

Our Favourite artists

 

1. gary numan

2. eminem

3. depeche mode

4. green day

5. john foxx

6. rammstein

7. linkin park

8. new order

9. duran duran

10. backstreet boys

11. nine inch nails

12. savage garden

 

Anything up to date if requested

We would prefer not to have christina aguilara, kylie, coldplay, will young, and typical party records.! Thanx :-)

 

 

Any help much appriciated

Cheers

 

Hayd

[Gary 0]

Its not too bad...after all

 

1. gary numan

8. new order

9. duran duran

3. depeche mode

10. backstreet boys

 

 

Are all well known and have some real crowd-pleasing classic tunes - so plenty to work on there. Try things like Gary Newman into the Sugababes Friends electric (did I recall the right cover?), Blue Monday (of course) and True Faith from New Order, Just cant get enough from Depeche mode...

 

Also, looking collectively at the grooms choices above - its follows the 80's Electronic scene, with new a little new romantics chucked in too, so look at other 80's electronic bands and you get to things like Human League, Yazoo (Situation, Don't Go!), etc,etc,etc.

 

Then you've got...

 

4. green day

7. linkin park

 

hmmm ... ok for some, if the requests seem to be going that way - hand out the razor blades and ear plugs....you could do a nice green day karaoke by holding up cue cards with "Strum strum" written on them... http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/tongue.gif

 

 

 

and of course, for the ballards and buffet music 12. savage garden

 

 

Even Eminem's "Without me" has a fairly good "crossover appeal" into playable music. The ones I'd have concerns about were the lesser known, and/or lesser appreciated

 

5. john foxx

6. rammstein

11. nine inch nails

 

 

The only thing that surprised me a little was that he's asked for "No Coldplay" which I find tends to get asked for by the same people who usually ask for Green Day and Linkin park... oh well, thats folk for you. http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/533.gif

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[spinner 0]

"Typical party records" might mean stuff like Agadoo, The Birdie Song, Macarena etc.

In which case you may be pleased not to have to play them.

 

If he means some of the more mainstream stuff you may have a problem, not least if other guests start asking for it.

 

We've had weddings where the bride and/or groom have insisted on leaving out certain styles only to relent when their guests started asking for them.

 

I feel it's absolutely right to accommodate clients' requirements. However they should be aware that their taste may not be the same as their guests and your job is play something for everyone as much as possible.

[BigBen 0]

I was with a mate last week who has seen Rammstein three times since Christmas. He said they are really heavy and go overboard on pyrotechnics, fire pouring out of their faces live on stage, etc. So it may be worth borrowing a couple of flame throwers!!

 

John Foxx did Burning Car if I remember my vinyl collection correctly. Not much of a dance tune but possibly his biggest hit??

 

Nine Inch Nails are someone else I know little about, perhaps the groom himself should be asked for specific tracks.

 

He should also confirm what he means by the generic term of party music.

 

Otherwise, it sounds quite fun - always nice to play something a bit different. However, I think Gary Numan sounds better live than studio so I'd trial a couple of live songs out of interest.

 

A couple of years ago I did a prom night, they had four pages of requests but included some real gems from bands I had never heard of...including Less Than Jake. They asked for History of a Boring Town, which isn't bad, but whilst researching I found covers of Greased Lightning, I Would Walk 500 Miles and Centerfold. Whilst not to everyone's taste, they do offer us alternatives.

[C.S 0]

Green days - boulevard of broken dreams and linkin parks - numb are both playable. I find most people who like these bands really hate Coldplay and Travis.

[Eskie 0]

QUOTE

Anything up to date if requested We would prefer not to have christina aguilara, kylie, coldplay, will young, and typical party records.! Thanx :-)

The simplest solution and to make sure you know exactly where you stand is to ask the groom to clarify what his idea of typical party records are? to make sure that you're both reading from the same book!

Ideally chat to him on the phone, if this is not possible then email him and you could try saying something along the lines of ..."...do you mean party records such as agadoo, birdie song & jive bunny? or more recent party stuff such as Hey baby, cha cha slide & macarena? or any of these type of tracks!?"

[Hayd 0]

Thankx guys, you seem to be thinking the same way as myself , which is good. I had already sent him an e-mail to clarify the term party music and also asked for some of his favourite tracks from the lesser know artists such as rammstein , nine inch nails , john foxx etc...

 

Could be an unusual wedding so I'll let you know how I get on.

 

Cheers

 

Hayd

 

[Paul Forsyth 0]

QUOTE (Hayd @ Jul 26 2005, 08:33 AM)

Thankx guys, you seem to be thinking the same way as myself , which is good. I had already sent him an e-mail to clarify the term party music and also asked for some of his favourite tracks from the lesser know artists such as rammstein , nine inch nails , john foxx etc... Could be an unusual wedding so I'll let you know how I get on. Cheers Hayd

Good move Hayd.

 

Loks like you could have a great night on your hands here. I've found that some of the more challenging gigs (on first glance) turn out to be really good.

 

Backstreet boys (probably for the girlies) there's the new single - and a real crowd pleaser is "Everybody"

 

John Foxx either - Underpass, no one driving, or burning car. All from the same period.

 

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

 

Vinnie

[Corabar Steve 0]

Just 2 that came to mind....

 

Green Day - Basket case, or Warning,

N.I.N. - Head like a hole

 

OK 3 actually.

 

4 ... Linkin Park - In the end

 

You never know his friends may be into the same types of music, if they are these would definatly work.

 

just thought of 2 more Rammstein - Sonne, or Du Hast

[Hayd 0]

Cheers Steve good to know someone who knows a little about NIN and Rammstein LOL

 

 

Thanks also Vinnie , they are the only 3 John Foxx songs I have anyway so I'm hoping they'll be the ones he wants.

 

Cheers

 

Hayd

[Dukesy 0]

Just to add - make sure you know where you stand on 'guest requests' on 'their choice of music' for the reception.

Also echo the above comments.

 

BTW - There's a pretty fair Tubeway Army / Sugababes mixed track on the Mastermix Mash up series worth a listen if you get the chance.

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

[Award Entertainment 0]

You guys are braver than me. I would have turned this function down because I know I'm not the best man for the job when it comes to that style of music.

[Corabar Steve 0]

Just remembered the recent N.I.N. single "The hand that feeds" is fairly dancy too & for Linkin Park there's also Crawling & Papercut.

 

As for Jon Foxx he has about 8 albums out but I'd say the above mentioned are the best known

 

Maybe you should ask your client to supply any that he realy wants to be played?

 

For slower moments Green Day - Time of your life (good riddance), or their new one (I forget the title at the mo)

 

While were on Green Day of coures there's American idiot ( if you have the clean version)

[Kingy 0]

QUOTE (Rendezvous @ Jul 27 2005, 01:50 AM)

You guys are braver than me. I would have turned this function down because I know I'm not the best man for the job when it comes to that style of music.

You & me both Richard.

 

It's best to know your market and limitations.

[C.S 0]

Or perhaps do some research and expand your market ? http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/huh.gif

[BigBen 0]

I'm with you on this one Chris. If the whole gig was required to be a style I was not familiar with then yes, pass it to somebody more experienced in that area. However, this is a wedding with family and friends of all ages. The groom has made some requests that are a bit different than the norm so you will have to play them - but there will be plenty of other people wanting to dance to Abba and Tom Jones. That's where you come in, the groom will have a great night and so will you.

[ian 0]

QUOTE (Corabar Steve @ Jul 27 2005, 07:12 AM)

For slower moments Green Day - Time of your life (good riddance)

Not at a wedding, surely?

[Award Entertainment 0]

QUOTE (BigBen @ Jul 27 2005, 10:02 PM)

I'm with you on this one Chris. If the whole gig was required to be a style I was not familiar with then yes, pass it to somebody more experienced in that area. However, this is a wedding with family and friends of all ages. The groom has made some requests that are a bit different than the norm so you will have to play them - but there will be plenty of other people wanting to dance to Abba and Tom Jones. That's where you come in, the groom will have a great night and so will you.

I don't know, because I haven't had a meeting with the client of course, but it sounds to me like they could be better off with someone who was passionate about and familiar with the style of music they've identified. I've turned down weddings where they wanted a Drum'n'Bass theme and also weddings for big-time HipHop fans because I'm simply NOT the best DJ for the job.

 

I'm probably the best MC/DJ they'll find for a semi-formal or formal wedding and I do have a massive range of music and knowledge, but I know my preferences and I know my boundaries.

[Hayd 0]

That was my thought C.S. , with a bit of research no gig should be too much trouble and you gain good experience for the future should you encounter others with similar taste.

 

Although I requested an idea of what songs and styles they like I have only recieved it 3 weeks before the wedding . I have never and will never cancel a wedding or any other booking at short notice. Especially when with a little effort it should be no problem.

 

Cheers

 

Hayd

 

[Paul Forsyth 0]

QUOTE (Rendezvous @ Jul 27 2005, 11:41 AM)

I'm probably the best MC/DJ they'll find for a semi-formal or formal wedding and I do have a massive range of music and knowledge, but I know my preferences and I know my boundaries.

I think the majority would be with you on this one Richard, but if a bride & groom asked you to do your own thing with the exception of 6 - 10 unfamiliar tracks (that they could supply, what would you do ?

 

Vinnie

[Award Entertainment 0]

Take the function of course and make it sensational. If virtually the whole night is intended to be music that I am unlikely to play at 99% of weddings, then I'm walking away.

 

I got over my former gig-pig mentality a long time ago and now don't feel I need to take every enquiry that comes my way.

[Kingy 0]

QUOTE (Rendezvous @ Jul 27 2005, 11:19 AM)

Take the function of course and make it sensational. If virtually the whole night is intended to be music that I am unlikely to play at 99% of weddings, then I'm walking away. I got over my former gig-pig mentality a long time ago and now don't feel I need to take every enquiry that comes my way.

Agree again! Give this man a cigar!

 

There are planty of Djs out there that will be better than me at this type of gig. Its not a question of a little research. Chances are that the guests and friends of the groom are going to like similar music and by just dabling in it you may get more problems than enough. Why do some Djs think they must be all things to all people?

 

Just my thoughts, you are free to do whatever you want.... http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/533.gif

[ian 0]

QUOTE (Hayd @ Jul 27 2005, 11:13 AM)

That was my thought C.S. , with a bit of research no gig should be too much trouble and you gain good experience for the future should you encounter others with similar taste.

I'd be really wary of taking gigs which were outside my "musical comfort zone". Although I suppose it's all a matter of degrees. There's a big difference between playing a "normal" gig with a few specialist tracks, and playing a totally specialist gig. Even assuming I could do the research and identify which are the current floorfillers, it might be that the cost of buying new tunes would make the gig unviable.

 

I'd rather turn down a gig than accept it, do badly and potentially damage my reputation and future bookings.

[Dynamite Discos 0]

Find out exactly what he means by the no party music line - i turned up at a 21st a few weeks ago and someone said to me - we dont want any cheese. Then asked me if i had MC Hammer?!?!

 

:S

[C.S 0]

Richard

QUOTE

I do have a massive range of music and knowledge, but I know my preferences and I know my boundaries.

 

Do you mean your personal preferences of music ? If you do then i would like to say that if i played my own musical preferences at any gigs then i am going to be doing 2 gigs a year. http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/014.gif

 

 

QUOTE

I got over my former gig-pig mentality a long time ago

 

Dont understand what that means ? http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/533.gif Update Eskie just explained its a dj who takes any gig even if he cant really do it, to be honest i have never had that mentality and i dont know anyone who does so i must be lucky.

 

 

 

 

 

Kingy

QUOTE

Why do some Djs think they must be all things to all people?

 

 

I dont know if this was directed at me or not ? If it was then i dont understand why you wrote that as this is a dj thread and i certainly aint anybodies gardener.

 

One thing i will say is i turned full time dj in 1981 and have more or less been full time dj since then. I am not a club dj , mobile dj or a radio dj i am simply a DJ ,by this i mean whatever the gig then i research it, learn from it and better myself, i spend a lot of time making sure that gigs go well and i in no way damage a rep thats taken years to build . I move forwards and try and keep up . I cant afford to sit back and say "no that gigs too difficult because i dont know the music " I need every gig i can get and i would hate to be doing just one type of gig for the rest of my life.

Edited July 27, 2005 by C.S