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100% play lists for
DJ's are when the DJ is supplied with
a list of all the music to play during a party and the order
in which it should be played. At First this might seem a
good idea but 100% playlist are not the same as a list of
requested music, here are my thoughts for thinking 100%
playlists are a terrible idea. By DJ Jim
Recently I saw an
article in a Wedding magazine that said “If you want great
music at your Wedding reception, don’t leave it to chance
give the DJ a 100% play list”. Everyone wants there
Wedding to be perfect and the entertainment is a big part
of the evenings celebrations, so getting this right is essential.
However a party is a unique event and its always almost
impossible to predict in advance what will work best on
the dance floor.
Don’t believe me,
then take this test. Sort through you music collection and
work out a five hour play list. Note down all the tracks
in the order you want to hear it. In two or three weeks
time sit down and see just how many tracks you skip through
because you get bored. Now imagine your friends and family
listening to this music; and consider will this music make
everyone want to get up and have a dance.
Music creates a mood,
and the mood you are in today will be different in two weeks
time. A party situation is far more complex than this; music
will change the collective mood throughout the evening.
The aim is to make sure these changes are positive ones.
Pick a record, one with great lyrics, and has a deep meaning
say for instance the biggest selling record of all time,
Elton Johns candle in the wind 97 perhaps it may put a tear
into peoples eyes but its never going to get anyone on the
dance floor. Unfortunately a record like its raining men
will usually create that up beat mood we are looking for.
However lets not get carried away here I am not saying playing
the weather girls will pack a dance floor in fact in many
cases it will have the exact opposite effect.
A good DJ will sense
the changing moods throughout evening and try to create
an emotional roller coaster that draws everyone together.
No one would say Y.M.C.A is a great record but it often
(not always) has a great effect in a party situation. Joining
into a party dance reinforces a feeling of collective good
will, we all know the tune may be naff but “it’s a party,
lets have a laugh anyway.”
I’ve performed at thousands
of different parties and know what happens on the night
is unique, everyone brings something to a party and it’s
impossible to predict what to play in advance. For
example a few years back I was sent a list of about 50 club
dance and trance type tracks requested for a wedding reception.
No problem with that, as it was along party I still had
some room to maneuver and I would have time to splice in
about 30 other tunes. When I arrived I noticed most people
were of quite senior years and I spoke to the groom about
the list. He was a great bloke, and honestly thought anyone
over thirty was past it, and only the youngsters would be
doing any dancing. I suggested we make a few alterations
to the list and see how it went. It was early on and I still
had my 30 tunes so for the sake of variety put on a Neil
diamond track. The old folk set aside their Zimmer frames
and invaded the dance floor. The bride was dancing with
the groom’s granddad and the groom with his new mother in
law. The bride and groom knew their younger friends had
something in common but they expected the two families to
stay poles apart. The music changed the complexion of the
evening and in a way the bride and groom had never expected.
Although I had nearly
all of the 50 requested tracks, in the end we only
played about 10 and every one caused a walk off. However
sometimes this is not a bad thing, People never dance all
night, in a packed party usually the dance floor is refreshed
by people joining and others leaving it. A party is not
just about dancing but about social interaction, having
a drink, a chat and a bit of a laugh. If there are fewer
guests then as long as the timing is right, a walk off can
give everyone a break and a chance to gather their energies
for even more dance floor action later.
I've done 18th birthday
parties when granny dancing to knees up mother brown has
rocked the house. In a party situation a piece of music
can set off a chain reaction, if there is one person who
really likes a tune they can infect the whole crowd with
their enthusiasm. This is something that can only ever be
judged on the night because, on the dance floor things change
so quickly.
I doubt anyone would
say to the Limo driver
“pull over here, I’ll drive” or to the photographer "give
me the camera, I’m pretty good with the happy snaps”. DJs
who say they love 100% usually don't have that much DJ experience
and want to work with a safety net and let you to take responsibility
for the night if it’s a flop. A good party DJ should have
many years Experience in all kinds of functions and have
the flexibility to adapt to the audience in a real time
situation. So although a long list of requested music is
always great I’ve only ever used a 100% play list once,
and the party was a disaster.
Having
said all this there are some exceptions, and requests are
always welcome, Its great to get a list of about 10 - 20
and on the night have loads that way everyone is feels involved
in the party. The only time a 100% play list does work is
at a Teenage disco Party. Teenagers tend to like what they
like and hate everything else so there is no point wasting
time with something that that doesn't work. When I do a
school Prom Night party
I encourage the organisers to send me a list of requests.
Often I receive a list so long it amounts to a 100% play
list. Because everyone feels that they have ownership of
the party they approach the evening with a more positive
attitude. To conclude my thoughts on this matter, in general
100% play lists do not work and djs that encourage clients
to provide a 100% list probably have no party experience.
But I do love request’s,
about 10 to 30 is about right. However for any DJ
it is far easier to work with a 100% play list, so I don’t
mind it’s your party if you want it I'll play it.
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