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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 our thoughts for
thinking 100% playlists are a terrible idea.
Recently we 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 their 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 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 our 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 we 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 we don’t
mind it’s your party if you want it we'll play it.
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