Like ingredients to a great meal, selecting the MUSIC that you and your guests would like to hear is of paramount importance to creating/curating the right playlist. Think of the DJ as the chef cooking up a tasty music program using your ingredients (and maybe adding the Secret Sauce lol). Yes, YOUR tastes are definitely important and should be reflected in your playlist, but equally important is that you consider YOUR GUEST’S tastes in music as well. Will THEY like these songs? Most people want to hear music they’re familiar with, namely mass appeal hits (there are exceptions and you of course know your guests best). It helps to consider the age groups and backgrounds (demographics) of the sub groups in your overall guest mix. Maybe even ask them what kinds of music they like as this shows you care and want them to feel welcome at your wedding or event. There are many resources to help you optimize your music selections, and we can help guide you to same or a simple Google search can be very helpful. Another option is a GENRES PLAYLIST where you leave full discretion of song selection to your DJ. You just give us a general idea of what genres you and your guests would enjoy. LYRICS of a song should also be considered. Are the words to the song consistent with the soundtrack you want to create?
With regard to LENGTH i.e. HOW MANY songs to have in your playlist, a good rule of thumb is about 15-20 songs per hour. We can improvise here as well if we have a general idea of the music you like and the guest’s demographics, and most couples/clients want to allow requests within certain filters (do not play), so if you choose requests are ok, you have to allow time for this particularly during Open Dancing Party Time!!
SORTING YOUR OVERALL PLAYLIST A better DJ will know the BEST way to put your overall playlist together by segmenting it into different parts according to the various sub events taking place within your overall event (for weddings that’s Ceremony (where applicable), Cocktail Hour, Formalities, Dinner, and Open Dancing, for other events omit Ceremony). Every song/tune has a certain feel/vibe/tempo associated with it that lends itself to each respective sub-part, and it’s ORDER in each sub list needs to be considered for the right “flow” of the respective subpart. For Cocktail and Dinner, songs should be mellower but not sleepy nor TOO upbeat (we’ll save those for dancing!!).
TRANSITION out of a mellower Dinner playlist for example, is usually a process and should start as most of your guests are finishing up their meal, Again, a better DJ will know how to gradually “transition” your music into a party vibe. Usually this can be done by saving some of the more upbeat tunes on your dinner playlist towards the tail end of dinner, or playing some of the down-mid tempo tunes from your Open Dancing playlist. Transitions can also be facilitated by having certain formalities (like formal dances or speeches, awards for Corporate events) AFTER dinner. A better DJ will be attentive to when it’s time to start “pumping it up” to transition your guests from a mellower dinner vibe to PARTY TIME!!!
PARTY TIME or Open Dancing, the musical Main Course, there are multiple genres which you’ll likely want played and your guests will enjoy. The songs should be sorted according to genre and played at the right times, prioritizing proven party “bangers”. Again, we can help you curate a dancing playlist that you and your guests will enjoy. Again, a better DJ will know the best order and priority of these songs when building sets. The idea is to get the party started and keep the dancefloor rockin’ while skillfully moving around genres in a way that flows smoothly and ensures a fun celebration with you and your guests. We call this maximum effect. Equally important is that your DJ be in the moment adjusting the music as needed according to the reaction of the guests on the dancefloor and knowing when it’s time to switch it up.
Let us know how else we can help. This is a labor of love for us and we want to help you in this, the key part of any event. The right music mix is soooo important! Contact me and I can help.