FabSwingers.com forum: DJing tonight: what to play?

By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

I'm DJ'ing a party tonight & I'm not much of a Disco Dave.

I usually play house music, not so clubby, more soulful bar type music mixed with other various funky stuff.

However, I've been asked to play at a 21st birthday which will be a mix of ages but I'm not sure what the kids are into these days.

What sort of choons go down well with the yoof of today?

I'm sure I'll get plenty of comedy suggestions but thought that I might ask, just in case there's one or two sensible answers.

Cheers!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

take it from a seasoned DJ, you wanna be playing classic disco near the end of the night, the kids will want the hard thump but there will be more adults there than the younger generation, concentrate on getting them up and the younglings will join in.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Just aim for anything in the charts with a few iconic songs thrown in that they will have grown up with like greased lightning and party songs such as cha cha slide that get them dancing. Throw in a but of Beyonce all the single ladies and the girls will be on the floor. All my son's friends seem to really enjoy queen as well

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"take it from a seasoned DJ, you wanna be playing classic disco near the end of the night, the kids will want the hard thump but there will be more adults there than the younger generation, concentrate on getting them up and the younglings will join in."

Always play abit of disco in the set. Gets the mood going to start & later on keeps the dancefloor filled when they've had a few drinks.

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"Just aim for anything in the charts with a few iconic songs thrown in that they will have grown up with like greased lightning and party songs such as cha cha slide that get them dancing. Throw in a but of Beyonce all the single ladies and the girls will be on the floor. All my son's friends seem to really enjoy queen as well "

I refuse to play the likes of the Cha Cha Slide, hehe.

The point is, I have no idea what's in the charts or what's good. I've looked at the R1 playlist, listened to some of it & it's all dogshit frankly.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I refuse to play the likes of the Cha Cha Slide, hehe.

The point is, I have no idea what's in the charts or what's good. I've looked at the R1 playlist, listened to some of it & it's all dogshit frankly. "

But as a DJ your meant to play to your audience not what you personally enjoy

Marshmallow are hugely popular. And their songs have had plenty of radio play. As a guide my son's favourite radio station is capital so maybe take some songs that they play. Just remember the aim of a good DJ is to get people dancing. Dodgy party songs such as YMCA achieve that

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I refuse to play the likes of the Cha Cha Slide, hehe.

The point is, I have no idea what's in the charts or what's good. I've looked at the R1 playlist, listened to some of it & it's all dogshit frankly. "

music today is pretty shite, you get the occasional hook but that’s about it, just keep in mind there will be a lot of older generation so aim for them throwing in a few of the more modern tracks.

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

I refuse to play the likes of the Cha Cha Slide, hehe.

The point is, I have no idea what's in the charts or what's good. I've looked at the R1 playlist, listened to some of it & it's all dogshit frankly.

But as a DJ your meant to play to your audience not what you personally enjoy

I get what mean & appreciate what you're saying but as I mentioned, I'm not a Disco Dave. Part of it for me is my integrity & it's also why I get booked, purely because I don't play that sort of stuff.

Sure I play the odd bit of fromage, shall we say but I try to stay away from the really cheesy stuff.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Saturday night

Whitfield

Choooon

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

I refuse to play the likes of the Cha Cha Slide, hehe.

The point is, I have no idea what's in the charts or what's good. I've looked at the R1 playlist, listened to some of it & it's all dogshit frankly.

music today is pretty shite, you get the occasional hook but that’s about it, just keep in mind there will be a lot of older generation so aim for them throwing in a few of the more modern tracks."

That's the plan, I have a few current tracks, some modern stuff But also plenty of classics that'll get everyone going no matter what their age is.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Might even be whigfield

This I'll get em up dj

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By *HaRiFMan
over a year ago

Beyond the shadows.

The outhere brothers, boom boom boom

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"The outhere brothers, boom boom boom

Let me here you say whahoo _harif

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"The outhere brothers, boom boom boom

Let me here you say whahoo _harif

Wha-hoo!

I doubt they'd appreciate it.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

House of pain

Jump around

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By *ENGUYMan
over a year ago

Hull

I work in Hotel management and have run scores of events including parties of all types and for all age groups.

The DJ's we use are all seasoned Pro's, been doing this for years, but they all say that regardless of the partygoers ages, putting on the disco hits of the 60's and 70's, get people up on the floor.

Yes, throw in some of the current stuff, mix in a lot from the 80's to early Naughties, but even the youngsters react better to earlier 60's music and similar.

Our DJ's even have a 50's medley; that gets the older adults up on the floor.

DJ's say it is about gauging your crowd, play for them, not for yourself.

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By *HaRiFMan
over a year ago

Beyond the shadows.

What about Another levels Freak Me for the slow dance section

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Sure I play the odd bit of fromage, shall we say but I try to stay away from the really cheesy stuff. "

Booo

. I go for the cheesiest DJs

if there isn't some Dodgy party music for me to dance to I'm not interested

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Also depends if it's a boy or girl who's 21?

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"House of pain

Jump around

Classic, always in the set list.

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"Also depends if it's a boy or girl who's 21? "

It's a boy & no, you're not come to corrupt all those young lads.

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

Sure I play the odd bit of fromage, shall we say but I try to stay away from the really cheesy stuff.

Booo

. I go for the cheesiest DJs

if there isn't some Dodgy party music for me to dance to I'm not interested

My brother does all that, you'd love his nights.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Also depends if it's a boy or girl who's 21?

It's a boy & no, you're not come to corrupt all those young lads.

Ewwwwww you're ok ... rugby two days this weekend more than enough young lads to annoy!

If boys reggae and ska! Lots of decent new reggae around atm, try Gentleman's Dub Club

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Daughter has just said drum and base and ask the boy for a playlist? Plus loads of 80s for all ages ... the kids all know it too

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By *eliWoman
over a year ago

Dubstep! And maybe have some indie music as well - ones which are singalong after a few drinks friendly - Maximo Park, Razorlight Arctic Monkeys etc. I honestly think the best thing is to try and speak to the birthday boy quickly and find out what sort of thing he likes. It might be Drake/Ariana Grande etc. He might want 90s cheese. Don't do lots of 60s/70s music. It's a bit

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"I work in Hotel management and have run scores of events including parties of all types and for all age groups.

The DJ's we use are all seasoned Pro's, been doing this for years, but they all say that regardless of the partygoers ages, putting on the disco hits of the 60's and 70's, get people up on the floor.

Yes, throw in some of the current stuff, mix in a lot from the 80's to early Naughties, but even the youngsters react better to earlier 60's music and similar.

Our DJ's even have a 50's medley; that gets the older adults up on the floor.

DJ's say it is about gauging your crowd, play for them, not for yourself. "

They've booked me specifically because they don't want that sort of DJ.

I'm asking because I want to play afew tunes for the younger lot. Just one or two tracks that I might not have or know as I'm not a R1 listener.

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"Daughter has just said drum and base and ask the boy for a playlist? Plus loads of 80s for all ages ... the kids all know it too "

Got them some DnB, my daughters have been giving me pointers.

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"Dubstep! And maybe have some indie music as well - ones which are singalong after a few drinks friendly - Maximo Park, Razorlight Arctic Monkeys etc. I honestly think the best thing is to try and speak to the birthday boy quickly and find out what sort of thing he likes. It might be Drake/Ariana Grande etc. He might want 90s cheese. Don't do lots of 60s/70s music. It's a bit

Nice, got that covered.

Always end with Mr. Brightside, that's the golden rule it seems.

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"What about Another levels Freak Me for the slow dance section

PERVERT!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

The smiths panic

Hang the dj hang the dj hang the dj

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"The smiths panic

Hang the dj hang the dj hang the dj

Prefer Indeep's Last Night A DJ Saved My Life.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Hmm difficult choice OP! 21st party is a big one! I reckon I'd go with a few house classics (Robin S, Nightcrawlers, armand van helden etc,) and also Rudimental/ MK the type of tunes that the kids know and their folks. Maybe not too obscure or too cheesy.

I dj myself and play vinyl. Main event I seem to play at is a funk/ soul night which attracts a mixed crowd but "groove is in the heart" always works.If you know what they are into then it will be a lot easier. I couldn't bear to play a capital radio type set but would love a drum and bass/ house classics set (not sure how well that would go down though!)

If you are digital create a couple of sets/ playlists maybe 20 mins each of different styles/ genres to gage the crowd.

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"Hmm difficult choice OP! 21st party is a big one! I reckon I'd go with a few house classics (Robin S, Nightcrawlers, armand van helden etc,) and also Rudimental/ MK the type of tunes that the kids know and their folks. Maybe not too obscure or too cheesy.

If you are digital create a couple of sets/ playlists maybe 20 mins each of different styles/ genres to gage the crowd.

Nice.

Just sorting playlist etc now. I reckon I have enough to keep them happy.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I work in Hotel management and have run scores of events including parties of all types and for all age groups.

The DJ's we use are all seasoned Pro's, been doing this for years, but they all say that regardless of the partygoers ages, putting on the disco hits of the 60's and 70's, get people up on the floor.

Yes, throw in some of the current stuff, mix in a lot from the 80's to early Naughties, but even the youngsters react better to earlier 60's music and similar.

Our DJ's even have a 50's medley; that gets the older adults up on the floor.

DJ's say it is about gauging your crowd, play for them, not for yourself. "

I'd agree to an extent but I've been finding over time that, as people age, what works changes.

20 years ago, you could do about an hour of 60's stuff. Nowadays I'd only put a few on.

70's, 80's and 90's stuff all works well but it's all about balance.

If I were you, have a look at what's on the last half a dozen or so 'Now' albums as they are a good key as to what's popular.

At the end of the day though, it's all about what works on the night.

You can never really know what's going to work in advance. You need to be flexible and able to adapt.