Balancing Ballads and Beats

Before I became a DJ, I was a live performer in a band. Our playlist was mostly up tempo dance tunes for pubs. A lot of Aussie rock, pop and get your butt moving tunes. I had an opinion of DJ’s that wasn’t great. I always thought they acted as if they wrote and performed every song that they simply pressed play on. And to be fair, some of them do. But for the most part this is not true. I had to learn the hard way that audiences are very unforgiving. More so than for a live performer. You can lose a dance-floor in a matter of seconds if you make the wrong choice. I’m sure every Wedding DJ in Perth has experienced this. Knowing what the next song is going to be, where you will start it from, and what effect it will have on the audience in front of you is vital for a successful night.

 

Even as an experienced live performer, I had no real concept of this. Until I had to do it. I started out with two iPods thinking I can just choose the fast songs, and cross-fade one into another. I soon realized that a lot of the ‘fast songs’ I remembered by title, had a very slow intro and people were looking at me like I didn’t know what I was doing. Because I didn’t. It was at The Vines. When I think back I cringe. But since those days I have DJ’d at hundreds of weddings, learning and growing and correcting bad practices so they made my life easier and didn’t ever embarrass me again.

So when I think of Wedding DJ’s now, I have much more respect for them than I used to. I know how angry and rude people can be to you, especially when they are drunk and surrounded by their friends. The Dutch Courage seems to triple. But, still, you have to remain calm and composed and try to keep the majority of people happy, rather than just one rude jerk who wants Metallica played right that instant when all the girls are bouncing to Beyonce. Can you imagine how quickly I would lose that floor?

Playing live is perfect for me in the beginning of a wedding because I have a very relaxed and laid back taste in music and enjoy playing those kind of tunes. People are also quite respectful and engaging with my live sets. But – live sets can only get you so far. Live sets for a wedding soloist are really just the appetizer. The main course is the dance-floor later on so you better know what you’re doing. Fortunately I have now had a tonne of experience with what Australian audiences want to hear and although I often play the same songs, I do it because I know it will work if played at the right time. It is always a new audience, so for them it is a recipe for a great night musically.

A wedding reception in Perth is usually 6 hours long, so I believe you need to start really slowly. Not depressingly slow but songs that will make people feel good when they walk in the room, but it’s still background. So people can talk and say hello to their table guests. A lot of the time people are seated next to strangers so they need to get to know one another without too much distraction from loud or inappropriate music. Songs that have a rhythm that is happy. Like a bit of reggae or finger-picking songs. Starting at this pace gives you room to lift the tempo a bit as people get comfortable. Start to up the tempo with the right choices and build the anticipation. Almost like a movie. Build the tension until it is released on the dance-floor and everyone is ready to party.

Balancing ballads and beats is a skill that takes years to master, whether it be live, DJ or both. To give my audience a memorable, fun and musically satisfying night and most of all, keep my clients happy so I can keep on keeping on!

We have all been to those weddings when it’s about as exciting as watching beginner badminton classes, so you need to make the right choices to make a long day enjoyable for your guests. I have performed at over 500 weddings and I have seen it all. I can usually predict when it’s going to flop, and when it’s going to be a hit. Below are 5 tips that I suggest you consider when organizing your main players.

1: Choice of Celebrant

The first impression your guests are going to get re how this long but hopefully exciting day will pan out, is the personality of your celebrant. Don’t just go on the recommendations of others, try to dig in and find some footage of how they speak, their confidence level and their general demeanor. Online photo’s can be deceiving so at least have a substantial conversation with them on the phone. Listen out for how this person is suited to you. You may want someone really chirpy and energized, or someone who is just plain funny, which would help you relax. Some celebrants are very well groomed and look really slick and professional, while others not so. There are some that are very economical with their words and others who may like the sound of their own voice, so choose carefully. You definitely want someone comfortable in their own skin to pull the ceremony off and leave your guests enthusiastic about the reception to come.

 

2: Your MC

Probably the most crucial choice to make or break your reception. This person needs be confident on a microphone, but not too confident. I have heard MC’s go on and on to the point where everyone is embarrassed but them. They have no sense of this. This can often happen when the couple feel obligated to assign the duties to a family member that is ‘The obvious choice’. This can be fine, but don’t feel obligated if you know this family member likes to waffle on. In my experience, someone that is again, comfortable in their own skin, with a good sense of humour and a quick wit. This person needs to realize that they are there to celebrate the bride and groom, not try out a comedy routine while they have a crowd.

DO NOT choose someone with little confidence. This will completely ruin the vibe of the night because they have no control over the room, and people will get bored very quickly. It is a fine line between too confident and not confident enough, but if you go with this type of personality, it’s going to be BORING. (No disrespect, I like quiet people).

3: The Music

The choice of the music one listens to is subjective. So when we choose what we listen to at home, there are no rules. Whatever you like. But when it comes to a room full of different personalities, ages and musical tastes, you need to cater for that. So when you choose a wedding singer, or a DJ, or both, please don’t supply them with a playlist for the whole night. Because although YOU love those songs, not everyone else does. My suggestion would be to pick a handful of your favourites for certain times during the night, and then let the Wedding DJ do their thing. They are most likely more used to reading crowds than you. Believe it or not, it is quite an art to choosing the right song at the right time. Whether playing live or DJing. So give your wedding entertainer creative license for the most part. It will make the night flow smoother.

I would also add that you might want to do the same thing as you do with the celebrant and have a chat with your musician or DJ to get a glimpse of what kind of personality they have. If they are overconfident and a bit cocky, they will generally be the type that plays whatever THEY think is cool, and not bother reading the room as much as a DJ who knows that this is the most important thing. If they are sensitive to your needs and are friendly, then generally the ego will be in check.

4: Speeches

Wedding speeches usually go one of two ways; clever, funny and entertaining, or boring, monotone and uninteresting. Sometimes this is unavoidable because usually it’s family who talk, and there’s not much you can do about that. But if you have a few of them to choose from, choose the more confident ones if possible. Some people are brilliant when just speaking off the cuff. They have a quick wit and are interesting story tellers. Some people are not the best public speakers, but have gone to a lot of trouble to write out their speeches and if written well, the speaker will grow in confidence as they get a few laughs etc.

So this one is not something you can generally control, but you can ask your speech makers to come up with something at least 5 minutes long, and put some effort into writing. I have heard best man speeches that are one sentence long with 3 swear words in it. It is embarrassing and I think disrespectful to the honour of having been asked to be best man. So choose someone who has half a brain and realizes that this is an important moment in your life. A bit of ribbing is good, even obligatory for the best man or maid of honour, but keep it pretty even and end with the nice stuff.

5: Alcohol