Tried this out at the last wedding I did a month or so back. Absolutely jaw dropping effects. For proper context, my main rig was down and I was just using my iPad Pro and a ddj-200. They said I was “the coolest DJ ever”. and all I did was drop mix party bangers. I love this channel. Wise af.
All the best DJs take 15 minutes to read the audience. When they start foot tapping and singing along you know they have them. do NOT go too soon. Timing is the key
Great video Brian . . . my father was a musician and he once had the honour of having one of Frank Sinatra's drummers join his band for the evening. At the end of the gig he gave my father the same advice . . . don't safe the best stuff, grab them early. So I guess it's always been true. So given I have a school gig tonight I'm going to take the advice of Frank's drummer and yourself and play the bangers first . . . !
Thanks for the video. Since We've been doing weddings (3rd year now), I've always held on to the bangers for later on in the evening, but I see how the energy level would be really high if the bangers would be put up front. I have a wedding this weekend where the clients want predominantly older country and rock. I will test the waters, try and read the crowd, and try the "family hour" theory. I'll let you know how it goes.
Hey... I'm a fan. I did KJ/DJ in the Puget Sound/Seattle area for 12 years, then moved to NC and ended up driving a truck until my stroke in 2017. I'm 60. But I've been occasionally watching your stuff. We are recovered to about the same level, but opposite sides affected. Thank you for your information. I've forgotten a lot, but getting ready to dive back in to the business by sometime next year. 😁
Soon in a few weeks I will be playing for my own friends at a school winter party. I was looking for ways to grab the attention of them. And this video was perfect for my needs. Thx, you are the best.
@@Alpha-ro8sc ıt got cancelled because of the stupid student who got selected as school president. She wanted her own party but couldnt manage to plan it. And my planned party couldnt go into action because of her. Im so angry
Played at a 50th New Year’s Eve gig last night. He requested 70s & 80s music. Had it on invitations. Played them for the first 1hr & half 100-116 bpm kind of tempo and I had requestes for modern songs. Had to txt the person hiring me to bend the rules, tough night, ended up playing all decades. But winning the crowd over half way through the night was a challenge. Have u ever encountered such a gig? People were happy but I was a little frustrated by whole thing
It's a great practise to follow I think. As I mix a lot of sound for theatre, I'm one of the first to arrive at the venue, and so I get some music going and put the speakers on in the green room too. When people are getting changed and having makeup done, having some party tunes they can relate to really gets a good vibe going. A few of the tracks people seem to really love from my Pre-Show Jumble playlist; Maniac - Michael Sembello, Club Tropicana - Wham!, Funky Town - Lipps Inc., Hot Stuff - Donna Summer (Everyone seems to talk about the Post Office scene from The Full Monty and does that dance), The Happening - The Supremes, Dancing in the Street - Martha Reeves & The Vandellas... I find oldies are what get people going; probably not the case for every audience though. :)
When you are talking about this technique at weddings, are you referring to the first hour after the dance floor opens up or start hitting them during cocktail/dinner? I’m going to assume you meant the first dance hour as you don’t necessarily want to play big dance hits during cocktail/dinner. I just wanted to clarify. Been watching your videos for some time. Love the honest tips. Thank you.
I agree.... to a point. I've used this method with school dances, but I also think it depends on the group. For example, my last school dance I did this and then when I went to some of the older variety stuff, they stopped and stared at me. They didn't care that they were in a frenzy for the past hour, I went different than they expected and they weren't having it. It even happened when I went similar in style and time period to an older request. With weddings, I've seen them a little more willing to have fun and stick around. However to much of the different direction and they look at their watch and remember they have to get home for the babysitter, etc. So while you have earned their trust and have a little more freedom, it needs to be a fine line that is walked.
@@briansredd Right, but I was assuming (and that was probably part of the problem), that I could go similar styles to older requests because of where I had been with them already. And it was more than an hour, but it was after an hour of having them really hyped. probably 90 minutes into the event. First 30 they were still arriving and getting checked in for the dance.
@@dcentertainmentpa You'll get the trickle in that first 1/2 hour or so. I guess to be clear I should have mentioned to hold the big songs back until the students have all arrived, THEN hit 'em. I remember doing this one school before Covid where the big school sports fight song was DaRude - Sandstorm, which per the faculty's request was to be healed back until they were all in place to handle crowd control. So, hit 'em hard early, then bounced around with some fun EDM stuff, House of Pain-ish classics, etc for a while. The principal came up to me & said they were getting ready for Sandstorm, so I started building up to it with bigger EDM tracks. It was taking longer than I expected to drop Sandstorm, so I kept going with all kinds of crazy ish like AB Logic, 2 Unlimited, Public Domain, LA Style blah blah blah. The room kept building & building even though they couldn't have known half of that wacky stuff I was playing. They hadn't told me to drop Sandstorm because they were too busy doing crowd control during my build up. There's no way I could have gotten away with most of that unless I had won them early
I've always argued that successful DJing, and live entertainment in general, is more psychology than anything else. Talent, decent equipment, personality, etc. are all still a part of the mix (pun intended), but knowing how to work an audience separates the great ones form the good and not-so-good ones.
Always open to different trains of thought. In my experience with schools, the cooler/older students aren’t at the event til much later. This leads me to do my out-of-the-box stuff on the front end. Let me know what attendance usually looks like for you BSR.
@@briansredd Okay, makes sense. In Texas we see Juniors and Seniors pulling up with about 1.5 hrs left. Then, they head to the after party 30min before dance ends. It’s a balancing act 😄
Tried this out at the last wedding I did a month or so back. Absolutely jaw dropping effects.
For proper context, my main rig was down and I was just using my iPad Pro and a ddj-200. They said I was “the coolest DJ ever”.
and all I did was drop mix party bangers.
I love this channel. Wise af.
All the best DJs take 15 minutes to read the audience. When they start foot tapping and singing along you know they have them. do NOT go too soon. Timing is the key
Great video Brian . . . my father was a musician and he once had the honour of having one of Frank Sinatra's drummers join his band for the evening. At the end of the gig he gave my father the same advice . . . don't safe the best stuff, grab them early. So I guess it's always been true. So given I have a school gig tonight I'm going to take the advice of Frank's drummer and yourself and play the bangers first . . . !
Brian, great advice. Can you please provide an example playlist on what you’ve used as songs for family hour. I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks for the video. Since We've been doing weddings (3rd year now), I've always held on to the bangers for later on in the evening, but I see how the energy level would be really high if the bangers would be put up front. I have a wedding this weekend where the clients want predominantly older country and rock. I will test the waters, try and read the crowd, and try the "family hour" theory. I'll let you know how it goes.
Thanks for the insight Brian, we appreciate it, especially the old-heads 👍🏽🔊🔊
Your tips are so awesome. Love your presentations, so unique and motivated. DJ Candyman
Good tip. Thank you
Great advice Brian 👍🏻 Totally agree and works great! Greetings from Ireland 🎧🎶 🇮🇪
What are the first 5 best big song options should we play first?
Hey... I'm a fan. I did KJ/DJ in the Puget Sound/Seattle area for 12 years, then moved to NC and ended up driving a truck until my stroke in 2017. I'm 60. But I've been occasionally watching your stuff. We are recovered to about the same level, but opposite sides affected. Thank you for your information. I've forgotten a lot, but getting ready to dive back in to the business by sometime next year. 😁
Thank you,, I have a friend who just had a stroke. And I was trying to figure out how she would open her cans. Thank you.
Soon in a few weeks I will be playing for my own friends at a school winter party. I was looking for ways to grab the attention of them. And this video was perfect for my needs. Thx, you are the best.
How did it go?
@@Alpha-ro8sc ıt got cancelled because of the stupid student who got selected as school president. She wanted her own party but couldnt manage to plan it. And my planned party couldnt go into action because of her. Im so angry
Bummer. Please don't let that push you offtrack. Everything happens for a reason. Keep @ it.
Played at a 50th New Year’s Eve gig last night. He requested 70s & 80s music. Had it on invitations. Played them for the first 1hr & half 100-116 bpm kind of tempo and I had requestes for modern songs. Had to txt the person hiring me to bend the rules, tough night, ended up playing all decades. But winning the crowd over half way through the night was a challenge. Have u ever encountered such a gig? People were happy but I was a little frustrated by whole thing
Excellent information. Another excellent video
It's a great practise to follow I think. As I mix a lot of sound for theatre, I'm one of the first to arrive at the venue, and so I get some music going and put the speakers on in the green room too. When people are getting changed and having makeup done, having some party tunes they can relate to really gets a good vibe going.
A few of the tracks people seem to really love from my Pre-Show Jumble playlist; Maniac - Michael Sembello, Club Tropicana - Wham!, Funky Town - Lipps Inc., Hot Stuff - Donna Summer (Everyone seems to talk about the Post Office scene from The Full Monty and does that dance), The Happening - The Supremes, Dancing in the Street - Martha Reeves & The Vandellas... I find oldies are what get people going; probably not the case for every audience though. :)
Quick question do you ever play edm music when you dj?
Yeah. 10 years ago, I played it more than I do now, but I play it here & there
Cooool I'll try it. Never thought of this. Thanks for the tip!
Absolutely great tip Brian!!
Gracias! Great advice
What a great idea. Thank you
When you are talking about this technique at weddings, are you referring to the first hour after the dance floor opens up or start hitting them during cocktail/dinner? I’m going to assume you meant the first dance hour as you don’t necessarily want to play big dance hits during cocktail/dinner. I just wanted to clarify.
Been watching your videos for some time. Love the honest tips. Thank you.
I agree.... to a point. I've used this method with school dances, but I also think it depends on the group. For example, my last school dance I did this and then when I went to some of the older variety stuff, they stopped and stared at me. They didn't care that they were in a frenzy for the past hour, I went different than they expected and they weren't having it. It even happened when I went similar in style and time period to an older request. With weddings, I've seen them a little more willing to have fun and stick around. However to much of the different direction and they look at their watch and remember they have to get home for the babysitter, etc. So while you have earned their trust and have a little more freedom, it needs to be a fine line that is walked.
Of course you can't go in there after an hour & play just anything. You still have to read the room to see what you can get away with.
@@briansredd Right, but I was assuming (and that was probably part of the problem), that I could go similar styles to older requests because of where I had been with them already. And it was more than an hour, but it was after an hour of having them really hyped. probably 90 minutes into the event. First 30 they were still arriving and getting checked in for the dance.
@@dcentertainmentpa You'll get the trickle in that first 1/2 hour or so. I guess to be clear I should have mentioned to hold the big songs back until the students have all arrived, THEN hit 'em. I remember doing this one school before Covid where the big school sports fight song was DaRude - Sandstorm, which per the faculty's request was to be healed back until they were all in place to handle crowd control. So, hit 'em hard early, then bounced around with some fun EDM stuff, House of Pain-ish classics, etc for a while. The principal came up to me & said they were getting ready for Sandstorm, so I started building up to it with bigger EDM tracks. It was taking longer than I expected to drop Sandstorm, so I kept going with all kinds of crazy ish like AB Logic, 2 Unlimited, Public Domain, LA Style blah blah blah. The room kept building & building even though they couldn't have known half of that wacky stuff I was playing. They hadn't told me to drop Sandstorm because they were too busy doing crowd control during my build up. There's no way I could have gotten away with most of that unless I had won them early
Wow! Priceless nugget of advice. Thank you Brian!
Solid advice
Hello, is something I do along time ago...but in my next wedding is the way to go...50 years too... Let's puts experience to work!
Great tip!
I will try this at a 21st birthday party I have tomorrow thanks Brian !
Very solid advice Brian.
We appreciate you too Brian..
Yes every time.
Shock and Awe DJing...
Very true Brian. Always happens in Latino parties.
Exactly!
Great idea but,
OMG! They're gonna ask to repeat them later in the night when their real party moods kick in!!
Maybe, but so be it
I've always argued that successful DJing, and live entertainment in general, is more psychology than anything else. Talent, decent equipment, personality, etc. are all still a part of the mix (pun intended), but knowing how to work an audience separates the great ones form the good and not-so-good ones.
Interesting
Always open to different trains of thought. In my experience with schools, the cooler/older students aren’t at the event til much later. This leads me to do my out-of-the-box stuff on the front end. Let me know what attendance usually looks like for you BSR.
Typically, I'll get them trickling in for the first 1/2 hour. After everyone has shown up, that's when I hit 'em
@@briansredd Okay, makes sense. In Texas we see Juniors and Seniors pulling up with about 1.5 hrs left. Then, they head to the after party 30min before dance ends. It’s a balancing act 😄