1st real gig...kinda...got some questions

[DJ ViViD]

My girlfriend is having a graduation party and I was asked by her mom to DJ it...now, I've done one house party before, and thats about it, so I have one main question, and any advice for you can offer would be awesome...

The party is taking place at this bar/food place...I have enough power in my set-up to take care of the gig, but would I need to talk with the owners of this place for any reason? Is there anything I need to talk with them about, or do I just walk in there an hour before the party starts, ask/pick the best place to set-up and then do so? Thankx

Also, any music suggestions would be awesome, its somewhat hard to pick a sellection of music because its going to be a mixture of her friends (18ish years old) and her moms friends (not 18 years old).

I can beatmatch fairly well so far, have a lil trouble with hip-hop but I can manage.

Thankx :dance:

[Rabid Wombat]

i'd imagine you need to just have a few words with the owners of the place so they know you are spinning and maybe they have some special conditions you must meet or perhaps they have their own prefered setup etc etc. doesn't seem normal to just show up with gear and say "ok where do I set up" having never spoken to anyone there

as for music, there are always songs that bridge generations young and old that you should prolly work into your set. some examples are electric slide/cha cha slide, you promised me by ingrid, lady by modjo. you can usually fill up the floor with those tracks.

now the younger 18yo crowd will want hiphop probably and dance music like deborah cox type stuff. the older crowds will want older stuff (im only 20 myself so i'm not QUITE sure what the older stuff is--depends on their age but i'd wager some elvis, sinatra, etc) dj otzi - be my girl will be a nice track. basically anything off the dirty dancing soundtrack would work (time of my life)

long post but hope it helps.

[LunchieTey]

Sometimes venues have limits on set up area,smoke machines and I've even heard of some places having a 'one amp' limit(which means no big bassbins or anything.
I quite often (if it's local) swing by and have a look but I always just make sure my gear is flexible enough to be able to be moved wherever(long speaker/mic/power cables!)
Surely you must know what 18 year old girls listen to! It's everything blokes DON'T listen to! Just look at the 'top 40' lists and you'll be on the money. This type of music doesn't need beatmixing,and even if you did,few would REALLY care all that much.Chuck in some ice cube(put your back in to it),50cent (in da club etc) Just try to avoid any 'dead air' or quiet spots,always cue up to where the music really gets going and everyone will be happy! In fact,18 year old girls will usually dance to pretty much anything,AND drag the blokes with them! :cry:
As for oldies,there's an easy way. Tune into a rock/oldies station on a saturday night which is when they have their 'party mixes' usually. You'll be amazed at just how many are great songs to play for the older crowds. There's always the usual fav's though like b52's love shack,grease megamix,abba,cher(it's in his kiss etc)bob dylan,the knack(my sharona-it's their ONLY song!)hey mickey etc etc that girlies of all ages love even though they've been played a million times and are ultra cheesy. :dance:

[DJ ViViD]

First let me tell you guys thankx, I LOVE these forums, since I found em they've been nothing but helpful =)

Ok, I thought I would have to call them but I just wanted to be sure that that was the way to go...now what exactly should I ask when I have them on the phone, or when I go there and check out the place? Cause right about now I'd just be like, 'sup I'm the DJ for this persons event, anything special about this place I should know?'

Thankx

[Jason Cerna]

Don't know how much equipment you plan on bringing, but if you have a lot of gear plus your pa rig...

Don't plug everything into one outlet, spread the electrical load around.

Have extra cables and equipment close at hand in case something goes out.

[DJ D3CIB3L]

good info so far. Let me add. First, if you plan to call the place- you would say:

Hello:
My name is Dj D3cib3l (or whatever your dj name may be) and i was hired to dj at an event planned there on so and so date at so and so time. I would just like to know if there is anything i should be aware of prior to arriving at the event. Also,i ask that you please prepare a 6 foot or 8 foot table (say this if you dont have one) for me to set up my equipment on. Also, would there be a problem if I bring a fog machine to the event (if you have one)? Will there be any stairs to climb- if so- will there be an elevator to use for gear transportation? Will I be pressed with time? Is there anything i should know? (then, when you are done with questions). thank you very much sir/mam. I just wanted to confirm that everything was set for the event. I will see you then. Bye.


Now, for setup- do you have a facade of some sort to hide wires? If not, use a black tablecloth or table skirt that can be found at any party city. Arrive an hour and 30 minutes early just in case anything happens and so you dont have to rush when setting up your gear.

Test everything before you leave and make sure and double, even triplecheck that you have everything you need.

Tips for when you are at the place:
DO NOT overload outlets. Use as many outlets as possible (3-4 is good) but dont make your cords clutter all over the place.

pay attention to smoke alarms/sprinklers. Dont use a fog machine if there are any (duh...lol)

Know your crowd- dont jump from genre to genre of music.
Avoid mistakes. Rushing and carelessness can lead to serious flops that can ruin your reputation.

Now, for music: line dances always break the ice between old and young
These will do:
Cha cha slide (casper slide pt 2)
electric slide
ymca
macarena
these line dances are good if anyone knows them:
Dancing in September
Chilly Cha Cha
Hey Baby
Hello Dolly
Larusso
Love Potion No. 9
Angelina
and there are more but i cant remember.

I suppose teens would prefer hip hop- but they might also like punk rock and pop- so be ready for the best of both worlds battle. these songs should satisfy both sides if the teen crowd
hollaback girl- gwen stefani
peices of me- ashley simpson
true- ryan cabrara
boulevard of broken dreams- green day
disco inferno- 50 cent (or basically anything from the massacre album)
how we do- game
give me that- webbie
jamrock- damian marley
satisfy her- i wayne
turn me on- kevin lyttle
in da club- 50 cent
tipsy- j kwon
and basically anything on the top 100 list on yahoo music (take a look there) or any other most listened to song lists (aol, etc)

thats all i can think of for now. I will write back later if i think of anything else. C ya

[Dj-skate]

that was a lonng and veery useful post DJ d3cib3l :dj:

[DJ ViViD]

Indeed, thankx D3CIB3L and everyone, major help...if I can think of any other questions I'll hit up this thread again....thankx guys.

[gmanz73]

wow this should definetly be a sticky.....

[DJ ViViD]

Anything by D3CIB3L should be a sticky, the dude helped me pick out a good set-up for what I was trying to do, gave me prices I should get, and now this :worship:

[DJ Doc Martin]

congrats on your first gig!

[DJ D3CIB3L]

its no big deal. Im just hear to help. Anyways- im just following in the great footsteps of the famous djforum members and moderaters- no need to say their names. they know who they are lol.

Anyway- i know what i forgot. The old songs list.
Here are some songs that the old peeps will like to hear.
Sweet Caroline Remix- Angelo Venuto (this song is good for both young and old)
Jailhouse rock
thats what i like (twist and shout)
Stars on 45 ( good song for people to listen to- if some people know much about it- its a line dance)
december, 1963
Mony Mony
Night Fever
Stayin Alive
Funky town
Shake your booty
Thats the way i like it
Basically anything from artists like the Bee Gees, Beach Boys, Beatles, Elvis, etc.

Now, it would be good to get a few compilations from the local music store. You should look for the greatest hits of the 70's, another for the 80's, then another for the 90's. Get a few club hits cd's just in case someone wants dance/trance/techno. A good cd to get is The Best of Club Hits vol 1 mixed by Dj Geoffe.

I will think about more tips. Till Next time. Peace.