I volunteered to to an event with a friend, it’s a afternoon employee picnic at the lake. I won’t be getting paid for this.
Here’s the problem, one of the organizers asked for a track list so she could look it over and approve it. [Umm, I don’t play off a list, that’s what iPods are for…] Gave her a list to give her a rough idea of what we play, and she didn’t like it. She asked if we could play country or alternative. [No, because that stuff is wack] She then asked if she could give us an flash drive with music on it and have us play off that. [Hell to the no! You want to pick the songs, you bring your own turntables and speakers.]
I still kinda want to do this, kinda want to bail. I probably could sit down and have a chat where I explain what a DJ is and what we do, promise to keep everything clean, and see how that goes, or I could call her a control freak and leave them hanging. This might lead to more gigs, and more recognition at work, but is it worth the trouble? I had a bad time at a wedding when I played a song that wasn’t on “The List” and I told myself I’d never do that kind of gig again. What would you do? What should I say to her?
Hmmmm, kinda depends on how much your job depends on it. Do I understand it correctly that it is an employee picnic of the company you or your friend work at?
If it was me and I knew it wouldn’t be an employment problem, I’d probably pull out in a polite way, explaining that I volunteered for something I could do, and that what is now expected from me is not what I do, so I probably wouldn’t do a good job anyway.
Not worth the effort. He isn’t going to be paid, he isn’t going to be acknowledged too much by the crowd, and I’m preeeeeeeetty sure there won’t be anyone scoping thew new hottest dj.
Long story short: I wouldn’t bother. Tell her politely that isn’t what you do and have them bring in their own speakers and an ipod.
im in excatly the same position, im doing a charity event organised by a friend of mine’s parents, about 500 people there and for a really big company. i was asked 2 months ago if i could do it, said yes and now theyre saying they want something completely different to what i play, they want utter shite! im gonna play what they want for a few hours and then just smash it i mean ive gotta have fun too
I’d say no. Say you can either DJ with the music you own, like a DJ does, or they can use an iPod.
I’m not sure how playing music you hate can lead to people giving you gigs playing music you like. Just playing a playlist of music you don’t know isn’t DJing, so you’ll hardly be showcasing your abilities.
I volunteered to do a fashion show for an upscale resale store, and I knew the owner. This was at a very prestigious local winery. Since I knew the owner and she was trying to make a buck out of the event, the catch for me was the connection with the manager of the winery which has lots of private events and stuff that can lead to some chill out gigs. Anyway, they asked me to put on a set list and I got them some really sweet minimal and brazilectro stuff…something that clothes will shine with. I’ve done that for other designers and they always loved the music. Long story short I ended with a crapy playlist but I still put in a few good tunes.
Lessons learned:
Free gig= lots of trouble (people feel entitled to tell you what to play because it’s "their event)
Few connections made. Met the manager, he wants me to be there but wants it for free. nope!
Unless it leads to a good contract don’t take it.
Exposure doesn’t count if you’re not in front of your potential crowd. Old people won’t end up paying $5-$15 cover to go see you.
If it’s a work related gig. Don’t pick up a fight that you don’t need. People will remember if they have a good time and even more if they had a bad time and the music in their opinion sucked.
If you’re doing it for free make sure you enjoy it but also your crowd is well cared, so be prepared to be bent and get lots of requests.
Yes, I’ve seen this over and over. A free gig means that you have some saying with the playlist. You could take suggestions but you control the event. If they say no, then tell them to use an iPod.
Crap, this reminds me I have a similar situation coming up. One of my best friends asked me to DJ their wedding reception. Very small, maybe 50 people. Told her no problem and no charge (I would never charge her anyway). The song list is all crap rock like Nickleback, Staind, etc. though, which I have none of, and have to go spend $30-40 on music I don’t like.
I love my friend though, and wouldn’t do this for anyone else, unless I was getting paid.
On your situation, since you already agreed to do it. I would just ask the organizer about how she wants you to handle requests. Make everyone happy including the organizer, that way you don’t get a bad rep. Then lesson learned I guess. You will know what to do next time something like this comes up.
At the last company I worked at there were quite a few social events for the employees. They approached a friend and colleague of mine and asked him to DJ. The compromise they came to was that he would play “popular stuff” 50% of the time and his own style for the other 50%. This seemed to work for him and the people attending and they did it multiple times.
I think what I’m going to do is sit down with this lady and explain that I need artistic freedom, or I won’t be doing the gig. What she’s doing is like asking someone to bring dessert to a potluck, then when they volunteer to bring cake, tell them it has to be chocolate with white fudge icing, and at least enough for 20 people. Now I just need a really nice way to explain it that way…
I dunno, I did a few “freebie” gigs, brought around my whole shebang, Coffin Case’s turntables, pulled strings to get a seriously nice rig FOC so they only paid delivery…ended up putting on a “Top40” cd for the night and mingled with the crew.
At the end of the day only 4 people in the room knew me beforehand and what I played (it was a friends sisters 21’st).
Some people EXPECT a DJ to play requests and don’t understand the creative aspect - admittedly some DJ’s will just play requests all night in the MAJORITY of bars and clubs.
Most peeps cant understand how you can dance or even like a song you never heard before or why the dj doesn’t have THAT song
If you really want to help at the event, I’d go with giving them a CD or Ipod with the stuff she wants on a “playlist” (if you have it) … sit back and enjoy the (free) beer and chill.
Free is exactly worth that to the people you’re’ doing the favour for 60% of the time, absolutely nothing.
im gonna play what they want for a few hours and then just smash it 
i mean ive gotta have fun too