“Do you take requests?”
I get this question at gigs all the time.. and the answer is a resounding yes.. until it isn’t.
Requests are a major incentive in booking a DJ or a live singer - there’s something amazing about throwing out a suggestion to a band. ll of a sudden you’re hearing your favourite song performed live with a unique sound and feel. It’s almost magical.
I take requests on every gig. And after 300+ weddings played, I still get requests that surprise me or make me laugh. People have a wide and varied taste in music, and this is awesome. But at the same time, I’ve seen requests absolute kill events.
Imagine this - the dance floor is pumping and people are having a blast. Uptown Funk by Bruno Mars means everyone is grooving away. And then, one slightly intoxicated uncle strolls up to the band or DJ and ask for “Enter Sandman” from Metallica. The inexperienced musician - eager to please, and perhaps a little worried about the what might happen if the uncle’s request is declined, finishes up with Uptown, yanks the atmospheric handbrake of the dance floor and pulls a full u-turn into a heavy metal classic.
Things at this moment can go one of two ways - either a massive roar of approval, or the vibe is immediately killed. This is why you want a professional DJ or musician at your wedding. Reading the room is so important. Perhaps the groom is a massive metal head and all of his mates will be thrilled to jump on the dance floor to a Metallica song! Or perhaps everyone will immediately leave in disappointment. You want a pro - someone who can read whether the song will flop or whether it will be incredible.
Typically at a wedding, I often play what I like to call “Baby through to Boomers” music. What songs will a toddler dance to, as well as the bride and groom.. and your granny? These “lowest common denominator” songs work so well because they get everyone dancing - and so often I see weird requests alienate people from the dance floor.
At a party, we all want a good time. We all want to have fun. We don’t want people to be alienated from participating. So when people ask me “Do you take requests?” - I always say yes.. I’ll hear what song you want.. for sure! But it takes some musical wisdom to decide whether or not they need to be played.