Last year we were employed to carry out a nye gig for a organiser and the evening was to be based on a 60,s theme, all went well at the begining of the night and till the party got in swing. we then got a increasing amout of punters approach us demanding we change the musical input some stating that we dont want to listen to this "*$@#" on a night like this...

we then changed the music and swithed the output to a more party atmosphere, and calm was then restored to the gig, we were then thanked by the punters for a good night....

here,s the problem,, we have been rebooked for this nye party with exactley the same circumstances and i fear the same problem will arise again with the organiser as he says it will be STRICTLY 60,s (his choice of music) i have spoken to him but he will not be moved in his eyes no decent music was writen after this formitable decade.

how would you approach this problen,, a good nights entertainment rides on these replies
thanking you in advance.

Ah, no pressure on us this

OK, so...the music policy is the same as last year, and the organiser is the same as last year - what about the audience? will they be the same as last year - if it's some sort of club, or company..then I would imagine quite a few familiar faces, possibly those minority loud-mouthss who gave you the verbal last year (after they'd had a pepsi, or two, I suspect.

I would imagine that disagreements and/or surprises about the 60's muic policy on the night could be kept to a minimum by ensuring 2 things happen:

1) Suggest to the organiser that he consider featuring clearly on the posters/tickets for the night "A NYE full of 60's music", or "A 60's NYE Party"

2) Ensure you mention the music style on-air a few time duing the evening - Welcome tem to their 60's NYE Gig, invite their 60's requests etc.

3) When Tracy and Shaz come up, demanding "any r'n'b mate" tell them that as it's a 60's night, you've left al that nameless 00's music at home, and ony have 60's music with you. (there is 60's rhythm and blues of course - but it won't be the repetitive, lyrically thick and unintelligable drivel that they're expecting..)

If it were me, I'd do exactly what the client asked for and at the point that the guests start asking you for other music, simply refer them back to the person who booked you.

A simple "I'm sorry by Mr X has said to only play 60's, you might want to have a word with him" should do

if its billed as a 60s night then thats what you should be playing...

guests with requests that are not 60s should be directed to the event people...

Exactlty

He's the one paying you.
If I booked somebody I would expect them to do as the contract says.

I'd go with the "I have only brought the 60's because that is what the gig is" type response.

Jim

I agree, if I go to a 60's night I would expect to hear 60's music. Anyone who asked for anything different I would ask them "what part of this is a 60's night do you not understand?"

i see it you have 2 choices
1)take the booking and do what you have been asked to do and play 60's all night
2) not take the booking and let him find someone who will play what he wants them to play.
it's not our job to tell the client we dont agree with the theme they have chosen so we will change the theme.
if you feel by taking the booking and playing 60's the party will be rubbish,you have to ask yourself will that affect your reputation,if so let someone else do it.if not just do the job you are paid to do.

Oh yes!

As a matter of interest, what type of gig is it, are guests paying, a pub, are they aware of a theme, has it been well advertised? Just a couple of questions

Exactly -

I would advise the client of the possible problems, and ask him to be around for any problems that may arise.

But in all fairness i love me 60's music so sounds like it could be a good night

Hve you told him about the feedback you received last year? I would also tell him that I was committed to the success of this event as much as him and offer some advice eg 'we did '60s last year - so it doesn't become predictable / stale what about a different theme this year'

A bit more info on the background to this event would help - is it a company, is it a social club, is it just a one off organised by this man each year, is there a committee, what age group attends .....

True, nobody like being told what to do, especially if they are in a position of holding the cash! In the same breath, nobody likes being bitten more than once and naturally become twice as shy as the saying goes!

I would say you can either accept the booking or decline if you feel that the reputation of your business will be harmed!

Plenty of choices and suggestions so far. Good luck in what ever decision YOU take.

thank you for all your replies,

it is a private function i do know the organiser on a day to day basis, he is a member of our circle of freinds,and the people who are coming will be the same as last year.
that said i will start a 60,s night,the punters will moan,1 will wish i did,nt get involved with friends,we will change the content as the drink take effect,and the earth will continue to go around the sun as it allways have....

roll on nye.........

I would start off 60s.....then if you get people complaining direct them to the organiser and say "sorry but this is meant to be a 60s night, if you dont like the music then have a word with the organiser and see if he will allow me to change it"
Hopfully enough people giving him/her grief will prompt him/her to come to you and admit their mistake in making it a 60s night.

I have a 21st tonight where believe it or not the birthday boy has requested 60s and 70s.......Im seriously not looking forward too it....Their is a very good reason why I aint keen on doing 50th birthdays and the like, I normally stick to 18th and 21sts so I can play up to date stuff.......
But hopfully tonight I will be able to change things to the way I (and the majority of the crowd) want them to be, the prospect of playing 60s all night really makes me depressed.

This year my NYE gig is themed as a Beach Party.....So Im quite looking forward to that one, should be a lot of fun!!!

is he organising it for a group or is it his party.if it's for a group and they are not lovers of 60's(sounds that way)then he is out of order requesting a 60's night.if it is for him and the people who are going knows it is a 60's night they have the choice to go somewhere else if they dont like it.i'm thinking how i would feel if iwas goinig to a theme partyand didnt like the music i wouldnt i ask the organiser to change it. i would make my excuses and leave.i dont like the idea of changing what the organiser wants ,i would rather discuss it with him and try to get some leeway but if he is adamant then it is his party.how would you feel if you went to a restaurant and ordered steak and chips and you got a salad instead because the chief thought it was better for you.

How about pausing half way through the night to interview him live? You could ask him about HIS music policy! You could then direct any requests for other stuff to him

Well he is your client, so you have to play what he allows!

Like it

Still I guess that would guarantee that you wouldn't get the next booking!!!!!

Why take the booking if you don't want to play the stuff the client has asked for?
It is poor customer service to decide that what he wants is wrong and you will play something else.

Jim

Echo