I've been sent this brief for the disco i'm doing this Friday.

"Would love you to DJ Friday. At the moment here's the rough idea (will fine tune in the next 24 hours).

Bar music - 7.30 - 8.15/8.30pm (party starts at 7.45 but we'll start the music in the bar at 7.30 just in case of early birds). We're going to play mainly Christmassy songs (nice ones) and a few of our favourite mellow tunes during that time.

Then, move accross to you to pick it up a little. We will then encourage people into the main room but telling them that canape will be served in there (we won't serve canape in the bar for the first half hour as this will force them out of the bar into the main room)

About 9pm we will put the girls on for their first set (roughly 40 mins - mainly soul and a bit of 60's) we'll email you their final set list today.

Then over to you at about 9.45.

Girls back on at about 10.15pm for another set (approx 45 mins of 70s disco)

Then back to you at about 11pm

Then back to the girls again at about 11.20 for another set (approx 30 mins of mainly 80s music)

Back to you for the balance time

About 90 guests

Age range 18 - 55

18 - 25 - about 12/14 guests

25 - 35 - about 25 - 30 guests

35 - 55 - balance guests (the older crowd are very lively though and really like a dance)"

I'm really nervous, because I feel the girls are going to do all the best tunes leaving me with nothing good to play!!

What I wanted to know was, if this was your brief would you stick with the music from the eras they are performing inbetween their sets? Eg. Do 70's stuff before they do their 70's set? How well does non 70's disco music go down. Like Glam Rock and stuff? I've seen this crowd really going for 70's disco but don't know about the rest.

Would it be wrong to just concentrate more on modern stuff and not stay with the eras they are performing?

I'd really be grateful for any advice as this is a really important night for me.

I'm supporting a Robbie Williams tribute on Saturday and I have a set list, although it would be just as easy to avoid all Robbie/Take That tracks without one.

Can you not be put in touch with the girls to find out what they will be playing, then make sure you don't play the same?

ask the girls for a set list... or just listen to what they are doing and watch the people..

if you see people are into it then compliment what the girls play with other music of simlar type..

if you see more people at the bar bored then you know what not to play ...

Wait until you receive the set list that they promised in the email.

Post it up here & take it from there. There's only so many songs they can do in 2 hours, you should be fine.

Is the tribute Mr Holbrook by any chance?


If it is tell him i said Hi!

When I've worked with a band before I've asked them what do you not want me to play. That should give you what you need to know so you won't do too much of their set or clash.

I finally have their playlist. Any suggestions for songs that would go down well inbetween? I keep thinking of them and then realising they are doing them.

These aren't in a running order but they are in set order

soul and 60's set - about 9pm

respect
midnight hour
you might need somebody or it's too late
river deep mountain high
i feel good
tears of a clown
it's too late
i'm every woman
shoop shoop song or da do ron ron
you to me are everything
say a little prayer

Still the one


set two - 70's about 10.10pm

waterloo
le freak
mamma mia
blame it on the boogie
i love to love
i'm in the mood for dancing
young hearts
carwash
ladies night
dancing queen
hot stuff
I will survive or if I can't have you

80's, 90', 00's - about 11.15pm

holiday
hot hot hot
reach
it's raining men
moving on up
walking on sunshine
simply the best
groovejet (why does it feel so good)
can't get you out of my head
tragedy

if thats what they are playing then theres loads of stuff for you to play! 80s set with no michael jackson ????? i think you will do just fine !

Just don't play anything they might sing, before they come on play background at half vol as they are eating and chating, in the mid interval play full vol, party stuff, stick a Christmas tuneor two, wham maybe, 'Gary Glitter?) in, after they finish go for it, and enjoy yourself!

Agree with CS...

There's sooooo many tracks you can play that will compliment - or even better - that list...

As already suggested, see whether or not people are dancing and then decide what to play.....

In the 80s for example, no Wham, no Proclaimers, No Whitney etc etc.. Loads to get em up....

Thanks guys, yes I was quite relieved when I saw their playlist. I feel I can work round it quite well.

They have asked me to play "Bed of Roses" by Bon Jovi to kick off my set. I though great, can't you get them to sing that one as well. I can't see that being a floor filler!

I hope this ok to add here, but after your advice I just wanted to say that the evening went really well. Apart from a guy who was drunk and fell over and knocked one of my speakers over and a woman who attacked me cos I wouldn't play "Put Your Hands Up For Detriot City" it was excellent.

I struggled a bit with the 60's/70's bit and it took Lulu's Shout to get them up, but when they were up that was it for the night!

..and it was the first evening I managed not to make one single mistake, which is a first!

Hence one reason i dont work with live bands anymore, they are a pain in the butt.