When I went to watch UKHero's wedding gig the other day, once the sound system was fired up, Nick played some easy listening music while finishing off the setting up. This was ideal for a wedding as it didn't interefere with anyone and helped set the tone without getting anyone immediatley out of their chairs.

When it's not a wedding though and I'm setting up, I'm thinking about playing some kind of instrumental tracks that on the one hand say that the DJ is here, but doesn't actually signal the beginning of proceedings. I'm searching around for some tracks that would do this. I've found a couple of heavy bass ambient tracks (eg Jaded by Deadmou5) that are interesting but not saying "get on the dancefloor".

Does anyone else do this? I know it will depend upon the venue and the evening's theme but are there any generics? If so what tracks do you use? Clearly not time for the Macarena!

Cheers

Teez

I always set up my P.A First and stick on music while I'm setting my lights etc. I have several Minidisc recordings and all are Middle of the road stuff, Easy Listenibg etc. I find it helps me focus better than working in silence and only the noise of the crowd

Blue, Gabrielle, Lighthouse Family - that sort of stuff

I tend to do a quick sound check with Beyonce - Green Light for about 30s to make sure it sounds all OK, and then usually an artist album in the background....

If there is a playlist, I will try to play the floor killers early in the evening or through the buffet.

Jim

For me it's about finding those songs people will think "aw, I love this song" but it's not one that they would wanna get up and dance to.

Some of my friends who are deejays say they will play whatever, so long as they are just in the background and aren't their "better" tracks. But even when it's background music it still has to be entertaining, even if it is something you wouldn't really play throughout your disco mix.

Like there aren't many occasions that I would play Duffy, Savage Garden or Daft Punk when the floor is bouncing, but as background music they're great - people know them and sing along to them, and they have a nice rhythm that gets your audience "in the mood".

So yeah, your background music definitely holds a lot of importance - it leads you and your audience into the start of the night. I would go as far to say that if your audience can gain some comfort in their surroundings through the music you play, they'll be more keen to get on the floor when you belt out the party tunes.

TOTALLY agree with this one, and it works every time.