Hi everyone, just wondered if other DJs found some of the posh hotel gigs a bit boring. The reason I ask is I've being doing a few gigs at a large posh golf club for a friend of mine and I've noticed how different their "having a good time" is compared to other parties. Last night I did a wedding and virtually no-one knew how to do the cha cha slide and when they did get up they all seemed like manakins just stepped out of burtons window. They seem to be enjoying themselves but in their own little way. Its not just last night but most times it's been the same, I've felt very aliented from the crowd. So when I got asked to do new years eve I said no thanks I'd rather do my local pub for less money.

As long as the crowd are enjoying themselves, then you're doing what they are expecting (and paying) you to do. And you said that the audience always seem to enjoy themselves, "in their own little way", so thats good. For them.

For you, however, is seeing other people enjoying themselves to your efforts enough?

For me it is... whether their way of enjoying themselves differs to my own due to their ages (10 year olds school disco ~ 70 year old ballroom dancers), their social backgrounds (Working mens clubs ~ students ~ The Porsche & Horse set), or some other reason.

Theres certainly nothing wrong in you gaining more and more experience in "typical" golf club gigs (and the spin-off bookings for those in attendance, who book you elsewhere afterwards). It could be said that "that" type of crowd have more disposable income than the local pub-goers, but I'm certainly a fan of the occasional pub gig, despite the poor wages and lack of "nice" spin-off bookings.

It could also be said that there are plenty of DJ's that could "do" a pub gig, but considerably fewer that could entertain the more discerning audiences.

Hi

As long as folks enjoy themselves, whatever that constitues, you've done your job.

Example...

Lst night I did a 60th surprise party, had two people up dancing to 2 songs all night, this was for a gig from 7.30 until midnight.

However, I got the crowd involved by setting little competitions for them, what was number one on this day on b/girl's 21st birthday?.

Had lots of good feedback at the end of the night even though the sound system hardly broke a sweat and we could've left our lights at home.

Some folks just like to be entertained and listen to some good music, they don't all want to dance on the tables with their trousers round their ancles.

Personally I prefer the posh gigs, as in pub gigs I usually end up going homes stinking like a bloody ashtray.

Just my take

Darren

If we were all the same then it would be a very boring world!. However, I do think that there is a (I'm NOT politically correct so forgive the next comment!) class split between Executives and Employees and the way in which they enjoy themselves.

I've done Xmas parties for Corporate clients, then 2 days later provided entertainment for said employees. In other words, gigs for bosses and gigs for the staff!. I find that bosses are a little reluctant to relax, unwind and let themselves go. Where as with the employees, it's all hands on the *Ahem* secretary! (and HE wasn't very pleased ). Some bosses also still continue to discuss business at social events! , which doesn't make our Job any easier.

As, far as functions go, well just because a client as booked a posh hotel, doesn't automatically suggest that the client is upper class, or snobbish, some parents save up for decades to pay for their offsprings wedding reception, and i've done some gigs at top hotels were the client has had a little too much to drink and sworn like a navvy!.

The one thing that I have noticed locally, that the staff at some posh venues treat the D.J's like scum . Often looking down their nose at you, and telling you to unload "via the firedoor by the bins", or via the goods enterance.

At the weekend I was booked directly by a hotel who do loads of functions. On this night there were 3 weddings and a bar.b.q and when I arrived found that I was doing the bar.b in the pub. I initially thought that I'd been given the pig in the poke gig however when I took a few minutes to look in at the other functions I soon realised that I definately had the best one and we had a ball - the other 3 events all finished early whereas my crowd could have partied all night. It also made a nice change from the endless weddings at the moment

what makes people posh? Anyone who can afford to book a five star hotel can do so without having to fit into a specific socio economic group!......It doesnt matter where your crowd come from, as has been said, as long as they enjoy it - thats all that matters..... please dont go down the road as a former blinkered member did and think because people are prepared to pay more, it makes them more elite... no so!

I agree quite rightly about different people enjoying themselves in their own way and the comment Chris made about the staff looking down at you is also too familiar, in fact the guy who we were actually working under has asked me if I would be interested in taking on the bookings in one of the function rooms because of the way he's been treated. Maybe if I did these type of venues more often I would get used to the enviroment. Another thing thats annoying is having to wait around, I know I'm getting paid to do nothing but I would rather be working, last night we played altogther for 50mins out of the 5 and half hours of being there.

Loz, you mentioned "waiting around" at a function, and this is also very true at most family type functions, especially those where Guests are slow to turn up, and the Bride and Groom are reluctant to have the first dance until Great Aunt Joan has arrived .

I used to get very guilty about spending the first hour, hour and a half, standing around just playing background music, even if on most occasions it was exactly what the client expected me to do! . Now, I tend to use the first hour or so to entertain any kids who are there. This makes me feel that I am actually earning my fee, and working, and it also looks good to the client - that I can cater for all ages. Okay, so i've got a few kids disco's out of this philosophy lately - but there have to be some drawbacks to every idea .

Of course, there are always going to be functions with few, or no kids, and those occasions, where we have to stand around for hours waiting for speeches / presentatons to end, and straggling guests to arrive, but thats all part of the routine .

On the subject of hanging around on Fri night the 1st dance was delayed because the groom had disappeared to watch the end of a Euro 2004 match

I think that the way the DJ is treated at some venues can vary a heck of a lot.

At my hotel residency, the staff treat me well, from the waitress's , the bar staff , the duty managers right up to the general managers and owners. I return the "favour" with loyalty, tins (and tins) of chocs for the staff to pick at during the Christmas Disco's and ice creams for the staff from the local Iceland on the occasional boiling hot Sunday midday when I'm packing away from the night before. Them treating me well, has lead to them receiving that treatment from me, in return.

However, I recall a few years ago, my Step-brother asked me to provide the Disco for his wedding at a large hotel outside Ascot....truely amazing main function room it was domed, circular and (get this) had two floors which could both start off in the basement and raise themselves into position at either ground, first or 2nd floor in the room...nice venue, nasty scummy duty manager.

I was having all sorts of problems with the DM, dispite me drawing on several years of customer service experience, and knowing what what running through his mind, from the hotel point of view. Guests wont want to see a Transit van near the fire doors, the bride and groom wont want "grubby" disco gear stacked neatly in a discreet corner of the function room. No, the hotel wouldn lend me a clean table cloth (or 4) to drape neatly over the neatly stacked gear, nor would the hotel let me hide the tableclothed gear with the hotels 5ft high, portable room dividers....

Funny thing is...all these "no's" turned to "Of course's" when the Grooms father (my step-dad) came up to the duty manager (DM) and I, mid discussion and pointed out that I was not "just" the DJ, but also a guest of the bride and groom, a paying guest of the hotel that night, step-brother to the groom, step-brother-in-law to the bride and HIS (step)Son.... "so cut him some slack, and plenty of it..." ....DM nil, DJ victorious!

It varies from venue to venue, most definately.

I think we (djs) get treated with respect if we first show it to others! Ive only been unfortunate on the very odd occasion where I have gone to a venue and the bar/waiting staff think they are a notch above! I DO hear very often however, that some djs go in with an air of self importance and arrogance which immediately puts venue staffs backs up. If you treat the staff at a venue in the same way that you treat your clients, I dont think you get any problems - smile at someone and its very difficult for them not to smile back.
If anyone does feel intimidated when working at a very upmarket venue here are a couple of tips to start you off:

1. Go out of your way to find the duty manager and introduce yourself.
2. Show initiative by saying that you have not worked at the venue before
and ask if there is anything that they would like you to know regarding
venue rules/regulations... what time they want you to call last orders...
where is the muster point in the event of a fire alarm etc etc etc
3. Be friendly to ALL staff


Courtesy on YOUR part goes a long way and you will then be teated with respect and very quickly feel at home in any environment!

I know that hotel, never had a problem there. I think you'll find the floors gone, and they also have the conservatry - with alarmed doors and windows.

Anti smoking laws started here on 01.06.04 and so far it works!!!! Clubs still full but large gangs of people outside !

I can't enthuse about the anti-smoking laws enough......... indeed Mrs Spin is a smoker but in Dublin managed to have one either in the street or back at the hotel room with the window open.

She also complies with my ban on smoking in my car aswell!!

Just my 4d worth

Spin

Can't wait for the law to be passed over here, no more going home smeeling of cancer sticks, might even buy a new 'fresh smelling' mic instead of the fag smelling one I have

Andy! your supposed to talk into your mic's! Not sniff em if there that stinky prehaps try them cleaning wipes, or brush your teeth

Or do what Mikeee does, take you teeth out every night