We've heard about last songs, but what about first songs?

What would you play as the first 'get up and dance song' as opposed to 'buffet music'?

I am due to start my first proper job in December, I have landed the xmas party discos and New Years party of my local chinese restaurant (they do hen nights and birthdays Fri-Sat normally) I am going to watch the current guy in action on Saturday (I will be taking over his Saturday spot in the new Year).


Music starts at 10 after everyone has eaten and drunk so they should be a little merry by then. Apparently the normal guy starts with Baby Love.

What would you start with in this sort of scenario?

If it's hen nights.......what gets you going!

Watch the crowd on different nights.
Does the DJ play random or specific 'sets' of tracks together that seem to work the particular type of audience?
I wouldn't attempt to copy the DJ but the management may have a say on what they want.....bear that in mind.
If you have a 'free reign', try not to be too original in the beginning!
Have confidense in the tracks you select and of course the mic if you use it.
Be your self, but a little razzmatazz in the 'old skool style'....mic showmanship may be required to 'work the crowd' for the remainder of the night to end...then again, every night should be 'different'.

I guess you'll have about 15-20 songs per hour, odd requests and personal requests.

For Hen nights, if the crowd is ready to hit that little ol' dance floor, aim a couple of disco classics, anything from Dancing Queen, Heaven Must be missing An Angel, Young Hearts Run Free, The Nolans, etc but note the attention span of the audience.
Some parties will literally dance to anything .....and others will be picky, with a span of about 3 records before the click of heels come tapping towards you, individual requests at hand!
Of course all birthdays are different but the age range of 30ths and 40ths etc can also be worked out pretty comfortably.
Hope this helps

oh what a night is always a good one for december.

for all the advice.

Can't wait to see how it all runs on Saturday!

I am really lucky all I have to do is bring my CD's and off I go, the place is also just 5 mins from my front door.

I am sure it will go OK once I check out the equipment and am happy with how their set up works. I am a woman, I like to dance, I should be able to pick songs others would like to dance to as well.

I will be glad when I have the first one uder my belt

For some ideas of 'Floorfillers' go to the Interviews with DJU Members section. There's a question towards the end which asks for 3 songs that will, 95% of the time, fill the dancefloor. Have a list of these with you as back-up in case you get that 'mind goes blank' moment during your 1st gig.

Good luck

Paul