Choosing your entertainment ...everyone wants to
have a party right?......without the CHEESE?
We came into the entertainment business
because like most businesses we felt if we were
given a chance that we could do it better. Just like
you, we've been to many weddings and parties as
guests and wondered why many DJ's seem to be following
the same traditional rules. It seemed like it was
just like the last wedding we'd been to...
"As you know - in any market, 'you
get for what you pay for' so BUDGET is the
number one reason why people could be expecting an
average DJ to turn up at their event"
So, we thought we would compile an
ongoing list
of areas that we've discovered from friends that have hired
entertainment in the past. This also includes
feedback from bride and grooms attending guests
weddings who simply want to explain to a
professional the things that they wish to avoid. The
list below also contains discussions from the many
guests that we come across in our day to day
business. All these points sum up to what we call
"the Entertainer from
Hell"
For any DJ's reading this page, there
may be images below that have been selected from
various sources on the internet to show examples
of what we mean. The opinions on this page is
feedback from our clients and do not reflect any or all DJs - just some.
The mobile DJ has already had a bad reputation over
the years BUT there are many professionals out there
who do an outstanding job. If you are one of them -
Great! - We reserve the right to let our customers know some of the things that annoy us too - after
all we're customers too.
Revolving Police Lights and Traffic Light Boxes -
"FAIL"
Don't you hate it
when....a DJ
turns up with really cheesy looking lights?
This isn't the 70's anymore, why
bring old and outdated equipment - it's ugly and
cheesy. First impressions count and as soon as your
guests walks into the room seeing an old disco -
they know what they will be expecting for the rest
of the night.
Figure 1: Entertainer from
Hell
Not playing good music? - "FAIL"
Don't you hate
it when....the DJ plays
his own music because he thinks guests will love HIS
music. A professional will watch the crowd
and if you've had meetings with your entertainer
will know the kind of music you will like and what
will be fit just right with your guests. A wedding or
party shouldn't be the same cookie cutter event and
it should be down to the entertainer to work with
the client to make it what they want.
Business cards On display! - "FAIL"
Don't you hate
it when....the DJ
places his cards all over the chairs, table and bar
areas?
Why? if guests thinks the DJ is
good, surely they will ask you or approach the DJ
themselves. All DJ's or professionals should be
asking you for your permission if they want to
advertise their services publicly. Its your reputation if the
DJ turns out to be....rubbish
Banners on Display - "FAIL"
Don't you hate
it when....the DJ
places a massive large banner all over his front.
(below)
Why? as above if guests think the DJ
is good, surely they will ask you or approach the DJ
themselves. Adding a large banner on the front looks
like its given a a corporate look (if the banner was
designed well and is obtrusive) but we think's it
makes for an untidy look and style of the DJ. Again,
all DJ's or professionals should be asking you for
your permission if they want to advertise their
services at your event. If any advertising should be
done, it should be done in a subtle way and not
impacting on the look of your event.
Cheap and Nasty Kit - "FAIL"
Don't you hate
it when....the DJ turns
up with equipment that simply looks like cheap tat
(below)
Why? Is it style, Is it look or is
it cost? Most of the budget level equipment that is
available today can be bought at local hardware
stores - it's suitable for your house, bedroom or
even a small house party NOT for a reception party
which will be hosting around 150 guests.
DJ Dress and Attire (each to their
own)
Don't you hate
it when....the DJ looks
a bit too formal or in many cases "a scruff bag".
Depending on the occasion, a
smart dress and a cleanup
is not too much to ask for is it?. If its a
corporate event or a formal occasion then smart dress
is key. Having scruffy and
unshaven entertainers look unprofessional turn up. Again, its important to make sure you
talk to your DJ how they will dress for your
occasion.
Figure 2: Entertainer from
Hell
Ugly DJ Rigs with Scaffolding setups
(each to their own)
Don't you hate
it when....you've spent
ages looking for the right venue - only for the DJ
or band to arrive and spoil the look of it all.
Depending on the room size and
location of the DJ setup, there are some factors to
consider when setting up additional lighting
equipment is required and entertainers should be
responsible for the safety and welfare of all
guests. Trailing wires, heavy equipment and general
untidiness could all be responsible for accidents
waiting to happen. Your venue should have subtle
clean looking equipment which does not get in the
way of anyone. We hate it when DJs turn up with
scaffolding type equipment to make your venue look
like a worksite. Always talk with your DJ.
Figure 3: Entertainer from
Hell
Cheesey DJ interruptions during songs
(each to their own)
Don't you hate
it when....a DJ makes
annoying announcements before, during and after
songs.
Radio DJ's need to do this to let
millions of viewers know where they can buy the
record but does
a wedding or party DJ have to ? If you've ever seen
the Peter Kaye disco type outfits - you know what we
mean
The DJ turns up but wasn't who you expected? or even
sometimes "LATE"? - - "FAIL"
Don't you hate
it when....you've paid
for a DJ then expecting a mature fellow who sounded
confident when you made the booking realise that a
bunch of kids have turned up to do your disco
instead?
You should feel confident that the
person you've been dealing with regarding the
entertainment for your party is the person you've
actually booked. We've seen situations where you
expected one or two chaps to turn up but didn't
expect 3other of his mates turn up.
The DJ uses the same music set - and plays tunes you
just didn't expect or doesn't even have the correct
versions of your song? -
- "FAIL"
Don't you hate
it when....the DJ that
you've booked really likes his cheese
Do you want the Hokey Cokey or the
Birdie Dance being played - make sure you let your
DJ knows certain music NO-NO's before he gets jumped
by the guests and possibly you.
Sound Systems that take up all the space -
- "FAIL"
Don't you hate
it when....everything
arranged for your party only for the DJ to take up
ALL the dance floor space with so much unnecessary
power.
Who knows which sound system is
right? You or the DJ - well it takes both of you to
understand what crowd you are inviting and playing
to and therefore work out dancefloor space. A Party
is all about having fun, the last thing you want is
not having room to dance and for it being so loud -
that you simply do not enjoy it. The picture below
shows this - Where we are standing is the entrance
into the room.
Insanely loud speaker equipment & Large speaker boxes
-
- "FAIL"
Don't you hate it
when....a DJ
turns up with LOTS of equipment and it's just TOO
LOUD!!
Why
spoil a nice venue with lots of unnecessary equipment
everywhere. Some DJ's can be furniture happy and
bring along a sound system that does not suit the
size and audience you're expecting. Having LOUD music playing
throughout the whole night is un-needed and ruins
the acoustics of the room - too much bass or too
much treble or even echo might mean that guests
might actually be staying outside of the room.
Guests coming to your party not only want to have a
good time but also want catch up with others they
may not have seen for a long time.
other areas that we will expand on as we go on...
Don't you hate it
when...
....Entertainers packing up before the "actual"
contracted end of the evening
....Entertainers ruining the dancefloor with ironic
music
....Entertainers picking on guests by being rude and
annoying
....Entertainers inviting themselves to the drink and buffet
when not requested..
....Entertainers helping themselves to items belonging
to the client or venue.
