Pre-prepared playlist or happy dancing party people: you can't have both
How can all this be reconciled? When planning a company party or business event, there is a fixed budget and at the same time numerous points that need to be covered. Location, food, shuttles, gimmicks, entertainment ... the question quickly arises as to how everything can be cleverly managed financially. I know it's tempting: This is where the idea of simply replacing live entertainment - whether a band or DJ - with a mobile phone and a playlist often comes up.
I often hear such real-life stories during small talk at the DJ booth, where exactly this decision was made, the party never took off, and everyone went home relatively quickly. A far cry from the wishful thinking of all party organisers: Our party will be legendary! Be honest - how many parties have you been to where the party was run with a playlist and was fantastic at the same time?
Here are 8 reasons to convince your boss that a DJ is much better than a playlist:
1. A DJ finds the common musical denominator of the party crowd
This is especially true for business and corporate events: The party crowd here is so heterogeneous that it would border on clairvoyance to determine in advance on a playlist the songs that will make everyone equally happy. After all, events with a business background are attended by very different generations, all of whom have their own taste in music. And even within the generations, there are great differences in what is musically loved - or not. This means that a pre-made playlist will most likely not appeal to most guests. An experienced DJ, on the other hand, reads the party guests like a book and quickly finds the common denominator that makes everyone happy.
2. The right music for different phases of a corporate event
A business party always consists of different parts where various music genres are in demand. A DJ plays completely different music for the reception or arrival of the guests, later for dinner and then for the party, each of which fulfils particular needs. A DJ can flexibly adapt the music to the respective sections of the event and pick up the tempo at the right time to lead into the party.
3. The sound system must be checked and managed
Even if the party is to take place without a DJ and a playlist is used: Nevertheless, it is essential to have an excellent sound system on site that someone is familiar with and that can be managed correctly. A DJ can liaise with the venue operator in advance, check the sound conditions, and, if in doubt, recommend additional equipment, which, in the best case, can also be booked through them. Because a good party also depends on the sound.
4. Spoiled for choice from millions of songs
One music streaming provider potentially offers more than 100 million songs. Admittedly, even I, as a professional DJ, don't know all of them 😉 . But as a party organiser and non-DJ, how are you supposed to select 160-200 songs for a playlist in advance that are guaranteed to make all the guests happy and get them on the dance floor? This is highly unlikely, whereas a DJ at every party individually selects exactly the right songs that perfectly suit the guests of the evening.
5. Brilliant transitions and fresh mixes!
That's what a professional DJ offers and gets the party guests celebrating wildly. Who doesn't love an excellent transition into a song you wouldn't have expected? With a ready-made playlist, there are no mixed transitions, and in the worst case, there are even songs that run out very slowly, causing guests to sneak off the dance floor in unison.
6. Music requests from guests
The topic of music requests itself harbours many dangers, which I outlined in my blog post on "7 tips for dealing with music requests" But a DJ can - in contrast to a pre-prepared party playlist - fulfil spontaneous song requests and integrate them into the party flow so that they go hand in hand with the central theme. And if necessary, politely decline song requests if they don't fit the party vibe. In addition, with a playlist, there is always the danger that party guests will intervene in the playlist from the spot and play very individual songs that drive others away from the dance floor instead of towards it.
7. Musical surprise moments that delight everyone
A professional DJ quickly gets to know his party guests well during the evening - he sees how the guests react to certain songs and can tell from experience which songs they will like. Again and again, he will sprinkle in moments of musical surprise, which will first be met with incredulous amazement, recognition, and then a big, laughing "Yeah". Guests will remember these surprise moments and make the party a legend. On the other hand, a pre-made playlist is a corset that many party guests won't fit into that evening and won't recognise themselves in the song selection.
8. Professional DJs often provide the proper party lighting
Of course, a professional DJ's first and most important task is to provide the perfect soundtrack for your event. However, it is not uncommon for many lighting components to be booked with a DJ to give the party an ideal look focusing on corporate identity. Definitely a point that a playlist cannot achieve.