Part 2. Keeping the dance floor full
With a varying age gap at most weddings, it’s a DJs time acquired talent in reading the mood of the guests and playing the right musical genre and tunes according to it. The funky floor fillers that still hit the spot early on include Steve Wonders “Superstition”, Curtis Mayfield’s “Move On Up” and James Brown’s “I Got You (Feel Good). On the same tip most of the Motown classics tend to keep the older movers and shakers happy and on their feet. Spreading the love factor with a touch of disco ups the tempo with the original “Relight My Fire” from Dan Hartman, Edwin Star’s “Contact” and Candi Staton’s “Young Hearts Run Free” all hitting the spot.
For mainstream dance / pop, think along the lines of Lady Ga Ga, Rihanna and Usher, although I tend not to play too many of these at weddings unless specifically requested for by my Bride and Groom.
If Indie and rock is your thing then the deep guitar bass intro of the White Stripes “Seven Nation Army” works wonders. The Killers “Mr Brightside” still manages to raise hands and if the guests are up for it, Nirvana’s “Teen Spirit” tends to blow the roof off. On a more classic rock tip, choose along the lines with the best of British with the Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Roxy Music and The Clash.
When working with my clients I always take into consideration their age and think about what they would have been dancing to in their late teens / early 20’s along with their background. With undoubtedly the biggest wedding of the year, Prince William and Kate Middleton could choose some club classics including Daft Punk’s “One More Time”, Modjo’s “Lady” and Fatboy Slim’s “Praise You” whilst the DJ shouldn’t be too cool in not keeping their old university chums happy with some School Disco Cheese, these would also go down a storm: Starting with the aptly named Queen “Don’t Stop Me Now” followed by the Beastie Boys (You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party), Backstreet Boys “Everybody”and Five’s “Keep On Movin’.
Often forgotten is how to close the dance floor. This has to be a classic that spans the ages. I play the last song and await the chants of “one more” before dropping an encore. Closing tracks that have recently worked for me include The Beatles “All You Need Is Love”, Madness “It Must Be Love” and Stevie Wonder’s “Signed Sealed Delivered” with encores from the Kings Of Leon “Sex On Fire, Guns & Roses “Sweet Child Of Mine” and The Source Ft Candi Staton “You Got The Love”
As for slow songs, other than the first dance I’d say this is a big big no to these!
