Choosing the Best Music for Your Next Event
Music is a wonderful addition to any party or event, setting the mood, drawing guests in, and revealing the tone. It can be intimidating to try and figure out what kind of music you want to play, but leaving it up to the discretion of our professional DJs or string musicians might not be your style. Maybe there is a special song you want to include, but you are not sure if it’s appropriate for the setting. Let this guide help you navigate and make the best decision for your event!
Know Your Audience
The first step to picking the right music is to know your audience. Is this going to be a party of your peers, with similar musical tastes and cultural references as you? Then choosing popular songs, even the stringed versions, is going to be a safe option. But if your event is more formal, like a wedding or a corporate event with folks a few years your senior, then choosing more classical music will be a better option.
Know What Mood You Want
On a similar note, music has the power to set the mood for an event. The fanciest wedding can be brought down by the somber music of a funeral, and a conference can be made to feel like a nightclub if the DJ plays the wrong song. Make sure you know your playlist completely so there are no surprises. Listen to it a few times yourself and with friends to ensure the tone is correct for the event.
Find the Music that Works in Your Space
Before the time of the event, talk to the venue manager about the kinds of music they can accommodate in the space. A large outdoor wedding venue may seem like the perfect place for a stringed quartet, but the location might not have the necessary system to ensure the music is heard by every guest. A small conference room will be immediately overpowered by music with a heavy bass line and cause your guests discomfort.
If possible, do a walkthrough of the venue so you get a feel for the space. Try to find videos online of similar events at the venue and see if you can hear whether the speakers are subpar, or if the live music carries well enough on its own. Talk to other people who have used the location for information about the quality of the sound.
Understand the Licensing Requirements
Something you do not want to leave until the last minute is familiarizing yourself with the licensing and copyright laws for the music you want to play. Some functions have stricter requirements than others. Copyrighted music will require you to obtain permission to play and to pay fees so the artists are paid for their work. Royalty-free music requires a one-time fee. Songs in the public domain are free to use. Do your research and know if the music you want to play is copyrighted or not, and put in requests early so you are not scrambling at the last minute to put together a playlist.
Put Together a “Do Not Play” List
Keeping in mind the mood and tone you want to set for your event, it would be a good idea to have a list of songs or genres that you do not want played. Our DJ’s and string musicians are professionals, but they are not mind-readers, and a harmless request by a wedding guest could throw a wrench in your perfectly curated plans. Have it written explicitly written into your contract what to avoid so there is no confusion. If you are building the playlist yourself to give to the DJ, make sure you search for the clean versions of songs to avoid explicit or offensive lyrics.
String Musicians, DJ, or Pre-made Playlist
There are several things to consider when putting together the music for your event and who will play it. String musicians add a touch of class to your event, but for a party with a lot of dancing, you might find a DJ is the best option for you. And if your budget does not allow for either of those, a pre-made playlist you put together is a great personal touch for your event. String musicians will need time to tune their instruments, so you will want to make sure they can set up before the start. DJ equipment will take up less space, but there will still need to be sound checks and time to replace faulty equipment. A pre-made playlist will need someone to keep a watchful eye over it to ensure no one tries to sneak in a song they want or mess with your settings.
Now you’re ready!
Ready to book music vendors? Contact us to book your string musicians or DJ, and let us help you make your event the best it can be!