Dying Dancefloor? How DJ’s Read the Room to keep Your dance floor full
In this blog, we dive deep into the world of entertainment… specifically the dance floor! I take inspiration from our new Totally Absolutely Engaged podcast episode, to bring you all the behind-the-scenes tips and tricks for keeping that dance floor full… because let’s face it, no one wants an empty one!
A dying dance floor is every couple’s worst nightmare, but the good news is, a great DJ knows how to save it! And no, it’s not just by hitting play on a ‘Top 40 Bangers’ playlist and hoping for the best.
So how do they do it? What do you need to look for to get a good DJ? And how do they keep the dance floor full all night long?
It starts before the first song even plays!
The best DJ’s begin reading the room before anyone is even thinking about dancing! From the moment your guests arrive, your DJ should be clocking people’s ages, the general energy levels, what background songs get people tapping their feet, and also who is glued to the bar (all will be revealed!)
This early observation helps them build a musical game plan. A wedding full of mid-20s who love club tracks will start very differently to a mixed-age crowd who live for the classics and sing-along anthems!
DJ = Professional People Watcher
Once the dance floor opens up, your DJ becomes a professional people watcher! They look for things like:
Are people dancing confidently?
Are groups forming… or breaking apart?
Are guests leaving the stage after each song?
Are people singing along or standing around the dance floor?
A brilliant DJ will adapt on the spot when he sees certain cues. If everyone is stood round the dance floor, get on the mic and get people confident to get on the floor! The best DJ will be a quick thinker, and be able to adapt to these situations quickly!
Building Energy is an art
One of the biggest mistakes experienced DJs make is playing the biggest songs too early! Energy control is all about starting with the familiar warm-up songs, gradually increasing the tempo and bass, then dropping the party-hard anthems once the crowd is ready. It’s like a rollercoaster; you can’t start at the biggest drop; there has got to be a climb first!
Genre-Hopping
Your guests are all different, so you want the music to be too! The one thing that gets your bridesmaids up and busting moves may send your grandma running into another room! The best wedding DJ will mix a blend of 90s nostalgia, a splash of the chart hits, classic sing-alongs, and some good throwbacks! They are constantly balancing what people want, what people recognise, and what will keep feet moving!
Trust the DJ
When you book a professional DJ, you’re not just saying “ for speakers and songs,” you’re paying for experience, instinct, and crowd psychology. So if you ever glance over at your dance floor and everyone is up, know that behind the decks, a DJ has read the room and is keeping your party exactly where it should be!
Full, loud, and absolutely unforgettable!
Love from,
TAE x
P.S. If you want to add the extra sparkle to your big day, take a look at these LED ones!! The perfect place to dance your heart out 🤩
Want more wedding tips, tricks and advice? Click here to explore!