Switching genres: how and how often?

Depends on the gig you are. It’s not the same, a party of a 10 year old, then some 20 year olds. And weddings are a whole other thing. When it comes to small kids parties there is no problem just ask the kid who made the party: What would he prefer to listen at the party? That’s what I usually do, but I’ve only played at 2 small kids parties (like 12 year olds). When you do it of course don’t make it sound like your stupid and unproffesional. I dont know if thats wrong, but to me the kids answer with no problem, since they are kids it doesn’t matter, it’s not like they need a proffesional DJ. Of course you can’t do this at weddings cause they will think you are retarded lol. You shouldn’t change genres so quickly that people don’t even get a chance to enjoy it, mostly you should stick with 3 main genres no more. Where I live (venezuela) its mostly House & Electro, Reggaeton and Merengue. Depends on what people like where you live, just think when you go to parties what do you listen to. Of course you can put other genres but change them more often than you do with the main ones. For example: In your country they listen to House, Pop and Hip-Hop, but at one moment you put Oldies, people might like it or people might not, anyways you shouldn’t let it play to much, always stick with the 3 basics.
When you get hired, check the age of the guests: Kids don’t wanna hear oldies or whatever, they wanna listen to new stuff, stuff they can dance to, have a good time, they are just kids. When it goes from 16year olds up it gets different, cause these go crazy, they dance all night, love banging house music and when alcohol is involved they can go crazy even more. The size of the party also matters, I have played sometimes with my friends who DJ (while they go eat or chill out), but this is at reunions where almost no one dances (you could also put dance music for people to come and dance or just listen to it since its good music), people just talk and chill out if you know what I mean. It’s not the same as some girl’s sweet sixteen. Which usually are pretty big. That’s a big change of scenario.

Sorry, I could only help you with parties, I’ve never mixed at weddings although i’ve been to many. All I can tell you about weddings just by analizing my moments there is that Weddings change constantly, because at some point people want to hear oldies, at other points they want to go crazy and dance because they are happy they just got married, etc. and at another point some want to dance slow with their partner, etc. Also depending on the wedding time, you could spread the genres as you please. In my country wedding parties last from 8pm to 6 in the morning the next day LOL people dance all night long, getting drunk, they’re happy dancing, drinking, etc. At some countries, weddings are in plane day, just some big lunch with old and slow dancing music. My country is probably very different from yours when it comes to parties and music. So I dont know if its the same there, here this is how it goes. -SP!N

After 11+ years of weddings, here is my best advice on genre’s for weddings: Stay classy uptempo for cocktail hour, Slow it down classy for the start of dinner, start bringing the tempo up slowly as soon as the last person gets their plate. Once the dancing starts throw out a set, I usually go 4 -6 songs of uptempo current, then a slow song or two for the couples, then pick another genre and do a few and see what happens, after the 1st set i usually just read the crowd from there.

Although I do have experience none of this is set in stone. Weddings are more about catering to the BRIDE & groom than anything. Whatever they want give it to em!