In defense of requests…

Yea I hear you but most of the time requesters are blind drunk and wanna hear the same song they listened in the car on the way to the club.
A few months ago I was playing at a Dj comp and a guy came up and asked for a track that was played by the bloke before me.
Gone are the days where Djs were taste makers.

I dont think anyone here will disagree with you. A request is sometimes the only form of conversation you’d have with your crowd – apart from cheers and jeers about the night/your set.
They can, however, betray the mood and abuse the privilege by assuming you will jukebox the night away. That, and the aggressive tenacity of some patrons, is what most DJs dislike.

I too enjoy a crowd request. Alot of times you’ll assume the stereotype of a crowd and one request can switch up your whole set and night for the better, on both sides. A few times I’ve been stumped as to what would get a crowd going and a request set the course for a sweaty night of fun.

I have never seen a crowd completely satiated by an arrogant DJ. It’s one of the few cues that someone is more passionate about the limelight rather than the music and the people.

Some requests , can give you an idea on what the crowd wants to hear, which you can just go off that request and have a good set.Like everyone mentioned, some people request music that doesnt go with the vibe you created, and can get adamant on you playing that request.Im not a jukebox lol

DJ Stone Crazy, post: 3882 wrote: I agree. Still, some folks are asking for a stomping when it comes to request. Last Sunday, some dude told me to stop playing “Ghetto Music” and play the Cure. Heads were nodding and he tells me to change my music. I’m still holding on to my belief that rock music lovers are the biggest douches.

‘Ghetto Music’ was an Absolute Insult :eek:;
I am Sorry you had to Tolerate that my Friend 🙁

Racism is Disgusting and Makes Me Sick To The Inner Core 🙁

I don’t mind requests, but too often it’s a case of the “wrong place” or “wrong timing”.

A night is advertised as a trance night, house night, or even “underground” night, but some girl always shows up who thinks the entire crowd would rather listen to pop or mainstream music. Or some old fart believes the crowd would love to hear some classic rock over the dance music you’re paid to play.

My biggest grudge with requests is how often they’re completely against what you’re being paid to play. I remember when I was playing music at a European style cafe I got some guys one night wanting 80s metal. Um…hello? Does this look like a rock bar? The owner himself didn’t want it, but these guys can’t seem to understand what they’re doing is like walking into a biker bar and asking to hear Ke$ha.

Another time I had a Polish girl who was celebrating her birthday and wanted to hear some Scooter…plus asked me to “crank it!”. The owner said “no” because he didn’t want loud pounding music in his venue…just more mellow “atmosphere” music. Still this girl was all in a “me me me me me” mode and couldn’t understand that birthday or not, it’s not all about her.

I’ve had trance nights where people beg to hear rap music, house nights where people want pop, etc. What generally bothers me is when a night is PROMOTED to be a certain sound, people seem to think it doesn’t matter. Worse is when a manager who wants to get laid is telling you to forget what the promoter is pushing and play whatever the girls want.

Would you want Paul Van Dyk stopping his trance set to play Lil Jon? Would you want Grandmaster Flash or Qbert stopping their sets to play Britney Spears?

If I’m playing a wedding or some party like that, or a local bar, or some corporate event, then I’d better damn well be happy to take requests…but when I’m playing a club night where it’s about promoting a vibe or atmosphere or select sound, then take your requests to totally change the music and go to another venue.

One thing that has worked for me: since my event is monthly and recurring, it has its own Facebook page. I’ve occasionally posted and asked for requests in advance. Some have alerted to me to new songs or remixes, which I’ve worked into the evening’s set. It also can give you an idea of what your crowd likes.