Mastering Music Requests:Service over Ego
We are a professional service with years of wisdom as to what will work or not on the dancefloor, and many traditionalists believe we should solely be in charge of the music. The idea of accepting requests is often deemed almost offensive, implying that a DJ who takes suggestions is simply a "glorified jukebox" lacking the skill or confidence to command a room. They see themselves as musical auteurs whose creative vision must remain unsullied by the whims of a paying guest.
However, I believe that we shouldn’t be so quick to close down the idea of accepting requests, particularly for those of us who work primarily in the wedding and high-end corporate events industry. In these client-facing roles, the transaction shifts from being solely about musical selection to being about service and memorable experiences.
Hear me out!
Yes, as DJs, our primary skill is the ability to ‘read the room’ - to feel the energy, anticipate the mood, and select the perfect next track. But what if we could get a head start? What if we could ask our clients for suggestions that give us not just a good steer on what to play, but critical, pre-vetted data points about the audience? Of course, there are times when a chosen request isn’t appropriate, and we absolutely must exercise our professional judgment to determine whether the song will work with the current energy, flow, and overall client vision. This is the difference between blindly playing a list and expertly integrating input.
For me, the key with taking requests is to have an open conversation with your clients about the process and the boundaries. Some clients may want to provide a detailed, rigid playlist, and you may need to manage their expectations that a pre-planned playlist, however well-intentioned, may not work with the spontaneous, dynamic vibe on the night. But equally, not all parties will want the same music, so dragging out ABBA at every event simply because it worked at the last one isn't always the best solution. We must customize our approach to every audience.
There’s a great quote I keep seeing, and I think it’s important to have this in the back of our mind as we balance ego and service:
“Good DJs play music you want to hear. Great DJs play music you didn't know you wanted to hear.”
Our goal should be to bridge the gap between those two ideas - to play what they ask for, but to mix it with the expertly curated songs they’ll love even more.
Why Take Requests in the First Place? The Business Case for Service
I’ve often heard people say that a DJ should never take requests. I get the point; we're not glorified jukeboxes and we know our craft. But for me, the fundamental reason to embrace requests is simple: it's about providing a service in a competitive market.
Our job is to create an atmosphere, to get people dancing, and ultimately, to make the client’s event a resounding success. If a request is going to help achieve that goal - by satisfying a key family member, fulfilling a meaningful moment for the couple, or simply injecting a dose of energy the crowd is clearly asking for - then why wouldn't we consider it?
Especially in the wedding industry, we are there to make the couple's day memorable. We’re working for them, not just for ourselves. As with any business, it’s about meeting your client’s needs. Sometimes, meeting those needs means stepping back from our own egos and playing a song we might not personally love.
The Auteur vs. The Curator
The resistance to requests often stems from a self-perception rooted in club culture, where the DJ is the undisputed king of the booth. The club DJ’s performance is an art form; the wedding DJ’s performance is a service package.
The wedding DJ is more accurately described as a Curator of Memories. Our success is not measured by our technical mixing prowess alone, but by the final emotional outcome for the client. The reality is that more and more clients want to be deeply involved with their music selection. If you don't offer them a structured, professional way to tell you what they want, it might make them book a competitor who does. Giving them a clear system for input - whether it’s through an online music request system or a dedicated app - could be the critical difference that helps you stand out and justify a premium price point.
Think of it like this: the music is the soundtrack to their event. While we are the experts in mixing, timing, and reading a crowd, the clients and their guests are the experts on themselves, their inside jokes, and their family traditions. We work with them to create something truly special, not in spite of them.
Market Differentiation and Review Management
In the modern service economy, customer satisfaction drives everything. For high-touch events, a restrictive DJ who refuses to play one key song can easily turn an otherwise great night into a negative one in a post-event review.
By professionally managing and integrating requests, you achieve several vital business objectives:
1. Reduce client anxiety: Giving the client a formal "suggestions" outlet reduces their fear of the unknown. They feel heard, which builds trust before the event even starts.
2. Ensure signature moments: Requests guarantee that songs critical to the client's personal narrative (first dance, a song for their parents, a cheesy tune from their college days) will be played, ensuring maximum emotional impact and a positive review.
3. Competitive edge: Listing "Bespoke Music Consultation & Request Management" as a core service in your package immediately elevates you above the competition who simply state, "No requests." This positions you as a premium, client-focused provider.
The subject of AI and whether we’ll be replaced by robots continues to rumble on. In reality, we’re not far away from technology being able to “read the room” and be able to play an average set. While I suspect this will be more of a pub gig than most weddings, we need to ensure we’re offering a professional service that delivers more than what AI can do.
The Art of Pre-Event Requests: Data Collection and Integration
The absolute best way to handle requests is to get them in advance. This transforms a potentially chaotic, pressure-filled interaction on the night into valuable preparation time. This gives you a chance to prepare, research, find the highest quality version of the track, and seamlessly integrate the songs into your master plan. The last thing you want is to be caught off guard on the night hunting for an obscure track.
Here are my expanded top tips for managing requests before the gig:
1. Establish a Clear, Professional Process (The Tech Stack)
Don’t just tell clients to email you...
To read the full article, you’ll need to have a physical copy of the magazine which you can sign up for here for 6 issues delivered to your door from just £16!
https://store.promobile.online/products/pro-mobile-magazine-6-issue-1-year-subscription
You’ll also get full access to this article and the last year of articles, reviews and play lists via the Pro DJ App
However, I believe that we shouldn’t be so quick to close down the idea of accepting requests, particularly for those of us who work primarily in the wedding and high-end corporate events industry. In these client-facing roles, the transaction shifts from being solely about musical selection to being about service and memorable experiences.
Hear me out!
Yes, as DJs, our primary skill is the ability to ‘read the room’ - to feel the energy, anticipate the mood, and select the perfect next track. But what if we could get a head start? What if we could ask our clients for suggestions that give us not just a good steer on what to play, but critical, pre-vetted data points about the audience? Of course, there are times when a chosen request isn’t appropriate, and we absolutely must exercise our professional judgment to determine whether the song will work with the current energy, flow, and overall client vision. This is the difference between blindly playing a list and expertly integrating input.
For me, the key with taking requests is to have an open conversation with your clients about the process and the boundaries. Some clients may want to provide a detailed, rigid playlist, and you may need to manage their expectations that a pre-planned playlist, however well-intentioned, may not work with the spontaneous, dynamic vibe on the night. But equally, not all parties will want the same music, so dragging out ABBA at every event simply because it worked at the last one isn't always the best solution. We must customize our approach to every audience.
There’s a great quote I keep seeing, and I think it’s important to have this in the back of our mind as we balance ego and service:
“Good DJs play music you want to hear. Great DJs play music you didn't know you wanted to hear.”
Our goal should be to bridge the gap between those two ideas - to play what they ask for, but to mix it with the expertly curated songs they’ll love even more.
Why Take Requests in the First Place? The Business Case for Service
I’ve often heard people say that a DJ should never take requests. I get the point; we're not glorified jukeboxes and we know our craft. But for me, the fundamental reason to embrace requests is simple: it's about providing a service in a competitive market.
Our job is to create an atmosphere, to get people dancing, and ultimately, to make the client’s event a resounding success. If a request is going to help achieve that goal - by satisfying a key family member, fulfilling a meaningful moment for the couple, or simply injecting a dose of energy the crowd is clearly asking for - then why wouldn't we consider it?
Especially in the wedding industry, we are there to make the couple's day memorable. We’re working for them, not just for ourselves. As with any business, it’s about meeting your client’s needs. Sometimes, meeting those needs means stepping back from our own egos and playing a song we might not personally love.
The Auteur vs. The Curator
The resistance to requests often stems from a self-perception rooted in club culture, where the DJ is the undisputed king of the booth. The club DJ’s performance is an art form; the wedding DJ’s performance is a service package.
The wedding DJ is more accurately described as a Curator of Memories. Our success is not measured by our technical mixing prowess alone, but by the final emotional outcome for the client. The reality is that more and more clients want to be deeply involved with their music selection. If you don't offer them a structured, professional way to tell you what they want, it might make them book a competitor who does. Giving them a clear system for input - whether it’s through an online music request system or a dedicated app - could be the critical difference that helps you stand out and justify a premium price point.
Think of it like this: the music is the soundtrack to their event. While we are the experts in mixing, timing, and reading a crowd, the clients and their guests are the experts on themselves, their inside jokes, and their family traditions. We work with them to create something truly special, not in spite of them.
Market Differentiation and Review Management
In the modern service economy, customer satisfaction drives everything. For high-touch events, a restrictive DJ who refuses to play one key song can easily turn an otherwise great night into a negative one in a post-event review.
By professionally managing and integrating requests, you achieve several vital business objectives:
1. Reduce client anxiety: Giving the client a formal "suggestions" outlet reduces their fear of the unknown. They feel heard, which builds trust before the event even starts.
2. Ensure signature moments: Requests guarantee that songs critical to the client's personal narrative (first dance, a song for their parents, a cheesy tune from their college days) will be played, ensuring maximum emotional impact and a positive review.
3. Competitive edge: Listing "Bespoke Music Consultation & Request Management" as a core service in your package immediately elevates you above the competition who simply state, "No requests." This positions you as a premium, client-focused provider.
The subject of AI and whether we’ll be replaced by robots continues to rumble on. In reality, we’re not far away from technology being able to “read the room” and be able to play an average set. While I suspect this will be more of a pub gig than most weddings, we need to ensure we’re offering a professional service that delivers more than what AI can do.
The Art of Pre-Event Requests: Data Collection and Integration
The absolute best way to handle requests is to get them in advance. This transforms a potentially chaotic, pressure-filled interaction on the night into valuable preparation time. This gives you a chance to prepare, research, find the highest quality version of the track, and seamlessly integrate the songs into your master plan. The last thing you want is to be caught off guard on the night hunting for an obscure track.
Here are my expanded top tips for managing requests before the gig:
1. Establish a Clear, Professional Process (The Tech Stack)
Don’t just tell clients to email you...
To read the full article, you’ll need to have a physical copy of the magazine which you can sign up for here for 6 issues delivered to your door from just £16!
https://store.promobile.online/products/pro-mobile-magazine-6-issue-1-year-subscription
You’ll also get full access to this article and the last year of articles, reviews and play lists via the Pro DJ App
