Bringing Burns Night to the Dancefloor
Imagine a night where your usual Top 40 is intertwined with the stirring sounds of bagpipes, where guests are not only dancing but also toasting and perhaps even attempting a jig. Burns Night, celebrated annually on January 25th, is a vibrant blend of feasting, poetry and merriment. And you could be at the heart of it.
To successfully spin your way through a Burns Night, it’s crucial to understand the key traditions. Don’t worry, you don’t need to become a Burns scholar overnight, but a little knowledge goes a long way.
The A to F of Burns Night and the DJ upsell
A is for Arrival: As guests arrive, set the mood with some classic Scottish folk music. Think instrumental pieces, gentle bagpipe tunes, or even some contemporary Scottish artists that lean into traditional sounds.
Upsell options
Uplighting package in tartan colours (deep blues, greens, reds) around the venue. This instantly transforms the space, matching the theme and creating a high-end, immersive look.
Projected gobo: Use a custom-made gobo to project an image of Robert Burns’ silhouette, the Saltire, or a thistle on to a wall or the dancefloor during arrival and speeches.
B is for the Bard: Robert Burns himself! Have some of his most famous works, like ‘Auld Lang Syne’, ‘To A Mouse’, or ‘My Love Is Like A Red, Red Rose’ cued up. You might even be asked to play these during recitations, so be ready!
C is for the Crabbit Beast: The Haggis! The highlight of any Burns Supper is the piping in of the haggis, followed by the Address to a Haggis. This is a truly theatrical moment. A traditional piper is often present, but if not, a rousing recording of bagpipes playing ‘A Man’s A Man for A’ That’ or ‘Scotland The Brave’ as the haggis is brought in will do the trick.
Upsell options
Haggis Ceremony Enhancement Dry Ice Loch Effect: Create a dramatic, low-lying dry ice fog as the haggis is piped in. This makes the procession truly theatrical and provides an incredible photo opportunity.
Premium Sound for Recitation: Provide a dedicated, high-quality, hands-free lapel microphone for the person giving the ‘Address to the Haggis’ and other toasts, ensuring every word of The Bard is heard clearly.
D is for the Deil (and the dance): After the supper, it’s time for the ceilidh! This is where you, the DJ, truly shine. A ceilidh (pronounced kay-lee) is a social gathering with traditional Scottish dancing. While live ceilidh bands are fantastic, you can absolutely facilitate one with the right playlist and some basic dance calls (or even a pre-recorded caller).
Upsell options
Ceilidh & dancefloor DJ/caller hybrid service: Offer your services as a live ceilidh caller (if trained) or hire a professional, enthusiastic caller for the dance portion.
This guarantees a lively, properly executed ceilidh and removes the need for recorded instruction.
Dancefloor spotlights: Install intelligent moving-head lights specifically for the ceilidh. These can be programmed to follow the dancers or create dynamic patterns, elevating the energy beyond basic disco lighting or a step up would be to use auto tracking systems to automatically follow the lead dancer.
E is for “Expect plenty of whisky toasts!” The Immortal Memory (to Burns), Address to the Lasses, and Reply to the Lasses are common. Have some atmospheric music ready to play softly during these speeches – something respectful and subtly Scottish.
Upsell options
Toasts & Speeches Recording Service: Record all key speeches and recitations using professional grade microphones. The client receives the edited audio file as a cherished keepsake of the night.
F is for Farewell: Round off the night with ‘Auld Lang Syne’, sung by everyone with crossed arms. This is the quintessential Burns Night finale.
Upsell options
Farewell & Extended Service Late Night Scottish Afterparty: Extend the DJ set for an additional hour after the traditional ‘Auld Lang Syne’ finale, shifting into a high-energy mix of modern Scottish chart hits and classic floor-fillers.
Crafting your Burns Night playlist
Here's a breakdown of...
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
To successfully spin your way through a Burns Night, it’s crucial to understand the key traditions. Don’t worry, you don’t need to become a Burns scholar overnight, but a little knowledge goes a long way.
The A to F of Burns Night and the DJ upsell
A is for Arrival: As guests arrive, set the mood with some classic Scottish folk music. Think instrumental pieces, gentle bagpipe tunes, or even some contemporary Scottish artists that lean into traditional sounds.
Upsell options
Uplighting package in tartan colours (deep blues, greens, reds) around the venue. This instantly transforms the space, matching the theme and creating a high-end, immersive look.
Projected gobo: Use a custom-made gobo to project an image of Robert Burns’ silhouette, the Saltire, or a thistle on to a wall or the dancefloor during arrival and speeches.
B is for the Bard: Robert Burns himself! Have some of his most famous works, like ‘Auld Lang Syne’, ‘To A Mouse’, or ‘My Love Is Like A Red, Red Rose’ cued up. You might even be asked to play these during recitations, so be ready!
C is for the Crabbit Beast: The Haggis! The highlight of any Burns Supper is the piping in of the haggis, followed by the Address to a Haggis. This is a truly theatrical moment. A traditional piper is often present, but if not, a rousing recording of bagpipes playing ‘A Man’s A Man for A’ That’ or ‘Scotland The Brave’ as the haggis is brought in will do the trick.
Upsell options
Haggis Ceremony Enhancement Dry Ice Loch Effect: Create a dramatic, low-lying dry ice fog as the haggis is piped in. This makes the procession truly theatrical and provides an incredible photo opportunity.
Premium Sound for Recitation: Provide a dedicated, high-quality, hands-free lapel microphone for the person giving the ‘Address to the Haggis’ and other toasts, ensuring every word of The Bard is heard clearly.
D is for the Deil (and the dance): After the supper, it’s time for the ceilidh! This is where you, the DJ, truly shine. A ceilidh (pronounced kay-lee) is a social gathering with traditional Scottish dancing. While live ceilidh bands are fantastic, you can absolutely facilitate one with the right playlist and some basic dance calls (or even a pre-recorded caller).
Upsell options
Ceilidh & dancefloor DJ/caller hybrid service: Offer your services as a live ceilidh caller (if trained) or hire a professional, enthusiastic caller for the dance portion.
This guarantees a lively, properly executed ceilidh and removes the need for recorded instruction.
Dancefloor spotlights: Install intelligent moving-head lights specifically for the ceilidh. These can be programmed to follow the dancers or create dynamic patterns, elevating the energy beyond basic disco lighting or a step up would be to use auto tracking systems to automatically follow the lead dancer.
E is for “Expect plenty of whisky toasts!” The Immortal Memory (to Burns), Address to the Lasses, and Reply to the Lasses are common. Have some atmospheric music ready to play softly during these speeches – something respectful and subtly Scottish.
Upsell options
Toasts & Speeches Recording Service: Record all key speeches and recitations using professional grade microphones. The client receives the edited audio file as a cherished keepsake of the night.
F is for Farewell: Round off the night with ‘Auld Lang Syne’, sung by everyone with crossed arms. This is the quintessential Burns Night finale.
Upsell options
Farewell & Extended Service Late Night Scottish Afterparty: Extend the DJ set for an additional hour after the traditional ‘Auld Lang Syne’ finale, shifting into a high-energy mix of modern Scottish chart hits and classic floor-fillers.
Crafting your Burns Night playlist
Here's a breakdown of...
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
