How to allow clients to create songlists?

Not the question you asked but personally I think it's a bad idea. Anytime a client makes out a complete play list, it usually bombs (to some degree) and the DJ takes the heat for it. I find it's better to lead clients where you want them to go. I always tell them "If you're a micro-manager and want to line out all 60 songs for the night, it's your event and I'll do as you say. That said, it almost never works. What I need from you is 10-15 songs. From that, I can tell where you are, musically speaking and can steer the evening in that direction." Giving them complete control over the play list is a bad idea IMHO.

Clarification as Rick said would be best. Are you talking about the music whole night… or limited requests

Play list and request list have 2 different meanings in the music world

Request lists(play these songs if and when possible)…yes.
play lists(play these songs, in this order)…NO

DJ intelligence or dj event planner will do request lists easily

For me it's in 2 parts. I'm not crazy about given a complete play list of songs to play and you can't deviate from the list at all. A few must play songs is fine. Not a long list. Second a client should book a DJ they feel will do a really good job. What's the point of booking a DJ and the client doesn't trust that the DJ knows what to do?

Both DJ Intelligence and DJ Event Planner will do request lists. You can even name them and put them into sub sections such as

"Must Play", "Play If Possible" , "Do Not Play" (I hate DNPs to be honest)

You can also have a section for "Dinner" , "Cocktail Hour" "Open Dancing". You can even name them whatever you want to name them.

Also, there is a Music planning app called VIBO that has been gaining popularity. It's a more expensive option on your end though, but its simple to use on the client's side, and easy to do right in their phone on an app.

I use DJ Event Planner.

Last wedding season, every wedding came with a Spotify or Tidal playlist. Some people gave extremely detailed playlists while other gave just a few songs to steer me in the right direction musically. The DJ that sends me the most work actually encourages his clients to submit playlists from their preferred streaming platform. I'm not a fan of this and have asked him to limit the number of songs on a playlist. I did an event on Halloween where the venue owner only wanted me to play from his Spotify playlist. The crowd did not like it at all. The gig payed well but it was not a successful event.

No one would respect a waiter/waitress that only submits your order for the menu items that meet their personal approval. Any restaurateur who would employ such a person is a fool.

Likewise, I find this closed minded nature of other DJs a useful selling tool. I have enough varied experience and talent to work within a client's specific preferences and produce an event that meets their goals.

As for the venue owner who provided his own specific playlist for a Halloween party - it's his venue, his marketing, and his preferred clientele. It is not up to the DJ to decide what is or is not a successful event, His playlist may very well be an integral part of the marketing that weeds out potential patrons unlikely to spend a menaingfull amount of money on F&B. I applaud him for the attention to detail and knowing that EVERYONE working in his venue must be a considered part of his intended business plan.

Does any of you limit a list or allow a client to give you a super long list of songs for you to play? What about those who insist in supplying every song a DJ is to play and you're not allowed to deviate from the list no matter what?

I personally don't mind a few songs but a long list no. I say either you trust I know what I'm doing or you don't. I say a client like that should use Spotify or something like that. Just setup each song in the order you want the songs to play and keep it moving. If it works or not at least the DJ won't be the fall person if it bombs.

MIXMASTERMACHOM said:

Does any of you limit a list or allow a client to give you a super long list of songs for you to play? What about those who insist in supplying every song a DJ is to play and you're not allowed to deviate from the list no matter what?

I personally don't mind a few songs but a long list no. I say either you trust I know what I'm doing or you don't. I say a client like that should use Spotify or something like that. Just setup each song in the order you want the songs to play and keep it moving. If it works or not at least the DJ won't be the fall person if it bombs.

Click to expand...

I'm going to advise against a "play only these" list but, if that's what they want, it's their event and I'm going to do what my client says (assuming I've already signed a contract with them). If we're still in the meeting phase, and they expose to me their intentions, then I may (or may not) turn the gig down. That kind of client is usually a PITA and, unless it's a hard to fill date where I need the money, it's best to let those go by.

What I like the best is when they trust you know what to do. That's a big reason why they pay you to do the event. If they could do it themselves they wouldn't need to book you. I've played for my own birthday celebration even though I got my partner. When I had my birthday celebration in the Private Place Lounge I was the DJ. I killed 2 birds with one stone. I played myself and got paid.

What I like is when a potential client gives me an idea of the music they want at the event. Once I get an idea of what they want in terms of music then I can decide if it's an event we're able to do. The flip side of that is trying to make them as comfortable as you can so they won't give a long list of songs to play at the event.