This happens to every DJ and KJ on occasion. No matter your age, there will be times when things go wrong and you've gotta make the call to load out quick.
Thoughts?
Thoughts?
An event gets out of hand... what to do?
- Thread starter Fred Wright
- Start date
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Guest
Guest
Well after you talk 3 times on the mic to stop and the dj will leave and then your dad talks on the mic then they throw a snickers candy bar at your face then you get out of that place!
This is just hypathetically
This is just hypathetically
I think that you should always leave yourself a "get-out-of-trouble-free" clause in whatever your agreement/contract is with you client. You may never have to use it but you have it if it's there. For instance, things start getting out of hand, you try using the mic... nothing works. If you feel that you or your equipment is at risk, you reserve the right to pack up and get out or contact law enforcement.
That is strictly a last resort, but just having that clause in the agreement may reduce the chances of things going too far. Personal safty takes priority over anything else. Second, your equipment is (hopefully) worth more than the loss of one gig. Sometimes you may have to just count your losses and move on.
That is strictly a last resort, but just having that clause in the agreement may reduce the chances of things going too far. Personal safty takes priority over anything else. Second, your equipment is (hopefully) worth more than the loss of one gig. Sometimes you may have to just count your losses and move on.
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Guest
Guest
Trouble comes to those not expecting it.
I can count three instances late last Saturday where the vibe was leaning towards the negative - the hostile.
I always try to maintain communications with the bar throughout the entire evening. This was the report at about 10PM: 130+ folks drained 4 kegs, they were on thier 11th bottle of Jack, and and downed the 7th Morgan bottle; showing little sign of letting up.
We had an hour left and there was talk of 2 hours OT.
The role of host had passed. I was the DJ at this point. I will always maintain we, as DJs, have the ability of setting up what can happen. A bunch of way-drunk people can go from "ILuvYaMahn!" to "YourAssIZMINE" in a flash.
And it's the music that's the catylist most of the time. And who's got control of that? We do. And a drunk or even tipsy DJ is going to botch the right judgement call everytime.
Reprogram your sets. Instead of 6-fast/2-slows, change up. 2-mediums, 1-fast, 3 slows. Take the wind out of them before they get too wound up. If you are really experienced, you're going to know what song will actually work "too well". Don't cue up "Mony-Mony." Leave Kid Rock bagged. "Fight for Your Right..." isn't their right, it's your privilage to play.
I could see a minor bumping match growing at one point Saturday night. The most out of place thing a wedding DJ could have done at that moment was initiate "The Stroll." Anyone who's worked the bar biz will tell you straight up, send in the ladies at the first sign of trouble. The Stroll is pairs, and it ain't happening without the ladies reclaiming the guys.
Paired-up guys can fight.
Couples forced to pair back up cancels the testosterone.
Separate the boys, and it's settled.
8 years/500 events... Zero fights.
8 years/500 events... One after-event painless encounter as I hauled-out (my fault).
A DJ that is in tune with their surroundings can choreograph everything, including diffusing a ticking time-bomb.
I can count three instances late last Saturday where the vibe was leaning towards the negative - the hostile.
I always try to maintain communications with the bar throughout the entire evening. This was the report at about 10PM: 130+ folks drained 4 kegs, they were on thier 11th bottle of Jack, and and downed the 7th Morgan bottle; showing little sign of letting up.
We had an hour left and there was talk of 2 hours OT.
The role of host had passed. I was the DJ at this point. I will always maintain we, as DJs, have the ability of setting up what can happen. A bunch of way-drunk people can go from "ILuvYaMahn!" to "YourAssIZMINE" in a flash.
And it's the music that's the catylist most of the time. And who's got control of that? We do. And a drunk or even tipsy DJ is going to botch the right judgement call everytime.
Reprogram your sets. Instead of 6-fast/2-slows, change up. 2-mediums, 1-fast, 3 slows. Take the wind out of them before they get too wound up. If you are really experienced, you're going to know what song will actually work "too well". Don't cue up "Mony-Mony." Leave Kid Rock bagged. "Fight for Your Right..." isn't their right, it's your privilage to play.
I could see a minor bumping match growing at one point Saturday night. The most out of place thing a wedding DJ could have done at that moment was initiate "The Stroll." Anyone who's worked the bar biz will tell you straight up, send in the ladies at the first sign of trouble. The Stroll is pairs, and it ain't happening without the ladies reclaiming the guys.
Paired-up guys can fight.
Couples forced to pair back up cancels the testosterone.
Separate the boys, and it's settled.
8 years/500 events... Zero fights.
8 years/500 events... One after-event painless encounter as I hauled-out (my fault).
A DJ that is in tune with their surroundings can choreograph everything, including diffusing a ticking time-bomb.
To be sure we have a "get outta jail free card" clause in our service agreement. It's basic boilerplate to protect our business equipment but it's there to cover our arse as well. Thankfully, we have't had to use it.
I had a middle school dance once where things were being thrown. The pups can throw things at each other if they wish. But when stuff gets thrown at Wolfie, it's gotta go.
A wad of crumpled paper bounced off the console. I let that go. Then a pen whizzed by my head, bounced off the stage curtain behind me and landed on the stage floor.
I pressed the cue button (Japanese for Stop), keyed the mic and waited a few seconds. When I saw the floor slow I paused for a few and said "Folks, the throwing things has gotta stop. I don't care if you throw stuff at each other. But if one more thing is thrown at the stage tonight we're all outta here. Then you'll have to explain to your parents why the show ended early and they had to be called in early to come and get you.
"They will not be pleased, trust me on this."
I restarted the song and had not a moment's trouble after that.
While I was loading out, the chaperones thanked me for keeping order. I'm like well, it goes with the job description. I can't allow a few knuckleheads to ruin a big dance that all these students have been looking forward to for weeks.
Folks have told me I have an authorative voice. It gets attention.
Hope it helps.
I had a middle school dance once where things were being thrown. The pups can throw things at each other if they wish. But when stuff gets thrown at Wolfie, it's gotta go.
A wad of crumpled paper bounced off the console. I let that go. Then a pen whizzed by my head, bounced off the stage curtain behind me and landed on the stage floor.
I pressed the cue button (Japanese for Stop), keyed the mic and waited a few seconds. When I saw the floor slow I paused for a few and said "Folks, the throwing things has gotta stop. I don't care if you throw stuff at each other. But if one more thing is thrown at the stage tonight we're all outta here. Then you'll have to explain to your parents why the show ended early and they had to be called in early to come and get you.
"They will not be pleased, trust me on this."
I restarted the song and had not a moment's trouble after that.
While I was loading out, the chaperones thanked me for keeping order. I'm like well, it goes with the job description. I can't allow a few knuckleheads to ruin a big dance that all these students have been looking forward to for weeks.
Folks have told me I have an authorative voice. It gets attention.
Hope it helps.
well last week I played a gig at the bar that was an all ages show. I cut the music twice to go on the mic and tell everybody to settle down and tell there friends waiting to get in to stop pushing. When the manager at the bar thought enough was enough cops were called, took 20 cops to clear the building and the street out. Many complaints about people losing money because the cancelling of the gig but sometimes you gotta peace.
My Plan, Prevention is key!
Typically you know songs that will cause an event to get out of hand. I played get low in one of my dances in my learning years, Kids were screaming out the profanities with the music playing I said we need to stop that. They kept doing it, I killed it. Kid's were not to happy.
Typically you know songs that will cause an event to get out of hand. I played get low in one of my dances in my learning years, Kids were screaming out the profanities with the music playing I said we need to stop that. They kept doing it, I killed it. Kid's were not to happy.
First and foremeost if the situation arises, remove yourself from the way of danger, equipment can be replaced! Had an irate brother of a bride threaten my MC recently. We shut down the system, went outside, called the local PD, the brother of the Bride was removed, we went in and packed up with Police present. The Bride & Groom tried to contain the situation but we were not comfortable with him being there after what he said and the way he was acting.
Always have a clause in you contract that states if you are threatened or the enviroment turns hostile/unlawful that you reserve the right to remove yourself from the situation without penalty to protect yourself.
and/or...
Get a carry permit and Pack Heat like we do!
Always have a clause in you contract that states if you are threatened or the enviroment turns hostile/unlawful that you reserve the right to remove yourself from the situation without penalty to protect yourself.
and/or...
Get a carry permit and Pack Heat like we do!
this what i have in my contract:
In order to prevent liability resulting from accidental injury to any individual attending this performance, Sound Skillz Entertainment reserves the right to deny any guest access to recordings or any equipment owned or leased by Sound Skillz Entertainment. In the event the performer feels a hazardous situation exists, it will be the client’s responsibility, upon notification, to take action to remedy the situation. If no action is taken, the performer may, in extreme instances, delay the performance until the situation is resolved or cancel the event.
never had a big issue though
In order to prevent liability resulting from accidental injury to any individual attending this performance, Sound Skillz Entertainment reserves the right to deny any guest access to recordings or any equipment owned or leased by Sound Skillz Entertainment. In the event the performer feels a hazardous situation exists, it will be the client’s responsibility, upon notification, to take action to remedy the situation. If no action is taken, the performer may, in extreme instances, delay the performance until the situation is resolved or cancel the event.
never had a big issue though
Those Mexican Gangs are Brutal in H-Town!Lock & Load
The movie "A Touch of Evil" comes to mind... If you've never heard of it; something I watched in Film Appreciation at College.
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