"Chill Out" Music at end of events?

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DJMC

DJ
Oct 19, 2006
2,875
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69
Northern California
The "Going Overtime" thread (in big debates), made me think about my current contract and how it actually can HELP the facility in clearing out a venue when its time to leave.

Take two examples:

EVENT A: Music ends "cold turkey" and the crowd just stands there *stunned* while they all argue with the DJ pleading for "one more song" while the DJ just has to spend that 10 minutes arguing with the crowd.

EVENT B (typical DJ-MC Event): Rather than stop playing music altogether, my contract provides for a one-hour "teardown period" after the end of playing time.

After the Last Dance, I then play Track #14 of "Facing Future" (IZ), and announce "Its not really over until the very large Hawaiian guy sings & strums his ukelele" (Yogi Berra: "Its not over 'til the Fat Lady sings!")

The Chill Out songs are played at a low volume. Not loud enough for dancing, but around 1/2 volume.

My second clear-out song is "Grow Old With You" by Adam Sandler. (Wedding Singer s/t, track #21). The Broadway Soundtrack version is a much better singer than Mr. Sandler, whom I use when I really wanna clear 'em out.

After about 10 minutes, with the clean-up lites on--- they're gone! (like cockroaches...LOL)
 
We've done that kind of stuff before. Sometimes we'll leave the tunes on and change it to what the venue staff likes as we tear down our lighting. Kinda nice for the staff too, lets them relax some as well.
 
Ah, how I love when venue clearing time comes. Being new to DJing, it's been just over a year now, this is when I like to experiment and learn. This just applies to my school gigs.

Event A: If the rockers are still around I'll throw them a song or two from their requests which gut instinct told me would clear the dance floor. Sure enough students head for the door, except for the rockers who are headbanging/semi-moshing and will throw me a thumbs up or nod of approval when I finally cut the music. Song selection/avoidance confidence boosted.

Event B: If it's mainly the couples with parents picking them up that are staying til the bitter end I'll start to wind down with some slow songs. Start off with something more recent then perhaps something from my gradeschool days like K-Ci & JoJo before the lights come on. Once the lights are on switch to something that I like, it's been The Bottle Rockets here recently. Once clean-up begins I'll take requests from the adults and try to get a feel for what the older generations like.
 
Still waiting to see if anyone else has a preferred Chill Out music.

Before I discovered Iz & Grow Old.......I was playing Bob Marley reggae tunes at low volume.
 
The best songs for this purpose are "Ear Worm" type songs. I.E. Not good dance stuff, but stuff everybody knows and then can't help sing / hum long after the song ends.

I typically use Hit The Road Jack and/or The Mickey Mouse Alma Mater (Now it's time to say goodbye..."
 
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