Yo-Yo’s & No-Go’s – Are They Having Fun Yet? (Part I)

Welcome to a series of only-just-slightly irreverent, but hopefully informative articles written by me: Jon Paul – Wedding Singer, Host & DJ. 

THIS TIME

Yo-Yo’s & No-Go’s – Are They Having Fun Yet? (Part I)

putting four-to-the-floor?

This (increasingly burgeoning) article is designed to inform upcoming performers but also aimed in part at customers thinking about hiring (especially live) entertainers for their weddings or other special celebrations.  

As the old saying (kind of) goes:
“You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it dance.” 

Many newer DJs and live entertainers, especially in the private events market, struggle with this concept, taking more difficult gigs personally.  Hell: I still do. Darnit, why do I have to care so?!

Equally, if you are planning your own party, understanding how audiences (ie groups of your friends & family!) ‘work’ is useful to help to put to rest one of the biggest concerns people have during their events: ....are my guests having a great time?

We do lots of parties where loads of guests are up dancing, often even from early in the evening and despite the buffet being served.  They’re grrrreeeeaaat!  For Pros like myself who take pride in their job, these events feel amazing to perform for – a real buzz of energy!

Equally there are events where people seem to "yo-yo" on & off the dance-floor – these feel pretty good too, as people are still dancing as a response to what the artist is doing.  More often than not, it also shows you’re doing your job in providing something for everyone and rotating the dance floor.  This ebb and flow is quite normal.

However, at some events, sections of people can occasionally be unresponsive no matter what the artist (or DJ) does.  These "No-Go" people at gigs are hard work for all performers, who can spend their sets wondering:

“Is it me?  This song worked so well last week!!  Is this mic even on?!”

It’s all part of the decidedly unglamorous world of mobile entertainment, and why many of us don’t just charge sixty quid to do what we do.  For artists, understanding the fact that wedding guests are not there to see you as an performer is an ego-crushing but pivotal breakthrough in becoming a seasoned pro. 

Nonetheless, experienced entertainers will likely agree with the following observations:

FACT #1.  Some guests are just drinkers and talkers.  This is particularly so in the early part of the evening, when new guests are arriving.  However, the right music to support this part of the event means they’ll still be having a great time – particularly as family and friends catch up or unwind from the more formal part of the day. 

Earlier in the night guests *do* want to chat

If you are an artist who also offers cocktail hour & lounge music, bearing in mind that your raison d’etre is meant to be mainly as atmosphere/background music.  Sets constructed to nurture energetic conversation can both build and wane. 

Discuss with your clients what else they imagine happening while you perform, and build this into the shape of your set.
You might need to even consider abandoning the “W” shape set-list you may be used to from the club circuit.

REMEMBER - You are not the clock-face of the night – but you are the winding mechanism.  If guests do notice you, that’s brilliant: don’t be shy to engage with them.  If other guests are generally chatting to each other you can share a quip or “private moment” with just one lady or gent.  In cabaret, you probably already single out individuals in the audience and talk briefly as if just to them, right?  In both cases you have won an ally, and it makes your performance instantly lifted. 

Beware that there is a difference between the banter in cabaret and what is suitable for a wedding, however.

The hum of conversation while you sing is actually a good sign.  Recognition & eye contact from the audience (guests) is an absolute boon.  People running out room screaming: “Please Moma!  Make him stop!”...hmmm....perhaps not-so-good.

FACT #2:  People won’t dance until they’re ready to dance. 
You can’t just throw a switch at 8pm that gets everyone on their feet.  
Even the highest paid, most experienced entertainers will tell you this – if they’re being truthful.   Not every gig, from start to end, is like the final scenes from an American high-school rom’com, with the whole crowd all singing and dancing in sync.  We wish – how good would *that* look on all the promo shots?! 

Too much Buble, or too much bubbly?
You decide.

Alcohol usually helps (inside the guests, I mean…) AND ALSO experienced planning is a useful tool.  Typically for weddings, building up to a well-timed first dance will act as a catalyst for other people dancing.  Speak with your clients about how to help them achieve the best reaction at the right time.

For couples looking to hire entertainment, you should make informed decisions.  A committed entertainer will plan with clients – his experience alongside your knowledge of what your guests are like
are two huge ingredients to party success. 
A full personal service, with more involved than just a 2 minute phone call to confirm the venue, will be hugely important here too.  From my point of view I am aware that this provides peace of mind for my clients – and also (if I’m honest) it does for me too, knowing I’m providing what my clients expect.

FACT #3:  Some guests simply want to be ‘passively’ entertained.  
Simply put: they’re watchers, not dancers. 
This is where live entertainment adds something that some (note: SOME...) DJ-only shows cannot – a specific focal point or ‘show’.  With higher end entertainers this includes mobile stage/performance lighting for them, and/or disco lights to create movement and colour across the room and audience. 

If you are a performer moving from the cabaret circuit to private events, consider how you will be lit.  Most hotels and country houses will not have in-built pars and floods like clubs on the circuit do.  So let’s be blunt here: a set of house-party traffic-light effects on the floor just won’t cut the mustard for high-quality weddings & events.  Professionals use professional gear.  Period.

A major benefit of live entertainment is
a focal point for those not ready to dance. 

As an aside, Wedding & Events professionals should highlight themselves without detracting any of the glory from the celebrant(s) – the entertainer is *not* the star of the day and walks a tender line between showmanship & ostentation.
So, for artists, another important lesson is learning to reflect praise and attention back onto the couple. 

Equally, make sure you observe your audience: if they aren’t dancing their expressions and body-language will indicate whether you’re doing a good job: tapping fingers, nodding heads and smiles are all good. 

Consider guests might have been at the venue since mid-day and might already getting tired.  Can you adapt your show on the fly? 

Eye contact is hugely important and why I sometimes arrange (in earlier sets) for house-lights to be only partly dimmed: if you can see guests you can give them the energy to enjoy themselves as much as they can give you the energy to pull out a great performance.

FACT #4: The Performance Space Influences The Audience's Reaction. 

Subconsciosly, when guests enter a function room, if they see an unruly mass of wires trailing everywhere, tattered speakers or playout equipment just plonked on a table, they will immediatly judge (even if not aware of it) that the artist isn't really bothered about how they are percieved.  Immediately the artist is setting the audience up not to be bothered either. 
Besides this, your set-out should ideally look like it's a planned part of the look or design of the function room, rather than some ugly barnacle 'tagged on' or flung into the corner. 

When it comes to the mainstay of the party, (when the artist is there to encourage people to dance), more darkness in the room is often better.  Low house-lights will (a) make performance lighting more effective and (b) reduces peoples’ inhibitions nearly as well as alcohol does.  Liaise with the venue/duty manager on what is practicable.  Health and safety always needs to be considered.

FACT #5: Artists' performance STYLE Influences The Audience's Reaction
Both ‘talkers’ and ‘watchers’ can be nurtured onto the dance-floor when they are good and ready, but a skilful entertainer can also involve them from their seats via performance interaction and moving focus.
Personally, I plan the style of this to compliment the party style my clients want.  For some weddings a more particular, formal or sophisticated style is in order.  Others just want to fight for their right to party, so a more interactive ‘Butlins’ approach is wanted and needed.  I pride myself on being able to adapt to either.

There are many and varied techniques for a Pro’ entertainer to involve the audience (especially upon forfeiting a DJ booth to hide behind).  The skills run on a sliding scale between cool sophistication  - like Dean Martin’s raised eyebrow – right through to full-on Freddy Starr-ism.



Clients have different perceptions
of what is too 'Cheesy' or inapproriate
for their special event. .

All technicques have their place, according to ideas of bride & groom or organiser.  Establishing style with clients is VERY important – interaction and cheesiness can teeter on a fine line.  For most clients ‘cheese’ creates a Marmite reaction.  To illustrate, picture the image of wedding groups sat in a line on the floor to ‘Oops Upside Your Head’.  This should create one of two very strong responses.  Q.E.D.

Are you adaptable as an entertainer?  Are you aware of the details of wedding or event etiquette and how/when it is needed?  Or do you only perform like it’s a cheeky seaside special in *every* event & venue you gig at? 

For couples planning their day - if you thinking of hiring an artiste, consider the kind of atmosphere you want to create and ask them how they would adapt their performance.  Are you imagining a Sinatra tuxedo or Neil Diamond sequined shirt?  Evening gala or boozy knees-up?  Can the performer do both?  What is your priority?

REMEMBER - your choices reflect on you as a couple and the atmosphere you're trying to create.  Neither is wrong, but both will be remembered and talked about. 

We will continue this article, considering some mistakes both artists and couples might make in planning their event, which are to be discussed in PART II  >>>[HERE]<<

But for now:

Take care….and have fun.

Jon Paul

xxx

As well as a vocal artist, DJ & events Host (Master of Ceremonies), Jon Paul is

executive-entertainer-manager-in-chief-boss-head-commander and primary job-title maker-upper here at Phat Aahs’ Entertainments. 

Visit our main website for some ideas or contact Jon Paul to start your
personalised entertainment planning.

Jon is available throughout the UK including South Wales, Bristol & the West Country, Cornwall, Devon & Dorset, West Midlands, Home Counties plus Greater & Central London.