New Year’s Eve Resort-Bar Gig (and the Battery Rig Saves the Day, Again)
My New Year’s Eve DJ gig turned out great. Now, why wouldn’t it, you ask?
Because it was at a resort hotel bar, and normally that’s not the perfect setup. But this place is a resort that also has a private club right outside of Austin. It was one of those situations where people really seem to know the staff and bartenders.
I got a lot of requests, but the vibe was different—in a good way. People were like, “Do you mind?” and “Could you please?” and “Do you actually take requests?” I’ve never had requests be so nice. Huge change of pace.
I got a good mix of music out there and had the crowd with me. The biggest song of the night was “Come and Get Your Love.” Somebody asked for 70s, and by luck or whatever, I nailed it.
I thought it was going to be a boomer crowd, but it turned out younger. Lots of hip-hop. A few songs got requested that I’ve literally never even heard before. T-Pain and Miley Cyrus got requested, which made the night super fun.
It was an hour out of town and it started at 10. “Nervous” is probably too aggressive, but I was slightly weary of the timing. Everything worked out, though. The energy was great.
Also: yet another huge vote for the battery-operated rig. Venue was not really optimum power-wise, and if I would’ve tripped something, it could’ve knocked out their point-of-sale system. So I just did a backup line to my deck, but my subwoofer and my speakers were battery powered—three hours, no issue.
The Mackie Thump Go series… I couldn’t recommend it more. They’ve never let me down. And it’ll all work Bluetooth, so if you’re truly screwed (or your backup is broken), you can just play songs from your phone.
By the by, I don’t think there was one person who cared what my deck was. One waitress came over when she requested something and may have looked down for one second. That’s a good lesson to budding DJs out there: no one cares what your deck you're using. (If they do you probably don't want to talk to them anyway.)
I use a Denon Prime Go+. It’s so easy. It streams from Apple Music like magic. It does everything you need to do, and anything it doesn’t do you don’t need to be doing.
It’s also easier for people to understand. The number one question I get is: “Where are all the songs?” And I point to the deck, and that freaks people out. I don’t know if they’re expecting record, or they’re just so used to watching DJs look like they’re checking their email all night on a computer. The no-computer thing is just so pleasant.
All in all: super successful. I got the music mix right. I did play some weird stuff that went over. The crowd was easy.
Playlist below. Reach out if you have any questions.
Just Kissed My Baby-The Meters
Natty Dread-Bob Marley & The Wailers
What'd I Say-Ray Charles
I Second That Emotion-Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
Sneakin' Sally Through the Alley-Robert Palmer
(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher & Higher-Jackie Wilson
Jesus Just Left Chicago-ZZ Top
Straight from the Heart-Little Feat
Could You Be Loved-Bob Marley & The Wailers
Islands In the Stream-Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers
Knock On Wood-Eddie Floyd
Excursions-A Tribe Called Quest
Where I'm From-Digable Planets
I WIsh-Skee-Lo
Come and Get Your Love-Redbone
Reminiscing-Little River Band
How Deep Is Your Love-Bee Gees
If I Was A Dancer-The Rolling Stones
Night Fever-Bee Gees
It's Only Love-ZZ Top
Shakedown Street-Grateful Dead
Under Pressure-Queen & David Bowie
Rock With You-Michael Jackson
Everybody Wants To Rule the World-Tears for Fears
We Can't Stop-Miley Cyrus
Hot Legs-Rod Stewart
Everyday People-Sly & The Family Stone
Time of the Season-The Zombies
It's So Easy-Linda Ronstadt
Kiss On My List-Daryl Hall & John Oates
What a Fool Believes-The Doobie Brothers
Private Eyes-Daryl Hall & John Oates
Auld Lang Syne-Guy Lombardo
The Jean Genie-David Bowie
Set Adrift on Memory Bliss-P.M. Dawn
Kiss Them For Me-Siouxsie & The Banshees
Buy U A Drank-T-Pain
Root Down (Daft Science Remix)-Beastie Boys & Coins
Only Love Can Break Your Heart-Sait Etine
Stayin’ Alive-Bee Gees
Breathe Deeper-Tame Impala & Lil Yachty
Too Shy-Kajagoogoo
Secrets-The Weeknd
Crazy-Gnarls Barkley
A Roller Skating Jam Named Saturdays-De La Soul Featuring Q-Tip & Vinia Mojica
Cold Heart (PNAU Remix)-Elton John & Dua Lipa
The Girl Is Mine (feat. Destiny's Child & Brandy)-99 Souls (feat. Destiny's Child & Brandy)
Chameleon (feat. Kira Divine)-PNAU
Raspberry Beret-Prince and the Revolution