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Sourcing talent for a nightlife or private event can lead hosts down many paths of entertainment, from overplayed to innovative. Ideally, event hosts want their patrons to have experiences at their venue that leave a long-lasting impression. Locking in a unique and innovative entertainment source is one way of guaranteeing this for your attendees.
The typical form of entertainment at these types of events is usually a band or a DJ. What if you combined having an instrument perform alongside a DJ to create a more unique experience? While this is not an easy task to execute, this pairing can deliver a more memorable and elevated experience for your patrons. Booking a DJ/instrument combo with drums, saxophone, violin, trumpet or electric guitar can be very well received and provide positive feedback from guests.
Benefits of a DJ and Instrumentalist Combination
Let’s take a look at a few reasons why this trend is becoming popular.
• Creates A Unique Experience
Not many entertainment companies can provide this pairing while still delivering technically and sonically, so incorporating a well rehearsed DJ/instrument combo at your event can lend a more sophisticated and exclusive feel. When done right, this can be a mind-blowing musical experience that your patrons will likely remember for a long time to come.
• Crowd Participation
By having your instrumentalist roaming through the crowd during their performance, your guests can feel included in the event and are likely to engage more. This can help break the ice and make them feel more at ease, allowing for a more lively experience.
• Live Remixing
Having an instrument playing alongside a DJ can create a sense of unique live remixes or mashups to popular songs. This is because your instrumentalist can and should add their own twist to the music, making songs that guests have heard repeatedly seem fresh and fun.
• Resets the Room and Escalates the Energy
When booking a three- to four-hour-long DJ set for your event, having a live instrument can assist with the task of resetting the room every 30 to 60 minutes and escalating the energy levels. If the instrumentalist performs different genres of music every time they start a new set, your audience will have a different experience every time they play, adding the element of surprise and making it more inviting for all your guests to engage.
• Combines the Best of Both Worlds
The mix of live music and a DJ versus a band that sticks to a set list can make for a more versatile performance and allows the artists to better read the room, providing an experience personalized to the guests at your event.
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• Easier Setup and Logistics
By hiring a DJ/instrument combo, you have less logistics, more bang for your buck, greater return on investment, and fewer techs and sound engineers as the instrument plugs directly into the DJ gear. This can be especially helpful when booking at smaller venues.
• Organic Marketing Tactic
With the ever-increasing use of virtual platforms, your guests are likely to share this unique live experience via photos and videos posted to their social media accounts, giving your event or venue even more exposure.
How to Prepare for Your DJ and Instrumentalist Combination
If this strategy seems to be up your alley, here are a few tips on how to make the most of it for your guests:
• Follow the Artists’ Lead
Always take into consideration the input of the artists you have booked in regards to run of show, setup and music genres. The DJ/instrument performance is so specialized that it is likely that they have successfully executed their show many times at different types of events. If you listen to your artists and they are happy to be performing, your guests can have an even better time.
• Optimize the Event Space
Make sure that you are placing your DJ/instrument combo in a location that logistically makes sense to satisfy everyone in the room. For example, don’t place a drummer or loud speakers directly in front of dinner tables. If you want to encourage dancing, create ample space and place your artists centrally in the room so they can view and engage the crowd. Always think about the proximity of your space to leave room for amplification and create comfort for both the guests and entertainers.
• Avoid Disappointment
Before you book a DJ/instrument combo, make sure to either see them live or get raw footage of them performing. Do not book based on photos, dubbed footage, mixes or recorded songs alone, as those kinds of materials rarely show the true quality of an artist’s live performance. This tactic can help you avoid disappointment after booking and sets accurate expectations of what the artists can deliver.
• Get Technical
Sound checking, walkthroughs, and fully understanding the technical needs of this unique type of entertainment are important to make sure the show goes on without a hitch. Always obtain your artists’ technical riders and ensure that your on-site AV techs have reviewed them prior to the event. Make sure to set up a walkthrough and sound check with your talent the day of the event or earlier, with ample time left for potential hiccups.
Regardless of the type of event, a DJ/instrument combo as the choice of entertainment can leave your patrons with a unique impression, ensuring their return to the venue and memories of the event that will last a lifetime.
