From Summer Madness to Festive Magic!
Tony Caliandro | SEDA Chairman, Working DJ & Creator of Cosmopod UK
Hi everyone!
Well, we’ve come out the other side of the summer madness, and our attention is now turning towards the festive season. The diaries are filling up, the party season is fast approaching, and there’s plenty to talk about! Looking back over the summer, I’ve noticed a growing trend at weddings that I’m curious to know whether you’ve been experiencing too: the increasingly detailed playlists being supplied by our couples. Now, before anyone jumps to conclusions, I’m not talking about playing directly from Spotify at an event – we all know that’s a big no-no! I’m talking about using Spotify playlists as a guide to the music our couples love, the tracks that get them excited, and the songs that will make their big day truly memorable. After all, getting to know our clients musically is a huge part of what we do. I thrive on those pre-event meetings because there’s nothing worse than walking into an event blind, without a clear understanding of the music that’s going to make the night special.
But here’s where things have taken an interesting turn!
When the Playlist Becomes the Running Order…
I’ve had a couple of events recently where the feedback was fantastic overall, but there was one unexpected sticking point: I hadn’t played the supplied songs in the exact order they appeared on the couple’s playlist!
That was news to me, as this hadn’t been mentioned during our planning meetings. One particular experience really got me thinking. I had a bride who appeared to have a brilliant evening, dancing for most, if not all, of the night. Yet, two days later, during my follow-up, I received a complaint about the music not following her playlist in its precise order. Cue an uncomfortable moment for yours truly! I ended up going back through my Serato history and printing off the tracks I’d played. And guess what? Every single song on her list had been played! The only difference was the order.
As it turned out, the playlist had been carefully arranged around the couple’s plans for the evening, with particular songs timed to allow for toilet breaks, drinks, food, or a little time away from the dancefloor.
Now, I’m not having a moan – honestly! It’s an observation, and one I suspect some of you might recognise.
Are we seeing a shift in expectations from younger couples who have grown up with technology at their fingertips? Are playlists becoming more than a musical wish list, turning into a carefully choreographed running order for the entire evening? I’m genuinely interested to hear your thoughts. As a result, I’ve now started asking every couple a simple question: “Is your playlist a guide, or do you expect the songs to be played in a specific order?” You’d be amazed how important that little question can be! In fact, one couple even asked me what I meant by choreographed. I had to doff my cap, take a deep breath, and resist the urge to bang my head against the nearest wall! Joking aside, clear communication has never been more important. A quick conversation before the event can save a whole lot of misunderstanding afterwards.
And while we’re on the subject of technology, I’ve even come across a Spotify playlist where the songs had been mixed together within the app itself! Thankfully, after chatting things through with the couple, I managed to steer them towards a better approach, and we went on to have an absolutely fantastic night. It just goes to show that a little DJ knowledge, experience, and diplomacy still go a long way!
🤖 AI: Friend, Foe, or Another Tool in the DJ Booth?
With AI becoming increasingly prominent in our industry, it raises another interesting question. How much are you relying on AI for your events? Personally, I’m embracing it in certain areas, but for me, it’s all about the stems!
I’m having far too much fun experimenting with stems, isolating vocals and instrumentals, and exploring creative possibilities that give us even more ways to make a set our own. Technology can be an incredible tool when we use it to enhance our skills and creativity. But I still believe there’s no substitute for reading a room, understanding a crowd, and knowing when to drop that track that sends everyone running to the dance floor! So, over to you: are you embracing AI in your DJ setup? Are you experimenting with new tools, or do you prefer to stick with the tried-and-tested methods that have served you well? Let’s get a conversation going!
🎄 Looking Ahead to the Festive Season
On the work front, I’m delighted to say that my diary is now full right through to January, so there’s plenty to look forward to! December is shaping up nicely for private events, with some great organic leads coming through. After that, I’m looking forward to a little breathing space during January and February before the next wedding season gathers momentum. I certainly can’t complain! But that brings me to another question for all you fellow DJs…. Have you started planning for the 2027 wedding season yet? Are you investing in new equipment, refreshing your music library, exploring new technology, updating your marketing, or simply looking forward to another busy year behind the decks? Whatever your plans, I’d love to hear what you’re working on. Share your thoughts, experiences, and ideas — we can all learn something from one another!
📣 SEDA News: Our Final Shownight of 2026!
Right, let’s bring things back to SEDA! Our next Shownight is booked for Sunday, 22 November 2026, at the Bridgewood Manor Hotel, Chatham, just off Bluebell Hill. This will be our final Shownight of 2026, so if you’re in or around Kent that Sunday, why not come along, meet some fellow working DJs, catch up with familiar faces, discover what’s happening in the industry, and have a good old-fashioned natter? Whether you’re a regular attendee or have never been to one of our Shownights before, you’ll be made very welcome. First-time guests can attend free for their first couple of visits!
SEDA is a welcoming association with working DJs on its committee, built around bringing people together, sharing experience, exchanging ideas, and supporting one another in our industry. 🕖 Doors open at 7:00 pm.
Come along, introduce yourself, have a chat, and find out what SEDA is all about. I look forward to seeing some familiar faces – and hopefully plenty of new ones, too! Until then, keep those dancefloors busy, those playlists in check, and those creative juices flowing.
Stay safe, keep spinning, and let’s make the rest of 2026 a cracker!
Tony Caliandro
SEDA Chairman
Working DJ & Creator of Cosmopod UK