I have divided many of my songs into categories. Line dances, bangers (dance floor favorites), transitions (songs to change styles or age groups), party tunes (good dance songs, but won’t have them running to the dance floor). I have created many 3-5 songs that go well together (each with a slightly higher BPM), the first song in each group should be a “banger”. There are different characteristics for a club/bar, wedding, party, school, concert, etc. Club/bar, school and concert they came to DANCE, with a wedding and party many may just want to socialize and drink so dancing can be more challenging. With the latter, you need to warm them up to dancing so after a few tunes I will either start with a slow song or a line dance and ask them to dance. The next song a mid-BPM banger which I chose based on the age group that came out to dance. I personally don’t like playing from a playlist because if it isn’t working you start questioning the whole playlist. I do print former playlists from successful events that I have done as a way of helping me decide what might work. When I’m “lost” my motto is pick a slow song, line dance, Michael Jackson or Pitbull. 🙂
