"Reading the
Crowd"

In our fifteen years of providing fabulous music for weddings and other events, we are frequently asked this question: "Do you know how to read the crowd?"  The answer is a definite "yes."

As the Night & Day band leader, it is my responsibility to observe the guests and determine the pacing of the music.  Whether the event is a small cocktail reception or a large wedding, my job is the same: determine if the music needs to be softer or louder, slower or faster, mellow or energetic. If the event is a dance, I am always trying to determine what type of music is getting people out on the dance floor at any given time. Is it time for a slow, romantic ballad? Are there several ballroom dancers who might want some more exotic dance music? Or is this a group that would -- at least for now -- prefer to listen to the band and be entertained rather than dance?

The following audio clip demonstrates how we might choose the music for a typical event. We begin with mellow, jazzy instrumental pieces appropriate for the cocktail and dinner phase. This is the time your guests want to converse, and the music should set the mood without getting in the way. The temp picks up as the evening progresses, with more swing and big band numbers to energize your crowd. At the peak of the party we move to oldies, disco, Motown and classic rock for dancing, with romantic ballads sprinkled in. As your event draws to a close, the music has reflected the many moods of the evening.

Length of audio clip: 11:35 Contents: Moonglow • Watch What Happens • I'm Getting Sentimental Over You • What a Wonderful World • Night and Day • The Girl From Ipanema • Moon River • Big Band Medley: In the Mood / Savoy • Don't Get Around Much Anymore • Moonlight Serenade • Mack the Knife • When I Fall in Love • Jailhouse Rock • Johnny B. Goode • Dancing in the Street • At Last • In the Midnight Hour • Have I Told You Lately That I Love You • Makin' Whoopee

"Thank you for your wonderful contribution to our wedding. The music you provided for our reception at the Jefferson Hotel was exactly what we had hoped for. Absolutely everyone commented on how great the music was, and we thought it was particularly appropriate for the setting. You were also great at "reading" the crowd and picking up the tempo as the night went on."

"I just wanted to send a quick thank you for your performance on Friday. Brandon and I both heard many rave reviews! Your group played many great songs and definitely read the crowd perfectly. It really helped make our rehearsal dinner special. Please thank the other members of your group for us!"

"We really enjoyed the band. We are not big dancers and you did not try to force us to dance. Great background music, and the selection was dynamite."