Things to keep in mind for house party hosts who turn DJs for NYE

New Year’s Eve is almost here, and if you’re one of those who’s throwing a fancy party at your crib, then your current mood must be oscillating between excitement and anxiety. For such parties, one thing that needs a lot of forethought is choosing who gets to play the music for the evening — something that can make or break the party. If hiring a DJ is not an option, or you have better taste in music than your guests, then it’s best to take matters into your own hands.But wait! Before you turn DJ for the evening, make sure you go through these pointers by popular electronic musicians, DJ Jasmeet and Arjun Nair (of Answer fame).
DOs
Gauge your audience: A party with a DJ who doesn’t know his audience is like a plane without a pilot — they’re headed for disaster. “Spend some time thinking about your guests’ musical preferences before creating a playlist. Since house parties are personal and informal, you could even ask them to send in their favourite tracks,” says Jasmeet. Arjun adds, “A DJ is only as good as his crowd’s enthusiasm, so it’s very vital to know what music makes them happy.”
No sound, no party: One cannot stress on the importance of having a really, really good sound system for a fun house party. If you’re an audiophile and own a bomb of a sound system, great! But if you don’t, then beg, borrow or rent one. “A good sound system is the life and soul of a party, period,” says Arjun.
Earn the guests’ trust: Your guests (friends, rather) will spare no time in criticizing your choice of music every time you mess it up, unless...you earn their trust by playing music that’s popular and show you know what you’re doing. “Once you do that, you can keep slipping in new tracks later on,” Jasmeet says.
Test run, anyone? True, it’s just a bunch of friends, and true, you aren’t getting paid for it, but for that one evening a year, don’t you want to do everything right, especially with the music? Jasmeet says, “Stage a test run the evening before, after deciding on your playlist. You’ll notice how much of a difference that makes when you perform on NYE.”
nHave a ball: Arjun probably has the best piece of advice — “Have fun playing the host-turned-DJ. If you‘re nervous and not having fun playing the music, the mood will rub off on your guests. If you’re sober for too long, make a pre-set playlist and join the festivities.”
DON’Ts
Put personal preferences aside: It’s very easy to let our musical preferences surface when we’re in charge of the music console, but as the host, you need to ensure everyone is having a good time. “You’ll subconsciously drift towards your favourite tracks, especially if you feel your guests aren’t enjoying the music. Unless it’s a crowd favourite, avoid it,” advises Jasmeet.
Avoid the sad, dark and heavy: Arjun says, “New Year’s Eve is a time for celebration and making merry, so do not play dark or nostalgic songs in an attempt to tug at the heartstrings of your guests.” You’ll get plenty of time for that, as the night (and the revelry) progresses and wickets start falling one by one.
NYE countdown not to be forgotten: It’s a New Year’s Eve party, and everyone has assembled at your place to ring it in. “You might be busy juggling hosting duties and DJing, or too caught up in your own playlist, so don’t forget to start the countdown exactly 10 seconds before it’s 12 am. Set an alarm on your laptop, tell 5-6 friends to remind you, etc, but do not forget!” says Jasmeet.