Hair & Beauty Awards @ The Excel

DJing Adventures: The Pizza Party Chronicles

So, there I was, DJing for one of my agents, Storm DJs, with a brief that was as soft as the Jazz I was spinning while guests trickled in. The plan was to ease into the evening with some smooth tunes before launching into popular chart hits, 80s classics, and a soul explosion to wrap things up. But here’s the kicker: I was warned that this shindig was at the tail end of a two-day conference. Apparently, everyone was going to be so knackered they might as well have been in a coma, and I shouldn’t expect too many guests to shake a leg. Challenge accepted!

Soft Jazz: The Sedative

I kicked things off with some soft Jazz, thinking, “Surely, hairdressers have a soft spot for a little Beyoncé, George Michael, or Diana Ross!” It was going alright—like, “I’m not falling asleep” alright. A few brave souls started to smile and sway in their seats like they were trying to shake off a bad case of the sleepies. Just when I thought I had them in the palm of my hand, what happens?

Pizza to the Rescue!

Out of nowhere, hundreds of pizzas start pouring out of the kitchen, and the lights go on full beam! Suddenly, everyone huddles together, socializing over some Hawaiian slices (yes, I’m one of those people who thinks pineapple belongs on pizza). So, I had to pivot faster than a DJ at a wedding when the bride throws the bouquet. I switched to soft commercial pop and R&B—think easy listening for the pizza-loving crowd. By the second round of pizza, a saxophonist showed up. And we all know what that means, right? It’s time to crank up the energy! I thought, “Let’s get this party started!” and dropped some Robin S with “Show Me Love.” To much applause, smiles and the tapping of tired feet.

Prosecco, Pizza, and Yawns

The night ebbed and flowed like a gentle tide of pizza, prosecco, and some rather lackluster yawns. It was a fun gig overall, but the more I do these commercial type events, the more I crave my own wild parties. Seriously, if you give people the chance to sit down, keep the lights on full, and force-feed them pizza, you’re basically handing them a comfy blanket and a Netflix subscription. Brunches work because you feed them, then the music lifts the energy, and voilà—the vibe is electric after a few drinks! Some event planners really need to take a page from that book. So, here’s to the next gig—may it be pizza-free and full of dance floor shenanigans!