Do You Take Requests?

It’s a question we often get asked or sometimes not even asked at all. People just walk up with their phone in hand: "Can you play this, please? It’s my favourite song!"

So let’s talk about it.Because every DJ, at some point or another, has had to deal with “the request.”

Who does this really concern?

Let’s be honest: no one is going to walk up to David Guetta, Carl Cox, or DJ Snake to ask them to play their favourite track. At that level, the DJ is booked for their selection, their style, their musical universe.They create the atmosphere, not the other way around.

But in the world of resident DJs, private events, or popular parties, it’s a whole different story.

In these settings, song requests are part of the game and sometimes, they can be a real challenge.

The DJ’s perspective

Let’s be clear: most DJs are happy to take requests as long as they’re made with tact, and they actually make sense in the moment.

A professional DJ never plays songs randomly. Even if a set isn’t 100% planned ahead of time, it follows a direction, a mood, a storyline. We observe the dancefloor, we feel the energy, we build a vibe. We know where we want to go, and sometimes even which track we want to use to blow the roof off.

A well-placed request can enrich the set, help the DJ understand the crowd better, and create a real connection.But on the flip side, a flood of disconnected requests every five minutes can totally break the rhythm, destabilize the DJ, and kill the dancefloor vibe.

It’s like whipping up a perfect mayonnaise for two hours… and someone walks in and throws in the wrong ingredient.

What people often don’t see

Imagine a party with 100 guests. Each person has their own musical taste.If everyone insisted on hearing their current favourite song, it would be pure chaos.

A DJ’s job especially a generalist is to bring people together with a consistent musical journey, juggling styles, generations, crowd favourites and hidden gems.

And when it’s a private event, like a wedding, the DJ might have already worked with the couple in advance to define a specific musical direction 

 Sometimes with very clear instructions: Don’t play this song, skip that artist… simply because the bride and groom don’t like them or don’t want to hear those sounds on their big day.

So yes sometimes your song isn’t played… Not because the DJ is being difficult, but because it just doesn’t fit the moment, the energy, or the rest of the crowd.

A gentle reminder

A DJ even one who’s not “famous”, is there out of pure love for music. They’ve spent years digging for tracks, listening to thousands of songs, living through great nights and difficult ones. All to make you feel something.

So yes, you might hear a track you’ve never heard before. No, you might not be able to sing along or do your TikTok dance to it. But sometimes, that’s exactly where the magic is: In discovery, surprise, and the unexpected.

To wrap it up…

Trust your DJ. If you’ve got a request, be cool, smile, and be respectful. And if the DJ isn’t in the mood? Maybe it just wasn’t the right night.

But most importantly : Dance, enjoy, look up, put your phone away, and live the moment.