Music is such a vital part of life and living. Studies show that a fetus can hear sounds as early as 18 weeks old, and many people request to hear music while on their deathbed. From young to old, people across the world enjoy music at every stage of life. Medium.com describes music as “ a language of emotion in that it can represent different feelings and barge into the soul with no boundaries or limitations. People are always challenged by the fact that “no one understands them” or know how they “really feel,” so they turn to music.”
With a definition like this, it’s no wonder people expect to hear music while attending an event or party. If music can imitate or conjure up deeply emotional memories and moments in private, it indeed has the power to set the tone for an exciting night with friends. This is why music is so important at events and parties – music sets the mood, brings people together, energizes guests, and creates memories.
Music Sets the Mood
Did you know that supermarkets tend to play softer and slower music? It helps shoppers walk slower and linger, which will hopefully encourage them to buy more. Music sets the mood anywhere and also acts as a director for guests and patrons. Want your guests to get on the dance floor? Play some high-powered music from Beyonce or Michael Jackson. Want your guests to mingle and chat amongst each other? Turn the volume down and play a little Enya or Sade. At the end of the night, when you’re ready for guests to leave, play fast-paced music to get their feet moving towards the exits.
Whether you’re hosting an elegant fundraiser or lavish wedding reception, it’s essential to choose your theme and consider who’s on your guest list first. If you’re promoting a New Year’s Eve extravaganza and the invitation has bright colors and festive words, guests may be a little underwhelmed if you only hire a string duo to play throughout the night. On the other hand, having a 10-piece funk band may be too much to open a conservative corporate conference.
The theme and guest list will help guide you on the type of atmosphere you want to create for guests, so start there, then write down a few words to describe the mood. If you hire a live band or DJ, you can share those words with them so they can better create a setlist for your event. If you’re making a playlist on Apple Music or Spotify, do some research to find curated playlists that align with your theme.
The worst thing you can do is distract your guests from the mood you intended on setting when the music isn’t right, so be intentional when you’re choosing your mood music.
Music Brings People Together
Music can bring people together, especially when they attend an event that plays music that can transcend age, race, ethnicity, and gender. Artists like Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Elvis Presley, Bruno Mars, Taylor Swift, and Rihanna all have songs that have topped the charts and continue to be favorites amongst the masses. When you have great music at a party or event, you open the door for guests to relate to one another by singing along to a familiar song. When partygoers don’t actually know the words to a song, if it is powerful enough, a song can still entice people to want to get up and dance – together. Never underestimate the power of music in its ability to get the party going or get people excited for what’s coming next. Use it in the right way, to your advantage, to bring your guests together for an unforgettable night.
Music Energizes Guests
When you’re planning your event, it is crucial to think about the night’s flow so that you can plan where to play different types of music. Music energizes guests, so be sure to save your high-powered songs for the highlighted part of your night. As guests arrive, you can play the equivalent of a “dinner music set,” which usually includes light, jazzy sounding music. This will allow guests to chit chat, enjoy hors d’oeuvres, and get ready for the more active part of the night without giving too much away too soon. There may be times where you need to have breaks throughout the night. If you have special guest speakers or a cake cutting, you can preserve some of your mid-tempo tunes for that time of the night. Outside of those times, use the music’s energy to your advantage when you are ready to kick your party into high gear.
Music Creates Memories
Most people have at least one song that can take them back in time to a happy, sad, or exciting place. It is important to choose songs that will offer this same type of experience for your guests so that when they hear the songs again, they will think of your event. One of the musicians’ goals at Entertainment Exchange is to assist our clients with creating memorable experiences for their guests and leaving them wanting more. The bride that has been dreaming of her wedding day deserves to have the memory of her guests dancing the night away. Attendees at a sporting event deserve to hear the clarity of a singer performing the national anthem to remind them of the honor of being an American. No matter the goal, music will always be the soundtrack of everyone’s life.