Curtis Allen

Getting Set Up and Making Connections: Early Arrival and Preparation

This weekend, I had the pleasure of DJing not one, but two weddings!

Ben and Isobel’s wedding was the first on Friday night at Bistrotheque, a venue that’s quickly becoming a hot spot for wedding bookings. Whenever I’m booked by The Best Men Wedding DJs, it’s always my goal to make sure everything runs smoothly, and this event was no exception. Finding the venue took a bit of looking around (there’s no external signage), but after finding Staf, the bouncer, I knew where I was going.

Staf and I got to chatting before the reception. It turns out, she’s into metal too and found how it converges with the queer scene fascinating, which led to an interesting conversation about the “Queer Stories from the Home of Metal” event I attended at Subside Bar a few years back, hosted by my friend, musician, and comedian Andrew O’Neill. It’s always nice to make connections with fellow music lovers, especially in such a welcoming atmosphere.

I arrived early, as I always do, which gave me plenty of time to set up my own equipment, even though the venue had a booth and CDJs ready. I prefer using my own gear to ensure everything runs just the way I want it. It’s crucial for me to have full control over the sound to deliver exactly the experience the couple is looking for. The venue’s manager, whose name escapes me, was incredibly helpful in getting me set up and explaining how their sound limiter worked. Thankfully, it wasn’t set too low, so I could almost forget it was there—a rare luxury since limiters usually require constant attention.

Staf’s wife was running the bar this night and made sure I stayed hydrated throughout the evening—definitely appreciated!

The First Dance: Setting the Tone

As the guests started to arrive, I kicked things off with some background music, which quickly had a few people on the dance floor. When Ben and Isobel made their entrance, I transitioned into their first dance song, Lover, You Should Have Come Over by Jeff Buckley. It was a beautiful moment that set the perfect tone for the evening. Right after that, I played 3 Libras by A Perfect Circle, as requested by the couple. It’s always interesting to see how different tracks work together, and these two flowed surprisingly well.

Meeting the Couple’s Music Requests

Throughout the night, I made sure to swing through all the genres and tracks Ben and Isobel had requested during our consultation. They had quite the eclectic taste, which made for an exciting set. As a Non-Cheesy Wedding DJ, I always strive to create a playlist that reflects the couple’s unique preferences rather than relying on the typical wedding hits. They were really keen on Florence + The Machine, so I made sure to include Dog Days Are Over and What the Water Gave Me. The bride was on the dance floor quite a bit, lighting up every time a Florence track came on. Seeing her joy, and how she managed to get Ben up and dancing too, was a highlight for me.

They also requested a mix of genres, including some classic and alternative rock, electronic, and even metal. I made sure to hit these notes with tracks like The Pot by Tool and Feel Good Inc by Gorillaz, which kept the energy flowing.

Shifting into Heavier Music: Reading the Room

Ben had mentioned his love for metal, particularly System of a Down, but he was concerned that heavier tracks might not go down well with all the guests. Being a non-cheesy wedding DJ is one thing, but it’s important to balance the couple’s desires with the overall vibe of the crowd. I started off with some more accessible rock tracks and gradually introduced the heavier stuff as the night progressed. It wasn’t long before Ben came over to ask for some heavier songs. Little did he know, I already had Bring Me to Life by Evanescence cued up, and the transition to the heavier set began. As the night progressed, I shifted into some heavier tracks, including Violent Pornography by System of a Down—one of the couple’s favorite bands—Duality by Slipknot, and Everytime We Touch by Electric Callboy, which had the crowd rocking out.

Wrapping Up: A Successful Night at Bistrotheque

As the night continued, I mixed in some indie, alternative rock, and electronic tracks to keep the energy balanced. The venue’s sound system handled everything beautifully, and the lighting setup added just the right atmosphere. It’s always a pleasure to work in a space that’s so well-prepared for an event like this.

Looking back, I’m proud of how the evening came together. DJing a wedding is more than just playing music—it’s about reading the room, understanding the couple’s vision, and making sure everyone has a great time. At Ben and Isobel’s wedding, I was able to do just that, creating a night filled with the music they love, shared with the people they care about most.

Bistrotheque is a fantastic venue for weddings, and I’m already looking forward to my next event there. Whether you’re into indie rock, metal, or anything in between, The Best Men—Non-Cheesy Wedding DJs—are here to make your special day one to remember. We are a team of professional DJs dedicated to making your special day unforgettable. With years of experience and a passion for music, we know how to keep the dance floor packed all night long. Whether you’re into classic rock, indie, pop, electronic, funk, soul, or even metal, we tailor our sets to reflect your unique taste and create the perfect atmosphere for your wedding. Let us help you celebrate in style with a personalized soundtrack that you and your guests will remember for years to come.

The Setlist from the Night:

The Zephyr Song – Red Hot Chili Peppers
No One Loves Me & Neither Do I – Them Crooked Vultures
Love Is A Battlefield – Pat Benatar
Lucky Star – Madonna
The Jean Genie – David Bowie
Icky Thump – The White Stripes
Feel Good Inc – Gorillaz
Waves & Wavs (feat. Lizwi) – Ahmed Spins & Lizwi
Heat Waves – Glass Animals
D.A.N.C.E – Justice
Electric Feel – MGMT
Spectrum (Say My Name) (Calvin Harris Remix) – Florence + The Machine
Starlight – Muse
Megalomaniac – Incubus
Reptilia – The Strokes
Come Together – The Beatles
My Favourite Game – The Cardigans
Flowers – Miley Cyrus
Fighter – Christina Aguilera

First Dance:
Lover, You Should Have Come Over – Jeff Buckley
3 Libras – A Perfect Circle
Faint – Linkin Park
Weapon Of Choice – Fatboy Slim
Stronger – Kanye West
Hey Ya! – OutKast
Hella Good – No Doubt
Ghosts N Stuff (Original Mix) – Deadmau5
Silence – Tom Ferry
Promiscuous – Nelly Furtado featuring Timbaland
The Less I Know The Better – Tame Impala
Fluorescent Adolescent – Arctic Monkeys
This Ain’t A Scene, It’s An Arms Race – Fall Out Boy
Misery Business – Paramore
Teenage Dirtbag – Wheatus
Dog Days Are Over – Florence + The Machine
Mr. Brightside – The Killers
Last Nite – The Strokes
Still D.R.E – Dr. Dre
Roses (Imanbek Remix) – SAINt JHN
Blinding Lights – The Weeknd
Like A Prayer – Madonna
Everybody Wants to Rule the World – Tears for Fears
A Little Respect – Erasure
Heaven Is A Place On Earth – Belinda Carlisle
Bring Me To Life – Evanescence
Violent Pornography – System Of A Down
Whiskey In The Jar – Metallica
Holiday – Green Day
The Pot – Tool
Seven Nation Army – The White Stripes
Beggin’ – Måneskin
I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor – Arctic Monkeys
TEXAS HOLD ‘EM – Beyoncé
My Love (Dave Glass Animals Remix) – Florence + The Machine
Born Slippy .NUXX – Underworld
Blind Faith – Chase and Status
Rock It – Sub Focus
Tribute Medley (Freejak Remix) – Daft Punk
I See You Baby – Groove Armada featuring Gram’ma Funk
What’s Love Got to Do with It – Kygo
Fat Lip – Sum 41All the Small Things – Blink 182
Sk8er Boi – Avril Lavigne
Tribute – Tenacious D
Rollin’ (Air Raid Vehicle) – Limp Bizkit
Duality – Slipknot
B.Y.O.B. – System Of A Down
Happy? – Mudvayne
Everytime We Touch – Electric Callboy
I Write Sins Not Tragedies – Panic! At The Disco
Welcome To The Black Parade – My Chemical Romance
Pick Up – DJ Koze
Summertime Sadness (Remix) – Lana Del Rey Vs Cedric Gervais
Want You Bad – The Offspring
Smells Like Teen Spirit – Nirvana