Curtis Allen

As an alternative wedding DJ, there’s something special about creating a wedding experience that truly reflects the couple’s unique style. Lucy and Nathan’s celebration at York House in Twickenham was a perfect example of a night that embodied their personalities, from rock classics to intense metal anthems. I was thrilled to be part of it, working for The Best Men, and even though I’d nearly lost my voice on that day, it was all about letting the music do the talking!

Setting the Tone with Classic Rock

Lucy and Nathan had shared with me that many of their guests might not be big dancers. Still, the goal was to create an environment where everyone could feel the energy of the music, even if they were enjoying it from the tables, chatting with friends, or wandering through the beautiful Winter Garden. We kicked off the evening with accessible rock classics to set the mood. Songs like Back in Black by AC/DC and Sweet Home Alabama by Lynyrd Skynyrd and Smooth by Santana were instant hits and brought just the right blend of familiarity and excitement to get everyone engaged, whether they were on the dancefloor or relaxing nearby.

From the beginning, I could tell that this approach was paying off. Guests of all ages seemed to be enjoying the vibe, and I even noticed a few of the younger attendees nodding along, perhaps getting their first taste of rock! Lucy later shared that their guests loved the music even when they were in other rooms or outside, which was exactly what they had hoped for. This engaging start is one of the key advantages of hiring an alternative wedding DJ who understands how to build energy and create a unique vibe.

Smooth Transition to Rock and Metal

As the night continued, we gradually turned up the intensity. As an alternative wedding DJ, I understand the importance of a smooth progression, so we blended in harder tracks like Supermassive Black Hole by Muse and Poison by Alice Cooper, eventually leading into songs like Misfit Love by Bexley, Faint by Linkin Park, and Dance Macabre by Ghost.

The lighting setup in the Winter Garden added another layer to the ambiance, with coloured LEDs enhancing the experience and evolving alongside the music. Lucy mentioned that the lighting “looked awesome,” and it was rewarding to see how well it complemented the playlist, creating a captivating environment whether guests were on the dancefloor or soaking in the atmosphere.

Celebrating with Heavier Tracks and Metal Anthems

One of the most enjoyable parts of the night was reaching the heavier side of Lucy and Nathan’s playlist, where their passion for metal really shined. This portion of the night featured intense rock and metal anthems like Nemo by Nightwish, The Book of Heavy Metal by Dream Evil, and Square Hammer by Ghost. These songs brought out the couple’s unique taste, creating a standout experience for everyone.

Later in the evening, we amped up the intensity even more with songs like Hardrock Hallelujah by Lordi, The End of Heartache by Killswitch Engage, and Wolf Totem by The HU featuring Jacoby Shaddix. These final songs reflected Lucy and Nathan’s love of metal and gave their guests, including some younger attendees, a new appreciation for the genre. As Lucy joked, “we may have created a new generation of metalheads!”

Ending on a High Note

For the final songs of the night, we chose iconic tracks to close the evening in style. The Final Countdown by Europe and The Summoning by Sleep Token provided a memorable finish, blending celebration with an epic feel that reflected the whole night’s journey. Lucy, Nathan, and their friends embraced those last moments, creating memories that felt as unique as their chosen soundtrack.

Reflections on an Alternative Wedding DJ Experience

Lucy and Nathan’s wedding at York House was a true reminder of why I love working as an alternative wedding DJ. Each event is an opportunity to create something unique, and a customized playlist can make a wedding feel truly personal. Although I had nearly lost my voice that night, seeing the couple and their guests enjoying the music made it all worthwhile. If you’re looking to bring your own style to your wedding with a rock or metal-inspired soundtrack, let’s create an unforgettable celebration together.

The Setlist:

1. Back in Black – AC/DC
2. Pour Some Sugar On Me – Def Leppard
3. Cherry Pie – Warrant
4. One Vision – Queen
5. Fame – David Bowie
6. Get It On – T. Rex
7. Black Betty – Ram Jam
8. Sweet Home Alabama – Lynyrd Skynyrd
9. Don’t Fear the Reaper – Blue Öyster Cult
10. This Is Halloween – Danny Elfman
11. Poison – Alice Cooper
12. Eye of the Tiger – Survivor
13. Edge of Seventeen – Stevie Nicks
14. Smooth – Santana
15. Cryin’ – Aerosmith
16. Bad Medicine – Bon Jovi
17. Bad Romance – Lady Gaga
18. Dirty Diana – Michael Jackson
19. Supermassive Black Hole – Muse
20. I Believe in a Thing Called Love – The Darkness
21. Sweet Child O’ Mine – Guns N’ Roses
22. Nothin’ but a Good Time – Poison
23. Rock You Like a Hurricane – Scorpions
24. Thunderstruck – AC/DC
25. Immigrant Song – Led Zeppelin
26. Rainbow in the Dark – Ronnie James Dio
27. Bark at the Moon – Ozzy Osbourne
28. Breaking the Law – Judas Priest
29. The Trooper – Iron Maiden
30. The Chain – Fleetwood Mac
31. I’m Still Standing – Elton John
32. Don’t Stop Me Now – Queen
33. The Pretender – Foo Fighters
34. Can’t Stop – Red Hot Chili Peppers
35. Lola Montez – Volbeat
36. Whiskey in the Jar – Metallica
37. Slither – Velvet Revolver
38. All the Small Things – Blink-182
39. All Star – Smash Mouth
40. Teenage Dirtbag – Wheatus
41. Misfit Love – Bexley
42. Faint – Linkin Park
43. Dance Macabre – Ghost
44. Nemo – Nightwish
45. The Book of Heavy Metal – Dream Evil
46. Bend it like Bender! – The Devin Townsend Project
47. Tainted Love – Marilyn Manson
48. Toss a Coin to Your Witcher – Barbie Sailers & Violet Orlandi
49. Livin’ on a Prayer – Bon Jovi
50. Don’t Stop Believin’ – Journey
51. Africa – Toto
52. Superheroes – Edguy
53. Rasputin – TURISAS
54. Hardrock Hallelujah – Lordi
55. The End of Heartache – Killswitch Engage
56. Too Close / Too Late – Spiritbox
57. Wolf Totem – The HU (feat. Jacoby Shaddix)
58. Square Hammer – Ghost
59. Tribute – Tenacious D
60. Paranoid – Black Sabbath
61. Fuel – Metallica
62. Kickstart My Heart – Mötley Crüe
63. The Final Countdown – Europe
64. The Summoning – Sleep Token