A Memorable Ska Punk Wedding at Gemma and Alastair’s Celebration
Date: June 1, 2024
Venue: The American Museum, Claverton Manor, Claverton Down, Bath
A week on from my last wedding set, on June 1, 2024, Gemma Atwell and Alastair Gay celebrated their wedding with a vibrant reception at The American Museum in Bath. The night was nothing short of spectacular, filled with energetic performances, a fantastic playlist, and a joyous crowd. This blog post highlights the unforgettable ska punk wedding experience that made their night so special.
Setting the Stage
The reception took place in the Stables, a semi-circular room that provided an intimate yet lively atmosphere for the evening. My DJ setup was unique – perched on a mezzanine platform overlooking the dancefloor filled with guests dancing and the band, creating an exciting perspective of the festivities below.
The Band: Don’t Do Tuesdays
Before my set, the groom’s band, “Don’t Do Tuesdays,” took to the stage. Despite some initial difficulties with the setup leading to them running a bit late, their performance was electric. The band, which I’m told hadn’t played together since 2019, delivered a mix of their own songs and covers, including hits from Blink 182, The Weeknd, and Bryan Adams. They had a fill-in drummer as their regular drummer was unwell. He’d only had a couple of rehearsals and did fantastically. They energised the crowd and set a fantastic tone for the night, with a lot of people up and dancing already.
Technical Support
Special thanks go to Ginby Light & Sound Solutions, who provided the band’s PA equipment. To save me from having to move equipment around unecessarily, they kindly offered to allow me to plug into their sound system and use their lights. This collaboration ensured seamless transitions and a cohesive audio-visual experience throughout the evening.
My Setlist for the Wedding Reception
My DJ set, on behalf of The Best Men Wedding DJs started a little later than planned due to the band’s delayed start. Being on a platform above the dancefloor and behind a glass partition presented some challenges, especially in monitoring the volume. I frequently had to check the sound levels on the dancefloor to ensure the music wasn’t too loud.
The playlist was designed to cater to everyone, featuring a mix of genres and eras, with an emphasis on ska punk to keep the energy high. Gem and Al each had distinct musical preferences for their wedding reception. Al, a fan of pop-punk and ska, requested bands like Blink 182 and The Mighty Mighty Bosstones. He also wanted to ensure a lively atmosphere with tracks from bands like The Specials and Less Than Jake. Gem, on the other hand, favoured Britpop, indie, and 70s rock, requesting songs from artists such as Fleetwood Mac, Stevie Nicks, and Blur. Both wanted a mix of their favourite genres to create a fun and inclusive playlist for their guests, with a nod to the “Guardians of the Galaxy” soundtrack, which inspired some of the decor of the night. There was a preference for me to avoid dance tracks, as well as Garage, Grime, and Drum ‘n’ Bass. The night was alive with a wide range of tunes that had guests of all ages dancing. Here’s the setlist:
- Sweetness – Jimmy Eat World
- Two Princes – Spin Doctors
- You And Me Song – The Wannadies
- Save Tonight – Eagle-Eye Cherry
FIRST DANCE: - Come and Get Your Love – Redbone
- Hooked on a Feeling – Blue Swede
- Get It On – T. Rex
- Girls & Boys – Blur
- Disco 2000 – Pulp
- Stacy’s Mom – Fountains of Wayne
- What’s My Age Again? – Blink 182
- The Impression That I Get – The Mighty Mighty Bosstones
- Take On Me – Reel Big Fish
- Come on Eileen – Save Ferris – Requested by Gem in memory of her Auntie Eileen.
- Bad Guy – The Interrupters
- I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor – Arctic Monkeys
- A Town Called Malice – The Jam
- Edge of Seventeen – Stevie Nicks
- Bootylicious – Destiny’s Child
- Blinding Lights – The Weeknd
- Beggin’ – Måneskin
- Monkey Man – The Specials
- Let’s Dance – David Bowie
- Jailbreak – Thin Lizzy
- Whiskey In The Jar – Metallica
- One Step Closer – Linkin Park
- Teenagers – My Chemical Romance
- Help – The Beatles
- Adventure of a Lifetime – Coldplay
- I Knew You Were Trouble – Taylor Swift
- She’s Kerosene – The Interrupters
- Superman – Goldfinger
- All My Best Friends Are Metalheads – Less Than Jake
- Feeling This – Blink 182
- I Write Sins Not Tragedies – Panic! At The Disco
- Drunken Lullabies – Flogging Molly
- Mr. Brightside – The Killers
- Take Me Out – Franz Ferdinand
- Spirit in the Sky – Norman Greenbaum
- Proud Mary – Tina Turner
- I Want You Back – The Jackson 5
- Kiss – Prince & the Revolution
- Everywhere – Fleetwood Mac
- Lip Up Fatty – Bad Manners
- One Step Beyond – Madness
- Still Into You – Paramore
- U And Ur Hand – Pink
- When I Come Around – Green Day
- When You’re Gone [feat. Melanie C] – Bryan Adams
- Sk8er Boi – Avril Lavigne
- Roll With It – Oasis
- Batman Theme – Skavoovie & The Epitones
The night was filled with energy, laughter, and non-stop dancing. Guests were dressed to impress, with many, including the groom, sporting leopard print clothing, adding a playful and festive touch to the evening.
Gemma and Alastair’s ska punk wedding was a night to remember, full of love, music, and joyous celebration. It was an honour to be part of their special day and to help create unforgettable memories for them and their guests. Here’s to a lifetime of happiness for Gem and Al!