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The History of the DJ

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Whilst everyone knows what a DJ is, few people know the rich history regarding the rise of the DJ over more traditional forms of live music and entertainment. What most readers definitely aren’t aware of is that the history of the DJ goes back to the 1800’s before radio’s were even invented.

The precursor to the DJ was the invention of the phonograph, the first device ever invented to play music. Invented in 1877, it was closely followed by the gramophone records in 1892. Soon after, these records went into commercial production and marked the first time ever the public was able to purchase music.

The tipping point happened in 1906, when the first ever radio transmission was sent. This was not only a defining moment in the world of the DJ, but in human history itself.

1909, however, was the year in which the 1st ever DJ spun a record. Ray Newbie from California is officially recognised as the 1st DJ to ever hit the airwaves (and that is a pretty cool name to have by 1909 standards.) Although just 16 at the time, Ray or “DJ Newbie” used to pump the music, as him and his team kept the music going 7 days a week, with the exception of a bit of downtime during World War I.

It wasn’t until 25 years later, however, that the term DJ or Disc Jockey was ever coined. Prior to then, the guys behind the scenes were called “record men” instead of DJs.

Up until this point, the DJ was in charge of selecting music, not mixing it. What brought the DJ out of the shadows and into the mainstream however was the growth in bars, nightclubs and discotheques, as well as the fact turntables and DJ equipment became cheap enough for average people to afford.

Shortly after, DJs were transformed by the Hip Hop culture by Afrika Baambaata who invented the 5 pillars of hip hop music and culture, of which DJing and turntablism is one. (For those who aren’t aware, the 5 pillars are DJing, rapping, breaking, graffiti and knowledge.)

Today, however, the best DJs are from the electronic music genre, in particular trance music with DJs such as DJ Tiesto, Armin Van Buuren, and Paul Van Dyk.

Wanna your track to be heard by thousands of people? Club Dance Mixes gives you the opportunity to promote your music!

Keep the party going

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The ceremony has come to a close, the food’s finished and it’s time to crack open another bottle of bubbly and get the party started. Unfortunately, it’s not always that easy having late night private or corporate events in a hired venue. Even having an event in a hotel, you might find your night winding to a rather quick close when the music is turned off to accommodate the other guests.

First things first, you need to pick the right party location. Here at Red Masque we can recommend some top music friendly wedding and party venues in London.

Smiths of Smithfield
This venue is perfect and is only ten minutes away from Chancery Lane station. Right next to the City of London it’s conveniently located in the bustling hub of the city. The restaurant’s two private rooms can be opened out for larger parties and – most importantly – it is licenced for live music right up until 1am, so you can keep dancing as long as you’d like. The restaurant is even a short walk away from some amazing London clubs so, if you really aren’t ready to stop, you can head on over to keep the night going.

Southbank Centre
Ideal for any celebration – This world famous multi-art centre is known for its unparalleled festival programme, reaching 6.25 million people a year and featuring 5000 events by world-class artists.

The Level 5 Function Room is the largest of their events rooms; it comes with free Wi-Fi, a fully integrated PA system and can be opened out onto a balcony for incredible views of the London skyline.

The room is accessible by lift – so you won’t have to worry about lugging heavy speakers up and down stairs – and comes with a variety of optional hired extras. These include: A sound technician to set up, two radio mics, a plug in and play system for background music. The room is licenced for entertainment until 2am, so the party doesn’t have to end.

Islington Assembly Hall
Outside of weddings, this venue serves as a live music hall so is a great place for any concert lovers or festival fans to throw their big celebration. The hall has a wide range of technology available, for those of you who want to really amp up your wedding entertainment, and their incredible grand stage serves as the perfect place for your band or DJ to set up.

Unlike many other festival halls, they don’t insist on you using their in-house entertainers or DJ, so you have complete freedom when it comes to picking out your party band. Whether you’re into classical rock or are planning to book a world renowned DJ there’s no doubt that this venue will have all you need to accommodate your music tastes.

Bush Hall
The talking point of this venue is definitely the famous faces that have graced it in the past. The venue has hosted such music legends as Adele, Amy Winehouse and The Killers. The hall’s curtained stage is an ideal place for your band and, if you’re planning on using the stage during speeches, the backstage area is perfect for storing the band equipment until you’re ready for them to setup.

Planning New Year

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New year is that time of year when we start to reevaluate our lives, think about what the year has brought us and how we can smash the next with bigger and more exciting adventures. Whether you are having a small New Year party with close family and friends at home or planning a huge blow-out ball Red Masque have entertainment to suit all event shapes and sizes. So, we thought we would put together a list of fabulous acts up grabs for the 31st, that will really make your night shine…

Want to leave your guests begging for more? Busking Bellas are an exceptional, and are completely unplugged and acoustic who can get mingle with your guests on the dance floor by recreating some of your all-time favourite songs with flare, creativity and excellent fluidity.

Caricaturists are a brilliant way to entertain the guests and to salvage some memories from the year. They can work the room quickly and smoothly producing 10-12 full-body caricatures per hour, while you guests are chatting and soaking up with atmosphere. No matter what your event is celebrating, ensure your guests take home a memorable free gift from you. Caricatures for corporate events, weddings and parties. We highly recommend extremely talented artists for guests entertainment,

Get together enough people to fill a dance floor – then book Swing Patrol and we assure you – they will do the rest! The talented team of swing dancers can bring exciting floor shows, fun and friendly dance lessons or just a great group of dancing couples to social dance and add atmosphere to your event.

Calling all Dancing Queens! Abba’s Angels reproduce the original vocals perfectly whilst performing professional choreographed dance routines just like the real ABBA! Featuring some incredibly talented singers and musicians they offer one of the most captivating and authentic tributes to one of the greatest bands of all time.

Christmas party drama

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It’s meant to be the highlight of your work calendar, but planning the office Christmas party doesn’t always bring the festive joy it promises. Most of us have had the occasional cringe-worthy moment. That said, it doesn’t have to be a disastrous or embarrassing evening.

Here are some tips to help you have a great corporate or private party Christmas event

The biggest disasters usually happen after one too many Christmas tipples, so it’s a good idea to pace yourself. While the party might have kicked off at 3pm, it’s not mandatory to guzzle beers for the rest of the night. Make the most of the buffet, drink slowly and alternate your alcoholic beverages with a glass of water. You’re less likely to embarrass yourself or wind up with a terrible hangover. It’s win/win.

It’s easy to stick with what you know at the Christmas party and spend the entire night with the same group of friends. So make sure you chat to as many people as possible throughout the evening, and spend time with different colleagues. As well as showing that you’re a real team player, you’ll have a fun night getting to know everyone.

The party is a chance to put on your glad rags and let your hair down, but it’s also a chance to get to know some of the senior staff in your organisation. If you feel like there’s a lot of corporate executives attending or it’s going to be held at a high-end venue, it might be a good opportunity to network. You’ll have a drink and a great time, but you’ll also get the chance to meet new people and get noticed.

It’s easy to be dragged into office dramas when you’ve had a few drinks. But no matter how much fun you’re having, you’re still at work and the usual politics apply. Save the bickering and moaning for your family festivities and keep things light with colleagues.

Getting home after the party can be challenging- especially if you’re strapped for cash. Pre-plan your journey in advance by booking a cab or setting an alarm on your phone for the last train. When the alarm buzzes, make sure you leave in plenty of time to pick up your coat and get to the station.

Themed party Ideas

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Themed Events are fun and exciting provided they are planned and thought through properly, and we have some great acts advertised, providing the right entertainment so that each event is truly unique and personal to you.

From elegant James Bond themes, through high-roller Casino themes to Halloween themes (not for the faint-hearted), you just need to browse through our various themes and choose any one that you like. Don’t worry if you can’t see one that takes your fancy, just take your time and read the biography and you can talk to your potential choice to go through details.

We want your themed event is the best it can possibly be. We have years of experience and extensive contacts, so we guarantee all acts you see advertised are the best and we are certain you will choose an event that will be just right for you and your guests.

Everyone works to a budget, and we appreciate that the budget cannot be unlimited, so a lot of artists work to your specification, producing an event that suits everyone’s requirements.

Themed events work perfectly for private parties, corporate events, weddings, theatres, nightclubs and hotels – the list goes on and on.

Your chosen act will be sure to attend to every detail, their main focus is on the quality of the event and professionalism to make your event perfect for you.

Milestone Birthdays

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Big Birthday milestones don’t necessarily need to be celebrated in a big way. For those who have a large family, an extensive social or business network, or those who enjoy mingling amongst a crowd of well-wishers, bigger may be better. For others who may have a close inner circle of friends, or perhaps a small, close-knit family, more intimate gatherings may be preferable

The key point here is to weigh in with your host regarding his or her thoughts on their celebration. If the event is a surprise, then talk to the guest of honour’s spouse or partner or closest friends to determine which approach is best. Surprise parties can be fun, but the surprise element should be a positive experience stemming from the timing of the celebration, not missing the mark on the party itself.

Personalisation is key to making a birthday party memorable. Research back to the year they were born and incorporate newsworthy details from that time period into the party theme. Depending upon the year, invite guests to dress as they would have if it were that year. 1960s hippie clothes and 1980s big hair can make a party fun and provide great opportunities for photos, laughter, and reminiscing.

Hiring entertainment for a Birthday Party can be as imaginative as you like. Think party bands, DJ’s, Celebrity Lookalikes, Photo Booths or even a great Magician!

Making a Birthday Special

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Birthdays are personal and birthday parties should be as well. If you don’t know your guest of honor, gather some information about him or her. What are their hobbies and interests? How do they spend their free time? Learning whether they enjoy football, cooking or traveling, will present numerous opportunities for you to personalise their party with creative details.

For example, use a favourite hobby as a theme for the birthday cake and decorations.
For the footballer set up a net in a corner of the venue, for guests to try their hand. Use green tablecloths with football candle holders. If your guest loves to travel, send out traditional tourist postcards in lieu of customised printed invitations and offer a varied international menu from some of the places they have visited.

If the birthday child is fond of pirates and adventure, hold a treasure hunt. For younger children, keep it simple and have them work in teams of three and keep the list of items short. Older children will enjoy the challenge of finding numerous items on their own. Children remember what they did at a party and whether they had fun playing games. Less important is whether the balloons matched the napkins and the overall colour scheme.

When children reach a certain age, they become well aware of when their birthday is, even though their concept of actual time may not be that accurate. It doesn’t take long before they associate a birthday with a party, cake, candles, decorations and….presents!!!

Fun and games for all can often leave the host frazzled and exhausted. To minimize the stress level when planning a children’s birthday party, follow these tips:

Limit the number of children: the rule of thumb is to match the number of guests with the age of the birthday child. For example, invite four children for a four-year-old’s birthday party. While that may not be reasonable in circumstances of a large family, in general, it is better to invite fewer children to a children’s birthday party. It doesn’t take long for a well-planned party to spiral out of control when too many children, excited for the party and fueled on sugary cake, take over.

Keep it short: While an hour and a half may seem like a short period of time to celebrate a three-year-old’s birthday, that 90 minutes can seem like 900 minutes when tired children in need of the afternoon nap begin their meltdowns. So keep the official party time to an hour and a half; many parents, when picking up their children, stay and socialise at the end of the party so the party will go for two hours anyway.

Ideas for Corporate Events

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Planning a corporate event? One of the most challenging aspects of corporate event planning is coming up with an idea. The event theme is the driving force behind every other aspect of an event, from the invitation to the selection of entertainment and food. Before you get busy with any other part of the corporate event planning process, first find out the goal of the event.

The best corporate event ideas take that business objective — after all, corporate events have business objectives — and use it as the springboard for the event theme and the overall atmosphere of the event.

Corporate events can set the stage for presenting information regarding a company’s upcoming product launch, a new approach to corporate training, or simply for conducting team building exercises in a fun, engaging environment.

Is the purpose of this corporate event to reward a sales team for exceeding targets by providing a retreat focused on rest and relaxation? Is the goal to bring employees of two different companies together due to a merger, with the priority resting on connecting people and building relationships?

Whether the purpose of the event is business or pleasure or a combination of the two, the right corporate event idea can meet the objective and deliver a successful event.

For many employees, reporting to work every day at the same time, dressed in the same business attire, with the same people, becomes a bore.

While they may enjoy the work itself and their colleagues, the predictability of it all gets old quickly.
Why not mix it up?

Take a corporate meeting to another venue, away from the offices and cubicles. Even if employees must spend the day poring over reports or sitting in meetings, the change in surroundings can be refreshing.

A few suggestions:
Change the dress code for the event, allowing employees to dress comfortably
If weather and venue permit, schedule part of the event outdoors
Skip the standard meeting sandwich platter and offer an assortment of foods from local restaurants or made-to-order food service stations
Schedule a fun, interactive activity during the mid-afternoon slump
On the last day of the event, and earlier than the usual going home time; they will appreciate getting out of work early

The key to having a productive corporate event is to take employees out of their usual work routine. Changing the attire, location, and overall vibe can change their interactions and re-energise staff, even if they are staring at annual report figures all afternoon.

The quiet room

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When it comes to booking event entertainment, guests normally want something that produces a bit of a sound and has people reacting with one of any number of emotions – smiling, laughing and being amazed – but it turns out that in order to be entertained in the US, you might not need any sounds at all. That brings us to this rather curious venue in Minnesota, a room that the Guinness Book of Records’ has dubbed the World’s Quietest Room.

The so-called ‘anechoic chamber’ at Orfield Laboratories in South Minneapolis is 99.9% sound absorbing. Created from 3.3-foot-thick fibreglass acoustic wedges and with walls made out of insulated steel that are surrounded by a foot of concrete on every side, you might be forgiven for thinking the space has been envisaged and built from a mad scientist. You’d only be halfway right – the company behind the room are involved in design, research and testing for various companies with both Whirlpool and Harley Davidson using the anechoic chamber to evaluate sound quality of their products and assess just how loud they may be. NASA have also taken to using the room, with astronauts experiencing a ‘simulation’ of what they can expect once in space.

According to the man in charge, Steve Orfield, the record for time spent in the room in one go is only around 45 minutes because anybody inside actually becomes the sound. You’d be able to hear your heart beating, your lungs inhaling and your stomach processing the lunch that you ate earlier that day. Standing up isn’t an option either; humans use sound to help with their orientation and movements, which naturally become impossible when there is no sound to hear at all. As Orfield explains, “In the anechoic chamber, you don’t have any cues. You take away the perceptual cues that allow you to balance and manoeuvre.”

There are actually a few anechoic chambers in the UK – once again used by companies and academic institutions – but they aren’t generally available to the public and haven’t yet been designated as being ‘the quietest in the world’. The Faculty of Brain Science at UCL use theirs to study how the brain reacts to a lack of sound, which is probably more interesting and useful than what we would want to do with one…

The Postal Museum Venue

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If there’s one thing we love about London it’s the fact that there are always new and exciting things going on within its bustling confines. One of the hottest openings this year is undoubtedly The Postal Museum, a unique look at how London’s postal services have been ran for over 100 years. We don’t want to hype it too much but you do get to ride a two mile train underneath London so… Let’s see what we know!

The Postal Museum will offer a fascinating and often surprising look at the very first social network. London’s letters and parcels used to manoeuvred from place to place via a special train line, which has now been modified for guests to enjoy as they travel through this subterranean landscape. We ourselves have not ridden it yet, but we are pretty certain this will be cool as hell. And the best bit? You can book it for events!

We love providing ideas for entertainment for events but naturally having your very own private train is probably the best entertainment of all. What else can you get when you hire the Postal Museum for your event? Available for both corporate and private hire, the venue’s spaces include the Mail Rail depot and the Postal Museum itself.

The Mail Rail depot is a must-see for your exclusive party! Within captivating architectural features, guests will be able to dine and drink to their heart’s content and there can even be an opportunity to ride the train! A hugely adaptable space, you could hire a band for a dance or make use of the vaulted brick arches in a completely unique way. From receptions to product launches and even award ceremonies, this is a truly exciting new space in London’s event world and holds up to 275 people!

Perhaps you’d prefer your guests to stay above ground? No problem! The Postal Museum itself offers a contemporary space that’s light, bright and perfect for a stunning summer’s night. Featuring a private courtyard and innovative living wall, it’s ideal for cocktail receptions or summer parties. Looking to enhance the space by booking some entertainment? No problem! Holding up to 140 people, you may even like to enjoy a private museum tour whilst in attendance.