Hosting Dork Dancing: Music Advice

The following writing serves as a basic guide for considering, selecting and playing music based on my experience of being a Dork Dancing Host both offline at the beach, and online from home.

These are not rules, they are guidelines that I have developed for myself in order to ensure the music I play during my hosting sessions keeps fellow Dorks engaged, entertained, and coming back for more.

1. Bring your own style. Play what you like.

The reason we, as Hosts, have the privilege of being selected as Hosts is because the community believes each of us has something special to contribute to each and every Dork Dancing session. Each of us has our own taste in music. So don't be afraid to play the music you love.

Having said this, it's also important to be open to experiment with music you don't usually listen to.

This is the first point for a reason, it’s the most important because the rest of the points here are all things to remember whilst bringing your style and playing the music you like.

2. Play new and interesting music, but also play music that people are familiar with

There will be a lot of music you love and want to play that other Dorks have never heard. Play it. I've discovered a lot of new music from other Hosts. Some of this music may also be different and abstract.

Dorks like hearing new, interesting music they haven't heard before, but just remember people also tend to feel more comfortable when they hear familiar music they know and love.

This means be careful about playing a whole hour of music that Dorks do not know. If you love playing new hip hop, play it, but also play some more popular hip hop people are familiar with and already know.

3. Vary the genres

Personally I love more energetic, electronic music. There's nothing wrong with playing your preferred genre of music but too much if the same genre can make people tired, especially if they don't usually listen to it.

Change up the genres you play, but don’t forget Point #1.

This brings me to the next important point...

4. Vary the energy

Dancing requires energy. A lot of energy.

Dork Dancing has evolved into a very energetic culture but our mind and body still need a rest. Try not to play too many energetic songs one after another.

I've found after three high intensity songs in a row it helps to play something more relaxed and less intense.

We also need to consider the whole 1 hour session and all the Dorks as its own energy.

Dorks and their energy need to warm up so I usually start my sessions with light, easy listening, happy music. Playing hard techno to start the 1 hour session is not going to get Dorks dancing more.

After about 30 minutes, that’s usually the time Dorks have warmed up and most people who are going to join will have joined. This is a good time to start playing the most energetic music.

5. Keep songs short

Long songs. Dorks get bored and long songs can kill the mood quickly. There are some great long songs that work well for Dork Dancing but generally it's better to keep the dance session moving with shorter songs. I try to keep all my songs less than 4 minutes.

Mashups (lots of songs mixed together in a short time) seem to work really well.

6. Build a go-to library of Dork Dancing Music

I have a main Dork Dancing playlist where every song I ever play is kept. I also create a basic playlist for every single dance session and labeled by date.

This is good for two reasons. I always have a library of songs I know and trust work well. And I can look at each dance session playlist and see how often I've played a song.

7. Song requests

Every Host has their own opinion about song requests. I usually take some time before each session to choose the songs I want to play where I talk all the points mentioned so far into consideration.

But, in the spirit of Dork Dancing, we encourage expression, inclusion, and new music in the form of song requests. I love it, because it keeps Dorks engaged and part of the dance. But there can be some downsides; it can mess up the flow of your playlist as well as the general vibe and energy. Also, having too many requests can be difficult and overwhelming to manage.

There's no right answer for this, just do what's comfortable. Sometimes a requested song will be too long, not the right energy for Dork Dancing, or there are just too many requests. You're the Host, you can decide.

8. Not everyone will like the songs you play

Every Dork has their own taste in music. No matter what song you play, there will be at least one person who does not like it. That’s OK, our taste in music is what makes all of us unique.

Even if you play a song and you can see no one is enjoying it, don’t worry about it, because now you have an even better idea of which songs work and which don’t.

So stick to being yourself, play the music you love, and have fun.