Essex DJ has price list for party goers' song requests

Colin Gingell-Good, better known as DJ Pressplay, from Colchester, is a resident DJ at Coda in the High Street.

Being in the industry for 17 years, he has had his fair share of experience at events, especially with guests requesting songs. 

Colin, 51, said: “The majority of people request songs they personally love, but it doesn’t always fit the vibe of the night or the crowd. 

DJ - Colin Gingell-Good, 51, from Colchester, better known as DJ Pressplay has been in the industry for 17 years (Image: Colin Gingell-Good/DJ Pressplay)

“When I’m, for example, playing a disco and soul night, you won’t hear anything metal or something by the Foo Fighters, it just doesn’t fit.” 

As some party guests can be quite demanding with their requests, DJ Pressplay has come up with a simple solution, a price list as a “polite reminder”. 

For example, birthday requests are priced at £50, playing a song because guests are about to leave at £100, up to £500 for Wonderwall by Oasis and £1,000 for The Killers’ Mr Brightside. 

“Some people don’t understand why we DJs do this, and that we are playing songs to keep the vibe going," said Colin.

“The list is a tongue-in-cheek joke, the majority of people take it as a joke and can laugh about it. 

List - DJ Pressplay's price list (Image: DJ Pressplay)

“It is more for those people who do not take no for an answer and to keep from having discussions as to why I won’t play a song.” 

Being away from the dancefloor during Covid has changed people, he said, and it has become more difficult to deal with people who are requesting songs. 

Colin also explained after coming out of lockdown, "people have changed" and "a lot don’t take no for an answer anymore".

Venues have been hesitant about the signs at first, but more bands and other DJs have taken on a similar price list. 

Colin said: “Some cover bands have made their own lists because they get a lot of people asking to play certain songs and being treated like a jukebox.

Prices - Over-played songs are priced highly (Image: DJ Pressplay)

“With most things in writing, people take this more seriously than us just telling them that we won’t play a song. 

“I’ve never played Mr Brightside, I just think it’s over-played. I don’t hate The Killers, but I just think there are so many better songs out there. 

“Since I’ve put the signs up, I had not one person requesting it, so it seems to work.”