What makes a good party?

Now there’s a question with a hundred guest answers because various factors come into play, including being a gracious host, party games, and plenty of food and drink.

However, one of the most important features to get the party atmosphere going is undoubtedly the music. A good playlist will generally set the tone for the night and determine whether your party is a success or a flop.

So what makes a good playlist? There’s another question with an orchestra of answers. A theme is a good place to start. That said, don’t be afraid to flex your music muscles and experiment a bit.

Naturally the type of music you play greatly determines the atmosphere of a party. So a bit of jazz and blues tunes create a chilled and relaxed vibe whereas music at a much higher tempo will encourage people to drop the kebab (on the carpet, poor you) and just dance.

You can also organise your playlist to start low tempo in order to make your guests feel more at ease and encourage a bit of conversation. Then up the volume and beats as the night gets older. At one in the morning, when all you want to do is clear up and get some sleep, turn up the lights and play some slow songs to encourage your guests to make their way home.

However, who best to ask for advice than musicians themselves?

Francesca Mercieca and Caroline Spiteri

The Fuzzhoneys. From left: Francesca Mercieca and Caroline Spiteri. Photo: Elisa Von BrockdorffThe Fuzzhoneys. From left: Francesca Mercieca and Caroline Spiteri. Photo: Elisa Von Brockdorff

Fuzzhoneys

What makes a good playlist for a party at home?

Francesca Mercieca: First of all, plan ahead, be prepared and do your research. Don’t leave it till the last minute and don’t do it by yourself as you will end up choosing only the music that you like.

When does a playlist turn bad?

Francesca Mercieca: A lot of people don’t give the playlist its due importance and leave it until the last minute. Also, you might have good music but the sound is bad – invest in quality speakers rather than just using those on your laptop.

Do you think it’s also important for a playlist to have a theme?

Francesca Mercieca: A theme is a good way to organise a playlist. That said, it’s more important to organise your playlist so that it peaks well.

Your music carries rock, punk and blues influences. Is your style also reflected in the playlists you choose for your own parties?

Caroline Spiteri: Not really. We don’t choose a playlist according to our style of music, but rather, to the atmosphere we create when we play live. When we play live, people just want to dance and that’s what a good playlist does: it makes you want to get up and dance.

What music do you usually include in your playlist?

Francesca Mercieca: Music by the Black Keys and Hey Ya! by Outkast, because it’s such a fun song to dance to.

Caroline Spiteri: Definitely music by the Strokes and White Stripes. But that’s doesn’t mean we would say no to the likes of Avicii and Jason Dario. It’s all about the feel and energy of the music.

Jody Heckenlaible and Ian Zerafa

Jody Heckenlaible and Ian Zerafa from Mojo.Jody Heckenlaible and Ian Zerafa from Mojo.

Mojo

What kind of parties do you generally organise at home?

Jody Heckenlaible: It’s usually very laid back and relaxed. We start off with some jazz background and then we move on to some old classics.

So it’s not intentionally themed but there is a bit of a jazz feel to it?

Jody Heckenlaible: Just in the beginning to keep everything relaxed and chilled. And sometimes we mix it up a bit with some more high-energy music.

Would you ever include songs that you yourself wouldn’t generally listen to?

Ian Zerafa: I wouldn’t. When organising a party at home, you don’t want to appeal to the masses – it’s just you and your friends. And in our case, most of our friends share our taste in music.

What music do you usually include in your playlist?

Ian Zerafa: I wouldn’t normally go for particular bands or songs. Before the guests arrive, we usually put on some classical music. Then we move on to rock music from the 1990s because it reminds me of when I was younger.

Jody Heckenlaible: We play a lot of Diana Krall especially in the first hour of the party to create a relaxing atmosphere.

Would you include any festive tracks for a Christmas party?

Jody Heckenlaible: Definitely. My favourite is Kelly Clarkson’s Run Run Rudolph. And we always play Fairytale of New York by the Pogues – it’s a classic.

Ian Zerafa: At this time of year, Frank Sinatra is always part of the playlist.

Alexandra Alden

Alexandra Alden. Photo: Inigo TaylorAlexandra Alden. Photo: Inigo Taylor

So you’re organising a party at home. Relaxing songs or music with a bit more energy?

I start with some relaxing music but then move on to music that guests can dance to.

What makes a good playlist?

A good playlist always has a generous amount of nostalgia thrown in: songs that you listened to with friends when you first started hanging out and others that you know so well that you can sing along to them.

What music do you usually include in your playlist?

Loser by Beck, Get Low by Lil Jon and the East Side Boyz, Mr Brightside by the Killers and Sitting on the Dock of the Bay by Otis Redding. Loser is just so catchy and has a great riff throughout. Get Low is so funny and anyone can dance to Mr Brightside. As for Otis Redding’s classic, it’s always a hit.

Would you include any festive tracks for a Christmas party?

Some classic Slade and Sinatra tunes always go down a treat.

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