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Harrisonburg, VA

DJ Barkley | Harrisonburg based wedding & event DJ

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Music Design for Events

My Approach to Music

Every event I play is built around the people in the room. I don’t work from preset playlists or one-size-fits-all formulas. Instead, I take the time to understand your taste, add in music I know will complement it, and stay flexible enough to respond to what’s actually happening on the dance floor.

Some DJs limit how much input couples can give and fill the rest of the night from a standard rotation. My approach is different. I start from a blank slate. You can share as much or as little guidance as you’d like, and that becomes the foundation for the night.

Each event is shaped by three things:

  1. Your requests.
    Using a planning worksheet, you share must-plays, do-not-plays, and anything else that helps define your taste. That gives me a clear starting point for the night.

  2. My curation.
    I build on your selections with music organzied ahead of time and in the moment, based on what fits your style and the flow of the event.

  3. Reading the room.
    I pay close attention to the energy on the dance floor and guest requests, working in the ones that fit and passing on anything that doesn’t align with your vision.

This approach keeps the music personal while still allowing the night to evolve naturally — so the dance floor stays full without ever feeling forced.

If you’d like to talk more about how this works, I’m happy to walk you through it.

He knew when to say yes, when to guide us, and helped create one hell of a party.
— Conor & Jessica McDonough
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