How to take song requests as a live band
The Special Request team2 min read
A DJ who gets a request loads the track. A band has to actually know it, in the right key, with everyone on the same page, in front of a crowd. That's why so many bands just say “we don't take requests” and move on.
It's a shame, because a request played live is a moment people remember: the whole room singing a song they asked for, played by real people. Here's how to take requests as a band without getting caught off guard.
Start from what you can play
The golden rule for bands: guests can only request songs you know. Write down your repertoire, even the songs you only pull out once in a while, and make it the menu.
In Special Request
With Premium, limit requests to your repertoire in Special Request: guests can only request songs from it, so you never have to say “we don't know that one”.Let the crowd vote on your setlist
Here's a trick bands love: instead of waiting for requests, put your own songs up for a vote. The crowd picks the order of the night, and you only play songs you've rehearsed.
In Special Request
With Premium, add your songs as suggestions, or import your repertoire playlist in one go: guests vote for their favorites, and you see which ones the room wants most. Add a song to your setTake requests between songs
Don't stop the show to read requests. Glance at the list between two songs, or have one band member keep an eye on it. When a request comes in that you know, call it out on the mic: “This one's for Marie, who asked for it!” The room loves it.
In Special Request
Requests and votes arrive live on a phone or tablet on stage, or on the laptop at the side of the stage.Open requests before the show
For weddings and private parties, open requests weeks before the gig. If a song comes up again and again and you don't know it yet, you still have time to learn it. That's how the best cover bands grow their repertoire.
In Special Request
Turn on Open requests when you create the event, and share the link with the invitation. Create an eventWhen you really can't play it
It will happen: a request you don't know, or one that doesn't suit your lineup. Be honest, offer something close from your list, and keep going. Here's how to politely say no to a song request without losing the crowd.
In Special Request
With Premium, decline with a reason (already planned, wrong style…) that the guest sees on their phone.Learn from every show
After each gig, look at what people asked for. The songs that keep coming back are your next rehearsal list, and the ones with the most votes deserve a spot in your regular set.
In Special Request
Past events keep all their requests, so your next rehearsal list is already written. See how bands and solo artists use Special Request on the musicians page.Try Special Request for free
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