What the planner gives you
Most planners brief the DJ with one line: "keep it upbeat". This tool turns that into a timed plan your DJ, band and MC can work from. Every phase has a tempo range, a volume level, a genre mix tuned to your crowd, and sample tracks.
| Phase | BPM | Volume | Job of the music |
|---|
| Arrival | 95–112 | Low | Set the mood without competing with hellos |
| Dinner | 80–105 | Background | Fill silence, never interrupt conversation |
| Speeches | — | Off | Walk-on stings only |
| The lift | 108–118 | Medium | Singalongs that pull people out of their chairs |
| Dance floor | 115–122 | High | Build across eras so every age group joins |
| Peak | 120–128 | Full | Afro house, amapiano and anthems |
| Last song | 100–125 | High | One unifying anthem, then lights up |
It also flags the problems that wreck the night: a programme that overruns the venue's music curfew, a sound limiter, and the band-to-DJ handover. Still deciding on entertainment? Read DJ or live band?, then build the full agenda with the run-of-show generator.
Frequently asked questions
What music should play at a corporate year-end function?
Start with lounge and soul at dinner. Lift the room with singalongs everyone knows (disco, 80s, SA classics like Brenda Fassie or Mango Groove). Then build the dance floor into Afro house, amapiano and anthems. The exact mix depends on the age spread and vibe of your crowd, which is what this planner adjusts for.
Should music play during speeches?
No. Turn music off completely under speeches. Use a 10–15 second walk-on for each speaker and a short sting for each award winner, and agree the cue words with your MC beforehand.
What BPM is good for a corporate dance floor?
As a planning guide: about 115–122 BPM to open the floor and 120–128 BPM at peak. Amapiano usually sits a little slower and Afro house in the low-to-mid 120s. Good DJs move within those ranges based on how the floor responds.
Do I need a music licence for a corporate event in South Africa?
Playing music in public generally needs both a SAMRO licence (songwriters and publishers) and a SAMPRA licence (recordings). SAMRO also licenses DJs and event promoters. Ask your venue whether its licences cover your event, and confirm your DJ is licensed.
Band, DJ or both?
Both works best for most evening functions: the band carries dinner and the lift, and the DJ takes the dance floor with a seamless handover. A DJ alone is more flexible and cheaper; a band alone suits shorter, more formal evenings.
How far ahead should I book entertainment for a December function?
As early as you can. October to December is peak season and popular acts book out first, so lock entertainment as soon as the date and venue are confirmed.
Planning a corporate event in Gauteng?
Tell us the date, headcount and budget. We reply within 24 hours with a plan and a transparent quote.
Get a free quote →Related guides
