Why corporate sets are different
At a club, everyone came to dance. At a year-end, the MD wants silence for speeches, the finance team wants Brenda Fassie, and the youngsters want amapiano by 22:00. The DJs who get rebooked are the ones who plan for all of them. This tool maps the night phase by phase.
| 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 |
Send the PDF to the client with your quote. It shows you understand speeches, walk-ons and curfews, which is exactly what corporate bookers worry about. More tips: how DJs and bands get booked for corporate gigs and the 2027 vendor calendar.
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.
Do I need my own SAMRO licence as a DJ?
SAMRO licenses mobile DJs directly. Its published DJ licence is an annual fee that auto-renews (check the current amount on SAMRO's site). Corporate clients increasingly ask for proof, so keep it on your HowzitLive profile.
Can planners use this too?
Yes. Planners can build the plan and then find a DJ or band on HowzitLive to deliver it.
Got the decks? Get the gigs.
List free on HowzitLive. No lead fees, you set your rates, and payouts land the Friday after the gig. Corporate clients arrive in January 2027.
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