Press Play: What do Stanford college students and DJs choose in social gathering music?

‘Press Play’ is a column that seeks to highlight folks of Stanford and the collections of songs that energy them by way of their days. Every set up will function totally different Stanford college students, school members or associates, and spotlight a playlist that’s significant to them and their experiences on the Farm.

From Eurotrash to nights at Enchanted Broccoli Forest (EBF), many Stanford college students have a celebration story they both love to inform or will take to their grave. A number of elements outline a great social gathering: the theme, the folks and — arguably, an important — the music.

Good music helps you escape from the stress of assignments and internship recruitment. Dangerous music reiterates how deep within the trenches you’re.

The problem of making a welcoming and enjoyable social gathering surroundings is a process usually spearheaded by the DJ. Dean Cureton ’26, who has been a DJ at membership occasions and The Arbor, discovered the fundamentals of the craft from a Sophomore School class.

“I’ve many buddies who’re musicians and already tour as DJs and producers, so I’ve all the time been impressed to study from them,” Cureton stated. “I additionally actually wished events right here to play various kinds of music, and I wished to affect that considerably as a DJ.”

Every DJ has totally different concepts for what will get Stanford college students on their toes. In accordance with Cureton, Gracielly Abreu ’26 and Francisco “Fran” Alvarez Clemente ’26, some go-to tracks to get folks dancing embrace “Solely” by Nicki Minaj, “Pursuit of Happiness” by Child Cudi and “No Me Conoce” by Dangerous Bunny, J Balvin and Jhayco. Cureton has an everyday playlist referred to as “turn-up,” whereas the opposite two DJs do not need a constant setlist.

What do college students search for in social gathering music? It seems to be a combined bag. 

When asking college students to replicate on social gathering music preferences, responses usually got here with fun; some got here with a half grimace, maybe alluding to an unlucky musical expertise. A recurring demand is for songs that partygoers are aware of.

“We want songs we all know and might dance to, even when they’re objectively unhealthy songs,” stated Eliza Siebers ’26.

Most well-liked genres seem to range amongst college students, with pop, rap and home music standing out as favorites. 

“I actually favored the music at Phi Psi Barbenheimer,” stated Bridget Stuebner ’26, referring to the all-campus occasion that occurred on Oct. 14. “They performed numerous pop and nostalgic 2010s music.”

Alvarez Clemente stated college students would categorical discontent every time he “went 5 minutes with out taking part in a 2010s throwback.”

Not all college students discover pop and home music interesting at events, nonetheless.

“I don’t just like the music performed at most events, as a result of it’s simply primary pop songs from the 2010s,” stated Temi Ogunremi ’26.

Cureton has a transparent favourite style to play at events. “Rap — it’s what I’m most well-versed in and what I listened to rising up, so it’ll all the time be my style of alternative,” he stated.

Abreu, who DJs at EBF, prefers to change up the genres she performs to accommodate totally different tastes. Alvarez Clemente, a frequent at Sigma Nu occasions, performs pop music in campus occasions however principally reggaetón and home again residence in Miami.

Whereas pop music is essentially the most predominantly performed at events, home music appears to be essentially the most divisive amongst partygoers. Home music is outlined by its fast, repetitive digital beat, favored by many DJs who need straightforward transitions between songs. In actual fact, the style is outlined by beat reasonably than lyrics.

“I’d take ‘Social gathering within the USA’ over mid home music any day, however when it’s good — that’s transformative,” stated Nora Mousa ’24.

College students’ contrasting musical preferences form DJs’ method to curating setlists. 

“The function of the Stanford social gathering DJ has been to search out the music that’s most generally recognizable and generates essentially the most hype,” Cureton stated. He believed this method was a double-edged sword.

“It’s vital to ask Stanford partygoers how keen they’re to let go of their musical expectations and simply be keen to bop to regardless of the DJ decides to play,” Cureton added. “It’s unimaginable to please everybody on a regular basis, so perhaps it’d assist if all of us have been extra open-minded.”