The Art of the Event Playlist (That People Actually Notice)

Most hosts underestimate how much the music matters. The right playlist can elevate a mediocre event; the wrong one can tank a great one.

The Golden Rules

**Start low, build up.** When guests arrive, they're settling in. Keep it mellow. As the night progresses and energy picks up, so should the tempo.

**No guilty pleasures at the start.** Save the bangers for when everyone's comfortable. Opening with aggressive EDM is a vibe killer.

**Match the event, not your taste.** Your personal favorites might not fit the room. A sophisticated dinner party doesn't need trap beats.

For a 3-hour event:

**Hour 1:** Chill vibes, conversational volume. Think lo-fi, acoustic covers, smooth jazz.

**Hour 2:** Slight energy bump. Classic hits people recognize but don't need to dance to.

**Hour 3:** Party mode if appropriate. The songs everyone knows and loves.

Crossfade. Set your music app to crossfade between tracks so there's no awkward silence. It makes everything feel more polished.

At the end of the day, it's background music. If people are talking and laughing, you've done your job.