DJs get you party ready for NYE!

DJ Suketu

Party-goers, says DJ Suketu, are certain that their New Year's Eve bash this year, will be on track. "Over the last few years, there have been cancellations, because, it appears, during winters, like in December, the [coronavirus] spreads faster. This year, however, people are confident that parties will happen," says the sought-after DJ, who gears up for his year-end set. After a two-year lull, Bollywood film music, he says, has returned to establish its mighty grasp on music listeners. "Lots of movies have released, and there has been enough opportunity to unveil new music." However, the gamut of independent music that caught the attention of music listeners will also get a platform on the biggest night of the year, because, "we didn't get the chance to play these amazing tracks [on NYE] in the past two years."

He adds, "I had been so busy creating remixes that I never got the chance to make original songs. But, since 2020, I've made eight originals."

About 35 per cent of his set list, he says, will feature independent music. "The rest is, of course, Bollywood."

The DJ on his top five NYE songs

1.Besharam rang, from Pathaan: The song is doing unbelievably well. It is an overnight hit. After the [negative] publicity, people want to listen to it more. That publicity has given it a push.
2. Kesariya, from Brahmastra: Part One - Shiva: It has a super vibe and gives a listener goose-bumps. I create [a variety] of dance remixes to it.
3.Baazigar, by Divine
4.Bahana, by Akull
5.Jugnu, by Badshah

DJ Aqeel

The releases of Shah Rukh Khan's Pathaan are the first that DJ Aqeel lists when highlighting how Bollywood music has returned to the limelight this year. "Both Besharam rang and Jhoome jo Pathaan are brilliant [songs], and are performing well. Apart from Bollywood, techno music has really picked up as well. Also, a lot of young indie artistes seem to have come out of the blue, and are really doing well," says the musician, adding that his NYE set-list will have an equal distribution of indie songs and Bollywood tracks.

1. Jhoome jo pathaan, from Pathaan -
2. Tu maan meri jaan, by King
3. Jeda nasha, from An Action Hero
4. Besharam rang, from Pathaan
5. Yai re, by Honey Singh

DJ Zaeden

For party-goers who like to keep an arm's length from Bollywood music, Zaeden's playlist can serve as inspiration. "I don't have Bollywood music in my set-list because I have't done anything in that space. My set primarily has my own music, and a few covers of English songs. I will include an upcoming release that has received positive feedback across all the shows that I have recently played it at," says the singer.

Also Read: Shaleena Nathani on styling Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone for 'Besharam Rang': 'Was eager to make this song look like nothing you've ever seen before'

1. Gul, by Anuv Jain
2. Iraadey, by Abdul Hanan
3. Beqaabo, by Oaff
4. Out of time, by The Weeknd
5. Titi me pregungto, by Bad Bunny

DJ Carnivore

Once an electronic music aficionado, DJ Carnivore was quick to realise that he can win the favour of listeners with Bollywood music. "Nothing competes with that in this country. For NYE, that will be my top priority. It is easy to adapt, and people love to groove to it."

He confesses his set-list will primarily comprise songs from the movies, which will be recreated to include elements from electronic dance music (EDM). "I call it BDM, that is Bollywood Dance Music. This is a powerful [genre in India], and most DJs across the country employ this."

1. Pasoori, by Ali Sethi and Shar Gill
2. Maan meri jaan, by King
3. Makhna, from Drive
4. Nach punjaban, from Jugjugg Jeeyo
5. Jungnu, by Badshah

Create your own home-party anthem

While Suketu believes that the array of playlists available on streaming platforms have been curated deftly enough for one to simply hit play, he shares tips on the genre of songs that self-appointed DJs can select for their home party playlists

1. From 8.00 pm to 9.00 pm
This is when the guests will begin to arrive, so you don't want to bombard them with party numbers. Pick a deep house playlist to get them into the groove. However, choose commercial deep house music. Selecting Hindi songs [belonging to the genre] will be ideal.

2. From 10.00 pm to 11.00 pm
This is when you can add in-your-face commercial pop music. Pick artistes like Pitbull and The Weeknd. Because people know them, and like their work, their mixes will be appreciated.

3. 11.00 pm to 1.00 am
This is when people really want to let their hair down and have a good time. Pick Bollywood!

4. After 1.00 am

Anything will work. In fact, people will tell you what to play.