For the first time in over two years, we were back at Maidens Barn last week…..twice! Just wedding booking coincidence meant the long trek from Thurrock to High Easter on both Thursday & Saturday, so I thought I’d share my thoughts on the venue itself…. For a DJ, there are two dream scenarios and they were both here! One is easy access….there’s nothing worse than facing stairs/doors/winding corridors/goods lifts, and thankfully at Maidens Barn, you unload your van right next to the stage door and within two yards you’re right where you need to set up. It’s also curtained off,

Last night, I had the rather unfortunate task of playing a gig at possibly the lowest volume levels I have ever experienced in my 25-year career. Picture the scene…..a large and very well-presented marquee in the grounds of Shenley Cricket Club in Herts…..almost two hundred guests in very good spirits…….fabulously helpful and friendly staff….a dream scenario for any DJ. Until they introduced me to their sound-limiting system…… Unlike other sound monitoring technology which simply cuts the power if you get too loud, this one had the ability to reduce the levels directly fed to my speakers, thus preventing any total silence

The original blog of our Unofficial Venue Guide to the Mangapp Manor has been removed at the request of the venue’s management team. If you would like to know our DJ-perspective critique of the Mangapp Manor (or any other venue that we have played) then please email us via the Contact page.

As part of our guide to the ‘party-worthiness’ of certain venues that we’ve frequented, we come to a venue which now uses us as their recommended resident DJ service. The Manor was formerly the famous/infamous Berwick Manor, the scene of some great house music raves in the late 80’s and early 90’s. That building was destroyed by fire some time ago, and the new hotel built in it’s place is a little gem! Aimed mainly at the smaller wedding functions (up to 150 evening guests), it is a very smart, modern and high quality venue. The main room is quite

Just had my first taste of playing at this venue…..and I loved it! A DJ’s dream to be honest, everything is already installed and immaculately so too. It makes such a refreshing change for a venue to actually spend good money on installing sound and lighting equipment to a high spec. The whole dancefloor area is very much like a nightclub interior – black soundproofed walls, purpose-built DJ booth, large wooden dancefloor and overhead speakers. It’s all been put together very tastefully indeed. The dancefloor opens out into a large marquee-style room with star-cloth ceilings and drapes, again looking very

Here’s another (personal) review of a venue I find myself at on many occasions throughout the year. Remember, it’s not a comment on their food, drink or services…it’s just an opinion from the DJ’s perspective on how ‘party-worthy’ the function suites are…. The Monks Barn Quite a large room, holding up to 180 guests I reckon, and with great old charm character. Access is a bit of a trek for DJs, and so setting up before the meal is advisable. ‘Stage’ area is good and faces down the long hall. Unfortunately the bar is behind the DJ, in a separate

What can I say?…My old haunt…..1994-2008 as resident DJ…it has now been rebuilt following the devasting fire of 2007. And what a fantasic looking job too! The Whitmore Suite From the brief glimpse I got whilst visiting a working colleague, very modern and plush. The DJ’s position was a bit cramped and the dance floor quite small, but it did appear classy. Not as big and spacious as the old Whitmore Suite though, which was always a favourite of mine. Access for equipment is good (no stairs!). The Gold Room I love this suite! Perfect size and shape for most

As one of the foremost Essex mobile disco service providers, I will be reviewing some of the more prestigious and popular wedding venues over the coming months. Please bear in mind that I’m not commenting on the hotel rooms, the food or the service…it’s purely based upon how the function suites are conducive to a good party atmosphere. There are a number of factors about the lay-out of a venue that can affect the whole ambience of the night, and below are a few pointers from the DJs perspective… Starting with the Ivy Suite (Ivy Hill), it’s a small L-shaped suite with the bar in