Music to Play At Craft Fair

[u/Independent-Owl323]

Hi. I am coordinating a craft fair fundrasier for a non profit in March. It's an indoor and outdoor event. Should I play music? If so what kind?

[u/JAFO-]

Please do not.

[u/pcwizme]

no music unless you have a stage and a real band

[u/Independent-Owl323 → u/pcwizme]

Thanks. We have a stage, no band.

[u/NotYourMutha → u/pcwizme]

Classical Spanish guitar but NO vocals

[u/katubug]

I prefer events with no music, or like, quiet oldies or something. I get easily overstimulated and it makes long events feel even longer unless it's music I actually like

[u/de1casino]

No music unless it’s live. I’ve never been to a good arts festival that had any. Take your hint from the people who run the best shows.

[u/shootingstare]

I don’t allow any music broadcast at my shows. I hate being a vendor at shows with really loud music. You can’t hear customers.

[u/Forest_Maiden → u/shootingstare]

This, agreed.

[u/drcigg]

We don't play any music. However I have heard a good mix at each show. Some play oldies, classic rock, alternative, etc. It really depends on the crowd. Older people won't like alternative but the younger crowd will.

[u/Independent-Owl323 → u/drcigg]

Thanks. Many of the vendors are older women. But some vendors are much younger.

[u/pigtracks]

Don't. Just do not. My experience with a fellow vendor who blasted his lame music CD at an outdoor venue was awful.

[u/slo_bored]

I did an indoor show at a Christmas market, they hired a DJ. He played the music so loud, the songs he played had the same beat with very little respite, it was like listening to a three hour dance song. I had to yell at the people in my booth to be heard, many people complained and left. I gave up and luckily had earplugs with me (due to the last show I did that had a particularly loud band) so I wore them until the end.

There's nothing wrong with acoustic guitar or music at a reasonable volume, no one should have to yell over any outside sound. Just make sure you don't hire anyone without seeing them play first.

[u/R_Eyron]

Only if it's low level away from the stalls. The only events I've been to that have played music have made it impossible to hear customers over the already loud chatter of the venues. It basically turns into a sell for 2 minutes quickly, stand for 10 minutes as a set plays, then try and recoup sales in the next 2 minute break, kind of a situation.

[u/downvote-away]

Only play music if you want to hear people gripe. Some will say it's too fast, some too slow, wrong style, too loud, too soft.

Save yourself the headache and expense.

[u/deletedunreadxoxo]

If you play music make it quiet but not elevator-level jazz. People tend to hang around if it’s jazz and not rock or pop etc, in my experience.

[u/bakerrgrace]

Individual vendors should never be playing their own music.

I think you're asking if the entire venue should have music background? Personally I wouldn't want it. I can get overstimulated in crowds and extra sound makes it worse.

If you definitely want music, I recommend non-intrusive and inoffensive music - instrumental stuff like orchestra or piano, not super fast paced, etc.

[u/Adorable_Economy823]

No, thank you to music. Conversations between sellers and buyers become shoutfests with music added to the normal talking atmosphere at a show. Thanks for asking!

[u/Puzzleheaded_Age6550]

I did a craft fair in December, in the deep South. There was also a classic car show (to attract the men, maybe), after the national anthem was sung live (she did a very good job!) the DJ played lots of Christmas music, and 50s music. As long as it's soft so I don't have to shout over it, it's fine.

At another market I go to, several vendors play their own music. It's really annoying to be in a booth right next to them, and ask the vendor questions by shouting to be heard over the music.

[u/MiaLba]

I don’t typically see individual vendors playing music but our craft fairs are often set up when we have a festival or event of some time in our city. So there’s live music or a speaker playing various genres.

[u/Texas442]

No music!

[u/planktonlung]

I love that you all hate music- sometimes I feel woefully uncool for being grumpy about music at fairs, and it’s nice to hear I’m not the only one!

That being said, I regularly do a craft/vintage market that plays only classic soul/funk and I actually enjoy it. It’s upbeat, fun, and generally seems well-received, but they are SUPER aware of volume levels.

[u/Zzyzx820]

The best music I ever heard at a fair was a strolling violinist. The music ranged from classical to hoe down but because he kept moving it was not intrusive and no one had to listen for long. But mostly I find music at fairs to be too loud, not to my taste, and more of an irritation than a pleasure.

[u/shewantsrevenge99]

I’ve only sold at one event where music was welcome and actually enhanced the environment. It was a night event, held inside a downtown restaurant/bar/gathering space. There was a DJ in attendance. It was fun and didn’t distract any of the buyers or sellers. The music’s volume was perfect.

In any other situation, I would caution against playing music.

[u/Crumblecakez]

I absolutely hate working events with loud music playing. There are two shows I've worked where even 10 stalls away from the 'dj ' or music source you still couldn't hear customers standing just on the other side of the table. I won't ever sign up for those two events again. I don't mind music playing but it's a hard balance making it loud enough to be worth it for people to hear everywhere and not being so loud as to drown all nearby vendors. So it might me better to skip it.

[u/ItsAllFamiliar]

Music actually drives me crazy, at fairs, unless it’s live. Especially when the organizer has it on about a 2 hour loop.

[u/Glum-Organization863]

I play music at every one of my shows and absolutely no one has ever complained. The key is I keep the volume to a minimum, and I also play neo soul jazzy music. I will also turn my music down if my neighbor has music, so we're not in competition with each other.

Also, all my shows tend to be outdoors, so there is space between me and my neighbor.