Valentin Ragot

DJ for weddings.

Music on a wedding day can be a real brain-teaser. How to satisfy everyone while keeping something unique to the couple at the heart of the event?

My approach: discuss with the couple beforehand to build a great playlist of songs they would like to hear on the day, with some prioritized. It is of course possible to define a blacklist of songs not to play. We thus establish a common thread, with the moods to set throughout the evening. It is important for me to find the right balance between meeting their expectations and maintaining a certain freedom on my part. In summary: we define a framework together, but one that remains flexible.

I DJ during the cocktail hour and/or during the reception, each moment having its own musical ambiance.

Resident DJ in a dancing bar

DJ sets lasting at least 3 hours, with the aim of entertaining guests throughout the evening. General pop music, with touches of electro and techno.

I play the violin on certain tracks, when I feel the dancefloor can be receptive to it. I play many electronic tracks, some well-known, others less so. This original live performance adds a new dimension to the music, and very often fascinates the dancefloor. I have the necessary equipment to balance the sound between the music being played and my instrument.

Hosting blind tests, in sessions ranging from 45 minutes to an hour. I make people guess music ranging from 80s hits to very recent hits, including movie soundtracks. I encourage teams to create a fiery atmosphere to score extra points, which benefits the joyful and kind general atmosphere of the moment.

Learning to DJ as a self-taught musician was my main activity during lockdown. I wanted to combine this new skill with playing my instrument, having been a violinist since the age of 6. I loved the result; mixing and violin are very complementary in my eyes.

My musical curiosity is immense; I spend a lot of my time searching for new tracks. When I feel something interesting could emerge, I try playing the violin over it. If I'm convinced, I work on it and integrate it into my special violin playlist (as I don't play over every track I play).

What I enjoy most: mixing relatively underground gems with pop hits that bring everyone to the dancefloor.

My leitmotif: adapting to the needs of the gig. From a set of 2000s classics to a 100% techno set (my favorite), my range is wide. I respond to requests, while occasionally trying a few detours, introducing some sounds that fit directly with what they expect. My goal: to liven up the atmosphere and take people on a journey.

My journey in a few dates:

1998 - Started violin lessons

2020 - Started learning DJing

2022 - Launched my Mixcloud page

2023 - Resident DJ in a dancing bar in Paris 12th arrondissement

2024 - Began performing for weddings and companies