Hosting a music themed party

Were you one of the thousands of people who struggled to get tickets to Glastonbury this year? We feel your pain. With acts like Coldplay, Dua Lipa, SZA and country superstar Shania Twain taking to the Legends stage, we know this year’s line-up is going to be amazing. 

Or perhaps the Eurovision Song Contest is more your style. You love nothing more than breaking out the glitter and singing along to ABBA or Sam Ryder at the top of your voice, while screaming in despair as once again, the UK receives ‘nil points.’

You might even be a huge Swiftie. As Taylor-mania takes over the UK this summer, it’s the perfect time to Shake it Off with a huge country/pop crossover in honour of the superstar’s record-breaking Eras Tour. Of course, if you haven’t yet seen the extravaganza on Disney+, the Eras movie is well worth watching if you have a spare three and a half hours!

We love organising events based around music themes. There’s so much fun and joy to be had in taking your favourite playlist and creating a musical extravaganza that makes you feel like you’re there at your favourite gig dancing like no one’s watching and singing your heart out. 

To get you in the mood for the UK’s musical vibes let’s look at how you can create a rocking music themed party, whatever your musical tastes.

Set the stage – is Glasto glam, Euro-glitter or local legends more your style?

Your first decision is to consider what vibe you want to go for. 

If Glasto glam is more your style, your music festival décor will focus heavily on colourful bunting, bright flags, fairy lights and plenty of scattered throws and cushions. Add in plenty of Oxfam, Greenpeace and WaterAid posters, and your guests will feel like they’ve walked into Worthy Farm!

For the Eurovision fanatics, there is no such as thing as too many disco balls, or too much glitter! With flag bunting from all 26 competing nations hung around the room, along with score cards at the ready and handheld Graham Norton masks, your guests will soon get swept away with the fun and excitement that only Eurovision can bring. 

Of course, if you’re searching for something more Brit-based for your music décor, why not go down a local legends memorabilia haul and showcase some of the most iconic Brit bands? You could decorate your venue with band posters, vinyl records, and Union Jack bunting. Why not add in some cardboard cut outs of some of the most iconic moments in UK music history? From Geri in her Union Jack dress at the Brit Awards 1997 to Freddie Mercury live on stage at Live Aid, you could take your guests on a musical history tour.

It all hinges on your musical playlist

Your music festival party success will hinge on your playlist. You want to have musical choices to capture your chosen theme, perhaps focusing on the 2024 headline acts or choosing iconic headlines from years gone by. 

If you are hosting a Glastonbury party, why not create a number of different playlists, each correlating to a different stage?

– Pyramid Stage Headliners: Start strong with the year’s headliners and other British rock staples like The Rolling Stones, Queen, Oasis, and Arctic Monkeys.

– Other Stage Gems: Throw in some Britpop with Pulp, Blur, and Elastica. Add a touch of indie with Florence + the Machine or Alt-J. 

– Festival Fun: Don’t forget some classic festival anthems like Mr. Blue Sky, Jolene, Dancing Queen, and Don’t Look Back in Anger.

For Eurovision parties, you could choose between winning cult classics, such as Waterloo, Making your Mind up or Ooh Aah…Just a little bit, or stick strictly to this years’ entrants. We LOVE the new song from Olly Alexander, this year’s entry – fingers crossed the rest of Europe love it too!

If you’re a Swiftie, your choice of playlist will almost certainly tell a lot about your preferred Era. Do you go for the country classics from Fearless, or the pop crossover of 1989? Perhaps dark and moody is more your jam, in which case you’ll be straight to Folklore or Evermore. Just make sure that whatever you choice, you stick to the (Taylor’s version)!

Once your playlists are sorted, you need to think about whether you want to hook up your Spotify playlist to your speaker system, invest in a DJ or hire a band to get the party started. While this will all depend on budget, we know that there are plenty of affordable options available to transform your musical playlist into that festival feeling. 

If you need suggestions or recommendations on how to enhance your musical stylings, please send us a short email – we can offer a variety of options that will match your party vibe and your budget.

Festival food is a winner

You won’t find fine dining at your local festival or pop concert…Instead, you’ll be inundated with a wide variety of food trucks, with options ranging from burgers and chips to Vietnamese, Italian, Indian, Caribbean, or Turkish delicacies. 

You can bring the joy of the food truck tastes straight to our party venue by setting up a variety of food stations offering classic festival fare:

– Burger Bar – We know how much we Brits love any excuse to bring out the BBQ. Why not have a wide range of toppings available, from the classic bacon and cheese to avocado or pulled jackfruit? The choice will add the festival flair without adding too much work or cost to your budget. 

– Veggie Delights – Don’t forget vegetarian and vegan options! Falafel wraps, veggie burgers and halloumi skewers are crowd-pleasers and easy to manage. Similarly, you could create a big batch of vegetable chilli – add some nachos and a cheese/cheese alternative topping, and you’ll have a quick and easy nacho recipe. 

– Sweet Treats – No festival is complete without sweet treats. You could offer mini doughnuts, break out the candy floss machine or bake some homemade cupcakes. The options are endless.

Eurovision food gives a chance to bring out the international snacks

If you’re planning on a Eurovision party, the opportunities are endless when it comes to international food choices. 

For those with a sweet tooth, why not ask each guest to suggest a delicacy from each country – perhaps gelato to represent Italy, chocolate to represent Belgium, Baklava from Greece… You could have a delicious range of tasty snacks to get the tastebuds excited. Perhaps even bringing out each food option as the acts take to the stage. 

Of course, if you’re searching for some sophisticated savouries, why not go for an international cheese board packed full of French Brie, Swiss Gruyere or even a German Allgäuer Emmentaler.

Festival Fun and Games

Festivals and gigs aren’t just about musical headlines. There are plenty of things to do beyond standing by the pyramid stage staking your spot. Why not ramp up the entertainment with a wide range of activities in the back garden? From giant Jenga to face painting and even karaoke, there’s plenty that you can do to entertain your guests while your band isn’t playing (if you choose a live band, that is). 

For Euro-parties, you absolutely need to have your scoreboards ready – perhaps with a prize on hand for the person with the closest guest to the eventual winner. 

Of course, we all know that it’s essentially impossible to attend a festival without posting on Instagram or TikTok – so why not bring in a photo booth complete with props to ramp up the entertainment?

We can help you turn your party into the event of the season – all you’ve got to do is pick up the phone and give us a call.

Don’t forget the festival essentials

To really ramp up the festival feel, it’s essential to look at those little extras that only come from festivals. So why not stock up on flower crowns, band t-shirts and glittery make-up? With wellies or flip-flops available for your guests, along with ample supplies of suncream, bug spray or rain ponchos, you’ll be ready for anything.

Talk to Inspired Occasions about hosting your next music themed party or event.

The great thing about music themed parties is that they can be tailored to almost any occasion. From an 18^th birthday party to a corporate summer social, they are great for low-key gatherings as well as larger celebrations. 

If you want to host a party that packs a punch,  drop us a line through our contact form or feel free to take a look at some of the wonderful artists we work with at The Entertainment Fixers.

As experienced party planners in Devon, we know how to get the most out of your event. From negotiating with suppliers, searching for the perfect venue and setting up the décor, you can sit back and relax, knowing that all the details are taken care of.

Alternatively, if you need any inspiration, why not head over to our Instagram or Facebook page.