INTRODUCTION
Karaoke is an amazing night out, filled with laughter and great times. You might be wondering if there’s such a thing as karaoke etiquette. Well, we’ve consulted our top KJ and compiled the definitive list of dos and don’ts to ensure everyone has the best time possible.
DONT INVADE THE STAGE
It’s not acceptable to jump in on someone else’s performance or join in uninvited. Let the person singing have their moment in the spotlight. This also applies to spontaneous backing dancers who might appear next to the singer. Stealing the attention doesn’t come off well. Furthermore, if there is a second microphone present, it does not serve as an invitation for you to join in unless explicitly asked by the singer. In short: Put down the microphone!
BE SUPPORTIVE
Karaoke often reveals some hidden singing talents, but it also sees its fair share of nervous newcomers mumbling through songs. It’s all meant to be fun, so even if someone sounds more like Bridget Jones than Tom Jones, give them a cheer at the end. Always be kind, regardless of their performance.
NO MIC DROPS
Unless you’re winning a rap battle, there’s no justification for dropping the microphone. It might seem funny, but it frustrates the KJ since the equipment is expensive and needs careful handling. Don’t ruin the equipment just because you nailed an Eminem track.
PESTERING THE KJ / DJ
Constantly asking the KJ about your position in the queue can be as annoying as someone hovering over you at work with endless questions. At The Karaoke Company, our state-of-the-art equipment allows you to see the singer queue on the monitor – quite swish, right? This means no more lost slips of paper!
ASKING TO QUEUE JUMP
Your KJ hears all sorts of excuses about why someone deserves to skip the queue. Trust us, your KJ knows what they’re doing and aims to treat everyone fairly. The queue is the queue. If you’re British, you already know how important it is to queue properly – it’s practically in our DNA!
DONT REQUEST MULTIPLE SONGS AT ONCE
It’s easy to get carried away with your favourite tunes, but karaoke isn’t meant to showcase just one person in concert. Submitting a block of songs isn’t fair to others. You’re welcome to choose more songs later in the evening. KJs will often break up or possibly delete a list of songs submitted by one person to ensure everyone gets a turn.
FINAL THOUGHTS
In conclusion, take a leaf out of Aretha Franklin’s book: when enjoying karaoke, show a little R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Respect your KJ, the equipment, and most importantly, your fellow karaoke participants. Karaoke is all about having fun, drinking a bit, and being merry. Follow our etiquette tips for a fantastic night out.
