How to Choose the Right Entertainment for Your Guest Demographic
No one wants to plan a company event where half the room is glued to their phones and the other half quietly slips out after dinner. Yet it happens more often than most planners admit.
When you're dealing with a mixed-age audience, the entertainment you choose can make (or break) the evening. The challenge? Finding performers who can connect with everyone in the room, from senior leadership to entry-level staff, from Boomers to Gen Z.
At Dennis Smith Entertainment, we’ve mastered the art of demographic-aware entertainment. Our goal isn't to make every guest love every moment. It's to design an experience that makes everyone feel included, seen, and connected.
Know Your Audience (And Go Beyond Headcounts)
Before booking talent, take a closer look at your guest list. Demographic awareness is key. Think less about numbers and more about who will be in the room.
Start by considering age:
Gen Z (born 1997–2012) tends to favor high-energy, interactive experiences. They love genre-mixing and anything that feels shareable or immersive.
Millennials (1981–1996) are nostalgic for 90s and early 2000s music. They appreciate events that feel curated rather than generic.
Gen X (1965–1980) enjoys 80s and 90s hits, but don’t underestimate their openness to current music when it’s done well.
Boomers (1946–1964) often prefer entertainment that’s polished, familiar, and not too loud during dinner, but still lively enough for dancing later.
But age isn’t the only lens to consider. Corporate hierarchy also shapes expectations.
Executives may expect sophistication and restraint. Junior staff may want to let loose. Clients may expect a performance that reflects your brand voice.
Choose Music That Connects Generations
You don’t have to play “Bohemian Rhapsody” and hope everyone sings along (though they probably will). The smartest planners use musical bridges: songs, artists, or genres that resonate across age groups.
Go-To Bridge Artists and Styles
Prince, Madonna, Michael Jackson
Stevie Wonder, Earth, Wind & Fire
Bruno Mars, Adele, The Weeknd (modern with vintage flair)
These names consistently win over both older and younger crowds. That’s why bands like Party on the Moon and Funk Cake keep them in rotation, because they work.
Avoid ultra-niche genres unless you’re absolutely sure of your audience. That doesn’t mean go generic. It means a balance of familiarity with freshness.
When in doubt, go with songs that have proven themselves over decades. These tracks have universal appeal, high energy, and just enough nostalgia to bring Boomers and Gen Z to the same dance floor.
Cross-Generational Crowd-Pleasers
“September” – Earth, Wind & Fire: A no-fail party starter. Funky, joyful, and familiar to nearly every age group.
“Uptown Funk” – Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars: Modern production with retro vibes—Millennials love it, Boomers recognize the style, and Gen Z dances anyway.
“Don’t Stop Believin’” – Journey: A go-to anthem. You’ll catch singalongs from Gen X to Gen Z.
“Crazy in Love” – Beyoncé ft. Jay-Z: High-energy, rhythmic, and iconic. Works especially well for dance floor openers.
“Superstition” – Stevie Wonder: Soulful, upbeat, and undeniably groovy.
“Shake It Off” – Taylor Swift: Clean, fun pop with universal sing-along appeal—great for mid-event energy boosts.
“Can’t Stop the Feeling!” – Justin Timberlake: Pure feel-good energy. Works for cocktail hour, awards transitions, or early dance sets.
“Levitating” – Dua Lipa: Trendy with a disco-inspired beat. Familiar enough for older guests, fresh enough for younger ones.
“Hey Ya!” – Outkast: Unexpected, playful, and irresistible. Even non-dancers get into it.
“I Wanna Dance with Somebody” – Whitney Houston: A vocal powerhouse and crowd magnet, often sparks the night's turning point.
Bonus Tip
A good entertainment partner (like Dennis Smith Entertainment) will know how to work these songs into the flow, not just drop them in randomly. It’s about building energy, timing the transitions, and reading the room—song by song.
Live Band vs. DJ vs. Hybrid Approaches
Each entertainment format offers distinct advantages for multi-demographic events:
Live Bands: They create energy through visual performance elements and musicianship. They excel at reading the room and adjusting their energy level to match the crowd. Jessie's Girls, for instance, brings choreographed performance elements that engage even non-dancers through visual spectacle.
DJs: Corporate DJs offer unmatched musical versatility and the ability to pivot quickly based on crowd response. They can seamlessly blend eras and genres that would be challenging for a single band to master. For younger-skewing events, DJs can incorporate current hits that might not translate as well to live performance.
Hybrid DJ/Live Musician Combinations: These provide the best of both worlds. Club Jam with DJ Babey Drew exemplifies this approach, pairing a world-class DJ with live percussionists, horn players, and electric violin. This format delivers both the sonic flexibility of a DJ with the visual engagement of live performers.
Energy Mapping Your Event
Rather than thinking of entertainment as a single decision, consider how energy should flow throughout your event. Most successful corporate functions include:
Background/ambient music during arrivals and networking
Transitional entertainment that signals program changes
Focal performance moments that command attention
High-energy celebration periods that encourage participation
By mapping these needs against your timeline, you can design an entertainment progression that supports each phase of your event while accommodating different engagement preferences across demographics.
Customization Is Key: Work With a Partner, Not a Playlist
The difference between adequate and exceptional corporate entertainment often comes down to customization; not just of the music itself, but the entire presentation and flow.
The Collaborative Approach
At Dennis Smith Entertainment, we view the planning process as a true collaboration. Rather than simply offering standardized packages, we engage in detailed consultation to understand:
Your organization's culture and brand identity
Specific demographic breakdown of attendees
Program flow and key moments
Physical venue considerations
Budget parameters and priorities
This information informs everything from musician selection to setlist curation, costuming choices, and technical production requirements.
For a recent association gala with members spanning three generations, we began planning three months out with multiple consultation calls. These discussions shaped not just song selection but performance styling, stage presentation, and even specific musical arrangements that would resonate with their unique membership.
Final Thoughts: It's Not About Pleasing Everyone
You’re not trying to make every guest love every song. You’re aiming to make every guest feel included, acknowledged, and energized.
That’s the magic of a well-curated entertainment experience: it reads the room, adapts in real time, and unites your audience, no matter how diverse.
Ready to Create a Musical Experience That Works for Everyone?
Contact Dennis Smith Entertainment today and let us help you design entertainment that speaks to your guests, your brand, and your moment.
We bring decades of experience, elite-level performers, and the insight to craft something truly unforgettable, no matter who's in the room.
