Why an Alternative Wedding Sometimes Needs Pitbull: A Mixed Genre Wedding Playlist in Action

I specialise in alternative weddings. Rock, metal, emo, pop-punk, indie, punk, nu-metal – that’s the musical world I came from, and a big part of the…

Alternative Wedding Music Timeline – From Soft Indie to Nu-Metal: How an Alternative Wedding Can Get Heavier as the Night Goes On

If your ideal wedding playlist includes Fleet Foxes, Paramore, Rihanna, Limp Bizkit and Enter Shikari, you might reasonably wonder how on earth all of that is…

September 2026 Alternative Music Releases: What Caught My Ear This Week

Some weeks my Spotify Release Radar is brilliant. Other weeks it appears to have decided what I really need is seventeen acoustic versions, six remixes I…

Avenged Sevenfold STATICA Review: “What the FUCK Was That?!”

My Avenged Sevenfold STATICA review can be summed up by what I said aloud after hearing it for the first time: “What the FUCK was that?!”…

A Download Festival Wedding at Donington Park Farmhouse

As I’m writing this, thousands of rock and metal fans are revelling in Donington for this year’s Download Festival. For alternative music fans, Donington is hallowed…

Do Wedding DJs Use Set Playlists? How I Build Your Wedding Music Around You – and a little about wedding DJ playlists

One of the most common misunderstandings about wedding DJs is that we all arrive with a fixed “wedding DJ playlist” and then squeeze a few of…

🎧 Birthday DJ in the West Midlands – Rock & Metal Party Case Study (Lichfield)

🎯 The Brief If you’re looking for a birthday DJ in the West Midlands and wondering how to keep a mixed crowd happy, this is a…

Alternative Wedding DJ in Shrewsbury: A Wedding That Went from Shania Twain to System of a Down (and Somehow Worked)

Some weddings feel good. Some weddings go off. And then there are the ones where, at one point in the night, the bride sprints onto the…

How to Choose Wedding Music for You and Your Guests

One of the trickiest parts of planning a reception is how to choose wedding music for you and your guests. After all, it’s your wedding. The…

Alternative Wedding DJ in Staffordshire – Pete & Katie’s Emo & Nu-Metal Wedding

If you’re searching for an alternative Wedding DJ in Staffordshire, this is exactly what that looks like in real life. Pete and Katie didn’t want a…

Why You Should Book Your Wedding DJ Early (Even If the Music Feels Like a “Later” Decision)

When you’re planning a wedding, there’s a fairly predictable order things tend to get booked in.Venue. Photographer. Dress. Suits. Catering. Music often comes later — sometimes…

Alternative Wedding DJ: What That Actually Means (And What It Doesn’t)

If you’ve found yourself Googling “alternative wedding DJ”, there’s a good chance you already know what you don’t want — even if you’re not totally sure…

Inside an Indie Club Set in Birmingham – From Friday Night to Indie Wedding DJ Energy

If you’re looking for an indie wedding DJ in Birmingham, one of the questions you’re probably asking yourself is: What does that actually mean? Is it…

Rock DJ in Birmingham: A Real Subside Bar Setlist (From Sigur Rós to Slipknot Energy)

It’s been a while since I shared a proper Subside Bar setlist. As a rock DJ in Birmingham, I should probably be showing you what I…

Alternative Wedding Clothing: Why I Keep Pointing People to Kate’s Clothing

As an alternative wedding DJ, I get asked about my boots, hair, and outfits almost as much as I get asked for requests. At pretty much…

🎶 Chaos, Curves & Curveballs: An Alternative Wedding DJ in Derbyshire Finale at Grangefields

🛠️ A Season Finale Like No Other After 28 weddings this year, my final wedding job of the 2025 season turned out to be one of…

⚡ Industrial meets Indie: A Wedding DJ Setlist for the Non-Traditional Crowd – An Alternative Wedding DJ in London

There’s something especially satisfying about a wedding where the brief is “absolutely no ABBA — but also, don’t be afraid to drop the Macarena if the…

🎸 Alternative Wedding DJ in Bath – Will & Miran’s Epic Halloween Bash at Priston Mill

Being an alternative wedding DJ in Bath means not every night ends with ABBA — but sometimes, it totally does. On 31st October 2025, I headed…

Wedding DJ vs Spotify Playlist: Which One Is Right for Your Wedding?

Trying to decide between a wedding DJ vs Spotify playlist? It’s a common question — and one I get asked more than you’d think. If you…

The Moments that made being an Alt Wedding DJ at Emma & Rebekah’s Fazeley Studios Celebration Great!

Introduction When couples search for an Alt Wedding DJ, they’re usually looking for something outside of the usual cheesy wedding playlist. That’s exactly what Emma &…

Your Wedding DJ Consultation: What It’s For, What to Expect, & How To Get The Best Out Of It

When you book me for your wedding, you’re not just booking someone to press play on a Spotify playlist and this is presumably one of the…

Skanking in Leopard Print – A Jolly Ska Punk Wedding at Lykke, Sheffield

There’s something deeply satisfying about a good ska punk wedding. It’s loud. It’s joyful. It’s slightly chaotic in the best way. Ali and Jonny’s wedding celebration…

Fun Times Being a Wedding DJ in Nottingham – Pop-Punk Meets Soul at Cosy Club

If you’re after a wedding DJ in Nottingham who understands how to make a playlist feel like you, who can juggle Slipknot, ABBA, Paramore, and Big…

An Epic Day of Sad Goodbyes and Rad Guitars: DJing an Alternative Club Night in Birmingham

Friday was one of those long, layered days—the kind that wraps work, grief, music, and friendship into one emotional journey. I was up at 6:30am, loading…

Raining Men and Reigning Men: A Night to Remember at The Actress & Bishop

What. A. Night. 🎶🔥 Friday at The Actress & Bishop was one for the books—a packed venue, a buzzing dancefloor from start to finish, and some…

A Perfect Blend of Whimsy, Edge, and Celebration: Unforgettable Pop-Punk and Emo Wedding DJ Experience at Chris & Kim’s

If you’ve ever dreamed of a pop-punk and emo wedding filled with personality, high-energy tunes, and unforgettable moments, Chris and Kim’s big day at Highfield House…

So, You Thought I Only Played Metal? Let’s Clear That Up… By Curtis Allen – Versatile Wedding DJ

Wait… Did He Just Drop Bruno Mars? If you’ve seen me advertised as a rock and alternative DJ, you might have certain expectations and “versatile wedding…

Why Do People Mosh? The Science of Mosh Pits: Why We Love Getting Knocked Around to Music.

Why do people mosh? While I am a wedding DJ, I’m an alt wedding DJ who grew up in the alternative scene. I’ve been in a…

What to Do When a Band Plays Your Planned Songs – A DJ’s Perspective

A Night at The Victoria – Scott’s 40th Birthday Bash Last weekend, I had the pleasure of DJing Scott’s 40th birthday at The Victoria Birmingham, and…

A Feel-Good Night: DJ Set at The Actress & Bishop – 28th February 2025

‘Last Nite’, on Friday, 28th February 2025, I had the pleasure of DJing at The Actress & Bishop, delivering an electrifying mix of indie anthems, classic…

State Champs, Student Night & A Pop-Punk Takeover at Subside! 🎸🔥

Wednesday night at Subside was an absolute riot! With State Champs playing over the road at the O2 Institute, it was no surprise that loads of…

15 Albums That Influenced Me: OK Computer by Radiohead: The Album That Made Me Cry

A personal reflection on how this album shaped me A Facebook Challenge That Made Me Look Back Recently, I was nominated in a Facebook challenge to…

£100 Off Mid-Week Wedding DJ Bookings: The Smart Choice for Your Wedding🎶💍

Are you planning a Monday-Thursday wedding and looking for the perfect alternative mid-week wedding DJ? Great news—I’m now offering £100 off mid-week weddings booked before June…

Subside Bar – Wednesday 5th Feb 2025 🎶 | with DJ Curtis Allen; Birmingham Rock and Metal DJ

🔥 Birmingham’s Ultimate Alternative Club Night with DJ Curtis Allen 🎧 If you’re looking for the best Birmingham rock and metal DJ, Subside Bar is where…

15 Albums That Influenced Me: Dookie by Green Day: The Album That Made Me Fall in Love with Pop-Punk

I Got Nominated in This Challenge, So I Am Posting 15 Albums That Heavily Influenced Me. Album 2 of 15: Dookie by Green Day There are…

15 Albums That Influenced Me: Starting With Alanis Morissette’s Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie

I got nominated in this challenge on Facebbook, so I am posting 15 albums that heavily influenced me. Album 1 of 15:Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie by Alanis…

My First Subside Wednesday for a Couple of Years!

Just posting my setlist from last Wednesday at Subside. I was most happy to play some Vulkan, Bilmuri, The Virginmarys, Cassyette, Hot Mulligan, We Came As…

Subside DJ Setlist: Highlights from a Night of Rock, Metal, Emo, and More

My Subside DJ setlist on November 2nd was a showcase of diverse music that spanned rock, metal, emo, and more, creating an unforgettable experience for everyone…

Alternative Wedding DJ at York House: Lucy & Nathan’s Rock and Metal-Inspired Celebration

As an alternative wedding DJ, there’s something special about creating a wedding experience that truly reflects the couple’s unique style. Lucy and Nathan’s celebration at York…

I Wrote a Guest Blog Post for Kate’s Clothing, Exploring the World of Gothic Fashion and Music

I’m thrilled to share that I recently wrote a guest blog post for Kate’s Clothing, delving into the fascinating relationship between gothic fashion and music. If…

Birmingham Wedding DJ: An Incredible Night of Pop Punk, Bollywood, and Bhangra at The Old Library, Digbeth – 28th October

Now, I am a Birmingham wedding DJ, but I get to play at a lot of incredible celebrations at venues all over the country. However, there’s…

A Rollin’ Wedding!

Spin Sins: Why Last-Minute Song Requests Can Be Tricky for DJs

As a DJ, I love taking requests. But every DJ knows the scenario: it’s the end of the night, the dance floor is winding down, and…

Spin Sins: Making Song Requests at Events… Without a Song in Mind: A DJ’s Perspective

As a DJ, one of the most puzzling moments is when someone approaches the booth to make a request—only to realise they don’t actually know what…

When “Hypa Hypa” Meets Wedding Dance Floors: The Explosive Rock and Metal Wedding DJ Experience

As a rock and metal wedding DJ, I’m always excited when couples choose something outside the norm for their big day. Last autumn, I had the…

Spin Sins – DJ Song Requests: “Play Something I Can Dance To” Requests: A DJ’s Perspective

As a DJ, one of the most common requests I hear is “Can you play something I can dance to?” It sounds simple enough, right? But…

A Night to Remember with an Alternative Wedding DJ in Stafford at Standon Hall

Last night, I had the pleasure of being the alternative wedding DJ in Stafford for Anthony Chadwick and Emma Smallman’s wedding at Standon Hall. The night…

Rocking Subside: A Night of Architects, Bury Tomorrow, Parkway Drive, In Flames, and More

Last night at Subside was nothing short of epic. The night kicked off with a heavy dose of Parkway Drive and Bury Tomorrow, setting the stage…

This Week’s Spotify Release Radar: Some Gems Amidst the Noise

Well, there’s not long until it gets superceded on Friday, but my Spotify Release Radar on Spotify this week didn’t exactly set my world on fire,…

Wedding DJ Tips – How to Keep the Dance Floor Alive at Your Wedding, No Matter the Challenges

Planning the perfect wedding reception is no small feat, especially when it comes to ensuring that the dance floor stays packed all night. As a wedding…

How I Created the Perfect Atmosphere as a Non-Cheesy Wedding DJ at Ben and Isobel’s Bistrotheque Wedding

Getting Set Up and Making Connections: Early Arrival and Preparation This weekend, I had the pleasure of DJing not one, but two weddings! Ben and Isobel’s…

2000 Trees Festival 2024: A Weekend to Remember!

Last weekend, I had the pleasure of attending the 2000 Trees Festival, an incredible experience filled with music, fun, and some unique surprises. Kate and I…

The Unpredictable Wedding of Fred and Fred.

The Venue On June 22, 2024, I had the absolute pleasure of DJing one of my favorite unpredictable weddings to date: the wedding of Fred and…

Spotify Release Radar Reviews: First Impressions and Future Listens

Hey music lovers! 🎶 Sometimes, my Spotify Release Radar can be a little disappointing, with it having selected artists I’m not that fussed about, or an…

Rosie and Matt’s Lovely Alrewas Hayes Wedding

I had the absolute pleasure of being the DJ for Rosie and Matt’s wedding last night at Alrewas Hayes Wedding Venue in Staffordshire. It was a…

A Memorable Ska Punk Wedding at Gemma and Alastair’s Celebration

Date: June 1, 2024Venue: The American Museum, Claverton Manor, Claverton Down, Bath A week on from my last wedding set, on June 1, 2024, Gemma Atwell…

A Magical Circus-Themed Wedding at Mapperley Farm: A DJ’s Perspective

A Circus-Themed Wedding The circus-themed wedding I DJed for The Best Men Wedding DJs at Mapperley Farm Events Venue last Saturday (25th May 2024) for Joe…

The Joy of DJing: A Subside Set to Remember

Being a DJ is not just a job—it’s a passion that breathes life into every event, turning moments into unforgettable memories. Last night’s set at Subside,…

The Ultimate Wedding DJ Experience: Turning Challenges into Unforgettable Nights

Hey everyone! I’m here to share the rollercoaster ride of my latest gig as a wedding DJ for The Best Men, where every moment is a…

4th May at the Actress

A Rockin’ Night at The Actress & Bishop: 4th May 2024 Hello everyone! I’m excited to share a recap of my recent gig at The Actress…

A Night to Remember: DJing at Subside After Alice in Chains UK

A Night to Remember: DJing at Subside After Alice in Chains UK Last night at Subside was fun! I had the pleasure of DJing at Subside…

My First Weekend at Actress & Bishop: A Playlist That Rocked the Night

Hey everyone! I’m excited to share my experience of DJing my first-ever weekend night at the Actress & Bishop after over a year of playing on…

A Saturday Night at Subside Bar.

A really fun night this Saturday at the bar I started DJing at 17 years ago, Subside! 10 hours of DJing, a full bar including some…

A Long Drive and a Fun Wedding!

Last Saturday, I DJed the wedding of Nathan and Alexandra at the lovely venue of Doxford Barns in Chathill, which I think is the furthest I’ve…