So, you’ve arrived at uni, met your flatmates, doubtless know what course they do and you’re probably gearing up to go out for whatever freshers’ event that you’ve all forked out for. But there’s a problem.
You just met these people. There’s no escaping that fact. And you’re not about to go out stone cold sober, which means you’re about to be subject to pre-drinks.
An age-old ritual that has been passed down through generations of uni students, and usually accompanied by some of the weirdest drinking games known to man. But in these early days, you need something to ease this getting-to-know period. Something to get out over the awkward silences and pass over the wan smiles. Something to build some common ground upon.
This bitch needs some music.
But what to play when you’ve known the room for a combined day? Well Forge has some tips to get the ball rolling and although there’s no one-size-fits-all playlist for every pre’s occasion, these should help make sure these first few pre-drink sessions go down a treat.
Keep it simple
First things first (and this seems a bit counter-intuitive given I’m writing a list on it) but don’t overthink this. Keep it simple. And that doesn’t just mean don’t stress it. It means just keep it basic, at least these first times over. You’re only going to need an hour or two max, so you really don’t need to dig too deep into any weird alcoves of music to build a solid playlist. And honestly you probably shouldn’t. I don’t care how much you like this acid fusion jazz Tarquin, it’s not going to be everyone’s cup of tea, no?
So, rule one: keep it simple.
Throwbacks rule
I love a throwback tune, you love a throwback tune, we all bloody love a throwback tune. So pile them into your playlist! There’s something special about certain songs that cross every border possible to join a room in mass hysteria. Case and point for me is ‘American Boy’ by Estelle. I hadn’t heard it in years before coming to uni and now it’s a pres staple. Finding those few tracks that can change a mood of a room from slightly sombre to full-on party is tricky, but once found they’re as precious as gold and chances are, they’ll be throwback tunes.
Make it collaborative
Now, the worst thing to have at the start of the year (until you establish a resident DJ at least) is having someone gatekeep the music. Harking back to not everyone wanting to listen to what only you might like, it’s even worse when people don’t have a say in it. So, make your playlist collaborative, get a spotify session going, or ask people if they want to queue anything. Now not everyone is going to want to get involved, but as long as the options open, everyone’s happy and you can get a grasp of everyone’s music taste. It’s a win-win.
Don’t skip the track
This kind of comes under gate keeping but I feel like it needs its own separate point. There’s nothing worse when you’ve queued a song than hearing the first few seconds before having that little moment of music ripped away from you by someone deciding that their music opinion trumps all, and that your song doesn’t live up to their standards. Of course, this does come with a catch, as sometimes a song just doesn’t hit as it should or kills the current mood, but if you’re new around these people it’s always safest to get some group consensus before skipping. You got to put yourself in whoever’s queued the song’s shoes. If you wouldn’t want your song brushed aside, don’t be a dick and do it to someone else.
Indulge in the guilty pleasures
Guilty pleasure songs are beautiful and honestly sometimes I don’t even know why they’re guilty. Certain songs at a certain level of tipsy just slap. I like to think I take my own music taste and opinion reasonably seriously, but if the Vengaboys come on, I’m all over that jam and I’ll say that proudly. Now there is a fine line to skirt between the right amount of these kind of songs and a cheesier mess than trying to make nachos while drunk, so it’s one you’re going to have to gauge but a general rule of thumb: the later into the night it is, the guiltier the pleasures can be.
All of this being said, this is purely guidance. Each and every person has unique musical taste so to make the perfect pres playlist for you and your new live-in friends, it’s going to take some time and some feeling out. There’s going to be some songs on it you adore, some you don’t mind and some you really would rather hear but that’s just the way the cookie crumbles sometimes.
On the whole though, follow this advice and you’re going to be grand.
So go forth and stick on some bangers.
Oh and if you’re ever not too sure, stick ‘American Boy’ on.
