Is the answer just the "Eyes Wide Shut" soundtrack? I hope not.

July 1, 2009 6:53 AM

We're having a masquerade ball, but I'm at a loss for the best kind of music for the event. What should we play?

We rented out a mansion for a silly masquerade ball/costume party. We've joked that it will be like "Eyes Wide Shut," but with less freaky sex and murder. I'd like to play some music that maintains an appropriate mood for the event, but I doubt our usual indie rock mix fits the bill. What are some musical pieces and/or artists that would fit the mood of this kind of event?

posted by hilaritas to media & arts (20 comments total)

Dead Can Dance- ambient world music with a touch of goth
posted by kimdog at 7:00 AM on July 1

Maybe some modern tango?
Gotan Project
Bajofondo
posted by emd3737 at 7:04 AM on July 1

Bjork?
Pink Martini?
posted by trillian at 7:26 AM on July 1

We've joked that it will be like "Eyes Wide Shut"...
Hey, where's my invite?

... but with less freaky sex and murder.
Oh, never mind then.

For music, maybe go for big and campy. James Bond soundtracks. Broadway scores. Big sweeping majestic wankery.
posted by rokusan at 7:32 AM on July 1

Un ballo in maschera (The Masked Ball) by Giuseppe Verdi. (joking!)

Try the soundtrack of Eyes Wide Shut for ideas, maybe plug some of the artists into Pandora for other ideas.

Come to think of it, Pandora's a great resource for this. Just think of music that fits (or is recommended inline) and use Pandora to get more ideas.
posted by foooooogasm at 7:35 AM on July 1

Marie Antoinnette soundtrack?
posted by amanda at 7:40 AM on July 1

Enigma? Robert Miles, Squarepusher, Aphex Twin... I feel that the Richard D James album is appropriate to pretty much all occasions, though.
posted by knile at 7:44 AM on July 1

Secret - The Pierces
The Pierces - Boring
The Pierces - Sticks & Stones
Kill! Kill! Kill! - The Pierces
posted by geekyguy at 7:48 AM on July 1

Masquerade ball? Everyone dressed up in overly elaborate getups?
In my mind, nothing says overly elaborate (but still very good) like Johann Sebastian Bach.
posted by CrunchyFrog at 8:05 AM on July 1

Play whatever your crowd will dance too. If they dance to indie rock, play indie rock. People will be less inhibited with the masks on. They'll be sweatier too, since most masks don't breathe well. Take advantage of those two things, play to your crowd, and have a great time. By all means, play a soundtrack as your opener for the night, but once a handful of people are two drinks in and standing around, get them dancing.

I'd play Quix*O*Tic's "Anonymous Face", Billy Idol's "Eyes Without A Face", Daft Punk's "Face To Face", Master C&J's "Face It", Simona Buja's "Passing Masks", Eurythmics' "Love Is A Stranger", Clio's "Faces", Glass Candy's "Life After Sundown (12" version)", Fashion's "Dressed To Kill".
posted by stachemaster at 8:07 AM on July 1

Oh, yes. Seconding Eurythmics. Great idea. Any Eurythmics.
posted by rokusan at 8:10 AM on July 1

Strauss waltzes?

Soundtrack from "The Red Violin"?
posted by amtho at 8:10 AM on July 1

Something from 'Phantom of the Opera', and perhaps a little Gary Numan.
posted by reenum at 9:47 AM on July 1

Hong Kong Garden
posted by The Whelk at 9:47 AM on July 1

As The World Falls Down

Magic Dance
posted by The Whelk at 9:52 AM on July 1

Oh! Oh! Oh!

I've Been To a Marvelous Party

It says FANCY MANSION and COOL KID PARTY all at once.


Also if you find the Divine Comedy cover of

This Party Fears Two
posted by The Whelk at 9:56 AM on July 1

OKay, the genre you're gonna wanna look for is called Chamber Pop. Rock/Pop songs that use classical instruments.

I'd rock out SO HARD to this at a masked ball.

Antique High Heel Red Doll Shoes

and

Leeds United

The Magic Position

Sorry, I kind of do this for a living and I've done parties exactly like you're describing. You need, for me, to have at least slow dance to

THIS
posted by The Whelk at 10:03 AM on July 1

Oh and so obvious I had to wait for Metafilter to remind me.

Behind The Mask - Yellow Magic Orchestra

I'll stop now.
posted by The Whelk at 10:47 AM on July 1

These are all great ideas. Thanks for sharing and keep them coming! I have to say that the Labyrinth soundtrack, Eurythmics, and Dead Can Dance are inspired choices. Those will end up on the playlist for sure.
posted by hilaritas at 11:10 AM on July 1

Nick Cave - Murder Ballads
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 2:00 PM on July 1