Choosing Performers
When a host has solidified a date for their event, they will look for an available singer. Who they choose depends on their familiarity with the scene (those more familiar might choose the most famous singers or those who appreciate the appearance of a certain singer might value that over musical ability) and the availability of a desired singer. Typically, an invitation is offered to a single performer who then invites others to join them. Typically the initial person contacted will be a senior padendang, who is likely to invite other more junior padendang and a tukang saluang with whom they have worked and who are available. More rarely, a host will make all the choices. During the busiest season, Pak Ketua estimated that there might be about 15 performances happening at once. If you choose a popular date for a wedding, you might not be able to secure the services of your favorite or the best singers.
Who the performers are--especially the padendang--will structure the flow of the evening. The following is a list of some of the relevant factors.
A Singer's Background
Singers do not all have the same background and training. Their positionality and experience will influence the course of the evening.- Gender: whether a padendang identifies as a woman or a man has an enormous impact on the nature of the lyrics and the kind of interactions
- Age: older singers tend to be a little more reserved and reluctant to engage in inappropriate lyrics or behavior
- Religious morals: where a padendang positions themselves relative to personal engagement with Islam also affects their dress and willingness to engage in porno lyrics. Te E, for example, always wears a head covering and refuses to engage in porno lyrics, as does Mila.
- Marital status: this may impact the way a padendang engages her audience
- Village of origin: this will affect a singer's familiarity with certain repertoire and even some of her linguistic choices
- Training: who a singer trained with or learned from will affect their own presentation, the songs and pantun they know, especially when they are less experienced.
- Performance experience: padendang with more experience know a broader repertoire, though those younger will be more familiar with the newer, pop repertoire and imports. It also affects their ability to compose spontaneous texts responsive to context.
- Hierarchy within the group: who was invited first and is considered the "senior" padendang can affects the order in which the sit on stage (the most senior usually nearest the saluang) and the order in which they sing during a song (the most senior singer almost always sings first)