Tips for Gig Virgin?? (First Gig)

[funke]

You would be much better off playing the songs they want from start to finish than mixing at all. I've had many gigs where I was expecting to play a certain type of set and after a few songs, realized that it wasn't going to work. Hell, I've played gigs that I played nothing but pop country. I've also had gigs where I played nothing but 90s grunge rock. Build a huge library and let the crowd guide you.

[Xylus]

If you're a mobile DJ, you have to play what the crowd wants. If you're a superstar DJ and established yourself in a certain genre, then you can play whatever you want.

This ^^^ is absolutely correct

[Xylus]

You would be much better off playing the songs they want from start to finish than mixing at all. I've had many gigs where I was expecting to play a certain type of set and after a few songs, realized that it wasn't going to work. Hell, I've played gigs that I played nothing but pop country. I've also had gigs where I played nothing but 90s grunge rock. Build a huge library and let the crowd guide you.

Oh well lol i learned my lesson then. Thanks for the advice man

[funke]

For this type of gig, I would focus entirely on crowd reading. Pay attention to people bobbing their head and tapping their feet. Remember what songs were doing it for those people. When they are on the dance floor play something similar to what you were playing that got them grooving. This is very important early on in the evening. Shoot and miss till you find what is working and what isn't. It's a lot like playing battleship. Then when you get the crowd going, work them hard for a bit and then give them a break by trying something new. Most likely they will go get a drink and you will pull some of the sitters in the dance floor. Go with what they are digging for a bit and then go back to what you were playing earlier. Hopefully then you will have everyone dancing and carrying on, or at least going in cycles. It's a game of people watching. If by chance that you have everyone on the dance floor, then you are winning and should then focus on your mixing. This is when you will be playing your best tunes new or old. After a while of this, the person that is paying you will be saying that you are the life of the party and handing you a stack of cash. Then you hand them your card and ask them to tell their friends.

[Xylus]

For this type of gig, I would focus entirely on crowd reading. Pay attention to people bobbing their head and tapping their feet. Remember what songs were doing it for those people. When they are on the dance floor play something similar to what you were playing that got them grooving. This is very important early on in the evening. Shoot and miss till you find what is working and what isn't. It's a lot like playing battleship. Then when you get the crowd going, work them hard for a bit and then give them a break by trying something new. Most likely they will go get a drink and you will pull some of the sitters in the dance floor. Go with what they are digging for a bit and then go back to what you were playing earlier. Hopefully then you will have everyone dancing and carrying on, or at least going in cycles. It's a game of people watching. If by chance that you have everyone on the dance floor, then you are winning and should then focus on your mixing. This is when you will be playing your best tunes new or old. After a while of this, the person that is paying you will be saying that you are the life of the party and handing you a stack of cash. Then you hand them your card and ask them to tell their friends.

Its all experience tho mate lol I didn't expect too much from my first gig anyways. How many gigs have you done? quite a few i'd imagine ae

[Patch]

After a while of this, the person that is paying you will be saying that you are the life of the party and handing you a stack of cash. Then you hand them your card and ask them to tell their friends.

[funke]

I play all types of gigs. 9 out 10 of my last gigs I've gotten huge tips after I've already been paid.

[DJAdeSands]

For this type of gig, I would focus entirely on crowd reading. Pay attention to people bobbing their head and tapping their feet. Remember what songs were doing it for those people. When they are on the dance floor play something similar to what you were playing that got them grooving. This is very important early on in the evening. Shoot and miss till you find what is working and what isn't. It's a lot like playing battleship. Then when you get the crowd going, work them hard for a bit and then give them a break by trying something new. Most likely they will go get a drink and you will pull some of the sitters in the dance floor. Go with what they are digging for a bit and then go back to what you were playing earlier. Hopefully then you will have everyone dancing and carrying on, or at least going in cycles. It's a game of people watching. If by chance that you have everyone on the dance floor, then you are winning and should then focus on your mixing. This is when you will be playing your best tunes new or old. After a while of this, the person that is paying you will be saying that you are the life of the party and handing you a stack of cash. Then you hand them your card and ask them to tell their friends.

Pretty much nailed It. I been at this for a very long time, and it really is down to pleasing the audience, regardless of the management. The public is paying their wages too. Give em what they want, yer onto a winner. Break up the night by slowing tempo down to some R&B, change the genres round a bit, give people a break, and manipulate the floor to your advantage. And it's not all about playing the freshest tunes either, go too fresh, the song isn't established. Classic tunes are timeless, don't be afraid to use them too. You'd be surprised how well they might just fit. It might be the thing to set you apart from the rest.

[Xylus]

I play all types of gigs. 9 out 10 of my last gigs I've gotten huge tips after I've already been paid.

For real? wtf! hahah you must be profesh as fuck theeeen

[funke]

Well...the area i live in is flooded with djs that show up with a laptop full of 128kbps torrented music and the cheapest set of speakers they can buy. They will usually have a premade playlist in itunes and go sit at the bar. So it's not too terribly difficult to surpass expectations.