Gigs: Type of Music

[DJ SB]

Since I'm feeling awesome, here's some examples of my music organization. I am mostly a house DJ, but will rip out an open format set every now and then.




The second list changes if I have gigs that I want to group songs for.

[guiltyblade]

Well here is the thing. Depends on what time slot you play. If you are opening or playing an early set, playing electro, and big room progressive is a sure thing to never get invited again. Then again you want to maintain your "sound". Most DJ's have a particular style when playing, you just need to be able to move through that sound while bring up the energy.

So I may start with house, deep house, deep progressive and then move into the progressive electro. But I tend to play melodic tracks, deeper tracks, and some vocal tracks too.

Having everything on hand turns you into a jukebox. Its ok to have everything on hand, but plan your sets around the way you want to be heard. I mean at a house party I play everything, whatever people want cause I don't care, but at a club, I know who i am opening for, who was before me and after me and play to their styles while incorporating my own.

Don't be a jukebox, cause in the end you will be miserable.

[Skyline]

Well here is the thing. Depends on what time slot you play. If you are opening or playing an early set, playing electro, and big room progressive is a sure thing to never get invited again. Then again you want to maintain your "sound". Most DJ's have a particular style when playing, you just need to be able to move through that sound while bring up the energy.

So I may start with house, deep house, deep progressive and then move into the progressive electro. But I tend to play melodic tracks, deeper tracks, and some vocal tracks too.

Having everything on hand turns you into a jukebox. Its ok to have everything on hand, but plan your sets around the way you want to be heard. I mean at a house party I play everything, whatever people want cause I don't care, but at a club, I know who i am opening for, who was before me and after me and play to their styles while incorporating my own.

Don't be a jukebox, cause in the end you will be miserable.

Interesting, Sounds about right.

[DubluW]

Unfortunately, whatever i do, i ALWAYS get ''can you play......'' (fill gap with totally irrellevant song to the genre im playing) Or even better ''can you play such and such tune that's in the top 40?'' Some people wouldnt know music if it Drop kicked them in the face
with size 12 hobnailed boots.

[Jester]

You need to find the balance between what the venue expects you to play, and what you want to play.

[Bassline Brine]

Honestly, it's completely dependent on how you market yourself, what gigs you are going after, who you network with and know, and how serious you are about sticking to playing a certain style.

It really is exactly what you make of it. You can get underground rave bookings, or you can go after the top 40 club bookings. If you just want to play, and don't have a preference, well... it's probably not a bad idea to think about the big picture of how you are going to be selling yourself.

Ask yourself, why should XYZ person book you? What sets you apart, what is your selling point? How are you better and worth booking over the many other people who are available for the slot?

I've only started spinning out this year myself, but I can honestly say that I've been super happy with sticking to my guns, and I've only played breaks and a little jackin' house out. I wouldn't be doing it myself right now if I had to play music I didn't like. Much of the passion I have personally is not just for mixing, but sharing great music that other people just don't know about yet, and I love that rave atmosphere.

There are MANY different paths that people can take, and do take. I highly suggest getting involved with a crew who is throwing events. Working as a promoter for them, and then hopefully getting opening gigs to shows they are throwing down the line. If you want to play top 40 stuff, it's a different game really, and more catering to the actual venues rather than people coming in and hosting nights.

Really though, and it's taken me awhile to come to this conclusion, but you have to love what you're doing, and make yourself stand out from the crowd. You can be the best DJ in the world, but if you don't go to events and don't talk to anyone, you'll never get a booking. Be active in the scene. GO to the nights that you want to play. A promoter or club will be much more likely to give a regular a chance, than a random guy off the street.

Figure out if you are willing to be more open with what someone will tell you to play, or if you want to stick to what you want to select and share. It's a funny balance, and I know I wouldn't love this whole jazz as much if I was just playing radio hits. Playing on a system? Awesome. Playing a track that you know the crowd hasn't heard before, and watching their faces when it drops? Priceless. And you can't do that everywhere.

The other option is starting with a few friends, and starting up a night and making it your own. That's not the easiest solution, but it's something where you'll be able to build it, sell it, and do what you want really. Something to think about the logistics of.

It's not simple or easy, but if you have the passion, you'll get where you want to be

[Skyline]

Honestly, it's completely dependent on how you market yourself, what gigs you are going after, who you network with and know, and how serious you are about sticking to playing a certain style.

It really is exactly what you make of it. You can get underground rave bookings, or you can go after the top 40 club bookings. If you just want to play, and don't have a preference, well... it's probably not a bad idea to think about the big picture of how you are going to be selling yourself.

Ask yourself, why should XYZ person book you? What sets you apart, what is your selling point? How are you better and worth booking over the many other people who are available for the slot?

I've only started spinning out this year myself, but I can honestly say that I've been super happy with sticking to my guns, and I've only played breaks and a little jackin' house out. I wouldn't be doing it myself right now if I had to play music I didn't like. Much of the passion I have personally is not just for mixing, but sharing great music that other people just don't know about yet, and I love that rave atmosphere.

There are MANY different paths that people can take, and do take. I highly suggest getting involved with a crew who is throwing events. Working as a promoter for them, and then hopefully getting opening gigs to shows they are throwing down the line. If you want to play top 40 stuff, it's a different game really, and more catering to the actual venues rather than people coming in and hosting nights.

Really though, and it's taken me awhile to come to this conclusion, but you have to love what you're doing, and make yourself stand out from the crowd. You can be the best DJ in the world, but if you don't go to events and don't talk to anyone, you'll never get a booking. Be active in the scene. GO to the nights that you want to play. A promoter or club will be much more likely to give a regular a chance, than a random guy off the street.

Figure out if you are willing to be more open with what someone will tell you to play, or if you want to stick to what you want to select and share. It's a funny balance, and I know I wouldn't love this whole jazz as much if I was just playing radio hits. Playing on a system? Awesome. Playing a track that you know the crowd hasn't heard before, and watching their faces when it drops? Priceless. And you can't do that everywhere.

The other option is starting with a few friends, and starting up a night and making it your own. That's not the easiest solution, but it's something where you'll be able to build it, sell it, and do what you want really. Something to think about the logistics of.

It's not simple or easy, but if you have the passion, you'll get where you want to be

Love the reply, me and a buddy of mine are starting up been talking about a while and I finally obtained my equipment. Hopefully we make something out of it.