How Do I Be a Good Opening DJ?

[deevey]

Start slow. Finish fast. Hype the crowd. Everyone says to not play tunes the headliner made. I disagree somewhat. Finish with a classic that the headliner produced, but ask him first. Ask him if he's going to play that tune tonight. Finishing with a classic really hypes the crowd and it makes his opener energetic.

100% gotta disagree both of your comments, its not your job to finish anything, the headliner should be able to jump on at any point during your set and start his/her thing.

Sure build it up, get a groove going, get heads bobbing but I personally would knock both the energy and tempo down a few notches that the headliners starting tracks so the crowd can be taken on a proper journey... nothing kills the energy in a room more than the headliner needing to take the tempo from 135 down to 128 because the support jock was playing way too hard, if a track is produced @ 128, I'll take it down a notch to between 120-124 when supporting so everyone gets hyped up when the headliner slams his first record on.

With regards playing something from the headliner, really cheesy idea and cringeworthy in most cases.

Both of the above I've seen being done before with the result that and the supporting jock was relegated to supporting acts not associated with the headliner in questions management company, and TBH it was obvious why and embarrassing to watch.

[b1sh0p]

100% gotta disagree both of your comments, its not your job to finish anything, the headliner should be able to jump on at any point during your set and start his/her thing.

Sure build it up, get a groove going, get heads bobbing but I personally would knock both the energy and tempo down a few notches that the headliners starting tracks so the crowd can be taken on a proper journey... nothing kills the energy in a room more than the headliner needing to take the tempo from 135 down to 128 because the support jock was playing way too hard, if a track is produced @ 128, I'll take it down a notch to between 120-124 when supporting so everyone gets hyped up when the headliner slams his first record on.

With regards playing something from the headliner, really cheesy idea and cringeworthy in most cases.

Both of the above I've seen being done before with the result that and the supporting jock was relegated to supporting acts not associated with the headliner in questions management company, and TBH it was obvious why and embarrassing to watch.

A lot of it depends on the genre. I play 170 stuff and the headliners set is going to be 170 too. I should have prefaced my post with saying that I play drum and bass. It's a completely different animal than 128. Playing a classic is a sign of respect.

[031999]

lol me and another, were playing an opening set for Boregore, (if you have never heard of them, they are like dubstep/hiphop) I am really not a fan at all, and still not quite sure why the promoter asked me to open, I guess solely because he knew i could bring a crowd. So we play for 3 hours, just some awesome house stuff, from John Digweed to Fatboy Slim, to Marshall Jefferson, just pure awesome House, rockin a crowd of like 500 or so. so then main act comes on and they just come on so hard and fast, they crank the volume up in the red, and play every profane song they can get their hands on. So they pretty much cleared out the club in about an hour.

Lesson learned, play music similar to what the headliner is going to play, otherwise people will have a rude awakening.

[Martzehhh]

Calzonetti. I know the contest you're entering because I'm from Guelph as well. Play HEAVYYYYY my friend. The contest is for closing though no?

So far it looks like you've got a pretty good chance at winning. Crank out a heavy closing set and let the likes fly my friend!

[keithace]

know your place...

[Calzone]

Calzonetti. I know the contest you're entering because I'm from Guelph as well. Play HEAVYYYYY my friend. The contest is for closing though no?

So far it looks like you've got a pretty good chance at winning. Crank out a heavy closing set and let the likes fly my friend!

Cheers man. Thats what I was thinking haha people go fucking crazy at the concert theater. Submissions are due a month from today.

EDIT its an opener set for zeds dead

[AlexFleet]

This is going to be a very generic answer but I'd say go with your gut instinct. Think about what you want to accomplish as a DJ opening for the party. Warm up the crowd, spread good vibes. I think that would be the point of opening. Execute that concept the way you would feel most comfortable.

[Martzehhh]

Cheers man. Thats what I was thinking haha people go fucking crazy at the concert theater. Submissions are due a month from today.

EDIT its an opener set for zeds dead

Bangers man. Bangers. I work for the other company in Guelph so I can't compete but I'll definitely help you get a ton of likes dude. Message me on facebook when you submit the mix https://www.facebook.com/MixMasterMartz

Good luck man!

[Calzone]

Bangers man. Bangers. I work for the other company in Guelph so I can't compete but I'll definitely help you get a ton of likes dude. Message me on facebook when you submit the mix https://www.facebook.com/MixMasterMartz

Good luck man!

Thanks man! I'll take you up on that. I'll return the favour at anytime. Glad to meet a local.

I'd also like to thank everyone who's contributed this is a pretty informative thread

[llcoollouis]

There is not substitute for practice.