timeslot conundrum

**DvlsAdvct** · 08-05-2008, 01:50 PM

Originally Posted by steveboyett

And don't kick yourself because no one's dancing. People are just funny about that early on. You'll think you suck, no one's dancing, I hate this gig, blah blah, and then later you'll hear, wow, that opening DJ was great. Naturally the first thing you'll think is THEN WHY THE HELL DIDN'T YOU DANCE? The answer's sadly easy: cuz they hadn't been drinking enough yet.

This is SO true. We rotate at the club I spin at, and whenever I spin the first hour I take out some stuff that is really different for me (breakbeat, mellow electronica, slow industrial metal stuff) and spin good chill music for people to drink and talk during. If you're out there to prove yourself I'd say do a good amp up set. Start mellow, but by your last song be playing something really energetic. Even if they aren't dancing it doesn't really matter.

As a note, I'm also one of those 'superstar' DJs that goes nuts in the booth, like I'm actually playing instruments or performing other people's music. It's great, and has gotten me noticed, sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse.

So, I say go, spin, have fun, and then get blitzed.

**McRossi** · 08-05-2008, 02:31 PM

Get a hold of some tracks that will ease people on to the dance floor. A mix of some new catchy tracks, familiar older tracks, and some modern remixes of old school bangers. Try not to go over 125 BPM. (The following DJ may get pissed if you tire out the crowd too early.)
Your goal should be to get a few people on the dance floor, but do not get frustrated if you do not accomplish this goal. The opener is one of the most overlooked and under appreciated, crucial elements of the evening. Its a juggling act of reading the crowd and playing what you think they want to hear to get their feet moving, introducing your individual style without losing the crowds interest, and not overstepping your bounds as the opening act so that the following DJs are willing to work with you in the future (politics).
But if you are successful at building up a crowd on the dance floor from nothing, that is one of the most satisfying feelings in DJing. A skill that will get you in as a main act in no time at all.

**tekki** · 08-05-2008, 02:44 PM

Not over 125? Just totally depends what genre you are playing.

**Foreverhex** · 08-05-2008, 03:02 PM

I like to play hard-house-trance and what not. And I think that 125 would be a good place to start. Its a nice flowing tempo

**tekki** · 08-05-2008, 03:35 PM

Doing 125 with techno is a bit on the slow side. Doing it with DnB is just work of the devil I tell ya.

**bit_thief** · 08-05-2008, 03:47 PM

thanks everyone for ALL of your help and perspectives. it has helped me kinda changed my mind about this gig, was just a little frustrated at first, but now with all the insight now, im pretty pumped for it, if i can make just one person dance i will be happy, thanks again guys!

**Nicky_Laws** · 08-05-2008, 03:55 PM

Originally Posted by tekki

Doing 125 with techno is a bit on the slow side. Doing it with DnB is just work of the devil I tell ya.

dnb@125 ?

**Foreverhex** · 08-05-2008, 04:19 PM

DNB at 125 is just silly. lol

I would take some electro house at about 125 and within the hour be at 140. With a lot of brakes and samples and crap like that to help make the tempo jump so... awkward.

**DvlsAdvct** · 08-05-2008, 04:22 PM

I don't think you should cap at 125, it's really about energy at that point. I have electro tracks that are 135 but are great chill songs. Then again, I have break beat stuff at around 95bpm that just has this great heavy, powerful energy and would be wasted early.

bit_thief, just work your magics. I'm not a big fan of catering to ego. If 20 people come up to you and ask you to play dance floor hits and they'll dance, I'd say do it. But I'm the anti-establishment asshole kinda DJ. :-) Good luck and rock the fuck out