# Advice for DJ's doing first gig? **URL:** \ **Category:** General Discussion\ **Created:** [December 19, 2011, 5:25am UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/advice-for-djs-doing-first-gig/34565 "2011-12-19T05:25:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Adam\_W](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/adam_w/32/14419_2.png) [@Adam\_W](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/Adam_W)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2011, 5:25am UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/advice-for-djs-doing-first-gig/34565/1 "2011-12-19T05:25:22Z")
**Advice for DJ’s doing first gig?** We are putting as many songs together and just making sure we know our music. We’ve got our first gig coming up on the 21st, any last minute advice? ---
**Author:** ![Jester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/jester/32/12996_2.png) [@Jester](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/Jester)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2011, 5:37am UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/advice-for-djs-doing-first-gig/34565/2 "2011-12-19T05:37:30Z")
stay off the booze, and have fun 😉 ---
**Author:** ![skygear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e495f1/32.png) [@skygear](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/skygear)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2011, 5:39am UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/advice-for-djs-doing-first-gig/34565/3 "2011-12-19T05:39:28Z")
run all your gear and go through all the songs your going to play before hand. practice every free minuite till the gig. no need to be overly fancy either ---
**Author:** ![Adam\_W](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/adam_w/32/14419_2.png) [@Adam\_W](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/Adam_W)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2011, 5:40am UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/advice-for-djs-doing-first-gig/34565/4 "2011-12-19T05:40:08Z")
do most dj’s play the whole song during a live set? ---
**Author:** ![stbanas925](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e19adc/32.png) [@stbanas925](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/stbanas925)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2011, 5:47am UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/advice-for-djs-doing-first-gig/34565/5 "2011-12-19T05:47:07Z")
I don’t usually play the whole song unless it’s popular track. It’s mainly your preference though. Try not to plan out your whole set either. If another dj plays one of your songs you’ll have to compromise (assuming it’s a club gig). Just be ready to freestyle if needed. Also, watch how the crowd reacts to your mixing. If they’re not feeling it you gotta amp it up. ---
**Author:** ![Nicadraus](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/nicadraus/32/1032_2.png) [@Nicadraus](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/Nicadraus)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2011, 6:19am UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/advice-for-djs-doing-first-gig/34565/6 "2011-12-19T06:19:51Z")
Stay confident and have lots of fun. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Jester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/jester/32/12996_2.png) [@Jester](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/Jester)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2011, 6:25am UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/advice-for-djs-doing-first-gig/34565/7 "2011-12-19T06:25:08Z")
> [@Adam\_W](#): > > do most dj’s play the whole song during a live set? You’re the dj’s how do you do it? ---
**Author:** ![guiltyblade](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/guiltyblade/32/14059_2.png) [@guiltyblade](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/guiltyblade)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2011, 11:43am UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/advice-for-djs-doing-first-gig/34565/8 "2011-12-19T11:43:09Z")
> [@](#): > > stay off the booze, and have fun 😉 lol seriously. My worst mistakes have been because I was wasted beyond belief. ---
**Author:** ![SoleMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e19b73/32.png) [@SoleMark](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/SoleMark)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2011, 11:47am UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/advice-for-djs-doing-first-gig/34565/9 "2011-12-19T11:47:42Z")
well, what i did was practice every night after class.. set all the cue points and all.. learn and ready all the tracks like key and bpm analysis. And I kinda had to un clutter all folders to make it easier for me to find what songs i wanted to play… GO TO THE VENUE early then anyone.. Yes.. this is to avoid BS from happening. example of which,forgotten cables, speaker placement and other stuff… and never forget to Record the sets you did.. Then after the show double check everything before you leave.. when u get home sleep.. then listen to the sets you did.. and curse yourself.. after which Practice and practice again.. worked for me during my first 2 gigs. and it becomes a habit.. ---
**Author:** ![Adam\_W](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/adam_w/32/14419_2.png) [@Adam\_W](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/Adam_W)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2011, 11:52am UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/advice-for-djs-doing-first-gig/34565/10 "2011-12-19T11:52:49Z")
> [@SoleMark](#): > > well, what i did was practice every night after class.. set all the cue points and all.. learn and ready all the tracks like key and bpm analysis. And I kinda had to un clutter all folders to make it easier for me to find what songs i wanted to play… > > GO TO THE VENUE early then anyone.. Yes.. this is to avoid BS from happening. example of which,forgotten cables, speaker placement and other stuff… > and never forget to Record the sets you did.. > > Then after the show double check everything before you leave.. > > when u get home sleep.. then listen to the sets you did.. and curse yourself.. after which Practice and practice again.. > > worked for me during my first 2 gigs. and it becomes a habit.. how’d you manage to record your set? I really need to know how to do this and we were told to be there at 9:45.. 15 minutes just doesn’t sound like enough time to me to prepare! ---
**Author:** ![SoleMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e19b73/32.png) [@SoleMark](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/SoleMark)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2011, 11:55am UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/advice-for-djs-doing-first-gig/34565/11 "2011-12-19T11:55:44Z")
> [@Adam\_W](#): > > how’d you manage to record your set? I really need to know how to do this > and we were told to be there at 9:45.. 15 minutes just doesn’t sound like enough time to me to prepare! i use traktor’s record feature to record mixes.. problem with it, it records via wav format so it will kind of eat up some gigs… few weeks ago, i mixed for my college’s xmas party event started around 6pm i went around 5:15… ---
**Author:** ![Adam\_W](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/adam_w/32/14419_2.png) [@Adam\_W](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/Adam_W)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2011, 12:06pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/advice-for-djs-doing-first-gig/34565/12 "2011-12-19T12:06:10Z")
What do you mean eat up? I’m using SeratoSL2 on an HP laptop I really want to record but I figure if i try it’ll glitch or something and fuck me over… ---
**Author:** ![SoleMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e19b73/32.png) [@SoleMark](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/SoleMark)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2011, 12:09pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/advice-for-djs-doing-first-gig/34565/13 "2011-12-19T12:09:03Z")
try and record while u practice to be sure.. eat up meaning some gigs will be used up for the record… hmmmm, close all programs that you DO NOT need while mixing and it’ll be fine.. ---
**Author:** ![Alex\_Wild](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/alex_wild/32/14851_2.png) [@Alex\_Wild](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/Alex_Wild)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2011, 12:11pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/advice-for-djs-doing-first-gig/34565/14 "2011-12-19T12:11:02Z")
Yeah best advice [apart from not getting wasted] is to turn up early. I try and get there about 45-60 mins before the set starts, just in case something’s not right. Also, it’s a great opportunity to chat to and get to know the promoter/owner/other DJs. And it shows that you’re willing and keen. ---
**Author:** ![Adam\_W](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/adam_w/32/14419_2.png) [@Adam\_W](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/Adam_W)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2011, 12:12pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/advice-for-djs-doing-first-gig/34565/15 "2011-12-19T12:12:02Z")
Well I was told 945 but am not sure if he will even be there earlier, and I don’t even know if im expected to bring my own setup ---
**Author:** ![SoleMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e19b73/32.png) [@SoleMark](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/SoleMark)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2011, 12:17pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/advice-for-djs-doing-first-gig/34565/16 "2011-12-19T12:17:54Z")
Ask bro.. turning up early will do alot of good. And prevent random BS from happening.. just coz you got told 9:45 u go 9:45.. best to go earlier.. Dedication is big in this line of life… being on time means you are willing to go the extra mile.. And on the other hand, true if you go early you can chat and talk to other DJs if there are any, and the Sound engineers there.. sounding good is a big plus and those people will help you out big time… P.S smiling to them is a big plus as well. ---
**Author:** ![Alex\_Wild](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/alex_wild/32/14851_2.png) [@Alex\_Wild](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/Alex_Wild)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2011, 12:18pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/advice-for-djs-doing-first-gig/34565/17 "2011-12-19T12:18:51Z")
Man, it sounds like you need to find out about the setup then! Just try to make sure that as much as possible is organised before you head down. I’m assuming you mean arrive 9:45 for a 10 start? Nothing wrong with being earlier than that, as long as you’re not late. When I’ve been told to get there at whatever time I usually surprise them by turning up early and having a drink with the owner and sussing out the setup a bit. ---
**Author:** ![SoleMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e19b73/32.png) [@SoleMark](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/SoleMark)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2011, 12:20pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/advice-for-djs-doing-first-gig/34565/18 "2011-12-19T12:20:41Z")
> [@Alex\_Wild](#): > > Man, it sounds like you need to find out about the setup then! > Just try to make sure that as much as possible is organised before you head down. > I’m assuming you mean arrive 9:45 for a 10 start? > Nothing wrong with being earlier than that, as long as you’re not late. > > When I’ve been told to get there at whatever time I usually surprise them by turning up early and having a drink with the owner and sussing out the setup a bit. Very true.. ---
**Author:** ![Alex\_Wild](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/alex_wild/32/14851_2.png) [@Alex\_Wild](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/Alex_Wild)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2011, 12:20pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/advice-for-djs-doing-first-gig/34565/19 "2011-12-19T12:20:42Z")
> [@SoleMark](#): > > P.S smiling to them is a big plus as well. This! Without being cheesy I always try to start a bit of conversation/banter with whoever is paying me. It can only help! ---
**Author:** ![SoleMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e19b73/32.png) [@SoleMark](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/SoleMark)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2011, 12:23pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/advice-for-djs-doing-first-gig/34565/20 "2011-12-19T12:23:26Z")
yeah… you actually don’t want the organizer, and the people around you to be all like “what’s wrong with him?”… you will be shocked how a smile will help you get more gigs.. and being early is a plus.. [Next page](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/advice-for-djs-doing-first-gig/34565.md?page=2)