Hey guys! So let’s get down to business…
I have been a DJ for 3 years no All id did was House Parties, and a few private events for friends.
Just recently I got booked for a Club Gig At Medusa Night club In Elgin, Illinois for the 16th of June. I am a Electro/House/Dirty Dutch DJ.
So is there any tips you can give me for my first gig?
Such as the Do’s and Don’ts.. Maybe even a few tips on how to mix my songs to keep the energy flowing continually?
Congrats on getting the booking, man. Been to Medusa’s a few times, I live in Naperville so it’s not too far from me. Just basically do what you normally do, read the crowd, and have fun. You’ll be a little nervous obviously, but once you get up there and start doing your thing, it’ll go away. Just enjoy yourself. Also, do some searching around as there have been numerous prior DJTT articles and threads about this. Not sure what gear you use, but check and double check your DJ bag and make sure you have extras of whatever cables and things you may need. Goodluck!
1…make sure u open with levels or something similar…people love to be engaged on the dance floor with a banger right off the bat and it sets the tone of rest of the night…if this is your first real gig you NEED to be remembered so make sure YOU are the one playing the good songs not the other djs…theyve had there time its your time to start
2 you may think people are there to dance but there not…they are there to see YOU preform…bust out any scratch moves you can or bring along some beach balls to throw into the crowd…anything to make you stand out…some really good ideas are fx chains if your not good at scratching…beat masher is a great way to edit your tracks live…the audience notices the changes and could win over the crowd
3 show up a couple mins late and end your set a couple min early…it lets the club owners know that you mean business and are the one preforming…make sure they know you arnt there monkey or youll get screwed over!
Just kidding. Just be yourself and play music you are comfortable playing. And bring 2 of every cable. If you can, try to stop by prior to the 16th and take a look at the booth so you know what your working with, how you will connect into the house system, etc. Good luck!
Have a good idea on how you’re going to swap setups with the DJ’s before/after you.
If possible spend an evening at the club (same night of the week you’re going to play), to get an idea of how the crowd is (especially around the time of your slot). If it’s generally slow during the time you’ll be playing, maybe plan on starting your set a little more laid back (while people are still getting lubed/inebriated) before jumping into the bangers.
As to not alienate some of the more mainstream heads in the crowd (common for club nights as opposed to underground events), maybe have a few ‘familiar’ tracks…Since you play Electro, maybe electro-ish remixes of a familiar track or familiar samples. Something to engage those people…then drop the face melting bangers…
Show up early…aim for at least 30 minutes, but an hour is better.
Bring TWO of anything you have to have.
Make sure you can plug into their system. You need to have any required cables…don’t assume that something in the booth when you look will still be there when you play.
Bring a pre-mixed CD (or iPod) in case you need it for the DJ swap.
Plan to play something other than just straight bangers. Not every song should be an “11”.
dont go above 128bpm…and play music for your time…no screetchy all over the place complextro, or anything that is super agressive sounding…most of the ppl in there are still sober so they will want music thats more catchy…not melt ur face off bassface omg im on 5 hits of mdma and i dont know which way is up music.
Opening is more important than closing imo…anyone that is a decent DJ can playing BANGER after BANGER…its a lot harder to set the mood and vibe for the next guy…oh and ask what the DJ after you is going to be playing so u dont end off your set with something that goes against his vibe.
If you want to bring up the energy, then be nice and bring it back down for the next guy.
Thank you all for your opinions and tips! And Sietz I might try the beach balls
Also I was thinking of opening with “Hardwell Ft. Mitch Crown - Call Me A Spaceman” or “Avicii - Levels (Hardwell Next Levels Bootleg)” Either one of them just to get the party going.
Other than that thanks guys! I’ll keep you updated
Hardwell is just a guilty pleasure of mine…Encoded maybe? or the Dada life remix is just fiiiiree (there, the adolescent in me just came out). Yeah Spaceman is damn good too!
Stay out of the red on the mixer. Just have fun. That’s the only advise you really need. If you do well the punters will do the rest for you and you might get another booking at the venue.
The main rule: Make sure you have fun and read the crowd. First play some different genres and see how their reaction is. Start planning the night on their reaction. Good luck!
