A great opportunity has struck me !!
One of the two nightclubs in my city is holding a DJ competition and the winner gets a residency, as one of their resident DJs is leaving.
I feel my skills are now sufficiently high to start mixing in a club. It’s been a dream for a long time and this is my shot to make it happen.
I was just listening to the playlist I prepared (I’ll have 30 minutes to show what I can with a crowd in front of me), and whilst doing that and imagining myself how it would be to mix in front of that crowd and in a club, I got sort of an adrenaline rush and started jumping and clapping all over the place.
This got me thinking, do you have any advice to keep cool and stay concentrated when doing my set ? I think I need this.
I got some stickers printed to give out, to promote myself a little whilst I have the opportunity. (CDs where to expensive and time-consuming for my student budget)
Take a deep breath and take it all in just before you start.. remember to relax.
Compititions are great in many ways. Try not to think of it as a battle, the guy you’re going against may become a close aquaintance or friend. In my experience, getting to know DJ’s is your way in. In other words, it doenst matter if you lose if you get the respect of your peers (other DJs).
Have some backup songs in case you go last… you don’t wanna play the same tune as your opponent.
Be prepared to freestyle. They may have you play more than one set - be prepared.
Just have fun with it. Be you. Don’t get caught up in your screen, connect with the crowd.
Last competition i was at we were rated on everything from technical ability, originality, crowd reaction, and stage performance.
I jumped about like a tit, screamed the cities name are you ready???! GOO!! and all that shite, i got a 9.5 for stage performance )
If you can still do all your set, among jumping about then do it.
If you think youll over-do it and muck a mix up then do it a wee bit but keep your cool.
)