Alright, so i didn’t have a regular gig these days so i took up a “residency” on sunday nights at this super popular bar/lounge in downtown montreal. Every sunday night i’ll be doing 10-3.
Now, my problem is that i’ve only ever played to dance floors, and now i’ll be playing to a full house, but to people sitting at tables or at the bar… for 5 hours straight. I’ve done 5 hour sets, so it’s not really a problem, but i’d like you guys to suggest some great songs for a bar/lounge setting. I know i won’t be building my set the same way as i would for a place with a dancefloor, so i need alot of songs that can play “in the background” but that remains quality shit!
I understand that i’ll have alot of liberty in the track selection department. i’ll probably play mostly hip-hop, electro, some dance stuff like chromeo, and the occasional Radiohead or some other ambient rock. I’m gonna try to keep the night as genre-breaking as possible.
So yeah, i need y’all to please suggest your favorites!
I would think something like chilled out minimal/techno would work really well, maybe some trip hop or deep house. Try to stay away from super clubby stuff. If you see the place getting really busy you could always throw in a couple dancier house tracks, but seriously, don’t go overboard.
The place has three different sections, a “pub” on the main floor, a “club” in the basement, and a huge “terrasse” outside in the back. Sunday night the basement is closed so i’ll be doing the pub most of the time and the terrasse on the really nice nights where it will be packed, so yeah, not much room for dancing where i’ll be spinning, but i’ve seen people dancing on tables there so it’s not hopeless
thanks for all the suggestions, guy! Keep em coming!
My first piece of advice is don’t take gigs you’re unprepared as a DJ to play for. I could be making a LOT of money booking weddings from people who hear me play because they love the style. I’m not taking them because I’m not experienced with the flow and/or MC aspects of weddings from the DJ standpoint. You’re potentially setting yourself up to take money out of an experienced DJ’s wallet, ruin the night of patrons, and embarrassing yourself.
Second, is to go for things (if this is truly loungey, with just a background music type of feel) like Caribou, Gramatik, thievery corporation, anything on Ninja Tunes, and jazzanova to get yourself started.
Firstly, it’s a jungle out there. If a dj less experienced than me would take this gig away from me, it would just mean he sold himself better than i have. It’s like capitalism. Take the most you can for yourself at the detriment of others.
Secondly, i am not worried at all about being unprepared for this gig. If i’ve rocked dancefloors for hours on end, i should be able to do so with a lounge, wouldn’t you think? To me it’s more like a step down from what i’ve done, if anything, but i need the money. So i’m not taking money from anyone except the dude who’s paying me.
Not sure if you’ve tried “stepping down” before, but hold that thought until you have. (hint: if anything you’re stepping up to this one)
I really feel you needing the money. I’d be competing with you for this gig if I were in your locale.
I’m not going to throw any “you should/shouldn’t do this” type comments around, but there isn’t a magic playlist or group of tracks that’s going to get you through a night of something completely outside of what you’ve played before.
Take it easy and spend a couple of months on heavy listening in your spare time while you get used to this new gig. You have a crowd that’s pretty much not paying attention to your selection, mixing, or you in general. Consider that when you are digging though tracks.
I could run through a list of producers, tracks, and remixes for you but it will not do you any good. Just sit tight on the gig, feel out the crowd, and bring new tracks to the venue every week that you think will sit well in the room from what you observed the previous week.
Point is, when you’re playing to a bouncing dancefloor, you’re in control of what happens. When you’re playing to seated diners and light drinkers on dates trying to leave the venue and get laid, you are no longer the puppetmaster.
Playing loungy type places is my favourite.Its the perfect place to trawl through your back catalogue and try new things
Check out the Verve remixed series (old jazz standards remixed to house), Bossanastones (what it says on the box, stones tunes in the bossanova stylee)
Theivery corp.
Lotsa old school hip hop, funk, soul. hell even some Dean Martin can hit the spot.
In NZ Dub goes down a treat too. Check out Fat Freddies Drop, Tiki Taane, Salmonella Dub etc.
Have fun, surprise people, enjoy, profit
Ehh, not sure I agree with any of this really.. People not dancing, for the most part, wont be taking a lot of notice of your mixing. Just do whatever and get paid. If you fuck up, who cares, get a gig somewhere else. Unless you’re train wrecking everything, you’ll be pretty fine I’d say.
Especially with chill music. You can layer stuff and bring things in and out a lot slower and smoother than usual. Usually a lower bpm so a lot more time to figure things out. I once did a gig where I had all of my party shit ready to roll and then the manager told me he wanted me to play an extra set early.. Just winged it and played some chill shit. Some stuff I’d never loaded into traktor. People aren’t scrutinising you as much as you are yourself.
Just chill and play some beats. Djing isn’t that hard haha
Wow. amazing suggestions everyone. Still got alot of stuff to check out. I went to the venue yesterday to check out the mood and the stuff you all suggested is super appropriate! I’m trying to assimilate it all as we speak!!!
The revelation, however, for me, was Breakbot. I absolutely love it! Can you guys suggest stuff that sounds more like Breakbot?
Hey guys, just want to let y’all know that i completely rocked the place on my first night. The place was surprisingly full for a sunday night and i got people dancing on tables, chairs, on the bar. The bar made alot of money that night. I think we’re going to have a nice working relationship.
That’s nonsense. If you think you have the ability and make sure you prepare, the same as an DJ gig, then go for it. What’s this taking money out of another djs pocket business? Work is work, business is business.
Take a chance, make a move. That’s what’s life’s all about. Nothing of value comes without extending yourself a little.
