hey guys, so i have a dilemma here with a booking i got. ok so i have djed at this club before but at a later time then the latest timeslot ive gotten this time, which is 9-10. now ive been at the club at that time and there is hardly anyone there (if anyone really) now i know how the different timeslots are for different vibes/genres/feels whatever, but this isnt a time for the music i spin, now if this were you would you just say f it and play what you want, or go with the flow of the night (opening set being a little chiller) just wanted to ask and get some info that maybe i have not thought of before. thanks!!!
Depends what level you’re at. If you value the gig and want to play again don’t ever say “fuck it”.
Make the effort to get as many people as you can down to watch you play - this will go down well with the promoter.
Don’t just play what you want to play, the important thing is you’re warming up the crowd, yourself and also the PA (which many people forget). You can damage a sound system by going straight from cold into some high volume, fast beats.
Remember for most promoters they’re bread and butter is bar tab, so you have to balance between getting people dancing but not making the night peak too soon and consequently the bar spend suffers.
Don’t instantly turn the volume up to 11. Leave some headroom for the later DJ’s to play with.
Warm up is the hardest slot to play in the night - most people are sober and are tentative. Even if the place is “practically empty” there are still a few people there who you don’t want to risk scaring off. Keep it appropriate to the venue, the night and the timeslot.
thanks man, you do make some very interesting points there, i just found this news out and was disappointed with it. just kinda frustrated here, just moved to a new city and trying to get this music career off the ground, and realizing how much politics plays a part in it… ooh well thats my ramble for now
but thanks again man, i guess you are right with it being the hardest time, just kinda challenges me a little more and have to adapt (now kinda looking forward to it haha)
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.
If you just moved there you have to keep in mind there are a lot of other DJ’s who have paid their dues in that city for a longer time than you . I’m not saying you haven’t worked hard to get where your at but I’m sure there are just other DJ’s who have been DJing a lot longer in that city than you have been . Just go play the gig hang out and make some connections . You could also see if they could get some sort of super cheap or open bar type drink special from like 9-10 or 11
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.
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.
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!
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.
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
Good luck and rock the fuck out