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-- last thoughts before i go do this!!

last thoughts before i go do this!!

hey you guys

well i have been practicing my lil but off for a while now.. and one of my friends is hosting a party here in town, and i have been asked to be the dj for the night.

is there anything that i should think about when playing, making my tracklist? or any other things to think about at all? i would like to blow their minds away .. so other people would ask me to do their shows as well...

the party is on april 17th, ill tell you guys how i did, but for now.. i need some last minute advice.. any thoughts?

i hope by 'make a tracklist' u mean feeling how a crowd reacts and then deciding what track to play next etc

yeah, plan out the first 3 songs er so. then see how they like that.


if they hate it, switch up. if not, continue as is. I usually sort out my records by pairs or trios, those 2 or 3 that go together nicely. then I play each 2 or 3 at a time.

but reading the crowd is hard...but at parties..who cares eh.

well by meaning making a tracklist, as in im only going to bring a certain amount of vinyl there and i want to know which ones to bring and which ones not to bring u know, like... i spin uplifting / melodic .. etc..

i didn't need help with the tracklist
but i wanted to know like:

1. stuff not to forget and/or stuff that people usually forget to bring
2. tips while playing live too hahah

like this is going to be my first time like out in public (not with 4-5 friends over) .. but like 100 people hehe

im not worried if i mess up too much, im worried that i might really forget somethign that i really might need...

cheers

Well if you have to bring everything:
Needles, Carts, Tables, Mixer, CABLES (I have watched a lot of people forget certain cables), Headphones, Vinyl. That should do you. Bringing an extra power strip is always a good idea. Oh yea, and bring a pen. Gotta write down all those girls phone numbers you get Take it easy and good luck. Should be a good time....

-Maybe Duct tape to tape down you cables so no one trips over them an unplugs you rig.

-For you first time in front of a crowd, I would bring another DJ to help out cuz spinning for 5hrs straight is going to be hard at first. With 2 dj's , you will be able to keep the energy alive at the party because you will be able to take breaks and get your 'ears' back.

-Maybe rent a disco light + stand. (maybe fog machine also)

-Think about bringing a speaker for your DJ monitor.

quote:

Originally posted by SUNWmsf -Think about bringing a speaker for your DJ monitor.

-was just going to mention that. dont know if youre providing the sound setup as well, but bear in mind most parties dont have real DJs, therefore, the concept of a monitor is lost on most hosts. if youre supplying the audio, then it wont be a problem, if not, get there early to work something and have a sound check to ensure youre comfortable.

-do you know the crowd? or have you no idea what their tastes are? this might be something worth looking into, as i've had friends want to throw parties with electronic music, whereas the people they invited do not like the music. so its a stupid situation. hopefully this crowd will like electronica, so youll be tight.

-try to take a few crossover tracks to experiment, see if people like darker stuff/uplifting/faster/energetic/chillout/funky/etc. you get the picture. my advice is you have your own style, but theirs always those records thats halfway between your personal preferred style and something else. these records can provide dancefloor insight on people's tastes.

-catch em by surprise. id say, dont be afraid to pound em too hard

-are these people conosseurs of electronica? are they trainspotters? i ask because ive seen some people be overly worried with their mixing skills in front of a crowd who couldnt tell the difference between average Joe DJ and Sasha, mixwise. not that im suggesting you be sloppy or mediocre, just if your mix isn't dead on, but the crowd can't really tell, dont sweat it and keep trying to get it better.

-have fun. make 100% sure you are having fun. if you're jumping and dancing, that means they will, or at least, if you are all pissed off and crappy, i doubt the crowd will be too pumped.

DO NOT FORGET YOUR CABLES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(had to wait an hour and a half once when a friend of mine brough his setup, cables for everything, except the AC Adaptor for his mixer. he had to run home (allllllllllll the way across the city) and get it while silence awaited.)

yeah monitors are good to have. when I don't ahve one though I just move one speaker back or half ass point it towards me and it works out fine.


also make sure there is a table there that cna fit the setup....and isn't too low. I hate playing on a setup that is at my kneecaps....but you might not be as tall as me...


also another thing that you might wanna carry is a soft blanket. If the floor is unstable where you are setup your decks will move and the needle will skip. you can put the blanket under the tables.


but think we covered about everything...and I second the power strip and extension cord....and if you are really worried...3 prong adaptor...


but I think you'll be fine. especially if you play DJ Sammy - Heaven...

quote:

Originally posted by Dirk W. Well if you have to bring everything: Needles, Carts, Tables, Mixer, CABLES (I have watched a lot of people forget certain cables), Headphones, Vinyl. That should do you. Bringing an extra power strip is always a good idea. Oh yea, and bring a pen. Gotta write down all those girls phone numbers you get Take it easy and good luck. Should be a good time....

SLIPMATS!!!!

Anyway, always pay attention to your stuff (gear & vinyl) because there's a lot of punks out there trying to steal stuff... carts & headphones are easy targets when ur not paying attention

ooh. take any cleaning tool you can with. you never know what can happen at a party (spills beer, cigarette ashes, etc etc)

Some sort of flashlight or light you can use to see if the room is dark is always helpful.

I read alittle bit of this thread, but basically, just be yourself, be calm, also be aware of the type of crowd you will be spinning to. If its a crowd that doesnt know EDM, than you might want to stick to more vocal stuff like Holding onto Nothing, Crush, Beautiful Things, stay away from the hard stuff. My 2 cents.

If you mess up, laugh it off. That's the most important one.

quote:

Originally posted by Endo If you mess up, laugh it off. That's the most important one.

looks like i might have to do a lot of laughing

Have a look at this.

http://www.recess.co.uk/playlive.html

Anyone who used to go on the forums there recess must be back cos his site is all new and stuff. Took his time.

edit: there too perhaps more relavent actually

http://www.recess.co.uk/nightdiary.html

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