So, I've got my first gig lined up for next monday night,
I'm meeting the manager of this local club and generally just having a play. It's a monday night because the club is not so busy and he wants me to have time to learn the equipment.

I've never DJed out before, or on a really decent setup (although I do have v. good speakers at home).

So I was after some tips.... Anyone with experience tell me about their first time? Give me some pointers?


ta.

One thing is that on a loud PA system, if your beatmatching is a little off, then it is very hard to tell becaues of the volume and the echoing etc of the club. Bring your own headphones, and of course your music too. If you are particular about your cartriges, you may wish to bring them also. Most pro djs bring their own carts, though you SHOULD have some provided for you...you may not have headphones provided though. In a club I think that you will though.

After you get there, drink a couple of beers first and then take a piss. Don't get loaded and don't drink so much that you'll have to piss in the middle of your set either.

As far as your music goes, just remember what timeslot you'll be playing. If it is the first one, then DO NOT play floor-slamming tunes. If you try to rock the floor instantly, then it will NOT work if you are the first dj of the night in a club. Make sure that you have a moderate mix of warmup tunes and good club trance. People also like to hear stuff that they've heard before in a club--but not stuff that is way overplayed. Bring remixes of 80's an 90's pop/rock tunes. Madonna is always a good choice! If you play pure trance, then try to play vocal remixes of the tracks etc.

Try to master a few mixes that you'll be comfortable to start out with and since it's your first time, then memorize your first 2-5 tracks. Think about how you will start it off and what you want to end it with at least, so that you'll have a good idea of what you want to accomplish with the timeslot that you have. If you are given 60 or 90 or 120 minutes, then make sure you bring at least double that amount of music--just incase.

Most of all, be very familiar with your tracks and OWn them all!

___________________
When you dance, the DJ takes you on a journey, but he or she is usually not the focus of your experience at a club or festival or wherever you hear the music. Dancing is. Music is.

DON'T get nervous (can lead to horrible things)
DON'T get distracted by the women
DON'T let the women near the tables (unless the give you sexual favors on the spot)......
DON'T let drunk guys near the tables (they usually spill beer on the equipment)
DON'T accidentally hit the needle (if this does happen, blame it on the person nearest the tables.......ALWAYS work......
DON'T get carried away talking to others nearby
DON'T promise ppl u will play something unless you really are going to(they will nag you all nite....happened to me awhile back)


DO let on lookers enjoy an up close view of you mixing (they will like you and may become a fan)

Can't think of anymore right now.......

___________________
The Friday Night Backspin - 90.9 FM 6-10 PM
My Website
WTB--Favorite/WTB Vinyl:

1.Baby Anne- Version 5.1
2.Silicone Works- Daylight (Breaks)


Please PM me if you have these.

Thank You!

Really decent advice!

Almost. Almost, makes me feel comfortable, heh.

Don't forget to build a relationship with the crowd and, most of all, HAVE FUN!

If all else fails and everyone thinks you suck, simply put on a sekzy choon, go out to the middle of the floor and start to take your clothes off.

___________________

just have fun. smile to everyone and dont act like a snob coz people hate it when u do(i hate it when djs do) mix like u mix at home.
good luck to ya.

trance eases the pain.

i'm sure you'll do just fine.

since it's your first gig... I'd do a little preparation - get an idea of what tracks you might want to play, line up some cool transitions for the night, read manuals for the equiptment you'll be playing on so you know exactly how to work it, etc etc...

and whatever you do, dont get yourself nervous or distracted when your playing...

dont be hard on yourself when your playing, like mentioned above there's alot of room for error in a big sound system, and most people that don't spin wont notice your errors unless they are pretty obvious.

good luck on your first gig... and have fun with it!!

quote:

Originally posted by mikefasssy If all else fails and everyone thinks you suck, simply put on a sekzy choon, go out to the middle of the floor and start to take your clothes off.

hehe
I would go for that one

i still remember my first gig, it was freakin horrible!
the mixer was screwed up so each time i wanted to move the fader up or down it got messed up, lucky for me, the cd players were on and my beat matching was almost perfect so i guess only the pro's in the crowd noticed the bad transitions

Well, the best gig so far i had i did it all differently. I practiced a lot beforehand but on the actual day i didn't touch the decks at all. Don't have your tracks lined up. Don't plan. Just go and flow with the music. Thats when you can create the energy...When everything is happening without you planning ahead and you're experiencing it with the clubbers. Trust me you'll go jumping with smile all over your face.
Also if this is a trial gig i.e. the manager is going to see how you perform and you get the whole night it'd be impressive if you could pull a crowd so do a little extra work and make some flyers to give to the people around that night or the weekend before.
Also don't worry...what's the worse that could happen anyway?

AGHH I'm 90% sure I got a gig coming up soon..... a "big" one

this thread has helped me some what....i think i need some vodka

Liquid, whats the gig you're hoping for? Do tell