So I've been asked to DJ at a friends birthday because they were 'desperate' for someone to do it, and I said it wasn't really my thing but I'd do a commercial dance and classics set, sort of thing.

Probably be doing house for the first 3 hours then build up energy and play trance for the last hour. I've spent the last few days compiling CDs of classics but I need more upfront commercial house stuff, and also I'm not sure the ratio of tracks they know/don't know i should be playing. I'm actually really regretting saying yes to it now, any suggestions?

Play Eurodance = you win.

there are quite a few threads like this in the dj booth forum.


i'd say discogs a few of the recent-ish MOS compilations (like the 'best of 2007/6' type stuff) and go from there. radio 1's playlist might be a good place to check too for the upfront stuff.

there'll undoubtedly be a few that people won't know but you'll prob just need to read the crowd & keep a few really obvious choices up your sleeve for those moments. and try to stock up on dancey remixes of indie/pop songs.. like one of the many bootleg mixes of mr brightside, chasing cars etc. or r&b songs for that matter


also this if you're brave enough

Darude - Sandstorm

___________________
Although you are far away
I know you'll always be
Near to me
Near to me

R.I.P. DarkAngel 12-16-o9

quote:

Originally posted by MeLLyMeL Darude - Sandstorm

I feel like such a sellout having to play this

I'll try and balance it out with good trance

whistle song

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TRANCE MUSIC
Sebastian Brandt + Aly Fila Addict
Music is Like SEX,Its Better When Its FREE

quote:

Originally posted by Jono404 I feel like such a sellout having to play this I'll try and balance it out with good trance

fuck that man, tis a great track and people will love it!

do not be worried about "selling out" at a gig like this. In fact, you will have a much better time if you do sell out a bit, have some principles yeah, but dont sacrifice your crowds, and you own, enjoyment because you dont want to play something a bit cheesy. (I have learnt this this hard way, it can be really rather depressing)

my advice would be probably to stear clear of too much trance, keep things relatively funky, party tunes, maybe some breaks. You've probably listen to enough music over the years to find plenty of music that fits that crtierea so do what djs do best, go and dig it out.

If you want a list of recommendations, pm me, but if you can find it, the Layo & Bushwacka! remix of The Bangles - Walk Like An Egyptian always works at things like this for me

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Dave King - Tales Of The Future [Trance]
Dave King - Personal Classics
MIX ARCHIVE!!!

Yeah you might be right on the trance thing, especially since it's mostly going to be girls and I'm better at mixing housey stuff. Got plenty of funky stuff and the commercial electrohouse sound that's popular at the moment, I'm basically going to arm myself up with a lot of music and see where the night takes me

My advice is to go out to a meatmarket club and make a note of all the stuff they play. Doesn't matter which one because all meatmarkets tend to play the exact same stuff. Do some practical research.

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Mixes:
> Maximum Elevation [Progressive House]
> DI.FM 26th Anniversary Guest Mix [Progressive House]
> Live @ Dance:Love:Hub London, 11.10.2025
> Higher Peaks [Progressive House]
> Dance:Love:Hub Afterparty (The Return) 23.11.24

Like these sets? Come see me play live at Kibosh in Manchester: https://www.instagram.com/kibosh.mcr/