So I may have secured my first gig in Montreal in a few weeks as an opener/warmup DJ. If this event goes down like I think it will, it should attract a pretty big crowd. In all likelihood it will be the biggest crowd I've ever played for. Do any of you have advice for me on how to play a kickass warmup set?

My style is mostly tech-house and funky progressive these days - not too much epic or over-the-top stuff - so I'm well-suited to warming up (at least musically). But anything you all can tell me will be appreciated, as this could lead to more gigs if I don't screw it up.

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Without knowing what the night is i.e. what genres are coming after you it's very difficult to say, who is headlining, are you right infront of the headliner or is there another warm up after you?


You main goal is to fill the floor, but you need to know why the crowd is going there so that you can play based on that. You may find that you will have to adapt a little. If you are playing for a trance crowd you may find that prog is better suited than minimal or tech.

Whatever genres you go with, you can afford to start of quite low key and then funk it up and let the basslines get funkier as you go. If the dance floor has people gathered on it when you are done you have done your job. They don't have to be freaking out at your skills, just there, ready for the next act. This is also a sure way to give you a good reputation with other DJs and promoters.

Let me know the genres and I will be in a better position to advise.

Cheers
Nem

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what club/event is this?

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quote:

Originally posted by SYSTEM-J Levels is...decent...damn better than a lot of the shite dominating the charts at the moment. It sounds absolutely nothing like...a billion and one similar tracks in this big-room style. I always had a soft spot.

quote:

Originally posted by Adam420 what club/event is this?

It's still in the planning stage, I think...I'll be sure to post details when I know them.

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what promoter?

quote:

Originally posted by lenazi what promoter?

Cosmic Cafe.

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ask yourself a couple of questions first.

1. How many are coming to see YOU?

If you have a sizeable crowd coming to see you, don't disappoint them with a down tempo set. On the flip side, if you're playing for a smaller group of people, consider playing stuff a bit more laid back and manage the volume of your set. A small group of people don't want to hear you slam an empty dance floor.

2. And yeah, like Nem said, know what kind of music the headliner is playing and what not. Do you want to adapt? You really don't have to in my opinion. Only if you want to.

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I think this set is a great model:

http://www.tranceaddict.com/forums/...2&forumid=73&s=

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quote:

Originally posted by SYSTEM-J Levels is...decent...damn better than a lot of the shite dominating the charts at the moment. It sounds absolutely nothing like...a billion and one similar tracks in this big-room style. I always had a soft spot.

quote:

Originally posted by Adam420 I think this set is a great model: http://www.tranceaddict.com/forums/...2&forumid=73&s=

That was exactly what I was going to direct him to when I read the first post

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That set is pure class, honestly.

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quote:

Originally posted by SYSTEM-J Levels is...decent...damn better than a lot of the shite dominating the charts at the moment. It sounds absolutely nothing like...a billion and one similar tracks in this big-room style. I always had a soft spot.

Indeed, nice track listing.

But don't forget, the art of warming up is all about reading the crowd not planning your sets before hand (or at least it should be).

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quote:

Originally posted by Nemesis44 Indeed, nice track listing. But don't forget, the art of warming up is all about reading the crowd not planning your sets before hand (or at least it should be).

I know what you mean, but often a warm up wont even have a crowd to play to so you can get away with pre programming your set a little. Unless of course you arrive and there are tonnes of people there.