quote:

Originally posted by Yohan Good DJs will get the dancefloor moving. Great DJs will lead the crowd

Well said...

I think its evident that particularly trance DJs play what their fans want.
Its what got them to where they are and they're not about to jeopardize that.

They MUST like other music...i mean, is it even possible to ONLY like hands-in-the-air trance for 10+ yrs??
No fuggin way imo

quote:

Originally posted by Sykonee I dunno 'bout that. I think about a rock band like AC/DC that hasn't changed one iota for the last 30 years -playing the same basic hard party rock night after night- yet they seem to give it their all whenever they perform, totally losing themselves in the music and enjoying every minute of it. And their fans wouldn't have it any other way either.

But in the case of a band what kind of music the members play depends on what they feel capable of writing, unless it's a cover band.

With a DJ, the skill set used to play well is very similar across genres, unless we're talking about turntablism.

to be a successful dj they have to create a niche and sound that is theirs (and have a production or 2 to get more bookings), and when they get a following it becomes hard for them to deviate from what got them there because their fan base might not accept it.

Many of these djs like a broader style of music than what they play. If you only know one style of music, you don't know music.

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Le Freak - A.D.D & Chimichurri [Techno/Tech House/Music to put on burritos.]*click bitches*

look at howells or holden. those guys will play ambient, breaks, house, techno and even trance in the same set. and they are regarded as some of the best. so i think it's a balance, play a wide range to keep your fans guessing, but at the same time there is a level of comfort in knowing what you're going to hear when you see a dj.

He is not a prolific producer and has the benefit of many years of experience that gives him this luxury

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Le Freak - Set Archive

Le Freak - A.D.D & Chimichurri [Techno/Tech House/Music to put on burritos.]*click bitches*

Classic case of identity crisis...

Do you appease the fans that got you there in the first place listening to amazing sets across all kinds of trance (as already mentioned long gone are days when the set was structured with all types of trance music)...

Or do you just stick to what you know, and play your "brand" of trance music - - keeping it fresh, only by using label or close friends as a means to stock exclusive tracks for yourself.

To be honest, I hate what trance has become. That these guys believe they're heading in the 'right' direction by trying to keep as many people happy as possible... if only they would just play what they like, and not what they think the crowd would like.

This crisis of identity definitely covers Tiesto... and the other Dutchies... for want of a better term, its really like they've grown so big, that they no longer can alter their sound - - they would drop off their position and fame if they did.

Speaking again of Tiesto - and to some extent PvD and Armin, their recent artist productions become increasingly commercial-minded. Why? I've heard from the BH camp, that they could've chosen to make an album of only deeper club tracks - but where is the challenge in that? Getting worldwide recognition on a scale that EDM didn't see before, is what currently drives these guys... perhaps a case of believing in their own hype?

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Tiesto Tracklist Archive - Independently Online

Label affiliations reach way further than in the trance world. This is a business and like it or not, if they want to be able maximize their earning potential they have to treat it as so.

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Le Freak - Set Archive

Le Freak - A.D.D & Chimichurri [Techno/Tech House/Music to put on burritos.]*click bitches*

quote:

Originally posted by Acton This is one reason why I appreciate Paul van Dyk, at least he plays a good variety of tunes.

+1

quote:

Originally posted by MichaelBoogerd! Classic case of identity crisis... Do you appease the fans that got you there in the first place listening to amazing sets across all kinds of trance (as already mentioned long gone are days when the set was structured with all types of trance music)... Or do you just stick to what you know, and play your "brand" of trance music - - keeping it fresh, only by using label or close friends as a means to stock exclusive tracks for yourself. To be honest, I hate what trance has become. That these guys believe they're heading in the 'right' direction by trying to keep as many people happy as possible... if only they would just play what they like, and not what they think the crowd would like. This crisis of identity definitely covers Tiesto... and the other Dutchies... for want of a better term, its really like they've grown so big, that they no longer can alter their sound - - they would drop off their position and fame if they did. Speaking again of Tiesto - and to some extent PvD and Armin, their recent artist productions become increasingly commercial-minded. Why? I've heard from the BH camp, that they could've chosen to make an album of only deeper club tracks - but where is the challenge in that? Getting worldwide recognition on a scale that EDM didn't see before, is what currently drives these guys... perhaps a case of believing in their own hype?

I don't know. Yesterday I saw an interview on tv with "Dutchie" Don Diablo. Didn't know him until I heard his early stuff (when he was 15 years old!!!). He just released or is about to release his new album which took him 4 years to make.
He stated that being a DJ in Holland is extremly difficult. The people are very down to earth (act normal than you're crazy enough..) and very critical. I was a bit surprised about that, but I think someone like Don can know this.
I don't like his work so much, I like trancier or hard clubhouse more, but how he makes his tracks is impressive.

For one track he recorded his own voice like 30 times to make it sound like a choir. Also because he doesn't have a band played every single instrument by himself.
So, sick of the other Dutchies? Check him out maybe you like it.
www.dondiablo.com Check the Multimedia Don @youtube section to get a impression of him.

I guess Ferry makes whatever he likes, when he make a weird track everybody accepts this, Armin just likes the stuff he is making now and Tiesto, I don't know about him.....you could be right, mixed feelings. I also don't like all these commercial tracks, when they are starting to sound like eachother. On the other hand, IMO the ASOT sessions lately sound a bit less commercial to me.

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Longest (classic) Trance playlist on YouTube (5000 tracks released up to and including 1997), click here

I have no sympathy for any DJ that does this, as they clearly have no artistic integrity and are more interested in making money. It's sheer laziness anyway, because a DJ can play many different styles and remain popular. Just look at the genre-switching Oakenfold did in the 90s (and I say 90s because he actually cared back then): house, progressive house, drum 'n bass, goa trance, epic trance... not to mention all the film score insertion business.

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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/

quote:

Originally posted by SYSTEM-J I have no sympathy for any DJ that does this, as they clearly have no artistic integrity and are more interested in making money. It's sheer laziness anyway, because a DJ can play many different styles and remain popular. Just look at the genre-switching Oakenfold did in the 90s (and I say 90s because he actually cared back then): house, progressive house, drum 'n bass, goa trance, epic trance... not to mention all the film score insertion business.

I don't understand why more DJs either don't or don't want to do this. I mean, Oakenfold did it and became practically a household name then, so it's not even that you necessarily have to sacrifice popularity while experimenting.