Nice read, I can attest that a lot of the DJs that open for the big names that whenever they spin here can learn a lot from that article. I remember this guy who was opening for Digweed played Gridlock, Coma, and about 3 or 4 other tunes from Transitions 3 within the last hour of his set (It was during his Transitions 3 Tour). Fucking idiot.

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Originally posted by Clovis All of that should be fucking obvious.

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Originally posted by elFreak a dj's job is not only to play music domesticated..opening dj's are often there to make people drink (aka money for the club) something that is not done when everyone is raving their face off on a dance floor. You might say it is stupid, but the headliner you want to see needs to get paid somehow.

I personally think a warm-up DJ should do what the fuck he/she wants provided it doesn't encroach on the headline act. I've had lots of fun dancing to opening acts. The idea that a warm-up jock should play what is essentially wallpaper music for people to drink to seems antithetical to this idea that it's an "art". Provided they aren't playing tracks the headline act will play and aren't going as fast, a warm-up DJ should be able to express themselves with their set.

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quote:

Originally posted by SYSTEM-J I personally think a warm-up DJ should do what the fuck he/she wants provided it doesn't encroach on the headline act. I've had lots of fun dancing to opening acts. The idea that a warm-up jock should play what is essentially wallpaper music for people to drink to seems antithetical to this idea that it's an "art". Provided they aren't playing tracks the headline act will play and aren't going as fast, a warm-up DJ should be able to express themselves with their set.

right, but you don't want to tire people out so that they leave earlier

that's all


i don't think he's advocating not being expressive. it's more like, don't fist a girl on the first date

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Originally posted by nefardec right, but you don't want to tire people out so that they leave earlier that's all

I agree, but with regards the two hours thing I think it's possible to make a nice curve up to peak-time in two hours without knackering the crowd. Maybe if it's a trance jock and peak-time is 140, but otherwise it's definitely possible.

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i don't think he's advocating not being expressive. it's more like, don't fist a girl on the first date

The OP lists a few restrictive rules: don't play big tracks, don't have breakdowns, don't have vocals... If a warm-up DJ is just playing wallpaper beats it's not going to make me dance and they may as well replace him with a mix compilation in the background. The whole "leave that stuff to the headline act" idea seems to glorify the idea of the headline DJ being the star of the show. I believe in the warm-up DJ simply being the first guy on who plays a bit slower, and beyond that it should just be like any set and you should be able to have a good time to it should you so wish. If people are just there for the headline act they're more likely to abstain from the floor until the big name comes on anyway. I don't see why people who are there to dance regardless of the name behind the decks should have to listen to wallpaper beats for hours.

The fisting comment made me laugh.

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> 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/

i think at the worst it is a glorification of the headliner

but at the best, i think it's more of a consciousness about what makes a good party good for as long as possible.

certainly there are environments in which 'play whatever the fuck you want' is a good modus operandi

All of this comes down to basic common sense. There is a time and place for everything and a time and place to break any and all rules. As a good DJ you just need to be able to judge when that is.

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Originally posted by ******** Seplling don't demonstrate intelligence and educatoin - knowing does.

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Originally posted by Clovis All of this comes down to basic common sense. There is a time and place for everything and a time and place to break any and all rules. As a good DJ you just need to be able to judge when that is.

well it's sensible

but if it is so common, why are there so many shitty openers?

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Originally posted by nefardec well it's sensible but if it is so common, why are there so many shitty openers?

Most people are idiots. I'd say that DJs have a higher chance of being even more stupid than the general population which is already pretty fucking stuid.

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quote:

Originally posted by nefardec well it's sensible but if it is so common, why are there so many shitty openers?

Because common sense is in short supply in this world.

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Originally posted by ******** Seplling don't demonstrate intelligence and educatoin - knowing does.

Biggest problems with openers (esp. inexperienced ones) is that they want to make a name for themselves, esp when opening for a big act.

Some of these guys rarely get gigs, so they want to make an impression.

can't blame them for wanting a bit of fame, but obviously they don't know what the job of opening dj is

everyone can be a headliner, but very few djs can be a good opener

edit: also disagree with the statement that no peak times should be played. i don't think there is anything wrong with playing a sequence of few 'peak time' tracks, as long as it fits within the general 'mood' of the night and that there is enough time before hand, say 30mins or so before the main acts to bring the club down to the level where the headliner can take over.

some djs will have like 3 hrs to warm up the club. 3 hrs of monotone boring no peak time tracks gets annoying

if you can get the club to groove a bit without boring the crowd, you're a good opener

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quote:

Originally posted by chinamon not true. i say "ugh" but i am a tranny.

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Originally posted by kotsy lol colour me retarded

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Originally posted by Yohan edit: also disagree with the statement that no peak times should be played. i don't think there is anything wrong with playing a sequence of few 'peak time' tracks, as long as it fits within the general 'mood' of the night and that there is enough time before hand, say 30mins or so before the main acts to bring the club down to the level where the headliner can take over. some djs will have like 3 hrs to warm up the club. 3 hrs of monotone boring no peak time tracks gets annoying

hmm

no

peak time means peak time

it's all relative. if you play very flatline and unobtrusively, any little change will seem bigger.

there are plenty of exciting things to play that aren't 'peak time'