well put mike! good post, especially the last point-

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Originally posted by montana yes, their productions got their far than their dj-careers. wasn't eluding at anything else. most people don't care with the shit transitions, it's just the scenesters (and these people are mostly just guys, yunno, the trainspotters and the bedroomdjs) who nitpick transitions inside the clubs. the rest will just dance and listen to the good tracks. and btw i'm not saying that good mixing skills doesn't get you anywhere, my point was that dj's all over the globe, since the beginning who have played records for a mixed crowd knows that you can rely completely on trackselection and not mix at all because that's what they did in the beginning. in jamaica and in the back in the paradise garage with larry levan. he was awful when it came to mixing, even when he had proper motordriven decks, he was terrible. but he had a trackselection that few could top.

they dont have to care, smooth transitions give the crowd momentum when they dance, whena trainwreck comes, they will be wtf? how do you dance to a trainwreck? helpp

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Originally posted by mikeconradi Ability to read the crowd - You don't need to going nuts behind the decks but it is imperative to be able to read the vibe in the room If you do this well number 3 gets that much easier. [/2cents] Mike

very nice

Ability to read the crowd!

Kind of worries me that it actually hasn't been mentioned, until now... It is the one skill you will need over all the others. You don't need to be that good technically, if you can do this. It helps but not essential.

As for the guys mentioned in the thread, these guys are famous for many different reasons. You have to take people like Fatboy Slim and Oakenfold for what they are. They are essentially legends of a different era, you can't take what they have done for dance music away from them.

That said, I saw Oakenfold recently and thought he played a really good set, not sure if this is a one off or the new him. Either way I was impressed. He was reading the crowd and it really worked. He didn't do any of the usual things he is associated with doing i.e. bad mixing etc. He was tight and played an awesome set. Took me by surprise.

Likewise, saw PvD recently and his set reeked of 'I play the same set everywhere I play this month' and it left me with a bad taste in my mouth. Did nothing as a spokes person for the new Digital era and I have to say was totally disapointed, and although you can't base a DJ on one performance but if that's what worlds number one, then the industry is really in trouble.
Don't get me wrong, what he was doing was technically very sound but just felt prepackaged.

Read the crowd, please the crowd.... simple once you know how.

Cheers
Nem

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Originally posted by Nemesis44 Ability to read the crowd!

Definitely, once this happens track selection happens.

Also Nem, was that the gig where you were warming up for pvd and got to have a good look at his set up? Care to elaborate on it all?

Thanks

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Originally posted by Tangil Definitely, once this happens track selection happens. Also Nem, was that the gig where you were warming up for pvd and got to have a good look at his set up? Care to elaborate on it all? Thanks

not really, you could spin whatever you want once you have the crowd set in motion.

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Originally posted by latenightsex not really, you could spin whatever you want once you have the crowd set in motion.

Ummm no because then you'd lose the crowd.

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Originally posted by Tangil Ummm no because then you'd lose the crowd.

wrong, after proper introduction and great buildup, you can play whatever you like, the crowd will dance to anything that has a bassdrum with a 1/4 bar.

for example check out timo mass, where his crowd interaction is so intense nobody realy gives a damn what genre is playing as long as it has a beat. The transitions are so smooth you can see the crowd bounce as the next track comes in

another example, i'v seen djs just stop the record completely and just utter silence comes in the crowd go's nuts, then puts the needle back and back to mayhem

yeah of course, but spinning what you want and getting a good reception means that you thought the crowd might be up for it, that you had read the crowd.

To be able to control a crowd you have to be able to read that they are liking the direction you're going in.

shit accidentally deleted the old post

a good edm dj plays what he wants to play. and waits for the crowds to follow. if they dont follow then play for your own enjoyment at hiome. never change your style/play tracks you wouldnt normally play for the crowd. thats what dj's in pop/chart/cheese clubs are paid to do.

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