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What makes a good DJ ?? (pg. 3)
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| Jayx1 |
| quote: | Originally posted by [NFC]Wave
All things aside that have previously been talked about...the one thing that is such a huge importance;
Stage presence.
You can't tell me that watching a DJ sit in the shadows doing nothing at all is as exciting and interesting as watching Armin, Ferry, Tiesto, etc. jumping around, interacting with the crowd.
I love it, and it's important.
Of course you have to do smooth and exciting mixes, builds and letdowns, crowd reading, etc. But that stage presence is what makes a GREAT DJ over just a good one (IMO) |
Like i said the show is about the music. I dont want DJs to be some sort of lipsynching pop star. I go to HEAR a DJ, not SEE them. I dont care if hes waving at the crowd, doing magic tricks (tiesto cough) or eating fire, i go to hear MUSIC. Save the theatrics for those hired to do them such as go go dancers or hired entertainment and let the DJ do his job which is DJing. If you are really going for the show i hear Portia Surreal may be coming back sometime soon :rolleyes: |
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| Skipper |
Obviously the DJ needs to do their job, which is provide music, and being interactive shouldn't interfere with that. But personally I like to see a DJ who is enjoying the music just as much as the crowd. An interactive DJ can do WONDERS for the vibe at a party.
Compare Richie and Sven Vath...whose gigs are more fun? Sven! He gets everyone excited and riled up and dancing. Total character. Richie just stands there and looks down at his laptop. |
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| starsearcher |
| Sven has the nicest smile - definitely great interaction with the crowd :D |
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| Jayx1 |
| quote: | Originally posted by Skipper
Obviously the DJ needs to do their job, which is provide music, and being interactive shouldn't interfere with that. But personally I like to see a DJ who is enjoying the music just as much as the crowd. An interactive DJ can do WONDERS for the vibe at a party.
Compare Richie and Sven Vath...whose gigs are more fun? Sven! He gets everyone excited and riled up and dancing. Total character. Richie just stands there and looks down at his laptop. |
However id rather go hear richie because i think he is a better DJ. |
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| Kytracid |
| quote: | Originally posted by Jayx1
It depends. If a Dj jumping around and being an idiot takes away from the music aspect of the show then i dont like it. Id rather have a dj "just stand there" and deliver the goods then jump around like a clown. Remember that DJs are there to be heard and NOT SEEN. I'm there for the music. If i want a show i'll go to the theatre. |
Ahem...6000 people are jumping around like idiots when the DJ is dropping some heavy songs, so why shouldn't he be doing the same thing ? It's not a question of acting like an idiot (which i'm not sure how you define anyway). If a DJ just goes there to spin a few songs and look down the entire time he probably isn't doing one of the most important things he should be doing which is reading the crowd. And if he is reading the crowd, and feeding off their energy, then i don't see why he shouldn't enjoy himself as well. Dj's who look and act like automons in their booth are uncharasmatic and seem to be bored doing their job (which is ok -- but personally, i would rather see a DJ who not only knows how to spin the right kinda of music, but also enjoys himself/herself while doing so)
Beatmatching and doing some turntable tricks are all well and good, but half the time those little things go unnoticed because people don't look up to the DJ in awe of his skills, they are looking up at him because he is dropping the kind of songs that make that particular moment special. Crowd interaction coupled with enthusiasm helps to build up the vibe of the party, and i know you walk away with a overall positive feeling that everyone had a good night.
Take PVD for example. Throws down some great sets, but looks like someone is holding a gun to his head while he is spinning. You're never sure if he actually wants to be there, sharing 5 hours of his life with you. I'm not saying that takes away from his sets, or his nites but would it really kill him to occasionally get pumped along with the people who are digging his beats ( I know he does occasioanlly, but i'm giving him as one of those cool as ice DJ's who rarely ever exhibits any emotions while he is spinning)
Personally, the best DJ's are the ones who do their job behind the decks, but also find a way to connect with the people on the floor. Otherwise all you have is some superstar talent way up there in his ivory tower spinning some records, removed and not really part of the party...
For people who don't worship DJ's like me, that just leaves me with the impression that the particular DJ is not really enjoying his job. |
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| starsearcher |
| quote: | Originally posted by Kytracid
Take PVD for example. Throws down some great sets, but looks like someone is holding a gun to his head while he is spinning. You're never sure if he actually wants to be there, sharing 5 hours of his life with you. I'm not saying that takes away from his sets, or his nites but would it really kill him to occasionally get pumped along with the people who are digging his beats ( I know he does occasioanlly, but i'm giving him as one of those cool as ice DJ's who rarely ever exhibits any emotions while he is spinning)
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Actually with PVD it's tricky :p I know he's usually more serious and reserved but I've seen him on a number of occasions where he was dansing and smiling and having a great time. The first was during Innercity 2003 (he was going crazy and smiling all over the place) and then back here in TO where was also full of smiles and having a good time.
BUT, overall I agree with what you are saying 100% ;) |
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| Jayx1 |
| quote: | Originally posted by Kytracid
Ahem...6000 people are jumping around like idiots when the DJ is dropping some heavy songs, so why shouldn't he be doing the same thing ? It's not a question of acting like an idiot (which i'm not sure how you define anyway). If a DJ just goes there to spin a few songs and look down the entire time he probably isn't doing one of the most important things he should be doing which is reading the crowd. And if he is reading the crowd, and feeding off their energy, then i don't see why he shouldn't enjoy himself as well. Dj's who look and act like automons in their booth are uncharasmatic and seem to be bored doing their job (which is ok -- but personally, i would rather see a DJ who not only knows how to spin the right kinda of music, but also enjoys himself/herself while doing so)
Beatmatching and doing some turntable tricks are all well and good, but half the time those little things go unnoticed because people don't look up to the DJ in awe of his skills, they are looking up at him because he is dropping the kind of songs that make that particular moment special. Crowd interaction coupled with enthusiasm helps to build up the vibe of the party, and i know you walk away with a overall positive feeling that everyone had a good night.
Take PVD for example. Throws down some great sets, but looks like someone is holding a gun to his head while he is spinning. You're never sure if he actually wants to be there, sharing 5 hours of his life with you. I'm not saying that takes away from his sets, or his nites but would it really kill him to occasionally get pumped along with the people who are digging his beats ( I know he does occasioanlly, but i'm giving him as one of those cool as ice DJ's who rarely ever exhibits any emotions while he is spinning)
Personally, the best DJ's are the ones who do their job behind the decks, but also find a way to connect with the people on the floor. Otherwise all you have is some superstar talent way up there in his ivory tower spinning some records, removed and not really part of the party...
For people who don't worship DJ's like me, that just leaves me with the impression that the particular DJ is not really enjoying his job. |
Personally i rarely look at the DJ unless im watching what he is technically doing. I dont care what the DJ looks like, what he's doing, or how he's behaving as long as the music is good. If i watch a DJ it's because i'm interested in the techinques they are using not because they are performing some sort of theatrics. |
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| starsearcher |
| quote: | Originally posted by Jayx1
Personally i rarely look at the DJ unless im watching what he is technically doing. I dont care what the DJ looks like, what he's doing, or how he's behaving as long as the music is good. If i watch a DJ it's because i'm interested in the techinques they are using not because they are performing some sort of theatrics. |
You're boring :p:clown: |
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| mecha |
What makes a good DJ?
One thing ORIGINALITY (bring something new to the table and see how people react). Maybe trying new technology, different records/cdrs collections, accapellas and loops and etc. |
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| bARTovsky |
It isn't ALLL about the audience. While obviously reacting to the audience plays an important part in the skills of a DJ, technical prowess is definitely an integral part as well. If its only about dropping good tracks one after the other then pop a CD in your stereo and enjoy! ;)
A good DJ needs to have the technical skills to mix the sounds together and actually create an entire flow of music for the night. Combine that with the ability to determine what your audience wants to hear and you're gold. |
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| girllovingtvibe |
| all of the above and then some ;) |
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| Skipper |
| quote: | Originally posted by Jayx1
However id rather go hear richie because i think he is a better DJ. |
Well now we're getting into a matter of personal taste.
I'm saying Sven does a great job of a/ providing music and b/ creating a party atmosphere. Richie only does a/. |
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