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"Reading the Crowd"
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| ianco |
I read a lot about reading the crowd. I will be playing out for the first time soon and I've seen a lot about this on here.
As I've never had a crowd to read, can't say as I know exactly how you do it.
Do you guys categorise your tunes 'uplifting' 'trippy' 'chilled' 'anthemn' etc and look for what you reckon they into at that moment? Do you use any kind of method to this or...or what? |
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| idoru |
It's actually an incredibly simple task to do. If the crowd likes it, they'll be on the dancefloor. If they don't, you'll start to see the crowd get smaller. Don't freak out if just a couple of people leave, only focus on the majority of the crowd.
Also, if you're the opening DJ, don't expect people to dance right away. More often than not it takes about 30-40 minutes before people will be on the floor. |
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| pkcRAISTLIN |
| i just play whatever i like and hope somebody likes it. but thats the problem with only having one genre to spin ;) |
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| DJChrisB |
Think about your audience ahead of time. Is it a bunch of ravers or people who generally listen to whatever the local top-40 or hip-hop station tells them to? That will help you determine what to start with. If they are of a hip-hop crowd, I would start with some more mainstream stuff, mash-ups, or remixes of popular songs to get people moving. From there, you can vary it up a little and see how they react. In my experience, some crowds prefer tracks with a lot of vocals while others like really underground stuff.
Try. Analyze. Adapt. -- That's it. |
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| EvilTree |
Keep in mind that there is no 'SOP' to crowd reading...
And I have limited experience at playing out (but been clubbing for few yrs now) so take this for what it's worth ;)
Every club has a different feel, just like every city has its own vibe in EDM culture. It does help to get some prior knowledge to your venue, so that you can have a general idea to what kind of tunes you'd want to play. Are they open minded? Set on particular genre only? Likes certain producers? etc
Of course, you may not actually be able to attend one of the nights or get some prior knowledge of the club you'll be playing at.
So, as others have said, are you the opener? In that case, don't expect the crowd to dance right off the bat, nor should you be playing bangers from the get go. If you're getting a steady stream of people and seems to stay, you're doing a good job.
If you're the headliner, well, you should be playing stuff that gets the club moving, whatever genre you're playing. The crowd doesn't have to be dancing their ass off, but as long as there is a decent sway and more people are staying than leaving, you're doing a good job.
If you're the closer, you can either continue to bang away or gradually tone the energy down until the last tune. This depends on the crowd. Some crowd wants to go hard until they get booted out, some wants to gradually slow down.
Don't be discouraged because some people leave. They might be going for a smoke break or just need to go to the other room for a while.
Some crowds (esp. the regulars) have a set pattern, no matter who's playing. I've been at clubs where there is a full crowd and the DJ is playing a good set, but suddenly the crowd leaves and only to return 30 mins later. Weird things happen.
Remember to look up and actually see the crowd's reaction to your set. Some times you're so focused on the technical side of DJing (like beatmatching) that you're not registering how the crowd is reacting. Take the headphone off for few mins when opportunity comes and just soak in the atmosphere. If the crowd is loving the set, you'll feel the buzz in the air. (Best feeling in DJing!)
If you're not enjoying the set, don't expect others to be also! Most of the time, the crowd will see what your body language is and what your face expression is and they'll feed off of that too. You don't have to pull an Armin or Carl Cox and do antics, but nor should you be like Digweed (but Digweed can pull off because he's so awesome) and look like you're serious all the time. Smile. Look like you're enjoying your set. You're playing your tunes. You should be enjoying your set or else there is something wrong in your set.
Have fun :) |
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| Zild |
It's simple really but it takes experience. You play music and watch the crowd for their reaction. Depending on the crowd sometimes you might be planning to play a song you really like but they won't want to hear it etc... Play music watch the crowd and adjust accordingly.
At like the previous poster said; don't keep your head buried in the mixer. Take the opportunity to soak up the atmosphere and have a good time. |
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| ianco |
| quote: | Originally posted by Dj Spiel
bump good info! |
Second that. Thanks everyone, I always had the feeling it was going to be one of those things you can only learn by doing it.
More opinions welcome. |
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| Zild |
| Very true. It isn't some mythical skill that you can't learn. It is very easy to learn but the trick is you need to play in front of quite a bit of crowds in order to learn. |
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| Benjamin_D |
I play music that i enjoy to listen to. With that being said if your listening to music you enjoy it usually make you move around and dance yourself wethere at your house or in a DJ booth. Your crowed interaction has A LOT to do with a crows reaction if you are not a well know dj. When you have the crowd then you can make the crowd do what you want them to do. but you have to get the crowd to do that. and i can assure you stairing at your feet will not get it done.
Just go in there and play tracks you like to hear build your set and have a good time with the crowd. interact with them. my .02 |
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| David Jeffreys |
| go watch dj's that play the same type of music that you will be playing and watch the crowds reaction after awhile you should be able to pick up on what makes them move. like track selection and mixing tricks. and how you react to them is important! dont play for them, play to them |
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