DJing is one of the most fun things you can spend your weekend doing. But you know what’s even more fun? Making your DJ set your own. Seeing the lights in their eyes go on when they realize that there’s something cool going on in the booth. Here are a few ways to make your DJ set pop when DJing professionally.
Mashups
There’s a special place in the human brain for mashups. Crowds simply go banans when some retro 80s tune gets the trap beat treatment, or when Nirvana guitars suddenly launch their attack on a house mix. It’s just the right balance of nostalgic and new. Use this power! Get into using Traktor Stems or Remix Decks. Create interesting combinations of old and new that haven’t been heard before. People love it, and will remember a few good drops from the night.
Live performance
When you’re in a small space and people can see what you’re up to, go as live as you can. Hitting colorful flashing buttons works. Finger drumming works. Having an instrumentalist play along with your (or doing it yourself) definitely works. If there’s anything that sets you apart as a DJ, it’s when you do something more active than head-bobbing while waiting for the song to end. When appropriate, do what you can to stoke the atmosphere.
Original material
Playing your own stuff is risky. People are generally antagonistic towards new material. It’s true. Way more people want to hear what they already know. But here’s how you can win it: make music that sounds like your DJ set. Whether it’s future bass, trap, house or glitchy vaporwave, you can do it. Start slipping your own tracks in amongst the chaos. Pick a spot in your setlist that makes your track a bit of a feature. For example, after a few instrumental tunes, throw in your vocal one. Then read the crowd, learn, and continue making it better.
There are few things as satisfying as putting on a good show and gaining the props to show for it. But getting there requires a plan. Read up on this stuff! Watch tons of tutorials. And definitely consider a structured learning environment like one of the courses offered by DJ Courses Online.
John Bartmann is a music producer and DJ