Playing for yourself Vs playing for others

[Funkedub]

So ... do you play for yourself? or the crowd?

how/where/when do you strike a balance?

share your experiences :ahoy:

[KuRuPTeD]

i only play for the sluts and the drugs that get thrown at me mid gig.

[Phorte]

and if you do that, hope that you also break your headphones and then not bother playing at that gig anymore.

[trouble hifire]

:lol::lol::lol:

[SlicyDicer]

I play for myself, but I'm lucky in the fact that I like what lot's of other people like. I like minimal, progressive, techno, electro house, house, funky house, tech house, baltimore, fidget. Everything really. So playing what other people like isn't really a problem.

[Lil Lizard]

I dont think there is a balance. The punters are the ones that basically pay you. If you dont deliver to them, they stop dancing, drinks stop pouring and they move to a different venue.

Unless you are a electro DJ at a under 18s event, then what ever you play they will love!

[KuRuPTeD]

what the hell is a headphones :crazy:

[rowdworx]

I now only really play at places that I want to be playing at, therefore music that I enjoy. I have played sets playing more commercial stuff that was more for the crowd rather than music that I loved and it's just not as satisfying. But you can always put your spin on the music you don't love which can be fun.

[blky]

what the hell is a headphones :crazy:


lol have you read the "halp shit scared first gig" thread !

[southern_dan]

and if you do that, hope that you also break your headphones and then not bother playing at that gig anymore.

fkn jerk :lol:

[macc4]

funke, do you buy tunes for yourself or for the crowd?

[Funkedub]

^^^

i don't buy a tune if i don't like it ... waste of $$$ IMO

but ... that's not to say tracks i like won't also move a crowd ... different tracks for different crowds. I have some tracks i love dropping because i know they blow up the dancefloor.

[kurtisthomas]

if you play for yourself, u generally wont get another gig.
You have to fit the bill of the club you are playing at. Stick to their policy.
And watch the crowed closely.

[Tha Gooch]

always play to the crowd - thats what being a paid DJ is all about

sometimes you get lucky and score a gig where the crowd are into what you are into, these are very rare moments in DJ'ing unfortunatley

there are two types of Dj's imo the ones that will play anything, play what the crowd want - these DJ's generally can find work anywhere and are constantly busy

or the type who only plays what they like, these DJ's generally play out once every 3 monthes at a party one of their mates is putting on

[ice888]

always play to the crowd - thats what being a paid DJ is all about



Totally agree - anyway if noone on the floor how bad would you feel??



sometimes you get lucky and score a gig where the crowd are into what you are into, these are very rare moments in DJ'ing unfortunatley


And those rare moments are usually the most fun and best feeling - just having the crowd and you on the same page is great

[DJ D one]

So ... do you play for yourself? or the crowd?

how/where/when do you strike a balance?

share your experiences :ahoy:

It is funny, how you talk about balance, because I was thinking you don't play for the crowd entirely, and you don't play for yourself entirely...which really has to do with the kind of person you are...

At the end of the day it comes down to genre...if you hate a genre, then don't show up in a place where you are expected to play that genre...well if it is going to bother you, plus you wouldn't have any of the tunes anyway...no point...

The more genres you like and collect the less problems I guess...

You don't have to play stuff you don't like, that's for sure, coz you shouldn't have it anyway at the first place...

I have to go now...

[frankxinyu]

i can play from deep house to trance

so depends on the occasion, i play very differently

if there is no one there, i play for myself

18th and cheese parties, i play for the crowd and pretend i get into it as well.

really depends

but there are lines i would never cross, such as there are really shit tracks i would never play, doesnt matter what the occasion is or request.

[kloseline]

deep house to trance hehe

[southern_dan]

for ma self bitches, specially when im in my bedroom :lol:

[Funkedub]

there are two types of Dj's imo the ones that will play anything, play what the crowd want - these DJ's generally can find work anywhere and are constantly busy

or the type who only plays what they like, these DJ's generally play out once every 3 monthes at a party one of their mates is putting on


bollox


pick any number of world famous DJs and i'd put generous amounts of $$$ on the fact the majority of them don't play "anything" or play "what the crowd wants".

I'm pretty sure most of these guys (or girls) are only playing what they like (why the hell would you DJ music you didn't like?) and still manage to get plenty of very well paid gigs.

More accurately i would suggest, the crowd wants what they play and not vice versa :)

[southern_dan]

agreed, if people wanted to hear music they know and like they would sit at home and play their own cds.

[Tha Gooch]

bollox


pick any number of world famous DJs and i'd put generous amounts of $$$ on the fact the majority of them don't play "anything" or play "what the crowd wants".

I'm pretty sure most of these guys (or girls) are only playing what they like (why the hell would you DJ music you didn't like?) and still manage to get plenty of very well paid gigs.

More accurately i would suggest, the crowd wants what they play and not vice versa :)

ffs - i should clarify i wasnt talking world name dj's here just local run of the mill dj's

i would say these days there are little to no straight up world name dj's, more producers who have a sound and thats why people pay to go see them, because they had hits a, b & c, and are following a certain genre or sound

you think these days you can make it to the top without producing your own tracks , by just being a good dj ? :lol:

[Tha Gooch]

agreed, if people wanted to hear music they know and like they would sit at home and play their own cds.

go take acid and sit on your headphones :P

[southern_dan]

go take acid and sit on your headphones :P
shutup bitch! i stood on them!

[Spicy]

^^^

i don't buy a tune if i don't like it ... waste of $$$ IMO

but ... that's not to say tracks i like won't also move a crowd ... different tracks for different crowds. I have some tracks i love dropping because i know they blow up the dancefloor.yeah exactly. and some tracks that move the dancefloor are enjoyable for that reason or just because they are good tracks.

so either way, it's a bit of both innit! unless you're dj uber-eclectic-anus-head, it's pretty fair to say most of us at some stage do both.

have you ever done a gig or just ended up playing stuff that you don't normally listen to or consider as being 'cheese', but the crowd really got into it and you acquired a liking and more respect towards the tracks you played?

[frankxinyu]

deep house to trance hehe

sorry
i meant not from deep house to trance in one set..

i meant i do play deep house all the way up to trance

[deathandtaxes]

i don't get it - speaking from a dude that plays in an orginal band - we play shows all the time where we play only our songs. otherwise we'd be a covers band - and covers bands suck.

the crowd's will only (and have only) get bigger once they know your style and what you usually play out... most of the kids now show up to our (MurmuR) shows and get into it because they've become familiar with our set list and style.

so with dj'ing - you should play your own style and find the kids that prick up their ears and listen in... then tell them when/where your playing next. it's about moving forward, not backwards - and always twirling twirling twirling....

[Lil Lizard]

bollox


pick any number of world famous DJs and i'd put generous amounts of $$$ on the fact the majority of them don't play "anything" or play "what the crowd wants".



When you get to that stage, they are coming to see you play.

At a local nightclub, you are playing for them.:rock:

[ferretrock]

At a local nightclub, you are playing for them.:rock:

I think that depends a little on the style of music - i go out to see local DJs if i know that i like the stuff that they play - any DJ has to READ the crowd, but not neccesarily pander to it.

If you're supposed to be playing a warm up set at a tech-house night and for some reason there's a big crew of MOS electro-housers around, that's no reason to play electro house.
You'd then not be following your role for the night, even if you were playing to the crowd.

[v904]

^ agreed

x2

ditto

seconded

other ways to say 'yep I totally agree'

[Phorte]

you concur?

[Tha Gooch]

i harmonize your sentiments

[Ugin]

ffs - i should clarify i wasnt talking world name dj's here just local run of the mill dj's

i would say these days there are little to no straight up world name dj's, more producers who have a sound and thats why people pay to go see them, because they had hits a, b & c, and are following a certain genre or sound

you think these days you can make it to the top without producing your own tracks , by just being a good dj ? :lol:

Agree with that. I can only think of Eddie Halliwell, who has made a big name on the back of his DJing. Most others had a track/s that kick started their international name as a DJ.

[Funkedub]

At a local nightclub, you are playing for them.:rock:


can't say i totally agree.

There's certainly been local DJs i've gone out to see because i know they'll be playing just what i like ... not because they are a famous producer

[Tha Gooch]

There's certainly been local DJs i've gone out to see because i know they'll be playing just what i like ... not because they are a famous producer

so what your saying is you go to see local dj's play because they will play what you like, so in effect they are playing what - you - the crowd want to hear :stroke:

and i think you misunderstood my comments about most international DJ's these days producing a hit or two - i wasnt talking local DJ's although there are a few that do produce good stuff or have started to in the last couple of years, Axwell , Phil K etc..

I'm saying i doubt you will find yourself as a reputable and sought after international DJ by just DJ'ing

[pEAkeR_hAT]

Isn't it simple ?

-early on = more chilled out vibes,

-around 12ish = party vibes, dancefloor smashers,

-graveyardshift = darker, harder stuff

Most people at regular nights know this, look at any dnb lineup its like a mathmatical formula lol


UNless you guys are talking about playing at parties or whatever, then ifs thats the case you are just a glorified cd changer anyway :haha:

[DJ D one]

have you ever done a gig or just ended up playing stuff that you don't normally listen to or consider as being 'cheese', but the crowd really got into it and you acquired a liking and more respect towards the tracks you played?

The problem I have with this sentence is that you shouldn't have the tunes anyway...or are you buying stuff you don't like???

[DJ D one]

i would say these days there are little to no straight up world name dj's, more producers who have a sound and thats why people pay to go see them, because they had hits a, b & c, and are following a certain genre or sound

you think these days you can make it to the top without producing your own tracks , by just being a good dj ? :lol:

There is a lot of truth in that...looking at the so called "Top Dj" list, most of them have been producing...

[Funkedub]

so what your saying is you go to see local dj's play because they will play what you like, so in effect they are playing what - you - the crowd want to hear :stroke:




nope ... they are playing what they like to hear ... it just so happens i like it to

[DJ D one]

We use to own 2 fashion boutiques...very similar to Djing in a way...my wife use to do the purchasing...when shopping for stock...she only used to buy what she liked, so 100% of the time, according to her taste...never ever she bought something because it was going to be a money maker etc...the choice was always according to her taste...

Most of the customers were becoming regular, because they liked the selection we had ...they liked our style.

When I purchase music, I purchase according to what I like...if I ever play out, I will play a selection of what I like...and I am pretty sure the crowd will love it...now I will make sure the venue match the genres I am playing...I don't see the point of playing a genre that you don't know (probably because you don't like particularly)...you shouldn't have any of the tunes anyway, and since you don't know or like how would you be able to say the tunes are awsome??? If people start to tell you what to play...then ask them to take your place...

D1

[DJ D one]

When I say: "very similar to Djing in a way"
I mean the way I see it... you might not share the same views about what is djing...

[Random_Kiwi]

You need a happy medium imo. A lot of punters don't know what they like outside of the obvious, commercial, known tracks and no one wants to be a jukebox DJ playing hit after hit after hit as if you do, that's what you'll get known for, and it'll get tiresome really fast. You need to be able to read the crowd, and lead the crowd to places they like without them knowing that they liked it, only ever playing music you're fucking passionate about. And hack can bust out the lastest MOS tracklisting replicant, but seriously, is that what you want to get yourself known for? Or do you want to get yourself know for someone who isn't affraid to experiment, push boundaries, drop shit no one else is dropping? The pinnacle of the worlds best DJs didn't get there through pandering to crowds and only play shit they knew, they got there because they are innovators!

There's no reason you can't do this, while still retaining an element of fun to keep the bubblegum dancers interested, and personally, I'd much rather piss off someone like that coz "he wouldn't play Sneaky Soundsystem for me!" if it meant an avid music junkie came up to me at the end, or during my set, with praise for how good it was.

Play music for the music fans not the dancefloor tourists who have little comprehension for the depth that dance music goes to...face it, most people simply don't know what they like until they hear it! The amount of people who I've heard say they think progessive is shit/boring, then totally change their tune when confronted with the right mood/night/set etc.

You should always play tunes appropriate to the time and setting though...140BPM hard techno does not get played in a house bar. And you don't play funky house as the closing set for Jeff Mills. Common sense people!

[Mad Rooster]

Faces of Meth wouldn't go down too well at wedding though would it? Just like Nutbush wouldn't go down too well at 7am at Revolver (well I could be wrong there).

[Random_Kiwi]

^^^ Who's that directed at? If me, see the part were I said 'play appropriate to the time and setting'

It's not rocket surgery

[Spicy]

The problem I have with this sentence is that you shouldn't have the tunes anyway...or are you buying stuff you don't like???haha not exacly. personally i used to like a bit more commercial stuff than i do now. not nova100/electro shit because it wasn't even around then, but one track i remember playing recently that some people took a liking to was a remix of ashanti - rock with you. it's not something i'd buy now, but at the time (was about 7 years ago?) i guess i thought it was alright. it's pretty cheesy, has some cheesy vocals and all, but some girls remembered the tune and got into it and i kinda went 'hmm.. yeh it's not THAT bad' even though i haven't really listened to it for years cause ... well it was kinda bad. :)

[Tha Gooch]

nope ... they are playing what they like to hear ... it just so happens i like it to

ok look i will try one last time to explain my point of view using my own personal experience

when back in melbourne for a long long time i held down friday and saturday night residencies, these were 4 hours a piece at reputable, popular clubs, it was at these gigs that if I played what i wanted to hear ie; breaks, hiphop i just wouldnt be invited to come back teh next week, I had to play what the masses wanted which was at the time - popular electrohouse, think OneLove ;)

^^ and yes for these gigs i would actually buy music i didnt like, but with playing cheese to the masses you find a hit will last for monthes, so you get good value out of the track anyway - considering you are making solid money from it week in week out - tax free

and besides i was running serato so it was 2 bucks for an mp3 so who gives a sh*t if you like it or not if you can make some cash out of it

outside of these gigs i would also get invited to play at cooler nights - usually put on by friends , where i would get to play what i wanted to hear, these gigs i would get offered maybe every couple of monthes and i would do my very best to swap my shift around with other resident DJ's so i could just play a gig where I could play what i consider cool choons

I also know alot of friends who are DJ's that just wouldnt play the cheesier gigs, even tho it could have meant a solid weekly income for them as it either didnt appeal or it was out of principle

so this is what brings me to my assumption there are two types of DJ's as i mentioned above :thumb:

[Tha Gooch]

i actually enjoyed playing the cheesey gigs alot of the time, i found fun in trying to educate the crowd, play 3 OneLove hits then mix in a track i liked inbetween and guage the reaction, i found this interesting

I also just like playing to a full dancefloor of dancing people, no matter what the style of music, the most fun for me in DJ'ing is seeing the crowd go off, i dont care so much wether i am sitting back thinking how cool i am because i played the latest and greatest underground record and chinstrokers sitting in the back recognise my impeccable and eclectic taste

i want the crowd to have fun and then in turn I have fun

of course playing tracks you like to a crowd who are going off to them is the ultimate in DJ'ing, however in alot of cases this is a rare experience

[DJ D one]

^^ LoL I am French...I love cheese...I'll play cheese all night..employ me!!!

[Funkedub]

and besides i was running serato so it was 2 bucks for an mp3 so who gives a sh*t if you like it or not if you can make some cash out of it




it's not the $$ you gave up for doing that counts ... but that part of your soul that you gave up ;)


i see your points. but maybe this is clearly an issue i have with Dj culture ;D ... the fact that people will go against what they love musically and pander to what ever the flavour of the month just to make sure they get gigs/$$$

[Tha Gooch]

it's not the $$ you gave up for doing that counts ... but that part of your soul that you gave up ;)


i see your points. but maybe this is clearly an issue i have with Dj culture ;D ... the fact that people will go against what they love musically and pander to what ever the flavour of the month just to make sure they get gigs/$$$

lol, i agree, and to be honest each week a little piece of me would die inside, untill eventually i couldnt really be arsed anymore (copious amounts of free booze helped offset this - a little)

now after a long break from it all and living in a new country i am ready to get back in the saddle - this time I am saying to myself 'i will only play what i want to hear'

however we'll see just how long that lasts - being a breakbeat head i dont think i'm gonna be all that popular :lol:

[DJ D one]

it's not the $$ you gave up for doing that counts ... but that part of your soul that you gave up ;)


i see your points. but maybe this is clearly an issue i have with Dj culture ;D ... the fact that people will go against what they love musically and pander to what ever the flavour of the month just to make sure they get gigs/$$$

I clearly understand your point Funkedub...I devised this little theory a little while ago...it is called "Alternate Realities"...in short people have different realities, so it is easy to judge from where you're standing...but at the end you are not the one who have to pay for his mortgage...people do stuff sometime one do not understand...but the realities facing one is different from another...

Funkedub...you are an idealist my friend...

[Portal]

I only buy records I like, the people who book me know what I'm into.
I play out what is suitable at the time, and for the particular night, and I'll pretty much always play what I think the crowd will like.
I'll also throw in a few cheeky ones that I really like, but I'm not sure if the crowd will dig, just to try something different and see how far I can push it.
If that makes sense?

[Funkedub]

Funkedub...you are an idealist my friend...


that idealism is adequately tempered by a good dose of realism (some call it being jaded) ... i'm a jaded hippy really


lol, i agree, and to be honest each week a little piece of me would die inside, untill eventually i couldnt really be arsed anymore (copious amounts of free booze helped offset this - a little)




yea. i've walked out of a situation like that before and can concur with those sentiments 100% ;D

[Master Mischief]

IMO...The crowd...I always play for the crowd when I'm playing out...I balance by playing for myself at home...or at after party's...or just...whenever...where ever...on what ever....

Even if your doing a demo, your doing it for others...that's a part of what music's all about...that and having a f*ken good time...

Good tunes = great times...good tunes + good people = great F*KEN party's...!!!

[Drapey]

well if you have a full time job like yourself theres no point going out and bustin your arse off again for some extra $$. I keep my music for my down time, which sometimes includes a lot of beer and my friends.

Therefore, i don't listn to what my friends or others tell me to play, i'll play what i love..... or i'll tell them to go rent a jukebox or grab a cd player and some speakers and i just wont dj, ill just be another face in the crowd!

[rowdworx]

i see your points. but maybe this is clearly an issue i have with Dj culture ;D ... the fact that people will go against what they love musically and pander to what ever the flavour of the month just to make sure they get gigs/$$$

But maybe people just have a pure love of djing and playing to a crowd and that's why they take these gigs. I know when i was starting out I would take any gig, even play some commercial music but put my spin on it. It's not always easy to get gigs playing the music you love. Now, I only play the music I love because I'm getting the gigs.

Just a thought.

[DJ D one]

I only buy records I like, the people who book me know what I'm into.
I play out what is suitable at the time, and for the particular night, and I'll pretty much always play what I think the crowd will like.
I'll also throw in a few cheeky ones that I really like, but I'm not sure if the crowd will dig, just to try something different and see how far I can push it.
If that makes sense?

Yes exactly, you trick them into it...you play a cool commercial, then mix in the cheeky one...

[monts]

i play truly for my self when im at home, and i play for the crowd when im out.

[Blu-Dome]

depends where and when. for locals i think if you are good enough and lucky enough you can definitely play the type of music you like. it just may be once a month rather than once a week.

I also do the gigs that aren't my number one choice because when you are starting out its all practice. and generally the more you play the more you get noticed, which means you are more likely to get the gigs you want.

but there is a limit to all this - those people that actually play 'what the crowd wants' when its stuff you hate cause 'thats why they are paying you'.... i honestly don't know how the fuck you do it. I might be on my own here, but playing the stuff i love and hearing that one dude/chick come up and say 'dude i just have to tell you your set was incredible, thank you' inspires me way more than a dance floor that only fills up if i drop electro... if im lucky enough maybe one day i can play to a dance floor that IS those people that appreciate what i love.

[J-radical]

Tough question, sometimes you have to play stuff you may not prefer to play over other tunes in order to get you to the point where you can play what you want.

[Bill]

i will continue to play for myself until everyone else has the same musical tastes as me

[pEAkeR_hAT]

i play for myself in my room

[joeyk]

I play what i think the crowd will like and for my set time. But it all has my own style to it. I will play mainstream electro, but i will mix it up with some good underground stuff that i think the punters would like. When i mean mix i mean mix alot, so the mainstream stuff sounds abit different. I dont like sounding like every other DJ. And if i think people are up for it I will go more deeper into the underground but still mix in a few mainstream tracks to keep it interesting.

It really depends where i play. If it was an underground club playing at 12 i would get down and dirty straight away. Which is the way i like it.

[darren_J]

i will continue to play for myself until everyone else has the same musical tastes as me
:lol:

[lowbass]

If you're playing what you love and people like it - you're in the right place. The successful DJs out there have made their name because their audiences have found them - whether local or global
If you're playing to the crowds/venues tastes you've just got a job - great if you like it but if you'd rather be playing something else then there will always be a conflict in your mind.

[beattun]

a good dj, ie; digweed will play exactly what he was planning to play anyway, and make you think that you really needed to hear it, at that exact time he dropped it.

get a bit of that into ya

[NAVO]

If you're playing what you love and people like it - you're in the right place. The successful DJs out there have made their name because their audiences have found them - whether local or global
If you're playing to the crowds/venues tastes you've just got a job - great if you like it but if you'd rather be playing something else then there will always be a conflict in your mind.

Agreed!!