Contact with the audience

[aki]

http://www.dumpert.nl/mediabase/1032...rofessor_.html

We all know that as a DJ you need to show that you are enjoying yourself as well and need to make eye contact at times.

But on a more subtle level, there are many nuances. What should you do/not do?
Any tips

[biggy01]

Actually, alot of DJs can learn everything from that guy you just posted...
Im seeing bunch of ppl, just standing in front of their mixers, looking around dead serious... Hell, some of them dont even try to look like they`re doing something...and some of them on the other had are killing themself thinking that nobody heared song they played, so it looks like they`re making it right now...which can end up pretty ridiculously...

There arent any real tips, as there are no rules regarding DJing, every night has to be different, just remember to enjoy and let it go...

[aki]

Actually, alot of DJs can learn everything from that guy you just posted...
Im seeing bunch of ppl, just standing in front of their mixers, looking around dead serious... Hell, some of them dont even try to look like they`re doing something...and some of them on the other had are killing themself thinking that nobody heared song they played, so it looks like they`re making it right now...which can end up pretty ridiculously...

There arent any real tips, as there are no rules regarding DJing, every night has to be different, just remember to enjoy and let it go...

Haha yeah, sometimes people are too concentrated on the decks instead of checking whether the peeps are having fun. The statement of not having any rules while DJ'ing I disagree with, (beatmatching, not making things clash, don't make too steep bpm adjustments, don't be a sandsack, could go on like a while)

[biggy01]

Ah, i thought you werent refering in technical way, but how to act, nvm...
I have no idea what you actually do know, so dont really want to bitch about things you probably already know.
In which parts do you think you`re the strongest and in which weakest?

[aki]

Was referring to the complete picture Nah man there might be some interesting stuff in between so bring it on

+ technical stuff
- detailed, advanced non-verbal communication (can't really give examples :/ sometimes can't decipher what people mean when the look at me a certain way)
- timing hot cues (with cueing the next track you can correct your off-beat, but if you want to skip thru the track with a hot cue, you gotta be very accurate. Sometimes I am but need some training in this !

[biggy01]

Ah well, i have several gigs, and im no pro in any means, but im going to share just one little thing with you, as i see that you`re into interacting with audience. The way ppl look at you have nothing to do with your music, you`re a DJ ofc ppl are going to look at you sometimes...
What i want to say is, that your audience is actually just a drunk crowd who wants to have a good time and party, they dont give a flying fuck about you or your music. Im catching lines like "flollow your cowd", "see how they react", and anyone who actually had some decent gigs can tell you that there is no such things. You shoud just follow your vibe, without changing bpm too much, or and avoid uplifting trance

Most of the ppl at the parties you`re going to spin dont care about music...
Its quite simple, guys go to parties to drink and score some girls, girls go to dance and maybe some to drink. So make sure you bring ladies to the dancefloor, guys will follow them and you won...
Dont pay much attention on crowd, or your "moves" during the mixing. Its just like with girls, if you show you care, you wont be interesting for them, but if you just have fun and do what you do, you`ll be just fine.

As for timing hot cues, can`t really help you, since i`ve swiched to Ableton long time ago, but i do know one thing.

cdj+mixer = jukebox
ableton + midi controlers = fuuuuun

Hope some of this helped...

[^JASON]

Its just like with girls, if you show you care, you wont be interesting for them, but if you just have fun and do what you do, you`ll be just fine.

Having fun DJ'ing is about interacting with crowds imo

[biggy01]

Have you even read my post closely?
Tell me bud, how exactly are you interacting with your crowd?

[thijsje]

the guy in the vid. has a real eargasm which gives me the feeling that i'm only a veggie

Imo having contact with the audience is one, but way more important is getting in touch with the audience. You have to catch their attention and keep their attention during the mix, no matter if the mix is 30 minutes or 7 hours. (however this is more tune-wise)

For the rest it's a lot of hand-shaking and making eye contact with the ppls who really dance on the floor, sing when there are vocals etc. to give them a sort of honour. Actually this is a little 'sport' I always try do with a DJ

[^JASON]

Have you even read my post closely?
Tell me bud, how exactly are you interacting with your crowd?

Yeah i read it again, might be missing something.

Look, if you're comfortable beatmatching and just rinse and repeat beatmatching, transition and so on you do have time to dance a bit with the crowd. Interacting is a part of being a DJ. I hate when i get to a club and the DJ just stand there looking bored.

It's not just playing records that should be fun, all the stuff around should be too

[biggy01]

I hear you bud, but im saying that its not possible for a "normal" (unknown such as we are) DJ to do that.
Simply because crowd is not there for them, and dont care about music that much. Various ppl are there to do various things.
That rule is here for popular djs...
Ofc we should have fun, no question about it, im just saying that some major interacting with audience at this level is nearly impossible.

[tranced34]

Don't you find it strange though, when DJs like Dubfire really do not connect with the crowd - he played at Air for Electric Carnival 2010 in Birmingham this year and all he was really doing was paying attention to his laptop....cmon do a PvD!!

[K. SCHNEIDER]

I think the DJ must be a step ahead foreseeing the reactions of the crowd. I know that it´s difficult to explain it and to do it but if you have prepared the set well and you have placed your trump cards correctly the crowd will react as you had thought.

[thijsje]

Don't you find it strange though, when DJs like Dubfire really do not connect with the crowd - he played at Air for Electric Carnival 2010 in Birmingham this year and all he was really doing was paying attention to his laptop....cmon do a PvD!!

But he definately catches the crowd with his tunes so I didn't botter me on one of his gigs I visited.

For me a DJ doesn't have to be a superstar. However it's cool to interact with the DJ, I think it's mainly about the atmosphere on the dancefloor instead of being somewhere because that one DJ looks that damn well nice or has more interaction than the other

[Euforix]

But he definately catches the crowd with his tunes so I didn't botter me on one of his gigs I visited.

IMHO this kind of guy should stay with his productions and not try to pretend a crowdpleaser.