DJ I met pushed me hard to perform at one of his regular hookah lounge gigs - I'm nervous.

This topic has 22 replies, 10 voices, and was last updated 12 years, 4 months ago by Hunter 239.

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September 24, 2013 at 7:54 am #44553

Terry_42
Keymaster

Follow the basic rules of DJing:
– Take one small shot or a single beer before you begin (you should not be drunk, just to loosen up)
– DJ with a setlist you feel comfy with and which you know you can mix well
– Be confident in your abilities
– Never hesitate, if you do then do it
– Never panic
– Have a good time and work with the people/guest to have a good time

Now for the downside:
The most important rule: YOU WILL MAKE MISTAKES
Everyone does. The key is to not panic and not hesitate to clean up. You missed a cue and the beat is off, hit the filter or an F/X, stutter effect or whatever to play this over and just make it look as natural as you can.
You will not be judged for some mistakes, people will only get pissed if you end up with a breakdown, excuse to them and they have to wait for 40seconds for the music to continue. If you miss that cue, make a backspin and hit the next track, wave your arms to it and make it look natural, they will be forgiving.

And last but not least:
Have a few “plan B” songs. Tracks you are 100% sure everyone likes, real bangers and hold them in reserve. If you read some tension in the crowd and if some get uneasy, play a song with low energy and then hit one of those plan B songs after 30seconds and wave your arms and scream… make them want to dance and win them back that way.

I still do it that way after more than 20 years and it works like a charm.

September 24, 2013 at 8:35 am #44556

Branden
Participant

Terry_42, post: 44710, member: 1843 wrote: Follow the basic rules of DJing:
– Take one small shot or a single beer before you begin (you should not be drunk, just to loosen up)
– DJ with a setlist you feel comfy with and which you know you can mix well
– Be confident in your abilities
– Never hesitate, if you do then do it
– Never panic
– Have a good time and work with the people/guest to have a good time

Now for the downside:
The most important rule: YOU WILL MAKE MISTAKES
Everyone does. The key is to not panic and not hesitate to clean up. You missed a cue and the beat is off, hit the filter or an F/X, stutter effect or whatever to play this over and just make it look as natural as you can.
You will not be judged for some mistakes, people will only get pissed if you end up with a breakdown, excuse to them and they have to wait for 40seconds for the music to continue. If you miss that cue, make a backspin and hit the next track, wave your arms to it and make it look natural, they will be forgiving.

And last but not least:
Have a few “plan B” songs. Tracks you are 100% sure everyone likes, real bangers and hold them in reserve. If you read some tension in the crowd and if some get uneasy, play a song with low energy and then hit one of those plan B songs after 30seconds and wave your arms and scream… make them want to dance and win them back that way.

I still do it that way after more than 20 years and it works like a charm.

Thanks, Terry! I am also working with a couple of other DJ’s, but they are the ones warming up and I’m the one playing at peak hours. This post actually made me feel a lot more confident, really. Thank you so much.

September 24, 2013 at 10:09 am #44559

dj.andy.warhol
Member

Hey man, first of just don’t panic. Consider yourself lucky getting a nice gig.
Organise everything before, make some training sessions, pre made some stuff set lists and so on.
You have to chill and try to be positive, you know it is going to be fun, if your sets are good and you are confident it shouldn’t be any problems. Also if it’s possible have someone with you, good friend etc. so you will feel better.
Good Luck with the gig !

September 24, 2013 at 11:54 am #44563

Stazbumpa
Participant

Your harshest critic is yourself, so bear that in mind because everyone else will be more forgiving. The people you’re working for sound pretty cool too since they’re insisting you give it a go. Relish that kind of support and remember it well. 90% of the crowd don’t care about the nuances of your mixing, as long as you play good music and pay attention to them then the battle for the crowd is pretty much won. Enjoy yourself 🙂

September 24, 2013 at 10:34 pm #44585

Dirty Hippie
Member

You are getting great advice, so I will just add, consider this a gift. I would put money the fact that you are going to come out of this feeling awesome!

September 25, 2013 at 3:12 am #44592

Lamid45G
Participant

What the heck is a hookah lounges ? 😮

September 25, 2013 at 6:41 am #44606

Terry_42
Keymaster

djrizki, post: 44749, member: 11983 wrote: What the heck is a hookah lounges ? 😮

Any further description will be censored by the moderating staff 😉

September 26, 2013 at 1:08 am #44645

Lamid45G
Participant

Terry_42, post: 44763, member: 1843 wrote: Any further description will be censored by the moderating staff 😉

That bad huh Terry ? Dang it got me a really curios cat now 😀

September 26, 2013 at 1:29 am #44647

Branden
Participant

Thank all of you guys, you are awesome! I do feel much better, I will kill it!!

September 26, 2013 at 4:32 am #44650

DJ Vintage
Moderator

Here’s a hint … what does hookah sound like phonetically …?

September 26, 2013 at 6:01 am #44666

Branden
Participant

Alright guys some guy on Facebook that found out I’m DJ’ing this lounge called me “a newb-ass DJ” publically, what do I do? I’m really mad and we all start somewhere, and this dude just hated on me publically!

September 26, 2013 at 6:36 am #44674

Terry_42
Keymaster

Follow the Jedi-DJ rules:
1. Anger leads to hate, hate leads to the dark side
2. Do it like the pro’s do

I have been called many things, most of the time by people that envied what I did. So the chance is high he is just jealous of you. Resulting to name calling will prove his point and make you look stupid.

So in case you are up to it my answer would be:
Thanks for your opinion buddy. Indeed I am a new-DJ, but with help of some professionals I develop my skills and hence am confident that my mixing will be good and that people will have fun. Now why you resort to using newb-ass is unclear to me, as my ass is as old as I am and resorting to such name calling seems highly unprofessional to me and hence your opinion will not really be highly ranked in my book.

September 26, 2013 at 7:41 am #44681

DJ AMK
Member

djrizki, post: 44749, member: 11983 wrote: What the heck is a hookah lounges ? 😮

hookah is basically dried fruits and tobacco all placed in the bowl of a huge “water tube” with like 6 ports for inhaling and is more enjoyable than a normal cigarette. a hookah lounge has a bunch available for customers. anything “illegal” going on there is the venues problem, and i guess the moderators problem if someone brings it up here.

September 26, 2013 at 7:45 am #44682

DJ AMK
Member

Branden, post: 44823, member: 14465 wrote: Alright guys some guy on Facebook that found out I’m DJ’ing this lounge called me “a newb-ass DJ” publically, what do I do? I’m really mad and we all start somewhere, and this dude just hated on me publically!

as a professional online troll and offline instigator of so very many heated arguments (and a few fights) of 20 years, respond with “I invite you to my next gig and thanks for the support!!”

it will piss them off more than any counter-insult or even attempt to stand your ground ever will. add a smiley to it if youre feeling extra cheeky. feed off the hate, i dont even need to eat breakfast anymore.

September 26, 2013 at 5:23 pm #44690

DJ Vintage
Moderator

Branden, post: 44823, member: 14465 wrote: Alright guys some guy on Facebook that found out I’m DJ’ing this lounge called me “a newb-ass DJ” publically, what do I do? I’m really mad and we all start somewhere, and this dude just hated on me publically!

Be bigger than that and let is slide of your shoulders.
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