What do you do to get people to dance?

Phil, you remind me…What was the American superclub that deliberately kept the Bass turned down on the mixers until it was kickin’ on the dancefloor And then BANG!
I have Chicago in my head, maybe D-Jam would know of this?

Lol the memory ain’t what it used to be, but yeah the loft rings a bell now..
One day i’m gonna be brave enough to attempt that little trick 😀

Great thread – one thing, can’t find a track called Blast – Crazy man ? Does it go under another name ?

U31, post: 10374 wrote: Nope, just that mate

There is a vid in the link
http://www.discogs.com/Blast-Crazy-Man/release/127328

Many thanks (couldn’t find a thumbsup smilie!) and thanks for the link – is Blast the name of the singer or the track name?

U31, post: 10376 wrote: Blast is the group, the track is Crazy Man… 😉

Thanks mate – appreciated.

I pull my revolver out and shoot at their feet until they cooperate. then let the hysterical laughing ensue…

“I use alot of eye contact and I also gesture to people and even ask them to come up and speak to me…if they are interested in the music…getting atleast one person or the “mascot” of the evening is crucial..they can set the tone which spreads like wildfire to others at the tables…”

yes, exactly !

What I really wanted to know is what you all do besides (or instead) playing floorfillers to get people dancing. Do you get on the mic and say something? Do you leave your booth and go talk to the crowd?

Yeah, leave the booth. I’m sensing that you’re huddled in a corner while the crowd is on the other side of the room. You might need to do some tricks to bridge that gap.

Don’t be a stranger. Everybody in the crowd knows each other, but they don’t know you. Change that – be the friendly, fun new kid on the block. Put on a long song and wander around and start a conversation. Whoever hired you can introduce you to people in the room. Grab an appetizer and ask people their opinions about music. Most people love to talk about music.

Have a contest or some event that happens through the DJ booth. “Free beer to anybody who can guess that last song!” I’ve seen secretaries go crazy over some trivial prize. Maybe the Boss can announce Christmas bonuses on your microphone.

When I was a mobile jock I worked with a guy who was a total ham on the microphone. But I was amazed at how much his corny gimmicks worked. Co-workers who’ve done a limbo party together are ready to dance!

In terms of reading the crowd, find people with outgoing personalities. Look at their age, race, dress style, etc. and make a guess on their music taste. You’ll see them smile or look at you when you play something they like. Then you can start programming from their music hints. Women always dance first – so pick songs for outgoing women who will eventually move to the floor.

Is that dancefloor dark and private? Most people are reluctant to start dancing when everybody can see them. Especially co-workers.

P.S.: I think your friends who say a good DJ can get “any” crowd to dance are just plain wrong. Sometimes you’ll get a dud crowd. Even as a resident I’d occasionally find my regular crowd would be in a bad mood.