Do Tango DJs Matter? 

As an organizer, I choose DJ's based on the way they DJ. A DJ that shows us, plugs in the computer, and dances every tanda will never be invited back. I hire DJ's that entertain the people/dancers at the event. Their job is to keep the dancers dancing.

The DJ who would rather be the DJ than a dancer is something else.

Good news for you Rob, Lung-Kuei is still actively dj-ing in Taipei, you guys should come visit sometime !

I like your idea of DJ1 playing all but last song in a tanda, and DJ2 taking it to next tanda but last song and round robin among multiple DJs.

I enjoyed your conversation. As an event organizer in Europe I can say that the choice of DJ is very important. I travel a lot to other events and always make a note of who has done a good job so I can bear them in mind for my own event. I agree with you about being spontanious as a DJ. I'm the same, I like to leave my choice of orchestera and tanda until the last possible moment. I also agree with you about those DJs who annonce which tanda is next and that it spoils that ideal of living in the moment. However, after many years of tango and many events I can honestly say that at least 80 percent of the dancers do not care about the music. They will keep on dancing even if it's bad. I can't dance to bad music choices. Please organizers, choose DJs because they are good and not because they invited you, or that you are their friend or whatever. To some of us, it makes all the difference.

To me, who is DJing at the milonga is super important. Djs who can’t build the energy and keep it through the night are the worst ones. They kill the party. I come there to dance not to sleep. I can’t dance well and give it 100% if I am not inspired by the music. And, believe me, I do know the list of DJs when I pick my marathon/ festival. I should like at least 3 out of 5. Otherwise, I am not going.

The Remolino competition only has two DJ's that win the contest. Most of the DJ's are hired by the organizers.

Sad but true. If you are a good DJ, no one will notice you at best. But if you are a bad DJ, everyone starts looking at each other.

Interesting discussion. I also still iTunes and never upgraded. I'm a dancer and DJ in Melbourne and still learning. I'm guilty of playing music I like to dance to, but I also watch the floor and see what dancers like dancing too. I'm slowly learning to add modern tango bands into the night. I find it difficult when trying to cater for events where there's speeches and having to bring the energy back up. Food for though for DJing on my part and thanks for this video.

The way Derek describes the pyramid, and Rob's favorable response gives people an idea what kind of "vibe" LA has.

As far as festivals and marathons, there are many other more important factors to consider other than the djs, like location, venue, outside draw of dancers, etc. For local milongas the dj is more important. For me it's more of a negative dj effect. In other words, there are a few djs that would deter me from going to a local Milonga, but i wouldn't go to a Milonga I don't usually attend just because a certain dj is going to be there.

I was recently at a festival where the DJ had the projector telling what the current song is, what number in the tanda, and what the next song was. It was so slick and I heard it was a program they had, anyone know what it might be?

i judge djs solely on their cortinas

Some DJ’s with extensive academic explanations of why they play what they play is one of the most irritating things in the scene. Effectiveness is solely on the soulfulness of the night. You sit back and watch for 30 minutes… and you know if it’s there or not.

Great thoughts on everything. Very honest. I loved it!

I think this falls on a spectrum. Not a black and white answer for most people. The DJ has a certain pull, I can't disagree with that. I have gone and supported milongas because the DJ was my personal friend. I have also had people come and support me when I was DJing. The answer gets even more complicated when it comes to festivals. If it is a festival for which I have to take time off of work, buy flight tickets, figure out accommodations - I will first check who else is going, then check what other activities I can do in that city, what is the general vibe of that event - all before I even think what's the lineup. That said, if I end up going, and a certain DJ seems to have done a bad job, I will make a mental note. Over time, if that DJ consistently underwhelms, I am not going to go to events where he or she is hired. At least for me personally, who the DJ is, does not determine if I am going to an event. Until such a time comes that I start having a bad time when they DJ. So, the DJ is more of an elimination factor rather than a selection factor for me. That is why it is important for organizers to hire fresh DJs for well-known events, to keep things fresh for the attendees, as opposed to recycling the same DJs again and again. That said, I do believe some folks would go solely go based on who the DJ is, and I have nothing against them.

Can you maybe make a video on why followers get ignored on Milongas? Im a passionate kind dancer with good balance and achsis but sometimes men ignore me. Or they go in another direction away from me when I walk around the dancefloor. Eventho they never dancerd with me and can't say Im bad. It is because of my pants and flat shoes? (Im also leading) Im wondering If it is because people dont know me. I take countless lessons but i dont go to Milongas very often. And this does not make me want to go to Milongas more often