You have done more for spreading the art of DJing then any other DJ on the planet. Thanks man you were there for me when I knew nothing and you put me on the right road.
I took his advice, now i'm playing for my college socials at a club and it couldn't be better. Playing music which you love, and everyone else and all your mates love
Thanks mate! I love your videos. You really breakdown what it takes to become a successful DJ. Thank you for all the time that you put into these videos!!!
The way I did it was I was working in a small Irish club and wanted to learn to Indie DJ so I approached the biggest club in town and asked to be a glass collector. I got to know people and learn what the DJ was playing. They knew I was a DJ but asked if I could play to an indie crowd, as I'd sneakily been downloading a playlist based on what I'd been learning every night so I said yes. The other Dj quit as I did a pretty alright job so I said yes and through requests, you build up a certain knowledge of what the customers want. Been there as a resident for 6 years now 3 nights a week.
i started by renting out a venue with my friend for his birthday hopefully if im good enough i could meet new people in that environment/ scene and we promote people to come out
He's talking a lot sense. Basically what you are doing is applying for a job and like any job interview you need to present yourself in a professional manner and sell yourself to get that job.
This is so true, my first ever gig was in a nightclub at the age of 16 (I done the under 18 stuff) one year later they are asking me back for main sets and I've moved and played a variety of clubs... I got lucky first by entering a competition but I have experience with some of the best nightclubs in my area and it's still hard!!
Totally true. I've met many DJs that just play in clubs to get girls, to get attention, to be called "god", and all this s*it. Then I've known DJs who just dj at their bedrooms who can really dj well and get a crowd moving easily. After all, it's about you and your personality. Are you good to dj for an hour with the very few mistakes (or maybe none)? Are you good enough to select the appropriate music for the night? Are you outgoing? Yes? Then go ahead, do what ellaskins told ya. Cheers
Your are stop on love the video keep it up there isn’t many good RU-vid like you but your are class straight to the point and give us good tips and advice and I always enjoy watching your new videos wen they come out 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Very good insight to what I could potentially get into. I thought it might also be importaint to mention about the equipment? How it may be a completely different setup to the bedroom/mobile disco. Good example being, I'm used to mixing on Numark CDN22-MK4's with pitch only control, but last night as I wasn't allowed to use my equipment I had to adjust to Pioneer CDJ-1000 MK2's. They were easier to use, but timing was different as the Numarks don't have anti-shock or instant start!
some good advice :) but after playing numerous clubs around the country I have always found it to be more of a case of 'Who You Know' rather than who you ask or how good you are...
all about being polite, and have a respect full attitude. i had a mate who were playing at the same nightclub as I am. and i had him listening to one of my sets, before i asked for a chance there. because if u screw up the first time you won´t get a new one, be prepared, learn to play a cdj2000/nexus (because they are the club standard... in denmark atleast ^^ ) and just do your thing! and most important HAVE FUN, AND LOVE W_HAT YOU DO ! :)
Thats also a good idea, but if it doesnt work out being friends with managers or whatever, go to people how organize parties and ask them if you get play at a party for free or something. If the party is a succes people will remember your name for the next time and eventually managers and club owners will begin to ask you! instead of you asking them
I hear what you're saying but I feel like DJing is also a kind of creative education for the room, otherwise you might as well have top 40 playing off an ipod on shuffle. When I go out, I have so much more respect for the Dj's who stick to their guns, rather than playing "crowd pleaser" anthems all night long. I guess it also depends on the kind of club you want to work in too.
u didnt tell me anything new... but the way u did it was important! about that "famous djs circle" who just dont care aboute floor feeling and play what others want is totaly wrong... i saw ur point and i support it!
@brownej20 in all reality every venue is a little different. Any actual night club will have their own set up, if its a bar they often will require you to have a mobile set up including PAs (speakers) and lights.
As he said, make yourself count in a polite way. Step up to one of the staff members and try to fix up an appointment with the club manager. About the CD, make it look proffesional. There are free softwares that are designed to create stickers in CD shapes, very cheap but looks pretty awsome.
@andii194 well if ur djing dubstep dnb and electronica like that i would hit up clubs that are known to specialize in dubstep nights or something. also alotta cities have local scenes for dubstep/dnb with production companies and event organizers i would most likely put ur music online see if ppl are feelin it. when you think your shits bangin hit up all the local companies with demos try to get bookings. its a lil different from regular clubs to electronica clubs
I was in your position, Honestly the sad truth is yes. ANY nightclub that is 18+ will not allow anyone under that age to play because of liability reasons.. :/
also, there's nothing wrong with playing what you play. you don't have to read the crowd. if you're booked because of who you are and what you play, just play what you want.
IM USING THIS VIDEO TIPS FOR U GIGI AT HOOKA LOUNGE AND YEA THEYC COME HANDDY WELL THSI GIG I GIOT IS A SHOW OFF GIG NO PAY AND IS TO SEE HOW U DJ THX PRATICE AND ENJOY
Johnathan can you explain in next vid about connections and problems with it.sometimes club gives sets to cr.p djs because they know resident dj and does not mean they are good,agree?
idk if you could read this.. but my main problem: is how to request playing in a club or event? i mean, just having a mix set and some songs is enough? how to politely send an email to the club? and whatnots. thanks in advance!
theres this program floating around kaled "cool edit pro 2.0" its simple not hard to use. but i might get a little bit comfused the first 10-15 minuts u use it. but kno dought its worts the confusion
The only problem for me, Johnathan, is that i listen to mainly dubstep, bitta DnB and mostly variations of house, i barely listen to the main kind of pop chart shite so would it be advisable to stick to clubs that mainly play this kind of music?
I'm 16 now and I really want to start getting sets. Any extra tips on how to get sets? for example the type of music to put on a mix CD? personally i like all the harder styles and rave music from uk hardcore
while all this is true id say that who you know means everything. Its like becoming a famous rapper or singer. you can be the best rapper but if you don't have connections you're not gonna make it. just the truth!!!
to brownej20, I would say that 99% of night clubs will have ther oun gear, all you would need to take is your music , mic and head phones at the very least. johnathan
you can't walk into an ordinary club playing mainstream music and say "hi, i wanna play rave and uk hardcore" - that's not how it works. Then you need to find a place with a concept based on that sort of music, and apply there. What I did, was hanging out at the DJ booth and starting to know the DJs and become friends with them, and all of a sudden I started getting gigs...
possible it was benny benassi's satisfaction? I went to Guettas concert this last weekend but nothing like this happend that night. Rather screaming for more. But I for myself didnt like his whole concert very much cuz he played more trance between his hits then house. :) Cheers
I'm not entirely sure I agree with the payment bit. Be good at what you do, and make sure you're worth paying for. If you do gigs for free you're ruining the overall market for the rest of the DJs...
@bocajrthug106 not negative just realistic . dude likes to hear his own voice too much . Theres some ok tips in his vids but a lot of personal opinions and waffle too .What works for one man in London might not do so well for others up in yorkshire .. & the shit dj turning up on time gets u the job EVEN IF HE CAN NOT MIX FOR SHIT is la la land talk
When he says get a CD and make it look good and all that crap...what does he mean? cd with what in it? your own productions? your mix with other ppl music? what?
@ohhhREALY with that negative attitude teh drunk would most probably drop his drink on your equipment. be a bit more positive mate. Rather than criticizing, how about giving a positive opinion or idea. You don't do request huh...lol
this is bad advice. approaching a manager dressed smart is not going to achieve anything. these days the club manager has very little say in the DJs that play. you need to contact promoters who organise the nights that happen in the club. wear what you want, jesus.
