NEED HELP (First Gig)

[Aggstarr]

hi guys
got my first real gig at the end of the month where ill be playing the opening set for Trance DJ Ronski speed which will be at 9ish and im bricking it! Ive got so many questions I keep asking meself such as because im opening at 9 will there be a decent enuf crowd to play the music i would usually play(Progressive House) do i be meself and play what i would usually play or do i play lower tempo house or something else i dunno! its stressing me out! just could do with some advice from someone whose got a bit more experience.

Thanks

[NPC]

For the record, is this the first one of these since we launched? Ahhh good times.

Anyway, my advice is to simply be prepared and chill out. Bring lots and lots of music (in multuple formats maybe?), spare odds and ends, and tether the headphones to your neck so you won't forget them (seriously).
It's important to feel the vibe of the empty club when you start. :P But most likely the promoter put you in the line up first for a reason (well, I would hope so anyway).

[JonnyFlash]

Good luck!!! I remember my first bar spot. It was at a place known for house music and I came in and dropped a hip hop set. It was a good thing that I had 20 people with me to get the party started. Now things have changed and my musical tastes have expanded. But to go back and get that rush of the first gig again. BEST DRUG EVER!!!!!

[DeadPhr0g]

Play what you want to hear, don't play anything the Trance DJ will spin, matter of fact ...don't play any Trance. Chances are the dance area will be empty. If place has a bar, enjoy the free drinks (assuming you're of age to drink).

[de.j.l]

REEEELLLLAAAXXXXXX, is my first piece of advice.

The thing that is going to do the most damage to your set is being nervous so if you can keep it calm, collective and together in that aspect you will twist those knobbies on the mixer like a champ.
I wouldn't come in with any bangers, when I play a starter set I always try to play some chillin, funky house but if it is a trance night maybe play a trance sub-genre. psy trance, or goa trance.. maybe even electro trance(but its a bit bangin)

but for the most part, stay within your comfort zone for what you play.
Neurodriver may strike you some interest if you go the trance route, same with Aaron Olsen(has some killer electro-trance tracks)

Another thing is, be aware of your stage presence, make sure you look like you're having a good time. I know you will be but with all the concentration it can take, it doesn't always appear that way.

Good luck!

[Aggstarr]

cheers guys this is my second gig with this promoter but its in the main nightclub where im from where as before was just like a talent search type of night so its a big one its a 45 min set so do u think i should practice my set first like i did before or just go with it after a couple of drinks?

[de.j.l]

I never choose my play list prior to playing, I go in with a general idea of what I want to achieve but that usually all changes once you get a crowd and see how they're reacting to certain types of music.
Know your music and hone your skills.

[VjQue]

Play what you want to hear, don't play anything the Trance DJ will spin, matter of fact ...don't play any Trance. Chances are the dance area will be empty. If place has a bar, enjoy the free drinks (assuming you're of age to drink). did you get a bad rep from this response. if so wow. cause this was a good reply. he's just the warm up dj. so people will be coming in looking for seats and go to the bar to drink. I would say his 45 minute slot will be more like 1hr 30min.

[VjQue]

get there early, and have a wide variety of music.

[Aggstarr]

thanks guys made me feel loads better! got a general idea of what im goin play now so after a few drinks ill be sorted

[Kingbob182]

Try to relax but pay attention. check which channel is playing before you hit the cue button. I didnt hit the cue button and stop the music playing once while I was practicing but I did it during my second gig. awkward feeling and more silent than you could imagine.
so thats my biggest tip. what which channel is playing before you stop the track haha

[Kingbob182]

Also, dont rush it to get in as many tracks as you can. Your club mixes have intros and outros for a reason. Use them
Also, I dont like the idea of a practiced premade set. Spontaenuity and feeding off the crowd is key. Having said that, dont play tracks you dont know back to front.

[Evolved]

Do not play any tracks by the DJ you are opening for if he/she has produced any or done any remixes - just in case you thought of doing that. That would be very bad. :)

But..yea its always longer than they say at least that how it is in my first gig experience.

[Wakka]

If you're opening for ronski... dont leave him with smoething he cant mix into... his music is 135+ bpm usually... give him something he can work with. Thats my .02 cents at least.

[DeadPhr0g]

If you're opening for ronski... dont leave him with smoething he cant mix into... his music is 135+ bpm usually... give him something he can work with. Thats my .02 cents at least.

Any decent DJ can mix into anything.

[Wakka]

Any decent DJ can mix into anything.

Theres a difference between mixing into anything and having to fresh start. I dont think i could make 123bpm smoothly translate to 140. Maybe you could, but i would consider it rude to do. You dont have to, it was just a thought.

[Hygro]

When your tracks have breakdowns, consider using the intros of other tracks to underlay a beat. People usually only want full up breakdowns when they're rolling for the headliner. But don't worry, at 9pm even for a big event only expect a few people there, so just have fun with it.

[DeadPhr0g]

Theres a difference between mixing into anything and having to fresh start. I dont think i could make 123bpm smoothly translate to 140. Maybe you could, but i would consider it rude to do. You dont have to, it was just a thought.Right on.