Working DJ's - do you play 'on the fly' live, or do you have a set-list?

[Badger]

Both. I keep a playlist just to remind me of the tracks that most want to hear. I don't think of it as a limiter, however. I try to see where the crowd wants to go and take them there.

-KLH

^- This. However, my "playlist" also has a lot of tracks that I personally want to work into the performance if I get the opportunity - and if I think they'll work in the context of how the night ends up going.

I've had too many instances in the past in which I've picked up some super-hot remix and then, minutes after my performance, I've felt like punching myself in the face because I had forgotten to work in that track that would have blown people away.

I call the list my "cheat sheat." It also helps for those instances in which I've been performing for a little while and then, without warning, my brain takes a complete dump and won't tell me a song that I should work in next. (I consider myself a competent DJ, but that happens from time to time.)

[Dixieland DJ]

Both. I keep a playlist just to remind me of the tracks that most want to hear. I don't think of it as a limiter, however. I try to see where the crowd wants to go and take them there. KLH

I play completely on the fly. I do not choose any songs prior to the event. However (I am a mobile DJ), so I do usually get a few titles from my client so I will have an idea of teh type music they want. But, I dont play them in any order.

As KLH said, I keep a few lists of the top 200 etc, handy for those times I go blank.... then I just mix in the songs that the client gave me as a guide.

[moyo wilde]

when i work, not much lately, i would say i do a combo. i still play a lot a home, so there are some songs that i know go well together and i will drop those. playing multiple genres there are also some songs that are good bridges to other genres. there are also songs that i know don't really mix well with too many songs so it is important to know which ones and when to mix.

overall i don't pre-plan. but i think on djf 1.0 jimanee said he would have short two-three song mini-sets that he might use, and i definitely have those.

[Bassline Brine]

I do a little of both I suppose.

When prepping for a gig, I go through the music I might be interested in playing for the night, and throw it into a crate or iTunes playlist (I use Serato, and organize my music with iTunes mostly). At that point, I have a solid selection of tunes and I can just work off the cuff with, limiting me somewhat from going through my entire collection all the time, or potentially having a song that wouldn't really work because I preview everything before I put it in the crate.

That being said, I often jump into other playlists I have to grab tracks too if I'm feeling something in particular. It's not science, and often just go with my instinct on a lot of things.

I've also been trying to comment on my tracks better. Leaving a comment like "Funky" "Booty" "Slow down in middle" "Great Second Drop" can really help me out on the fly at times I've found.

... also before I have a gig, I like to throw that crate/playlist onto my phone, and just listen to the tracks constantly while driving to and from work and shows to get them fully imprinted on my mind. (I'm also not playing out every week like some folks on here, so I get a bit more breathing room I suppose).

It sounds complicated, but the only thing is really keeping up with comments. And I'm getting better about it

[Tektonix]

Only play on the fly I like to just figure things out and do shit then and there, Pre-set shit takes the fun out of it for me /:

[Pri yon Joni]

Whenever anyone talks about playing off a playlist....should not mistake it for having a practiced routine. Every turntablist has their signature "performed" routines.....this acapella with that beat, with that loops, drummed with this song, scratch with that sound. But when you pull it off is up to you, the whole night is on the fly, but you have your little bag of tricks every now and again, and maybe you wont even use any one them.

[Divercity]

I don't DJ. I'm stuck in my mums basement producing

[DTR]

Mostly I play on the fly. Often I'll have a handful of tunes that I want to play and an idea where I want to play them in the set, but the rest I make up as I go.

[DJ Matt]

i make playlists during the days leading up to the event containing songs that i dont want to forget about

it doesnt mean they will all get played, or affect the time of the night they get played

i suppose tha means my answer is "a bit of both"

[M!TCH]

I have a general direction I like to go. It's hard for me to have a setlist and go in and stick to that because sometimes I don't like a song I previously picked and/or you have something go wrong which forces you to recover. I like having 40 tracks for a 2 hour set to pick from. If I have more than that I start browsing tracks too much.