One of Covid’s side effects was the immense amount of free time it created, enabling many to explore new creative endeavors. As we wait to see if the government will follow through in allowing nightclubs to reopen in November, a new generation of DJs, forged in the frustrated heat of isolation, chomps at the bit. This is the fledgling DJ’s guide to local gigging.
⦁ Introduce yourself face to face
⦁ Take a personalized approach to each promotion
⦁ Be on point with your promo
⦁ Respect the music policy
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Five years ago I took a spontaneous trip to London and experienced such an incredible week of parties that I decided a few weeks later to move here for an education in dance music. What struck me the most was the depth of dance music culture here versus the United States and particularly Los Angeles, where I grew up.
Relatively speaking, there’s a mindblowing amount of good music and good DJs in the UK; in fact, here learning to DJ seems almost a rite of passage for truly dedicated ravers. The sheer number of talented DJs alone makes for a very competitive city, something I realized quickly after I arrived. It was a humbling experience.
Drawing from that experience, I’ve compiled a list of tips for new DJs trying to break into the local scene. One of my first jobs in London was managing a weekly afterhours, and during that time I was able to experience the industry as both DJ and promoter. Every promoter is playing a balancing act with a number of variables, and it’s advantageous for DJs to be cognizant of them all.
Let’s see in depth DJ’s guide to local gigging:
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Introduce yourself face to face
Nothing makes a better first impression when a DJ has expressly takes the time to attend an event in person to initiate contact with the promoter.
Every promoter in every major city with a regular (weekly or monthly) event gets bombarded with messages about playing, so it really stands out when somebody makes an effort from the get go.
No, spontaneously deciding to approach the promoter at a party you attended doesn’t have the same effect.
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Take a personalized approach to each promotion
It’s really easy to tell when somebody’s been blasting the same message to every promoter in town.
Music is not a numbers game, and your time would be better used researching just the few promotions that really fit you musically and focusing your efforts on them.
Listen to past mixes and sets, when possible attend the event to check it out in person, and if that’s not possible, show your support online.
Be on point with your promo
Before and after you’ve been booked.
Different promoters will have vastly different marketing approaches depending on the genre and type of event, but a DJ who tangibly contributes to the promotional effort is always valuable.
For a promoter organizing a house night in a well known nightclub, a strong social media presence may be paramount. For a promoter organizing an industrial techno rave in a warehouse, friendship within and strong personal ties to that specific scene will have more weight.
Generally speaking, it’s good to have both. Once booked, do your part spreading the word.
Afterwards, continue to show your support and maintain your relationship with the promotion. These efforts will not go unnoticed, and you will create a lasting impression and build a good reputation, regardless of whether you intend to play for them again.
Respect the music policy
It’s easy to get carried away by the energy of the crowd and go off on a musical tangent, and it’s particularly easy to play too hard too early. Most DJs, me included, have been guilty of both.
Even if you feel that the crowd is carrying you in a specific direction, remember that your set is just one of many that night, and the best thing you can do as a DJ is to respect the musical journey that the organizer has curated and play your piece of the puzzle well.
If you’re unsure, definitely ask the promoter beforehand and swap some reference tracks to make sure you’re on the same page. It’s like I learned when I showed up to a Funky House night with a USB full of UK Funky: Better safe than sorry.
Good luck out there!
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Have Fun. Be Creative.
