So the first gig I ever played at this outdoor party was a closing slot from about 5 AM- Close. I had no idea what I was doing, about 40 quasi pop records and unlimited amounts of issues with the sound system, promoters, other DJ etc.

Shitty shitty night in terms of my DJ career!

On friday night I had the chance to get revenge on the dancefloor playing the closing (and opening) slot at a huge afterhours club here in Montreal. I played from 1:30-4 AM and then from 7:30-10 AM and fuckin' eh I'm glad I was prepared with the tunes for both slots and the energy to stay awake without caffeine or drugs. I managed to keep people dancing all the way until 10 am (fucking crackheads ) by playing some of the dirtiest, nastiest, bassiest music in my box.

Couple tips I'd like to pass on to those who will face the closing slot.

Edit:

1. ALWAYS listen to the DJ who's on before you! Follow them up properly and slowly introduce your own style. Unless he/she sucks ass, in which case start the party!
   
   
2. Don't play too many songs with breakdowns, and if you're going to, try and sometimes have the kick (or kick and bassline) of another song playing during the breakdown so the troopers still have something to dance to. Breakdowns are a break, and at these hours, breaks can often be permanent and dancers will often just take a big massive breakdown as a good time to leave.
   
   
3. Give them some sunshine every once and a while. It's easy to get lost in those dirty techy nasty tunes, but everyone and a while throw 'em a vocal or a breakbeat even to switch up the dancefloor, keep them fresh and interested.
   
   
4. Even if you're tired (as I was) stay with the crowd and keep focused. If you lose sight, they will leave. Snap out of it, put water on your face, do whatever you have to do to keep your head right and your track selection on top of things and have fun!
   
   
5. End on a happy fresh note. I know it's cliche to end with a nice big epic sunshiney song, but fuck it. It can good that way! Have a good idea of when the club will close (if it isn't your choice when to stop playing records) and try and time the last handful of records to slowly bring the light in. As a dancer, it's much nice to have the main lights go up after somehing a little more positive and uplifting. Gets you ready for the light outside and the journey home. And no, I don't mean play cheese. I mean play something nice. Doesn't even have to be really positive or uplifting, I suppose just try and bring it down a little bit. Playing your biggest techno record when there's 20 people left in the club at 10AM is kind of ridiculous.
   
   
   
   

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Last edited by Allied Nations on Apr-15-2007 at 21:14

thats some really cool advice, seeming as Ive been asked to play at an after-party on friday I'll keep some of those ideas in mind for sure!!

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Originally posted by lawrenceq thats some really cool advice, seeming as Ive been asked to play at an after-party on friday I'll keep some of those ideas in mind for sure!!

Afterparties are a bit different I think, especially at a house. I play a lot of afterparties and they are prolly the most fun as a DJ. My friend's apartment practically doubles as a club on the weekends and it's the most crowd interaction you'll ever get as a DJ. Their living room is the dancefloor with big speakers and when it's full and people are dancing you KNOW it because the party is RIGHT there, and when people stop feeling it they might go to the kitchen or upstairs (in my case) and they are gone. It flows so much differently, Especially in terms of what you can and can't play, breakdowns, etc. For example out afterparties usually take place in the middle of the day so playing super dark nasty shit isn't really appropriate. It just feels wrong.

My advice was given for much more a club closing setting, big room, after a lot of big tunes on a huuge system.

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then waddya got for a 5am after party ? haha

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Originally posted by lawrenceq then waddya got for a 5am after party ? haha

Fresh, funky, dirty... these people are cracked out and looking to get even more fucked up or drunk. Give them some crazy shit. Blow their mind with the amazing bombs you have that no one else is playing, the older tunes no one played that rocked and definitely the classics you still love (the REALLY good ones ). Interesting, fun, banging party music. If it suits you a bit of cheese here and there... really depends on the audience.

At least that's my quick take on what I throw down at afters.

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quote:

1. ALWAYS listen to the DJ who's on before you! Follow them up properly and slowly introduce your own style. Unless he/she sucks ass, in which case start the party!

This can and should also be applied to every other set you spin.

It is my firm belief that all closing DJs should stick to dubious minimal with hip hop guns sounds looped over the entire set.

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Originally posted by Alex It is my firm belief that all closing DJs should stick to dubious minimal with hip hop guns sounds looped over the entire set.

Liar.

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Originally posted by idoru This can and should also be applied to every other set you spin.

Agreed.

How is a DJ suppose to know what the crowd reacts to or not by just showing up 5 mins before his timeslot?

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Originally posted by chinamon not true. i say "ugh" but i am a tranny.

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Originally posted by kotsy lol colour me retarded

Pkay your own style, but keep it flowing... Also on another not, when playing before a dj try and set up the DJ following you up. If you know the Dj coming up next plays prog house, try and set him/her up a little... It will only help the party. Know your fellow DJ. These are your colleagues!

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quote:

Originally posted by Allied Nations Pkay your own style, but keep it flowing... Also on another not, when playing before a dj try and set up the DJ following you up. If you know the Dj coming up next plays prog house, try and set him/her up a little... It will only help the party. Know your fellow DJ. These are your colleagues!

I wish all DJs thought this way, it's sad to see a guy up there doing his own thing and not paying any attention to anything, rockin it out at 135 bpm before the headliner comes on, or the headliner not respecting his timeslot (IE: A Local headliner not a famous duder), and keeping the closer standing there like an idiot.

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quote:

Originally posted by Alex I wish all DJs thought this way, it's sad to see a guy up there doing his own thing and not paying any attention to anything, rockin it out at 135 bpm before the headliner comes on, or the headliner not respecting his timeslot (IE: A Local headliner not a famous duder), and keeping the closer standing there like an idiot.

Totally, and sometimes this can be the clubs fault as well. Sometimes they book Djs that don't fit together. Yet while you should be able to play your own style (unless there was another agreement when you were booked) you should definitely be flexible enough with your songs to adjust to different times, djs, clubs etc.

Fuckin' eh, all we're doing is playing other people's music.

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