What Makes a Good Warm Up DJ? | The DJ Discussion | Episode 2

[@househeadspeakz]

I am a House DJ, and I've played opening sets. I recently played one in Austin during South By Southwest for my radio show reunion party. I do enjoy warm-up set because you can be as creative as possible with your track selection. Also, you can have fun playing for at times it will be just you or a few people at the club. I found out that the club I was playing had speakers on the outside of the venue, so people hear my set outdoors as well as indoors. I had 4 people danced while I was performing. It was a fun time, and I set the tone for the other DJs who were on the line-up to play their sets. It is a great feeling knowing the night kick off to a high note because of you. Always perform a smooth but exciting set when you open. You don't have the play the bangers or a low bpm. The right track selected is all you need. Create your playlist and practice. It makes things easier. #askLJ

[@Crossfader]

Antoine Simpson Yes Antoine this is exactly right in my opinion! LJ

[@jaybasha]

Very nice insight. What if the warm up set is 3 hours long?

[@XXDEVIN157XX]

I generally keep my folders according to the genre of music so like Rap / Hip-Hop , House , Dubstep

[@DanielleKingdjdinosaur]

a lack of ego.An interest in experimentation given the room to do so.A feel for the crowd.A slightly more laid back approach .You can be keen but no one wants you blowing peoples heads off while they put their coats away and head to the bar.A sense of humour helps break the ice .I am not talking stand up here i am talking about what you play and how you play it.The heads down floor pounding comes later .You are there to make people smile and relax.By the time you leave... the dancefloor should be primed and ready to kick arse and you can see your friends get a drink and enjoy your night

[@kerwinfernandes9583]

Nice tips, specially keeping the decks ready for the main act. Thanks and God bless 🙂🙏🏼❤️

[@coool_dude]

Thank you I really need a DJ kit❤

[@spicymac07]

#AskLJ hello! I've been doing warm up gigs for a while now (as a baby DJ to this scene) and I agree with those pointers that you have given in this video. I usually would build up my set from about 85-90bpm to about 120-125 by the end before I pass over to the main DJ. I want to crowd read better though - hopefully there's a video about crowd reading soon, because ultimately I want the crowd to be amped up by the end of my set so the main one goes nice and energetic.

[@Crossfader]

DrewTV - by Andrew Ng, SG Thanks for your comment! Yes there will be a whole range of topics for you to get stuck into! LJ

[@fury1685]

Let's just say I'm a new comer in this industry and I don't have any connections or links with other djs, I just learned and started djing. So now, how should I be promoting myself to get gigs or clubs or even events.

[@massimoboffice9570]

Hey man, I would start off by getting the word out. What I did was create a platform on social media and constantly talk about DJing so right off the bat, people knew that I was serious about what I was starting up. I find that the word spreads fastest by mouth, so once you land your first couple of gigs it'll feel like a snowball effect. One thing will always lead to another. Put all the focus on improving your mixing, and don't be scared to speak with and hand out business cards to people you encounter, club owners, bar owners and other djs. Proving that you're passionate and defining yourself as the type of DJ you are is definitely the first step in my opinion. Hope that helps!

[@nachosjustice8928]

The way I've done it is I've messaged some DJs at smaller clubs, opened for them, and let word of mouth do the trick

[@mrjtjames]

Vijay Barik Some good advice here already. Before you do that though you should make sure your skills are up to par and maybe put together a DJ mix around 30-45 min. Having that as a promotional tool will help steepin the curve getting in the door.

[@Crossfader]

Some great replies in here guys! Yes promotional mixes. Creating networks on Facebook / instagram. Discussing all things DJing and asking questions is a great way to start. Soundcloud // Mixcloud is a great source to upload a promotional mix. LJ

[@fury1685]

@@Crossfader thanks a lot... Iam actually preparing a mixtape and soon will upload on these platforms... thanks for suggesting ✌😋

[@heed9726]

What if you Pre plan all of your sets? Is that alright? I pre plan all of my sets.

[@mrjtjames]

Great advice, man. I’ve opened for some big cats and there is def an art to being a warm up DJ. It can be hard to hold back, but you gotta set the table nice for the headliner and overall party vibe. You nailed the finer points here for sure. Cheers. #asklj

[@Crossfader]

JT James Thanks for your comment man! LJ

[@mrjtjames]

Crossfader Cool man. You have some good stuff here. Looking forward to more of your content. Cheers!

[@churchillcoins8519]

#AskLJ, promoters useto sometimes stipulate what BPM range a start up DJ stays in. What range do you tend to say in during a typical warm up set. Hey topic look forward to more of these discussed. Cheers

[@Crossfader]

C Sanchez Thanks for your question! I have to say I’ve never been told what BPM to be in. I don’t think BPM really counts more than the vibe of the song. You can still get mellow tracks at 126 as well as pulping house so it’s all about the vibe for me LJ

[@Technorobert99]

Love to practice all the advices here

[@owenalekna4058]

Great advise. This is also a great series, keep it up 👍🏼🎧

[@theaverageguy3884]

What if i play at a underground festival early on, and there are 20-30 Djs after me ?

[@veselin4504]

Very good explanation!

[@dr.mousumiboral3923]

Giveaways?? Dj controllers

[@laul9581]

1

[@carlvetdzunzi2940]

My name is dj BlaqNight from South africa and am 15 uears old..Man I have really learned a lot about. Djying on this channel..u guys are really help full in any way and inything of dying.... I have only touched and djyed on a DJ controller twice in ma whole life I really love doing the thing but I don't have a DJ set.. You guys. R always advertising cdjs ,mixers,and all that .... This is hard but can u plz donate one the DJ controller even a old one I always see a lot of those things in the background... Plz donate one for me ...