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Topic: Advice after a bad night - Page: 1

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I know this has happend to everyone, but for 1st time in a LONG time, I did not connect with my crowd last night. This may have been my worst show to date. They would dance for 3 songs and sit until I chaged Genre. Then three more and sit. All had to be SUPER mega hits to get up and stay out there. There was no toe tapping, head bobbong & swaying. Just no feedback at all.

This was first night with this group and I hated every min of it. They asked me to do another show and I declined, which may not have been the best decision. But I was just so fed up I didn't care. DJing is a part time thing for me and would not mind a Saturday or 2 free each month.

So I would like to ask the experts out there. What in the hell could I have done better for next time? Or is that really just a hopless "tough" crowd as most called it last night?
 
Posted Sun 20 Nov 11 @ 12:02 pm
We all have an off night from time to time. The best thing to do is shrug it off and go on to the next gig feeling optimistic and forgetting the last one that you didn't feel good about. If this was the first night with this crowd, maybe you just needed to feel them out a little more? Every crowd is different, but I'm sure you already know that.

The fact that they asked you to do another show should be a testament to your abilities. They wanted you to come back, so you were doing something right! I think declining here was a poor decision on your part.

Overall, it may just have been "one of those nights". Shake it off, get back to basics and remain positive for your next show :)
 
Sounds like you were looking for the "tells" but, didn't see them. That doesn't mean they weren't enjoying the music though. As previously stated, they asked you back so, you hit some the mark a little. Just chalk it up to experience and move on. If I've said it once I've said it a thousand times. DJs are their own worst critics.....
 
2 types of crowds out there, your dancers and your listeners.

To be honest with you I think you can be to good sometimes, they just get overwhelmed by it all.
 
Both very good points, thank you. I really strive for top level shows and full floors. The Organizer really stressed that to me to. His other DJs were "automxers" and he hired me for my reputation and previous experience. In that reguard, I was very hard on myself last night. Leading to the other poor decision.

I always have a possitive vibe heading into shows. So in that reguard, I should be fine next time. I actually have a good crowd that followes me, that was there Last night and could not belive how different and dead it was.

I just think this was a "Mustang Sally" & "You Shook Me All Night Long" crowd, which I don't do well with. Those songs filled the floor, but what the heck can even compete with those songs. I know Rock well and personally love it, I just don't know the Rock that fills floors. So I will put more time into that weakness for future shows.

Also, while I said I declined, it was really not that cut and dry. I was suming it up because i am know for being long winded. The club organizer and I did chat quite a bit before and after that part. He could not believe I stood pretty firm and said he would like to continue the chat another day. So it is not shut, I am just not amped to meet this crowd any time soon. He wants me back on the 10th...
 
Charlie Wilson wrote :
2 types of crowds out there, your dancers and your listeners.

To be honest with you I think you can be to good sometimes, they just get overwhelmed by it all.


I will say that this event was in a Hotel and multiple ajoing conference rooms. The dance room and then the Bar/Gathering room. Most of the night about 60 to 70% of the crowd was in my room (though sitting). So I would agree with this as well. I hit them hard with some really good stuff and beat matched. But the early crowd was older, most of the younger crowd was there, but had not settled and had a few drinks. So I pulled it back and went the Classic Rock & Funk route. But you are still only talking 3 songs each before it was dead again. That is when I started to sweat..
 
It might help us if we knew what you were playing.
You can open the history file with Notepad with a right click and select.
This is located at my documents/virtualdj on your gig system.

For every one of those I've had there's been one that I expected to crash at that popped, so don't let it get to you.

Lots of things cause this, very wide age group, too much light, room is too big for the crowd, crowd is expecting an interactive show not music provoked dancing.
I used to do several resorts where people would drive up to 2 hrs to get there in rush hour traffic on a Friday night and all they wanted was booze and a chair. Didn't matter what I played, they were bottom stuck in a bucket.
On the other hand, wedding receptions seem to be the easier ones to get started because people are with family and friends, comfortable, popped and just add music and they're all over the floor.

Its all about expectations and what you serve up sometimes.

I had one gig I almost left once.
My father in law had just passed and the funeral was the next day.
It was presented as a 50 yr old bday.
Well his little woman was 50 but he was 70 and so was the rest of the room.
All they wanted to do was talk and reminisce about old times.
Leaning over to talk over already soft music, well you get the picture.

After making the musical rounds, if I don't see foot tapping and head bobbing, I know I am in trouble.
There are fail safe's you can play, and sometimes they want slow music only, gotta feel it out.
If you changed genre's and they sat down, that is your clue.

I have one high end gig at a Newport RI yacht club once warming up with a little funk and classics and into a little Rob Base and a little Sugar Hill Gang, and bam they walked off the floor. Now I have the coordinator upset because I lost the floor and these people are white as bread and I should know what to play yada yada yada...
Oddly enough this was a group I had played for several times and each time there are different faces and always varying age groups, in football terms getting flushed out of the pocket flying VFR Visual Flight Rules.

Had one as a last minute fill in at a school and I do mostly schools.
Found the school just in time, it was an elementary/middle school unknown till now.
As I walk through the doors a parent or adviser approaches me and hands me a bag full of toys that she says I am going to give away when I play games with the kids. Time the hell out here....omg
Not only that but the room is lined with chairs full of parents.

So, look ahead not back.
Plan things the best you can, and if its the same group make sure you change up your selections.



Better luck next time, your halfway there by admitting this all to friends.
 
For sure, I can own my mistakes. That is what drive me to improve. I appreciate the honest feedback as most of you have a ton more experience. In 2 years, i have done very well, especially this year. I am know I have allot more to learn and experience to gain. I realize that running away from a challenge was not the best move and a choice made out of frustration. I think the organizer does too.

I can get the history when I unpack all my gear. I use a desktop that is only for DJing. That is where the file is. Is there a way to import the History play list as a readable list that I can paste to this thread? I have not tried it yet..
 
It happens to us all, and it's hard not to blame it on yourself, but sometimes there's just nothing you can do...

It's just part and parcel of being a DJ!

You say that they had to be big hits. Did you stick with really big hits?

Were they requesting tracks? If not, did you ask them to?
 
groovindj wrote :
It happens to us all, and it's hard not to blame it on yourself, but sometimes there's just nothing you can do...

It's just part and parcel of being a DJ!


+1

Continuous ahead, and that this fall is is a step to improve
 
Don't sweat it... I have done a few gigs where luckily I get called back over and over again by the owner. Some gigs, not a person dancing or bobbing their head. Turns out most like to listen to the music, and the crowd still comes every time.

It's not always about who you can get to dance. More importantly, the music is new and "young", and folks like to be in places where there are young people around with energy. Most want to have a drink and sit, and thats all that matters.

I've had folks give me thumbs up / good job when no one dances. They all tell me they love the music and like to listen to it.

You'll be fine. I would suggest playing again and do your think.
 
groovindj wrote :
You say that they had to be big hits. Did you stick with really big hits?

Were they requesting tracks? If not, did you ask them to?


Yes, I grouped similar songs and stuck with big hits. I held some edgy requests off. When I filled the floor, it would fizzel out at about the 3rd song of it's kind. By the 4th song of that kind, the floor would be empty. That is when I went to the next Genre and its' mega hits. Then, rise, full, gone, repeat..

They were requesting tracks. Mostly top 40 "Party Rock" and the like.. Then the organizer told me to get back to classics (Brick House, etc) and ignor requests for a bit. The older crowd requests were not really useable or even specific. Like "play some older stuff that is easier to dance to". I even got one for Englebert Humperdink (any song). I had some, but don't even know what a good song of his is. Most of the Hip hop guys were silent (no requests) just complints to the front door. The older crowd did both (requests and complain to the front door).

Most of my friends (or people who knew me) asked me if I was just having an off night and tried to help get it back on track. But I was really just pulled in every direction from the organizer, patrons and friends. I do love my friends as they helpped allot last night (support & suggestions). Kinda of feel bad I dragged them to that show.

The organizer did not really share with me before we started that he gets an early older crowd and then a later younger crowd. He has seen my sets at a local club that was a little more Pop, Dance, Urban & Reggaton. He just said do what I do best.. That is what I do best. I also do well with creative freedom, which I had none of last night.

Age range and diversity of crowd was all over (20 to 60yo). There was low attendance that night, which we knew before we started. There was about 120 in this crowd.
 
dre99gsx wrote :
It's not always about who you can get to dance.


You are right, but when I was hired he specifically said several times that he expected a full dance floor. I think that is why I was so surprised he asked me to come back. Maybe no DJ can pack that floor and he expected me to change that. I don't know the history.

He said he had 1 guy from Boston that is great and everyone loves. So it is possible, that was my thinking going in.
 
Let me tell you something after 20+ years Dj'ing...

Sometimes you have crowds that just don't want to party. no matter what you play, no matter how hard you work. everyone is in chill mode.

It's frustrating. it's baffling but it's a fact of a Dj's life. Not every party is gonna be a banger.

I had a time that I had about 400 people in the club and NO ONE WOULD PARTY. This was my regular club where we would ALWAYS get it in. It was ALWAYS a PARTY. On this night I was like...What the hell?!? I KNOW I was playing the right music, I was ROCKING but could not tell from the crowd.
As the night wore on, I had many people tell me I was rocking but it was no party. It was like everyone was high or something. weirdest thing I have ever seen.
Everyone was just in CHILL MODE all night.
Don't let it get you out your game. It DOES happen sometimes.

If you got paid, you had a good night.

Keep spinning my dude...
 
DHoude wrote :

The organizer did not really share with me before we started that he gets an early older crowd and then a later younger crowd.
He has seen my sets at a local club that was a little more Pop, Dance, Urban & Reggaton. He just said do what I do best.. That is what I do best. I also do well with creative freedom, which I had none of last night.


bleh,

Is that normal in the US, to be soo.. mmm... 'identity less' as club? Youngsters, Oldies, Hip hoppers and all wanting their thing of course. Club owner might indeed be better of with a well chosen playlist than a DJ.

If you wanna play there again you might just wish to discuss with the owner to do your regular Pop, Dance, Urban & Reggaton and his task being to advertise that, making sure the correct crowd gets in and the place can be a real party which he hired you for. If he doesn't wanna do that I guess you are just used as an upfront marketing gimmick.
 
It sometimes takes time to build an event when you start in a new space. I believe it is best to choose a format and do your best to stick with it, If some of the people like it the next week there will be more of them and less of the ones who didn't and so on until you have built a crowd. Another thing to consider, I judge my nights by bar sales, not by how many people danced. That is usually how the owner is judging it too. I have had nights I thought were bad only to find out sales were up and everyone made money with nothing but positive thoughts on my sets.
 
Sometimes a little levity helps to warm people up.
If your not hittin it, ask for requests maybe throw on a little Barney - I love you or something as whacked just to screw with their heads.

I am a dj, I read crowds not minds, good luck reading mine.

The mind reader comes in at 10pm.
 
Haha, similar thing for me on saturday Rick, dance floor and other areas enjoying the wide selection of music, then the typical moron comes up and says can I play something different, I replied, ok what would you like, he looks back at me with that blank moron expression for what seems like an eternity and says... let me think about it, never saw him again all night.
 
Had that exact thing happen recently only the dude looked at his friend and said, "I dunno, what do you want him to play", just shook my head did the hand sweep to get them away saying "I got this fellas, go have a good time".

That or its some jackass song with content or tempo issues or something obscure or 9 minutes long.
 
Happens to the best of us. I don't think you did anything wrong. Best thing to do is get with the person or persons you doing the gig for and ask around what kind of genre they perfer and roll with it. Its always good to do your homework. I am constanly working on my playlist giving away cds to friends and asking them what they think about my mixes when im not doing gigs. We always say Djin is our part time passion but really its a fulltime job becasue your always having to get new music and work on sets even when your not getting paid.
I would have taken the gig again because if you were that bad they wouldnt have ask for you to come back but that's just my opinion.


Keep em Spining DJ Double A ......
 
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