Am I still relevant as a DJ?

DJ live

DJ, Electronic Music


I did not perform live gigs for over 2 years now because of the pandemic. Now is the time to go back behind the decks. Not just behind the decks but in front of the people. In a week I will play at Weserkrug which is a nice intimate place in Berlin. Perfect opportunity to get back on track after a massive break. So, what can go wrong?  What are the main ingredients of the comeback gig?
1. DJ Equipment.
My DJ setup did not change. I still use the Pioneer CDJ setup which I really enjoy. So, no surprises there.
2. The Music.
Is there anything new here? Yes, there is. Is only new music good music? No.
So, no problems here as well. Having music in the CD format enables you to bring thousands of songs with you in just one or two CD wallets.
3. Techniques.
Nowadays DJ systems have a lot of automatisation and features. Most of them I am not a fan of… The reason, again, you lose the human component and the people on the floor can sense that. The selection of tracks is still a numero uno feature. A seasoned DJ who knows how to mix by using ears and has enough experience to choose the right tracks is all you need in a club.
4. Performing.
I like to play all-night sets and this will be one of them. But, can I stay on my feet long enough? I guess we have to see 🙂
DJing is changing as time goes on, but much is reassuringly the same. It is still about the transfer of energy from the DJ to the dance floor. It is still about playing the right music for the people in front of you. And it is still a skill quite separate from making music.
Come and see me playing @ Weserkrug (BER) Sat, 17 Sep 2022.

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