Reading the dance-floor

[soundtracker]

Just pinched this from Shakermakers post (Please do not take this as a personal attack)in what makes a good DJ:
"having the ability to read a crowd and to suss out what they want out of the night using experience and skill."

Is this actually possible, or is it just one of "those things" that DJs say?

[Adam_F]

Everyone's different. I don't think your going to know exactley what someone wants.

Unless its on the thinking of:
If you've got a large group of drunken males, then you would think something like Chelsea Dagger would go down great, or a group of girls on a hen party, you'd play Girls Just Wanna Have Fun etc....

Most weddings I do these days, its very hard to tell what they want :confused:

[Danno13]

I think you get a feel for what certain types of people want.. I mean you usually get the bridemaids that want Cyndi Lauper, Whitney etc. and the middle aged women who'll inevitably ask for It's Raining Men or Abba and blokes the same age who will dance to The Jam, Duran Duran etc. That said, its all generalisation and stereotyping really, and sometimes you can be way off...

[CRAZY K]

Everyone's different. I don't think your going to know exactley what someone wants.

Unless its on the thinking of:
If you've got a large group of drunken males, then you would think something like Chelsea Dagger would go down great, or a group of girls on a hen party, you'd play Girls Just Wanna Have Fun etc....

Most weddings I do these days, its very hard to tell what they want :confused:

Do you not ask for a Playlist at Weddings?

Mine on Saturday has 500 tracks for me to choose from:eek:

That will be interesting:D

To answer the question DJs with a lot of experience and a large collection of music should be able to ( I dont come into that category:D )

CRAZY K

[Danno13]

I don't think this thread was intended to be about playlists, but often the B&G don't know what their guests want to dance to (i.e. NOT what they listen to on the radio/in the car).. anymore than you do. This is evident given some of the lists I'm given with obscure and/or undanceable requests on.

[soundtracker]

Yes, we've done playlists to death - on topic please!:)

[Vectis]

For me there's several levels to 'reading the floor'.

There's the obvious - time of day/night, age, sex, level of imbibement

Then the less obvious - reactions to music you've already played (toes tapping? groans? folks egging each other on to dance but not quite making it to the floor?), what sort of requests you're getting in, responses to announcements made


Just don't hide behind the console and churn out sure-fire floorfillers all night if you want to develop a reputation as a responsive DJ.

[theoloyla]

Just pinched this from Shakermakers post (Please do not take this as a personal attack)in what makes a good DJ:
"having the ability to read a crowd and to suss out what they want out of the night using experience and skill."

Is this actually possible, or is it just one of "those things" that DJs say?
Yes it's possible. How often do we get it 100% right? Hardly ever but you can get a pretty good idea and be right most of the time.

[soundmaster mobile disco]

For me there's several levels to 'reading the floor'.

There's the obvious - time of day/night, age, sex, level of imbibement

Then the less obvious - reactions to music you've already played (toes tapping? groans? folks egging each other on to dance but not quite making it to the floor?), what sort of requests you're getting in, responses to announcements made


Just don't hide behind the console and churn out sure-fire floorfillers all night if you want to develop a reputation as a responsive DJ.


Same applies for me.You also have to learn to be patient,

[Royalblue]

For me there's several levels to 'reading the floor'.

There's the obvious - time of day/night, age, sex, level of imbibement

Then the less obvious - reactions to music you've already played (toes tapping? groans? folks egging each other on to dance but not quite making it to the floor?), what sort of requests you're getting in, responses to announcements made


Just don't hide behind the console and churn out sure-fire floorfillers all night if you want to develop a reputation as a responsive DJ.

:agree:

[PropellerHeadCase]

I remember one night at a club in NZ I played one set where I just got it right every song - by the end of the set (before band played) absolutely everyone in the place was on the dancefloor (that NEVER happens), and even the duty manager came over and shook my hand. One mix I do remember was Faith No More 'Epic' into Gorillaz '19/2000' into 2Unlimited 'No Limit' (Automatic Breakbeat Mix). So, you can get it completely right, some of the time, but I think any gigging DJ can be happy getting it mostly right most of the time.

[Excalibur]

It's one of those trite phrases which is seen in many sales pitches, but while it's possible and vital to do it as well as possible, it's often well nigh impossible! How often have you played a requested track safe in the knowledge that it will clear the floor, and it packs the floor? :confused: I know I have, and probably will again.

[DJ INDIE]

as much as reading the dancefloor itself, you have to read whats not on the dancefloor, in order to fill it.

are people singing along, dancing in their seats, or sat there looking miserable as sin?! how old are they? how are they dressed? etc etc

check out the entire room, and in the opening hour or two play a massively varied selection - something for everyone - youll get some indicators from that...60s, 70s, rock, indie, soul, whatever it doesnt matter - something for everyone... people are more likely to get up and dance if theyve already heard music they like and have been singing/dancing (however quietly) in their seats to, rather than just hitting them out of the blue with the classics.. I dont believe there are certain songs that get everyone up - i believe its the way youve warmed up the crowd first....then BAM! hit them with the classics! and 'jobs a good un!

[PropellerHeadCase]

as much as reading the dancefloor itself, you have to read whats not on the dancefloor, in order to fill it.

are people singing along, dancing in their seats, or sat there looking miserable as sin?! how old are they? how are they dressed? etc etc

check out the entire room, and in the opening hour or two play a massively varied selection - something for everyone - youll get some indicators from that...60s, 70s, rock, indie, soul, whatever it doesnt matter - something for everyone... people are more likely to get up and dance if theyve already heard music they like and have been singing/dancing (however quietly) in their seats to, rather than just hitting them out of the blue with the classics.. I dont believe there are certain songs that get everyone up - i believe its the way youve warmed up the crowd first....then BAM! hit them with the classics! and 'jobs a good un!

:agree:

[Vectis]

as much as reading the dancefloor itself, you have to read whats not on the dancefloor, in order to fill it.

are people singing along, dancing in their seats, or sat there looking miserable as sin?! how old are they? how are they dressed? etc etc

check out the entire room, and in the opening hour or two play a massively varied selection - something for everyone - youll get some indicators from that...60s, 70s, rock, indie, soul, whatever it doesnt matter - something for everyone... people are more likely to get up and dance if theyve already heard music they like and have been singing/dancing (however quietly) in their seats to, rather than just hitting them out of the blue with the classics.. I dont believe there are certain songs that get everyone up - i believe its the way youve warmed up the crowd first....then BAM! hit them with the classics! and 'jobs a good un!

I kind of agree as my previous post might suggest BUT most of my family type gigs these days rarely get started before 9/9.30 and the older folk and those with kids still disappear by about 11.30 so you suddenly find yourself with a very small window in which to wow them. Thoughtful use of background tracks is therefore the key to getting the right steer in a lot of cases.

[DazzyD]

I kind of agree as my previous post might suggest BUT most of my family type gigs these days rarely get started before 9/9.30 and the older folk and those with kids still disappear by about 11.30 so you suddenly find yourself with a very small window in which to wow them. Thoughtful use of background tracks is therefore the key to getting the right steer in a lot of cases.

Definitely agree!

I always start the evening with a bit of background with as wide a mix of music and genres as I can fit in. I watch how people respond and build the rest of the show around what I see.

I can't speak for anyone else but this works for me. And even I have nights where it's like I'm banging my head off the wall! :bang:

[nigelwright7557]

Just pinched this from Shakermakers post (Please do not take this as a personal attack)in what makes a good DJ:
"having the ability to read a crowd and to suss out what they want out of the night using experience and skill."

Is this actually possible, or is it just one of "those things" that DJs say?

I have found from years of experience that what has worked in the past helps a lot. If it doesnt then all you can do is ask for requests and try different types of music.

It could be that the crowd you have simply dont want to dance but chat and booze all night. I dont get it often but it does happen.