Nerves, Excitement & More...

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Morning all,

It doesn't matter how long you've been DJing for, whether it's 20 years or 2 years, do you still get nervous?
It doesn't matter whether you are going out on your own into the unknown every week or running a team of DJ's, do you get the butterflies in the stomach?

I was affected by nerves really badly back in the day. It made no difference whether I was in a Club, Bar or doing a Private gig, I went through a stage where I was physically sick before each gig. All of the nerves would build up so much that I would worry, panic and throw up moments before I was due to start. I'd be ok during the gig and afterwards when it was all over but at that time, I really didn't think I would be able to cope with DJing as my career. A friend of mine (who has now passed away), said to me back then that being nervous was a good thing because it showed that you cared, were bothered about what you were doing and wanted to make a good impression and be the best at what you were doing. It took a while for me to get that into my head.

The worst moments were when I started to do Weddings. My head was telling me that it was someones special day and everything had to be perfect and then I'd start thinking - What if I muck up? What if the equipment mucks up? etc etc and I'd worry myself into a panic but these days the only nerves I get are probably nerves of excitement.

If you get nervous, how do you deal with it?

Also - Do you get those moments where you are doing a gig and the dance floor is rammed with everyone dancing and singing along to a tune and the hairs on the back of your neck stand up? I call it the 'Shivers down the Spine' moment when everything is going really well.
It happens to me quite a lot. It may not be because the dance floor is always rammed but I may play a track and the reaction is great. It's a track that I like too and the atmosphere is perfect. That probably doesn't make much sense really...

It used to happen quite a lot when I was doing my Alternative Nights regularly and I'd play a guaranteed floor filler like (for example) Reef 'Place your hands'.
It happened at the weekend when I played 'House of Fun' by Madness. Lots of people singing and dancing along and I just looked around and thought "Yes!!".

Anyway, just wondered.....

[DJ Frankie]

Yes I still get the nerves mate and its very true what your friend said, its a sign that you care in what you do.

Even though I have been DJ'ing now for over 18 years the nerves are still there right up to when I make the first announcement inviting them to the dance floor, and as soon as that has happened the nerves are gone.

Its crazy really because I was a redcoat for 5 years and used to stand up comparing and DJ'ing in front of 500 people a week and never once had nerves (Must be an age thing haha)

My other issue I have is that Im constantly worried that my equipment will fail, its strange as over the years I have invested heavily in my kit and now have a decent amount of kit, I literally carry nearly two rigs with me to most gigs, but still have that nagging worry in my head.

Frankie

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Hi Frankie, hope the end of season gigs went well (I'll no doubt be seeing you again later in the year).
The equipment thing is my main worry. Like you, I take a lot of back up equipment too and although it's a pain in the backside loading it, it's a good thing that it never gets used.
I was in a band many moons ago and we used to do a number of large gigs and it didn't matter whether we played to 200 in a small venue or a few thousand in a larger one or festival, I was always racked with nerves and that didn't stop until I gave it up.

[DJ Frankie]

Hi Frankie, hope the end of season gigs went well (I'll no doubt be seeing you again later in the year).
The equipment thing is my main worry. Like you, I take a lot of back up equipment too and although it's a pain in the backside loading it, it's a good thing that it never gets used.
I was in a band many moons ago and we used to do a number of large gigs and it didn't matter whether we played to 200 in a small venue or a few thousand in a larger one or festival, I was always racked with nerves and that didn't stop until I gave it up.

I believe we have the pleasure of your DJ'ing presents again for my cousins engagement, is that right?

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Wedding!
It's in September. By the sounds of it, it's all happened a bit quickly. I'll see you then mate for some more of those dance moves!

That's another thing I forgot to mention with reference to nerves.....
Do people find it nerve racking when they are doing functions for friends or colleagues or maybe even other DJ's?

[Shaun]

I don't get nervous anymore, I haven't for many years. I also don't think being nervous is conducive and to showing that you care, are bothered about what you do, or wanting to make a good impression and striving to be the best at what you do. I'm still all of the above. I can't pinpoint when the nerves stopped, but I remember in the early days having really bad butterflies before every gig.




That's another thing I forgot to mention with reference to nerves.....
Do people find it nerve racking when they are doing functions for friends or colleagues or maybe even other DJ's?

The opposite. I tend to feel even more relaxed when it's for friends and family as I already have a rapport and relationship with them. :)

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I don't really get nervous either these days

[DJ Frankie]

Wedding!
It's in September. By the sounds of it, it's all happened a bit quickly. I'll see you then mate for some more of those dance moves!


Oops yes my mistake, I should know that really :muppet: !! Hoping to be there mate not too sure of dates etc...

[sweetie]

I tend to be more nervous on gigs for new clients but when I'm workig with the band I'm not at all. I also fret over the gear even though I have lots of redundancy!

[MikeW]

Wedding!
It's in September. By the sounds of it, it's all happened a bit quickly. I'll see you then mate for some more of those dance moves!

That's another thing I forgot to mention with reference to nerves.....
Do people find it nerve racking when they are doing functions for friends or colleagues or maybe even other DJ's?

I did a wedding recently for another DJ, I had no problem with it.

But...........I am doing a wedding very soon for a former work collegue. And I am totally cra......... getting really nervous. I just want it to be a really good night. The nights I am more relaxed at seem to go better than the ones where I try too hard! :)

[Ryu]

I don't get nervous as such, but the adrenalyn certainly flows. I'm confident in my ability to deliver and, whilst I'm still learning new tricks and ideas every time I play out, I feel as if I have enough skills and experience to handle most situations. I don't think I'm cocky, or a full on in your face "personality" DJ...I just enjoy presenting an image of a DJ which is re-assuringly confident and professional...I know its old school to say as much, but the pre gig routine of making sure I am well presented, clean shaven and suited gets me in the right mind frame.

Performing for friends can be a bit trickier....but all that proper preparation prevents etc etc stuff comes into play then.

[Jonathan Ford]

I have to say that I haven't been nervous for years.

I can't be convinced that feeling nervous relates to how much you care - I strive my hardest to do my very best for my clients.

[DeckstarDeluxe]

Not nervous unless I'm trialling new kit or something like that.

I think if you have planned correctly and have an action plan in plan for most reasonable mishaps then the only reason to be nervous is an ex is in the crowd or some big wig from the hotels HQ is about.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

I can't be convinced that feeling nervous relates to how much you care - I strive my hardest to do my very best for my clients.

Don't we all?
Some people get nervous and some don't. I used to suffer badly and now I don't.

[Twinspin]

I get nervous before every gig and i panic a lot as well over nothing and at the end of the night i wonder why i did panic.

[Ecstatic Events]

No nerves here. Slight butterflies before announcing the first dance at big weddings and that's about it. Cool as ice.

[chrisj]

It doesn't matter how long you've been DJing for, whether it's 20 years or 2 years, do you still get nervous?

I have been doing disco 44 years this week though I started as assistant before doing the first on my own in August '68. Well, occasionally I still get a little bit nervous, in case the client does something wrong.
Apart from that I am pretty relaxed these days. In my early years I was very nervous though.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

No nerves here. Slight butterflies before announcing the first dance at big weddings and that's about it. Cool as ice.

Cool as a cucumber.

Cold as ice.

:D

[Corabar Steve]

No nerves here either.

When the dancefloor is rammed (especially if it's something I like playing) I usually have an ear to ear grin, but no shiver up the spine moments.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Ok, Ok....forget I said anything eh!
Maybe it's just me that was a worry guts.
:D

[Megamix]

Ok, Ok....forget I said anything eh!
Maybe it's just me that was a worry guts.

I think it's a valid reaction - people in showbiz say they have butterflies before going on stage - why not DJs before they start?- to some people because it's so important to do well it affects them.

Confidence is a delicate thing.

[Corabar Steve]

Never got nervous before a performance with my band either.

[Excalibur]

I'm sorry to say that I don't really get nervous nowadays. The kit tends to make it to the end of the gigs nowadays, I've seen a lot of things before, and I hope I have the experience to cope with most eventualities.

I like to think that I still put energy into the gigs, I'm just not on edge before I start, and as Steve says, when it's going well, the old ear to ear grin often appears.

Mind you, I got very nervous doing the store launches, because that was relatively new, and daunting in many ways.

[Javlingames]

Yes i get a little nervous, especially if i have to do something a little out of my comfort zone ie, auctions, games and competitions etc.

All of my nerves instantly leave as soon as i pick up the mic and do what i have to do. Other than that i only get pre gig nerves about getting to the venue on time and making sure all of the gear works.

[a2bdisco]

I still get nervous at hell, even on my regular functions, as I get different people in every week so I play different music. I think, if I get nervous, it leads to a better night as it can wipe out complacency. On a private function night, I get that nervous I have to force myself to talk on the mic, but once that's over, things are ok.

[yourdj]

I don't get nervous anymore, I haven't for many years. I also don't think being nervous is conducive and to showing that you care

Nerves are not brill if they are not being managed properly (ie being sick).
I had a nightmare last week where I was late for a wedding which affected my head the next day.

It was because I had two all days with MC back to back, an evening (tonight) and after two days off the same from Thurs, which is the busiest I have ever been, so lots of worry there hence the dream :)

Nothing to worry about tbh as they have been very enjoyable. Tonight was the best event I have ever done (video coming soon :p ).

I do occasionally get jitters but try and divert it to good use through heavy breathing and good communication/preparation.
Brian Wroe taught me a lot of skills for this which has really helped :)

[djwiggy50]

Back when I was in the thick of things, particularly at kids parties we were heavily interactive with the audience;

It became a case of if you didn't get the pre show jitters, your show wouldn't be a good one - which only happened once towards the end, where I think things got on top of me, I was being screwed over and we had a god awful night, kit was going down on us - not noticeable to the crowd, but was to me and the client wasn't happy, even if the rest of the audience were - never felt so bad in all my life :cry:

I have to say, done a couple of gigs since starting up again and before starting each one - the jitters were there - both gigs went down a storm and I left with the biggest grin on my face, and it wasn't from pocketing the cash at the end, it was from knowing I'd done a :Censored: good job.
:jumping:

[simonp]

I don't get nervous before gigs, doesn't mean I don't care though, although sometimes I'm not all that bothered about doing certain gigs. Like Frankie I do worry about equipment failure, although I have nice kit nothing is infallible

[paul1404]

I dont get nervous - I somtimes get a little stressed if a gig isnt going well never show it though it - Used to get little nervous bout equipment - but all backed up now - KNow it sounds silly but if equipment fails and you have a back up makes you look even better to client ( Only happened 1 with amp and turned out to be a cable)