Guest northsoultrain Posted January 28, 2012 Posted January 28, 2012 I've got my first DJ gig coming up. I was wondering if anyone could give me some advice on a set list, must have tracks and some lesser known but stick great tracks. So your suggestions will come in very handy. I don't want my first gig to be a disaster I'll have loads of time to get any records I need. I'll say thanks in advance. Matt
Guest Matt Male Posted January 28, 2012 Posted January 28, 2012 It all depends which venue you're playing, the music policy, and what the promoter wants. In my opinion your set should be records you like, that make you different from the next guy on the bill, and not really just suggestions from others. There's a thread on here somewhere about cheap quality records and one about upcoming stuff you could check out I suppose, but again it depends where you are DJing.
boba Posted January 28, 2012 Posted January 28, 2012 I've got my first DJ gig coming up. I was wondering if anyone could give me some advice on a set list, must have tracks and some lesser known but stick great tracks. So your suggestions will come in very handy. I don't want my first gig to be a disaster I'll have loads of time to get any records I need. I'll say thanks in advance. Matt I'm confused. Are you saying you got a DJ set but don't have any records you want to DJ with and you want someone else to suggest a playlist for you so you can buy the records? If this is the case, why were you asked to DJ and why did you agree to do it? A DJ should have their own music and own style. Not trying to be a dick or being unhelpful, just trying to understand what exactly the situation is -- maybe I'm missing something. 1
Suzannek Posted January 28, 2012 Posted January 28, 2012 I've got my first DJ gig coming up. I was wondering if anyone could give me some advice on a set list, must have tracks and some lesser known but stick great tracks. So your suggestions will come in very handy. I don't want my first gig to be a disaster I'll have loads of time to get any records I need. I'll say thanks in advance. Matt Are you djing via a pc with sounds/vinyl or cd ? Suz x
Guest northsoultrain Posted January 28, 2012 Posted January 28, 2012 It's a northern soul gig. I'm doing it on vinyl and have got some records. Mainly by JJ Barnes, Darrel Banks, Kiki Dee, Mavin Gaye. Just the normal really, All I'm really asking for is some good song suggestions really. If you don't mind. Thanks
boba Posted January 28, 2012 Posted January 28, 2012 I don't think anyone can really give good specific suggestions without knowing you, what taste you have, etc. One general suggestion would be to go to youtube and just start listening to videos. You could start with a song you own / like and then look at the related videos and listen to as much stuff as you can think of. If you find something you like, write it down, and buy it if it's affordable. Sorry to not be of more help. 1
Kris Holmes Posted January 29, 2012 Posted January 29, 2012 post what records you've got & i'll put them in order for you then tell you which ones to go buy before the gig so you can play a killer set
boba Posted January 29, 2012 Posted January 29, 2012 post what records you've got & i'll put them in order for you then tell you which ones to go buy before the gig so you can play a killer set you are such a jerk, you're not going to also buy the records for him and mail them to him? 1
Kris Holmes Posted January 29, 2012 Posted January 29, 2012 you are such a jerk, you're not going to also buy the records for him and mail them to him? i never said i wasn't going to do that actually, the plan is to hand deliver any northern fire he is missing & then help him navigate through the first night safely in person, it's all part of my new jet setting lifestyle of giving back to the scene.
Sleeps45 Posted January 30, 2012 Posted January 30, 2012 I hear what youre saying man..you just want some recomendations from experienced dj's/collectors..its all good..but I do agree with what bobA said about dj's..what makes every dj unique is their style and taste..you should go with your personal flavor and see how the crowd reacts..heres an affordable one that I think everyone can appreciate.. Wales Wallace - We're Not Happy / That Ain't The Way - Bashie
boba Posted January 30, 2012 Posted January 30, 2012 I hear what youre saying man..you just want some recomendations from experienced dj's/collectors..its all good..but I do agree with what bobA said about dj's..what makes every dj unique is their style and taste..you should go with your personal flavor and see how the crowd reacts..heres an affordable one that I think everyone can appreciate.. Wales Wallace - We're Not Happy / That Ain't The Way - Bashie It used to be that you had to buy tons of records, communicate with tons of collectors, go to tons of stores and shows, get burned buying garbage, etc. over a long period of time to learn enough about records to be a good DJ. Now you can listen to almost anything on youtube and then buy that track over the internet if it's available. I don't understand why you wouldn't be willing to put in this minimum amount of work so that you can find tracks that you personally know and like instead of having other people tell you what to play. If you want to know what the most "classic" northern tracks are you can look at one of those northern soul top 500 lists. Otherwise I think you should start listening to a lot of music as you can do it for free. In the end you will be much more passionate about your DJing and do a much better set as you'll have a personal connection to and actually care about the music. 2
boba Posted January 31, 2012 Posted January 31, 2012 youtube is the soul collectors cheat sheet it's a brave new world. part of what i really like about collecting soul 45s is that they're so obscure, it's like the last territory of music that you can't download (legitimately at least). everything else you can "shazam" but not the music I have on records.
Quinvy Posted January 31, 2012 Posted January 31, 2012 My God, when will people realise that it's not about lists of records, it's about "Passion". If you hear a tune that moves you to want to dance, then buy it, and play it in your set.......do that 26 times and you won't go far wrong.
Guest northsoultrain Posted January 31, 2012 Posted January 31, 2012 I'm sorry for all the people I've seemed to have offended by asking for help. I can develop my own style as I get more gigs. I don't want to mess this one up, it my first one and I'm very nervous. Your all saying play what I like but even I know it's not about what I like it's about what the people would like, thats why I'm asking for help. Thanks anyway
boba Posted January 31, 2012 Posted January 31, 2012 My God, when will people realise that it's not about lists of records, it's about "Passion". If you hear a tune that moves you to want to dance, then buy it, and play it in your set.......do that 26 times and you won't go far wrong. i can't tell who you're responding to, but that's exactly what I'm saying. You need to find records you like by doing a lot of listening and play those.
boba Posted January 31, 2012 Posted January 31, 2012 I'm sorry for all the people I've seemed to have offended by asking for help. I can develop my own style as I get more gigs. I don't want to mess this one up, it my first one and I'm very nervous. Your all saying play what I like but even I know it's not about what I like it's about what the people would like, thats why I'm asking for help. Thanks anyway If you want "popular" northern tracks pick stuff of a list like this: https://www.digitaldreamdoor.com/pages/best_songs-Northern_Soul.html Listen to the tracks on youtube, then buy the record if you like it. I still don't think someone should consider DJing without a deep knowledge of the music, enough to make their own selections. I think if you continue to DJ and learn about music, you'll feel the same way.
boba Posted January 31, 2012 Posted January 31, 2012 I can even pick out the cheaper records from the list (or from some other list) if you want me to.
Sleeps45 Posted January 31, 2012 Posted January 31, 2012 it's a brave new world. part of what i really like about collecting soul 45s is that they're so obscure, it's like the last territory of music that you can't download (legitimately at least). everything else you can "shazam" but not the music I have on records. youtube changed alot of that..or shall I say the internet changed that..people pay good money for rare records so they can possess a one of a kind item,something that no one has on vinyl,cd,mp3,etc....now thanks to the internet,people can share their taste with other collectors online like youtube,podcast,internet radio,etc..only bad part is that people can rip the songs for their mp3 collections..and yes even from the sitting in the park show unfortunately
Recommended Posts
Get involved with Soul Source
Add your comments now
Join Soul Source
A free & easy soul music affair!
Join Soul Source now!Log in to Soul Source
Jump right back in!
Log in now!