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A DJ friend of mine (we’ll call him Al) was out the other night celebrating a family event. By the time he got there, the party had been going for a few hours already. Al got himself a drink and sat down ready to kick back and turn off his own DJ brain for a while.

Except that he couldn’t. And it wasn’t even because he’s a workaholic (although he is). The problem was that the DJ was playing music that no one liked … and he didn’t seem to care.

Al told me that not one person was enjoying the music. People grouped around the bar, headed outside and did everything but dance. So, what was the issue? Was the crowd just not into it?

Some years ago, I was at an Italian wedding where the DJ played exactly four English dance songs followed by exactly four traditional, Italian waltzes. Over and over again. He had to play to multiple generations, two languages and different music styles. You know what? He nailed it. That dance floor never emptied. When the top 40 songs were replaced by the Italian stuff, the younger guests hit the bar and socialized. When the music switched, the older Italians took a breather. To this day, I have to say that was the best wedding reception I’ve been to.

Here’s the moral of the story: DJs have to be able to read the crowd.

It sounds so simple. Scan the faces in the room, play your set, and like magic everyone will be grooving to what you’re giving them. And why wouldn’t they? You’ve worked hard loading great songs into your playlists. Here’s the thing: it’s not really about you or your playlist. It’s about who your audience is, and how they’re connecting to what you’re offering.

Want to know how to do right every time? Check out our 8 tips to help you better read the crowd.

1. heed the request

I know, I know, you don’t want to take requests. And you don’t have to take them. But consider this: if you’re getting a lot of requests for a particular artist or genre, then maybe the crowd is telling you something and you should listen. Take note of the artist and genre they’re asking for. You might have a set full of fantastic songs. But if no one is into it that night, toss it out and play something they are into. Maybe then they’ll be more willing to party to your planned set list.

2. bring a caddy

This tip’s just for you opening DJs. In golf, the caddy not only carts around the golfer’s gear, he advises the golfer on the right club to use and how best to hit the ball. Enlist a friend to hang out in the crowd, read the mood and report back to you. Sometimes being in the midst of all those people is more important than being in the DJ booth. Eventually, (by the time you’re the headliner!), you’ll have gotten the hang of reading what they’re feeling.

3. see the forest, not the trees

If the whole (or most) of the crowd is dancing, be happy. If there are a lot of people hanging around the edges, then you need to take note. It might not mean anything. But, you shouldn’t ignore the stragglers. Take note of tip #4.

4. speak body language

The club may be dark, but you still need to keep an eye out for swaying bodies and bobbing heads. Those movements tell you that although people aren’t actually on the dance floor, they are enjoying what you’re doing.

5. be flexible

If the set list you had planned landed on the dance floor with a thud, then be prepared to switch it up. Show up to the gig with a few different playlists and play them as you need them.

6. play it hot and cold

Yes, you read that right. No, music isn’t usually referred to that way. It’s just how I sometimes classify songs in my head. Yeah, don’t ask. Music that’s fun, sexy or just gets people dancing is hot. Music that’s hypnotic and repetitive is cold. You can dance to both, of course. Keep in mind that mixing that music up makes for a more interesting playlist.

7. don’t panic

If the dance floor clears, don’t get flustered. Take a breath and analyze the possibilities. Playing a popular song right then might get everyone back onto the dance floor or not. Let’s say that your worst-case scenario is playing out before your eyes. The crowd is just not connecting with whatever you happen to be playing at the moment. What do you do? Think ahead to the next few tracks you have planned. Are they basically the same as the one that drove people to their seats? If so, you need to re-think your set list and gradually work in some other material.

8. get with the ebb and flow

Know thyself. Are you being paid to be the opener or the headliner? It’s an important distinction to keep in mind because both are tasked with different responsibilities.

As the opener, you have to be realistic. You can’t expect people to crowd the dance floor from the minute the doors open to the moment your set ends. We’re human. We need to take a break and have a drink. Plus, that’s not really your job. Your mission is to start building the party atmosphere slowly. Expect that when people first arrive, they will be more concerned with getting a drink, looking for table service, and finding friends. By midnight, the crowd will almost definitely want to be populating that dance floor. By then, the headliner will have taken control and you can relax.

C’mon, we’ve all been there. Share your own tips and stories on reading the crowd!