Understand, first and foremost, that this happens to everyone.
You practice, you refine your DJ skills, your showmanship. You are the consummate DJ. Then, you play a nightclub where no one seems the slightest bit interested in dancing. You play your best set ever. They don’t dance. You tell them to dance. They ignore you.
What is going on?
If you’ve been a successful DJ for a long enough amount of time, chances are very good that this zero energy crowd is not your fault. There are lots of reasons why you’re faced with a lacklustre crowd. Rain or snow storms can keep people away. An overzealous bouncer might stop partiers from passing through the door. Your night behind the decks might be competing with a major concert or sports event.
The reasons why you’re faced with a dull crowd aren’t really that important anyway, right? The important thing is what you’re going to do about it. Check out these tips, and let us know if this has ever happened to you and what you did about it.
- Keep a playlist full of the hottest dance hits. Play as many as you need to get the crowd going.
- Expand your experience with different genres. You might have a crowd that’s into a genre you’re not quite expecting.
- Play whatever will get women dancing. Once they’re on the dancefloor, everyone else will follow.
- Don’t be a snob. Play whatever will get the crowd moving, even if you hate the songs.
- Smile. Don’t let the crowd in on the fact that you’re feeling disappointed. Have fun, and maybe they will too.
