How To Read The Crowd; Be A Better DJ

Is there anything more intimidating than getting up in front of a crowd of people and performing? Ask even the most seasoned musicians and DJs, and they will tell you that they still get nervous before a gig.

Some nerves are normal; it shows that you care about what you are doing and want to make a good impression. It is important to go with this but also learn how to read the crowd. After all, you are there for their entertainment and giving them what they want will ultimately make you a more popular mobile DJ.

In this DJ guide, we are going to be looking at some excellent beginner DJ tips to show you how to be better at what you do by being able to read the crowd!

How To Read The Crowd

It is the sad truth that one too many a DJ has ended up playing to an empty room because they simply didn’t give the crowd what they wanted. Of course, you are DJing because you love what you do, but it also pays to be mindful of the fact that you have been hired as entertainment. If you aren’t entertaining, then you aren’t doing your job right.

So, with that in mind, let’s take a look at some ways you can keep your crowd engaged and dancing the night away.

Be Flexible

Some of the best DJ advice that we ever heard is not to be too set in your ways. If you have been hired to play at a club and have ‘the perfect set’ in mind, on arrival, you may find that the crowd does not find it quite as perfect as you.

Read: How To DJ In a Club

For this reason, you should have alternative options to hand and if the crowd doesn’t look impressed, be ready to switch it up.

Prepare Yourself

If you are playing in a new venue, it can be worth attending to watch another DJ perform, particularly if there is a regular crowd. This will give you the chance to learn how the regulars react to certain aspects of the performance.

Read: 10 Top DJ Tips: How To Be A Better DJ

You could also arrive early on the night and be part of the crowd that you will be playing to later on. This is ideal if there isn’t a regular crowd that you can get to know. You will also get a good feel for the vibe of the evening as a whole.

If you know other professional DJs who have played at the same venue, it can be advantageous to have a chat with them and get an idea of what the usual crowd is like and how their experiences have fared up.

Pay Attention

It is easy to get lost in your music, and before you know it, you feel like the only person in the room. But this is a fatal mistake. You must pay attention to the crowd. But what are you looking out for?

• People dancing is a clear sign that the music is going down well. It is well known that females will get up and dance before the guys as they tend to be less embarrassed about throwing some shapes.
• Even those who are sitting and enjoying a drink or some social time will react to good music – they might not even know it themselves. The most obvious signs will be foot tapping and head bobbing.
• At the start of a track, you might also look for people’s reactions – we all know that feeling when our favourite song comes on unexpectedly. You will notice members of the crowd smiling or reacting in another positive way, and this shows that you are on the right path.

Read: Where Do DJs Get Their Music?

Get The Right Balance

Playing to a new crowd is particularly intimidating, especially when you aren’t sure what they will like or what will drive them away. How many times have you heard someone talk about a night out and that they left a club because the music was awful? Too often, right?

The best way to cater to all members of a crowd is to get a good balance. You want to give them things that you know they will love – party classics and the current hot music. In contrast, it doesn’t hurt to throw in some new sounds.

Read: How To Pick A DJ Name

But it is so important not to overwhelm a crowd with so much new music that they cannot relate to the set and end up leaving.

Get a good ratio, and you will excite the crown by playing them tracks that they know and love and tease them with something a little different.