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Q u a r t e r l y - T i p
Performing to an Empty Room
by Rob WegnerWinter 2006
At some point or another, almost every DJ will have to perform in front of an empty room. Whether you call it "putting-in your dues," or something else, this Quarter's tip will show that performing for an empty room is often as valuable as playing to a packed house.
Granted, most DJ's don't want to be associated with slow nights. DJ's generally fear that their reputation (as a draw) will be tarnished by a low turnout.
However, you should put a positive spin on the opportunity to play to an empty room. Most venues have as many -- or more -- slow nights than busy nights. This means that someone must DJ those off nights. If you make your living as a DJ -- and you're not a superstar generating thousands of dollars a night -- then you shouldn't refuse the opportunity to earn additional money by picking-up a slow night. At the same time -- if you're a new DJ -- the slow night(s) may be the only opportunity to get your foot in the door at a DJ oriented venue.
Besides the additional money, there are several benefits that comes from performing to an empty room:
1) It's an opportunity to practice your techniques -- particularly beat mixing. You should always be careful not to alienate the few customers that are in the room. Hence, practice DJ techniques in a manner that patronizes the existing customer base.
2) It's an opportunity to construct DJ sets. A slow night is your chance to "dig in the crates" to find tracks that you could perform on a busier night. A slow night is also a chance to test the audio (and perhaps video) quality of your tracks on the club's system.
3) It's an opportunity to meet the staff and customers. It's often difficult to get to know the club's employees as well as customers when it's busy and you're focused on your performance. A slow night gives you a chance to meet others and get customer/employee feedback.
4) Why is it slow? A slow night gives you a chance to learn about the business-end of our profession.
5) You have a chance to exhibit your ability to show the crowd a good time. If you can make the crowd dance on a slow night -- it demonstrates your talent to "read a crowd." If you're a new DJ, it also sends a message to the management that you're ready for a busier night. You will stand-out as a DJ.
Finally, always perform as if the club is packed. Smile and have a good time. Don't look frustrated because it's slow -- you never know who may be in the audience.
Industry News* Ministry of Sound in association with Think: DrugDrive.com is conducting an online survey to determine the top three dance tracks over the last fifteen years. To participate, visit Ministry of Sound's Fifteen: 50.
* The Tenth Annual Justo Mixtape Awards recently took place at New York City's Apollo Theater. Some DJ's and rappers believe that the "mixtape drives the hip hop community" and is essential to building a local fanbase. For more, see Houston Chronicle.
* DJ Funkmaster Flex is scheduled to appear in a Ford Edge commercial featuring Kelis. For more, see Broadcast Newsroom.
*The Mobile Beat DJ show and Conference will be held February 20-22, 2007 at the South Coast Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event includes three days of seminars and workshops, educational speakers, an expo hall featuring the latest DJ technology, opportunities for networking, and more. Legendary performer Chubby Checker is also scheduled to appear. For more information, see DJShow.info.
* Winter Music Conference (WMC) is scheduled for March 20-25, 2007. The annual event will be held at the Miami Beach Resort and Spa. This year's WMC features seminars & panels, remixing and editing workshops, exhibits, demo listening workshops, a DJ spin-off, parties and networking events, the 9th Ultra Music Festival, club events, and the 22nd International Dance Music Awards (IDMA).
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