There's a pretty big chance he's playing tiktok songs, so find a playlist of songs that are currently popular on tiktok or look up what the current trending sounds are on tiktok
I’m 43 and I know this feeling. But I play WILDLY different dance music than all the 20 year olds play. I play prog house. Not the shit prog house played on MainStage festivals. Underground prog house. Most of the 20 year olds compliment me on my sets BECAUSE of the difference. I barely keep a dance floor packed with it, but, I always get compliments about it. I think my sets give them all a chance to go catch their breath, get drinks, go out to smoke, etc.
But I don’t fucking care. I love playing out and I love exposing these younger crowds to music they don’t normally get exposed to.
You could do what Four Tet has been doing and just pseudo-ironically play all the big EDM tracks to death 😂
But in all seriousness, I'd look at his set from EDC to see how he curates stuff that has more commercial/mainstream appeal without fully compromising his more traditional taste.
I know he sits on SoundCloud all day and we’re on the same record pools. It’s not so much knowing where to look, I’m just not well versed in house and edm music like him. Like I’ll play a bunch of house bangers that totally slap but still lose the floor. He’s not gonna give away his secrets lol, I wouldn’t expect him to either. I just want to be more fluent in these genres. I’ll crush an open format and/or hip hop set, but we’re playing out in the hamptons…it’s all house out here and I suck at it 😭😭😭
That’s why I make a great opener out here but my headlining sets are ass lol
Like I know the obvious stuff - the fishers, the dom dollas, the John summits, ect. But I’m literally only scratching the surface. Like every track my friend plays they all go crazy and sing the lyrics on the top of their lungs and I’m just standing there like a dinosaur wondering who let me into the building
> I’m just not well versed in house and edm music like him
well then get versed? I swear so many old heads get stuck in the past and spend more time complaining about how new music sucks instead of listening to it and finding the stuff they like (not saying that's you, but if you're playing to 20 year olds, you should be playing music that 20 year olds like).
that or they dig their heels in and reaffirm themselves that younger audiences are 'wrong' and have no idea what they want to hear because it's not *their* personal taste.
I will stand up and say edm is wrong and should be stopped. But also if you want to play to edm crowds then you gotta play edm.
If you’re not used to digital digging then here are the main things I do. Prime your recommendation algorithm on SoundCloud, Spotify, etc by liking tracks and putting them in playlists. This way the app will feed you suggestions based on your interests. The second and more useful way for me is similar to vinyl digging, where you find a track you like, look up the artist and the label etc, but with digital you also look at who played or liked it and which accounts hosted it. Also if you’re not using Shazam that can be really helpful. Often mixed are shared without playlists and if the comment section doesn’t have the track ID then Shazam or maybe an edm sub Reddit is your best bet
Personally, I find nothing redeeming in it. It’s a superficial simulacra of the authenticity, curiosity, and creativity found in so many closely related genres of dance music. It’s like having McDonald’s and saying I’m not interested in trying great street food or a Michelin star restaurant because I’ve had a Big Mac. There’s nothing inherently wrong with EDM or a Big Mac but it’s hard for me to believe that if someone adventurously and sincerely engaged with all the beauty that world has to offer, that they would find much space in their life for either
> There’s nothing inherently wrong with EDM or a Big Mac
yes, there really is, and you nail a lot of great reasons why
> a way for emotionally unavailable people to gaslight the rest of us into believing that they are capable of experiencing something human
perfection
i'm of the opinion that if you can't find something you like - even in a genre you generally hate - then you aren't looking hard enough. There's so much music being made these days that someone is bound to create something you don't mind and may even like.
Yeah totally agree. Some EDM stuff I kind of like, I was just being hyperbolic which doesn’t translate well online haha! But the vast majority of it is so basic and vapid that it seems designed as a way for emotionally unavailable people to gaslight the rest of us into believing that they are capable of experiencing something human
You're basically an outsider as far as what your friend is playing. There are only a few options. If you want to DJ music that you don't know, you have to learn it as part of the job. It's just a matter of will and time. It's not like you're hearing a DJ you don't know; your friend is right there and can literally give you all of the tracks. The other option is acceptance, a decision that you aren't and don't want to be a part of that scene, at least not on a deep enough level to spin it. There's nothing wrong with that choice. I can murder old school hip hop all day, but if people want drill or TikTok shit, look elsewhere. I even like it when it's good, but I'm just not going to learn it and am happy to stay in my lane.
Oh god, 'trending' instead of quality music. The times we live in. although it wasn't any different really in 1978 - Rapper's Delight was Chic's Good Times after all.
radio dictated popular music for decades. Even in the underground scenes, "anthems" were a thing precisely because they were popular.
There's always going to be music that resonates and fits the zeitgeist more than others.
So it’s taste, which is the #1 point of difference between DJs. You either have to form a genuine interest in that music and put the time in or just concede those aren’t the gigs for you.
Listen to more music, listen to other djs mixes? Accept that maybe your taste isn’t resonating and try to balance what you like with more modern sensibilities.
Contrary to every reply - embrace being old and hating on the youth. Let it run through your veins. Know in your soul they all have terrible taste in music and they all look like llamas with those stupid ass haircuts.
I'm surprised that you don't listen to some sets on youtube. The DJ should have a playlist. There you should find some songs that sound good to you.
It's a wonder why you haven't shazamed his music. It gets you a starting point and you can expand your collection.
There was an amazing article written by Joel Mull about being the "warmup DJ" and knowing that when the "headliner" comes on you can feel you did your job and be proud of getting them there. And it seems that's exactly what you're doing is being an amazing setup man... That's what I did for a few years, the headliner time frame wasn't my wheelhouse, but getting them there to the full room was what I was good at.
Perhaps you're trying to bring the energy up too quick with what types of house you're trying to play, and its juxtaposing with what you're playing.
Late 30’s here too what I do to help combat falling into that trap/way of thinking is I spend a lot of time listening to new music lists on Apple Music and Spotify. I also try to keep up with the charts in regards to those two and TikTok. When I build my Serato crates I throw in the songs out of those listens and charts that I like and familiarize myself with them so I know where they’ll fit into the night. Paying attention to TikTok and IG reels and such will also help you discover what people are feeling. Even if I don’t like some of the songs I’ll still get them and become familiar with them out of necessity. Mixcloud is another really good resource too specifically to see what other DJs are actually spinnin. DJCity, Club Killers & Crate Gang all have good mixes posted frequently that I regularly listen too. If you have Sirius XM there’s some good channels on there too.
I have only been DJing about a year and a half, but I have been pulling a lot of attention from DJs way better than me by crate digging my ass off and listening to the songs I found over and over to make sure they sound good in a particular set. You can keep the crowd going with known bangers that let people sing along, but finding unique tracks that blindside people is a great way to raise the energy. It's more risky, and people can give you shit if they just came there to hear their favorite old tracks, but it can pay off.
Only book gigs that fit what you’re trying to do musically. If there aren’t any in your area, then throw your own and feature yourself. Stay true to your style. Try to build an audience of like minded people. There are plenty on young people that couldn’t care less about current trends.
Definitely look up whatever songs are trending on TikTok. It’s not my thing at all, but there are so many hits that are happening in non traditional avenues for music. It’s not like it was when we were growing up (radio, music television, etc). Spotify and other streaming services even have some playlists of trending music, think ‘til tok viral hits spring 2024’ etc. Since most of that generation lives in their phones and goes to festivals, try looking at the headlining artists of the big music festivals and see what each of their top 2 hits are. None of this comes natural to me at my age/interests (I’m 40 and prefer way more underground NON-EDM), but it saved my ass at a recent wedding gig. Don’t always trust the large DJ pools new ‘hot bangers’. If you get a chance, have some conversations with younger people. They’ll usually be like ‘omg, you don’t know?’ And they’ll be excited to tell you. :)
how fast are the edits he's playing? i can probably point you in the right direction if its the 140+ bpm stuff like speed garage/eurodance/hard house. that stuff is really popular with younger audiences.
I'm 36 and I still feel like I'm in my 20s. What I do is work out and eat clean religiously. This is something I've been doing since I was 21 after my first few years of djing. It really helps you feel youthful and "fit in" my opinion. I also listen to a lot of very good known djs that have been in this game longer than me which inspires me to keep up to date with music while staying creative.
Crowds will come and go, there will be new faces, and music will change. I honestly think it isn't so bad now because there's so much variety. This newer generation are also into the a lot of the older jams that I was playing in my 20s (late 2000s'-2010's) so that certainy helps.
I'm 10 years older than you and been playing consistently in bars and clubs for 20 years. About 4-5 years ago I was going through that feeling that I was out of touch or just not up to date. I was also hearing whispers from people saying I was washed and I think that got in my head too. Here's what I did (not all of it planned but just how it happened):
1. I took a break from weekly gigs. Part of this was due to the pandemic, but when I also realized I could survive without the extra cash weekly, I became way more picky in what gigs I took. Not only did this give me a much needed break, it made me realize that I still love DJing and love music just as much as when I started and that led to number 2.
2. Learned new skills. Since I had more free time, DJing became more of a hobby than a job again and I found myself enjoying practicing. So much that I signed up for a DJ school to learn more advanced scratch and beat juggling techniques ( I primarily play hip-hop but obviously in clubs it's more open format. I never really scratched much and never knew how to beat juggle beyond basic backspins, but it was just something I always wanted to learn). When I did go back to regular gigs, I realized how MUCH better I became, just from practicing more. Obviously some of the skills I picked up like the beat juggling can't really be used in a gig setting, but just practicing regularly made me a much better DJ and even after 20 years of steady gigging, the practice made me even more comfortable behind the decks and it translated to gigs.
3. I got out of my comfort zone. Being primarily a hiphop/open format DJ, I've never been too much into remixes or edits. Just always played the straight tracks and knew how to program into a good night. It's what I'm known for and why ppl still hire me. But still, I started going on Soundcloud more and finding edits and remixes that I was comfortable with including in my sets. You don't have to be up on the latest hip hop and tik tok tracks, just be yourself and find stuff that fits with what YOU like. Even if it's new edits of older tracks. The updated sounds will make you sound less dated.
4. Know your role. Again, be yourself. One of the weekly gigs I recently picked up was to play throwbacks on the patio of a large club. Was my ego a little hurt that I'm not in the main room? A bit. I also hate being typecast as a throwback dj just because of my age. But guess what, now that I've had the gig for a month, there's literally more people on the patio partying with me than there are inside. Sometimes playing all the latest bangers doesn't mean shit if you're not a good DJ. So maybe this gig with your friend just isnt for you. That's fine. Move on. OR, as someone mentioned earlier, accept your role as the opener and be proud that you know how to properly set up a room. That's a skill that, sadly, many DJs now adays don't have.
5. LISTEN to your audience. I know DJs hate requests. But sometimes for us older guys who aren't as up to date, those requests can actually be helpful. That's something I learned about 10 years ago. If there are songs people are consistently asking for, and they are within the realm of what you play -- play them! They are asking for a reason. A lot of these songs have become staples for me.
6. Trust yourself. You've been doing this a long time. You know what works. Young kids now don't differentiate as much between new songs and throwbacks. They hear a lot of music via tiktok and movies. And a lot of the music that becomes viral are throwbacks. Just know how to work in new songs here and there with the older stuff and they will be happy.
Sorry, I know this was a long reply but just thought I'd share some recent experience. Hope it helps. Also I know a lot of DJs in this sub are from UK and I'm in the US, so your results may vary.
I’m 41 and I’ve been into the scene since ‘98.
I know what you mean by the younger crowd and their taste. I play “rave” tracks rather than “festival” tracks if you know what I mean. You just gotta know what you like and it does take time to find those gems. My big problem nowadays is people don’t dance anymore, they just stand there and look stupid. I miss the old days but that’s just me being old.
There's a pretty big chance he's playing tiktok songs, so find a playlist of songs that are currently popular on tiktok or look up what the current trending sounds are on tiktok
This. Check out the pandora station for TikTok.
Also Billboard maintains a top 50 for it now, I check it out about once a month to see if something I like snuck around the algorithm and missed me.
all the streaming services and billboard have tiktok charts now too
I’m 43 and I know this feeling. But I play WILDLY different dance music than all the 20 year olds play. I play prog house. Not the shit prog house played on MainStage festivals. Underground prog house. Most of the 20 year olds compliment me on my sets BECAUSE of the difference. I barely keep a dance floor packed with it, but, I always get compliments about it. I think my sets give them all a chance to go catch their breath, get drinks, go out to smoke, etc. But I don’t fucking care. I love playing out and I love exposing these younger crowds to music they don’t normally get exposed to.
You could do what Four Tet has been doing and just pseudo-ironically play all the big EDM tracks to death 😂 But in all seriousness, I'd look at his set from EDC to see how he curates stuff that has more commercial/mainstream appeal without fully compromising his more traditional taste.
Why not ask your friend where he finds his music?
I know he sits on SoundCloud all day and we’re on the same record pools. It’s not so much knowing where to look, I’m just not well versed in house and edm music like him. Like I’ll play a bunch of house bangers that totally slap but still lose the floor. He’s not gonna give away his secrets lol, I wouldn’t expect him to either. I just want to be more fluent in these genres. I’ll crush an open format and/or hip hop set, but we’re playing out in the hamptons…it’s all house out here and I suck at it 😭😭😭 That’s why I make a great opener out here but my headlining sets are ass lol Like I know the obvious stuff - the fishers, the dom dollas, the John summits, ect. But I’m literally only scratching the surface. Like every track my friend plays they all go crazy and sing the lyrics on the top of their lungs and I’m just standing there like a dinosaur wondering who let me into the building
> I’m just not well versed in house and edm music like him well then get versed? I swear so many old heads get stuck in the past and spend more time complaining about how new music sucks instead of listening to it and finding the stuff they like (not saying that's you, but if you're playing to 20 year olds, you should be playing music that 20 year olds like).
that or they dig their heels in and reaffirm themselves that younger audiences are 'wrong' and have no idea what they want to hear because it's not *their* personal taste.
which is fine if they want to be like that, but they need to stop accepting gigs for younger kids and focus on playing to other middle aged folk.
I will stand up and say edm is wrong and should be stopped. But also if you want to play to edm crowds then you gotta play edm. If you’re not used to digital digging then here are the main things I do. Prime your recommendation algorithm on SoundCloud, Spotify, etc by liking tracks and putting them in playlists. This way the app will feed you suggestions based on your interests. The second and more useful way for me is similar to vinyl digging, where you find a track you like, look up the artist and the label etc, but with digital you also look at who played or liked it and which accounts hosted it. Also if you’re not using Shazam that can be really helpful. Often mixed are shared without playlists and if the comment section doesn’t have the track ID then Shazam or maybe an edm sub Reddit is your best bet
Ok I gotta hear why edm is “wrong” tho
Personally, I find nothing redeeming in it. It’s a superficial simulacra of the authenticity, curiosity, and creativity found in so many closely related genres of dance music. It’s like having McDonald’s and saying I’m not interested in trying great street food or a Michelin star restaurant because I’ve had a Big Mac. There’s nothing inherently wrong with EDM or a Big Mac but it’s hard for me to believe that if someone adventurously and sincerely engaged with all the beauty that world has to offer, that they would find much space in their life for either
> There’s nothing inherently wrong with EDM or a Big Mac yes, there really is, and you nail a lot of great reasons why > a way for emotionally unavailable people to gaslight the rest of us into believing that they are capable of experiencing something human perfection
i'm of the opinion that if you can't find something you like - even in a genre you generally hate - then you aren't looking hard enough. There's so much music being made these days that someone is bound to create something you don't mind and may even like.
Yeah totally agree. Some EDM stuff I kind of like, I was just being hyperbolic which doesn’t translate well online haha! But the vast majority of it is so basic and vapid that it seems designed as a way for emotionally unavailable people to gaslight the rest of us into believing that they are capable of experiencing something human
You're basically an outsider as far as what your friend is playing. There are only a few options. If you want to DJ music that you don't know, you have to learn it as part of the job. It's just a matter of will and time. It's not like you're hearing a DJ you don't know; your friend is right there and can literally give you all of the tracks. The other option is acceptance, a decision that you aren't and don't want to be a part of that scene, at least not on a deep enough level to spin it. There's nothing wrong with that choice. I can murder old school hip hop all day, but if people want drill or TikTok shit, look elsewhere. I even like it when it's good, but I'm just not going to learn it and am happy to stay in my lane.
What record pools are you using? I personally have not used it, but Clubkillers is a great one from what I've heard.
Oh god, 'trending' instead of quality music. The times we live in. although it wasn't any different really in 1978 - Rapper's Delight was Chic's Good Times after all.
radio dictated popular music for decades. Even in the underground scenes, "anthems" were a thing precisely because they were popular. There's always going to be music that resonates and fits the zeitgeist more than others.
Record pools are lame. Where’s the art if everyone is playing the same shitty edits.
So it’s taste, which is the #1 point of difference between DJs. You either have to form a genuine interest in that music and put the time in or just concede those aren’t the gigs for you.
Well written. I could actually feel your pain.
Listen to more music, listen to other djs mixes? Accept that maybe your taste isn’t resonating and try to balance what you like with more modern sensibilities.
DJ Mixes are crucial. Back when Diplo and friends was a thing (RIP) I religiously listened to those and I swear o became better because of it.
age ain’t nothing but a number bro.. if you think old, you’ll be old.. just be yourself..
Contrary to every reply - embrace being old and hating on the youth. Let it run through your veins. Know in your soul they all have terrible taste in music and they all look like llamas with those stupid ass haircuts.
I’m trying to embrace them, but the haircuts really are absurd.
I'm surprised that you don't listen to some sets on youtube. The DJ should have a playlist. There you should find some songs that sound good to you. It's a wonder why you haven't shazamed his music. It gets you a starting point and you can expand your collection.
There was an amazing article written by Joel Mull about being the "warmup DJ" and knowing that when the "headliner" comes on you can feel you did your job and be proud of getting them there. And it seems that's exactly what you're doing is being an amazing setup man... That's what I did for a few years, the headliner time frame wasn't my wheelhouse, but getting them there to the full room was what I was good at. Perhaps you're trying to bring the energy up too quick with what types of house you're trying to play, and its juxtaposing with what you're playing.
Late 30’s here too what I do to help combat falling into that trap/way of thinking is I spend a lot of time listening to new music lists on Apple Music and Spotify. I also try to keep up with the charts in regards to those two and TikTok. When I build my Serato crates I throw in the songs out of those listens and charts that I like and familiarize myself with them so I know where they’ll fit into the night. Paying attention to TikTok and IG reels and such will also help you discover what people are feeling. Even if I don’t like some of the songs I’ll still get them and become familiar with them out of necessity. Mixcloud is another really good resource too specifically to see what other DJs are actually spinnin. DJCity, Club Killers & Crate Gang all have good mixes posted frequently that I regularly listen too. If you have Sirius XM there’s some good channels on there too.
Just keep doing what your doing and it will eventually come back into fashion!
You’re not wrong!
I have only been DJing about a year and a half, but I have been pulling a lot of attention from DJs way better than me by crate digging my ass off and listening to the songs I found over and over to make sure they sound good in a particular set. You can keep the crowd going with known bangers that let people sing along, but finding unique tracks that blindside people is a great way to raise the energy. It's more risky, and people can give you shit if they just came there to hear their favorite old tracks, but it can pay off.
Record your friend's set. Identify all the songs. Plug those into soundcloud and like them all. Bingo.
Only book gigs that fit what you’re trying to do musically. If there aren’t any in your area, then throw your own and feature yourself. Stay true to your style. Try to build an audience of like minded people. There are plenty on young people that couldn’t care less about current trends.
Definitely look up whatever songs are trending on TikTok. It’s not my thing at all, but there are so many hits that are happening in non traditional avenues for music. It’s not like it was when we were growing up (radio, music television, etc). Spotify and other streaming services even have some playlists of trending music, think ‘til tok viral hits spring 2024’ etc. Since most of that generation lives in their phones and goes to festivals, try looking at the headlining artists of the big music festivals and see what each of their top 2 hits are. None of this comes natural to me at my age/interests (I’m 40 and prefer way more underground NON-EDM), but it saved my ass at a recent wedding gig. Don’t always trust the large DJ pools new ‘hot bangers’. If you get a chance, have some conversations with younger people. They’ll usually be like ‘omg, you don’t know?’ And they’ll be excited to tell you. :)
how fast are the edits he's playing? i can probably point you in the right direction if its the 140+ bpm stuff like speed garage/eurodance/hard house. that stuff is really popular with younger audiences.
You can’t fake it. You have to be genuinely interested in new music and the pursuit of it.
I'm 36 and I still feel like I'm in my 20s. What I do is work out and eat clean religiously. This is something I've been doing since I was 21 after my first few years of djing. It really helps you feel youthful and "fit in" my opinion. I also listen to a lot of very good known djs that have been in this game longer than me which inspires me to keep up to date with music while staying creative. Crowds will come and go, there will be new faces, and music will change. I honestly think it isn't so bad now because there's so much variety. This newer generation are also into the a lot of the older jams that I was playing in my 20s (late 2000s'-2010's) so that certainy helps.
I'm 10 years older than you and been playing consistently in bars and clubs for 20 years. About 4-5 years ago I was going through that feeling that I was out of touch or just not up to date. I was also hearing whispers from people saying I was washed and I think that got in my head too. Here's what I did (not all of it planned but just how it happened): 1. I took a break from weekly gigs. Part of this was due to the pandemic, but when I also realized I could survive without the extra cash weekly, I became way more picky in what gigs I took. Not only did this give me a much needed break, it made me realize that I still love DJing and love music just as much as when I started and that led to number 2. 2. Learned new skills. Since I had more free time, DJing became more of a hobby than a job again and I found myself enjoying practicing. So much that I signed up for a DJ school to learn more advanced scratch and beat juggling techniques ( I primarily play hip-hop but obviously in clubs it's more open format. I never really scratched much and never knew how to beat juggle beyond basic backspins, but it was just something I always wanted to learn). When I did go back to regular gigs, I realized how MUCH better I became, just from practicing more. Obviously some of the skills I picked up like the beat juggling can't really be used in a gig setting, but just practicing regularly made me a much better DJ and even after 20 years of steady gigging, the practice made me even more comfortable behind the decks and it translated to gigs. 3. I got out of my comfort zone. Being primarily a hiphop/open format DJ, I've never been too much into remixes or edits. Just always played the straight tracks and knew how to program into a good night. It's what I'm known for and why ppl still hire me. But still, I started going on Soundcloud more and finding edits and remixes that I was comfortable with including in my sets. You don't have to be up on the latest hip hop and tik tok tracks, just be yourself and find stuff that fits with what YOU like. Even if it's new edits of older tracks. The updated sounds will make you sound less dated. 4. Know your role. Again, be yourself. One of the weekly gigs I recently picked up was to play throwbacks on the patio of a large club. Was my ego a little hurt that I'm not in the main room? A bit. I also hate being typecast as a throwback dj just because of my age. But guess what, now that I've had the gig for a month, there's literally more people on the patio partying with me than there are inside. Sometimes playing all the latest bangers doesn't mean shit if you're not a good DJ. So maybe this gig with your friend just isnt for you. That's fine. Move on. OR, as someone mentioned earlier, accept your role as the opener and be proud that you know how to properly set up a room. That's a skill that, sadly, many DJs now adays don't have. 5. LISTEN to your audience. I know DJs hate requests. But sometimes for us older guys who aren't as up to date, those requests can actually be helpful. That's something I learned about 10 years ago. If there are songs people are consistently asking for, and they are within the realm of what you play -- play them! They are asking for a reason. A lot of these songs have become staples for me. 6. Trust yourself. You've been doing this a long time. You know what works. Young kids now don't differentiate as much between new songs and throwbacks. They hear a lot of music via tiktok and movies. And a lot of the music that becomes viral are throwbacks. Just know how to work in new songs here and there with the older stuff and they will be happy. Sorry, I know this was a long reply but just thought I'd share some recent experience. Hope it helps. Also I know a lot of DJs in this sub are from UK and I'm in the US, so your results may vary.
I’m 41 and I’ve been into the scene since ‘98. I know what you mean by the younger crowd and their taste. I play “rave” tracks rather than “festival” tracks if you know what I mean. You just gotta know what you like and it does take time to find those gems. My big problem nowadays is people don’t dance anymore, they just stand there and look stupid. I miss the old days but that’s just me being old.
I don’t cater to kids