do djs play in straightjackets?

M

Marts

Active Member
i was at an illegal rave last week and couldnt believe how good it was. my friend had organsised a 12hr gig with 12 djs in the main room and 12 in the back and there was huge variety in the music being played with a very eclectic selection. at one point a guy dropped Marvin Gaye "Whats Going On?" in the middle of a house set, also heard "Unfinished Symphony" by Massive Attack. My mate went from house to techno to electro and back and the back room was the same with dirty 80s synth stuff being mixed in with Dutribe Sound System and some classic anthems. I left the gig feeling musically refreshed after gettin a bit fed up over the few months with what i feel is the mountains of crap music out there. The gig left me feeling great and new ideas regarding what can be done through djing.

My question is are djs, and "superstar" djs in particular, restricted in what they can play and do they feel as though they're in a straightjacket musically in that they cant fully express themselves. There're expected to play certain tunes and in a certain way. would it be better if there was an eclectic music policy in clubs?
 
it depends on the dj and the venue, if you see a long set by someone like garnier or francois k it will have everything from soul and disco, reggae, drum and base, through all types of house and techno.
 
I agree with your opinion - I love to hear a mixed up set with lots of different styles, but you always have the purists who think that it should be against the law!

I was actually discussing this at the weekend - I am very much a bedroom dj, and would be worried about sharing my playings outwith people I know, for the very reason that they can be so quick to slate your style. I mix a lot of stuff together, but only when it sounds right and I think it can end up pretty cool.

Would be interested to hear of these raves ;)
 
There's currently quite a few illegal outdoor raves being organised up here, by normally very legitimate organiser's. There was a forest rave last weekend. Unfortunately the crowd is just awful, so I haven't been near any of them.

As for music, love hearing different genre's all mixed together, very refreshing :P
 
I like hearing a mix of styles if the overall set still flows well - otherwise it can get a bit fragmented and lose its energy.
 
Sounds just like the early days of rave... all different genres under one roof (or marquee)

I follow the same style. Shift between the genres using crossover tracks. Like from a funky breakbeaty house track to breakbeat. From a dreamy breakbeat track to ambient house.

And you're right.. some acuse you of not being able to make your mind up. I like it all. Mind made up ;)
 
Mark Sun said:
I like hearing a mix of styles if the overall set still flows well - otherwise it can get a bit fragmented and lose its energy.
Click to expand...

Couldn't agree more...do it right or don't do it at all. ;)
 
Mark Sun said:
I like hearing a mix of styles if the overall set still flows well - otherwise it can get a bit fragmented and lose its energy.
Click to expand...

You are soo right mate! Sometimes I get the feeling that Dj's are just playing different stuff just to be "cool" but it just doesnt keep the flow and energy of the night going
 
I have done most of my DJing in bars and nightclubs in my hometown. It's 12 miles from Newcastle my nearest city and not big enough to have venues that are strictly one genre of music. Over many years I've come to embrace a broader range of music than when I was younger.

When people ask what I play my answer is usually 'Dance Music' or 'eclectic'. Not what people think is trendy or 'the in thing' at that time. My venue is request driven and is a feeder for 3 very different nightclubs. One plays music thru the decades another plays only 70's and the 3rd one holds 1,100 people and has a Party & Pop room (always very busy), their main room is charver Rave, German techno, hard house. Therefore, I have to be able to play all these kinds of music. I play Bryan Adams - Summer Of 69 every week as well as Steve Mac - That Big Track or Lifelike & Kris Menace - Discopolis.

I have always leaned heavily towards soulful and Ibiza style music. I particularly enjoy mixing 90's Ibiza hits with current dance music, Faithless - Insomnia (Monster Mix) is probably my current favourite from the 90's. No other DJ in my hometown plays as much Ibiza stylee as I do, I have my own style and local people recognise that, at least that's what the queues and the tills tell me. ;)

I could easily turn up at a venue and play one genre of music all night, just like the big names. But, couldn't do it in my hometown, versatility and variety is the key at grass roots level. This is why I believe that Gee Moore/Bora Bora is so successful, he talks about it in last years Bora Bora DVD. Yes he plays one genre, House Music, but, all sub genres of House music, that is the key. ;)

Getting down off my soapbox now. :roll: :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top