Ask Number9 – What do DJ’s do live?

Posted by number9

I was recently asked this:

So ive been going to a lot of Dubstep concerts lately and it seems like they just play a mix. I know that DJ's do some live mixing but do they mix the whole thing right there on the spot or what? Ive tried looking on google but it seems nobody knows. I figure they dont just make a mix like the ones here that are an hour long and all made and they just go up there and hit play

~ Tony Shultz

Well now, where do I begin with this one. I'm going to be pretty bold with my opening salvo and say that if you are infront of a crowd and you play a pre-recorded CD your no Dj! Your a human jukebox!! When it comes to mixing there is no right or wrong way of doing this and playing live is no different. Some people will use CDJ's, some people will use Decks, some people will use laptops and keyboards and in my opinion there is a lot of respect due for pushing your own way of making music. Ive grown up using decks but I have adapted to use Traktor with decks, without, with a keyboard, with a synth.... Whatever way works for me to put my creativity into what I do.

Now when it comes to playing live I can understand how daunting it can seem and how it would just be simpler to play a pre-recorded mix, but where is the fun in that. Mixing is a challenge and when you turn up to a gig and the equipment is new or unfamiliar and the PA may be off and the crowd are hostile if you get up there and play live then you are a Dj! You are embracing a challenge and you showing what you are made of.

I played a gig in bristol and followed on from a very popular local female Dj and when I started my first track a girl in the front row was leaning over the booth sticking her middle finger up in my face, swearing at me and generally being a complete menace. I didn't like it and for the first two tracks was thinking "what the fuck have I done here" then I looked past this girl and the entire room was going off, tops off, mosh pit madness behind her and I just laughed it off. It was distracting and if the whole room was doing that the easy option would have been to play a pre-recorded mix and fuck off to the bar for an hour. By the end of the set she was trying to get into the booth to chat me up. It was quite a night, I loved it as it was a challenge and I accepted it.

Now if I was at a club and I saw someone playing a pre-recorded mix I'd ask them why? Its quite disrespectful and arrogant instead of applying yourself and bringing something creative and new your just standing there taking acclaim and probably shouting the loudest "look at me I'm a Dj". To be honest my 89yr old Nan can press play on a CD player and is she a Dj?! Have some pride in what you do and embrace every challenge, don't look for the easy way out and earn your respect don't expect it.

I am Number9, that is all.