If you have been a DJ or live performer within the EDM circle you probably are pretty used to receiving criticism.  It not only comes with the territory, but rather is completely ingrained into the scene.  Most non-pro DJs will release mixdisks and unreleased non-completed tracks and ask for feedback.  They actually cry out for the feedback so they can get better; but when mixing live…oh boy.  It is a different story. Any DJ will tell you that one of their biggest complaints about DJing out is the clientele’s bothersome comments.  Can you play the music lower?  Do you have anything jazzier?  Are you going to play dance music tonight?  Of course these comments are made while you have at least one headphone on your ears.  Either listening to the next track or even performing the perfect mix.

How do we handle the criticism while DJing while keeping our testimony?  It is important first and foremost to realize that you are gigging for a reason.  You have talent, and you were booked to play a specific style.  Do that and you will get booked again.  Your crowd will often times have renegade song & style warriors, people who come in and really want to shake things up.  Keep your focus when they come up to you.  Talk to them when you have the time.  They may want to talk for a long time.  Let them know in a pleasant way that you have been booked by a specific person (the owner, promoter, or another DJ) to play a specific style of music.  In this case if you can be pretty specific you may really win over the person.  He may want to keep talking and in that case there is a good option.  You can give him your card or refer him/her to the bartender to attempt to talk to the promoter/owner.

What about the aggressive tune-searcher.  We all have faced that right?  “Can you play this song?”  “We will dance if you play our song!”  How do we attempt to diffuse this person?  Obviously we want to try and be nice and keep them as our fan and a fan of the venue we are currently performing in.  That cannot always be accomplished.  It may come to the point where we may need to get security’s attention.  Most times if you do that, it is not that bad of a thing.  The security will simply escort the people away and will let them know that you are currently working.  Most times the individual will understand.  Still, there is always that person, maybe affected by a drink or four, who is desperate for your attention to play a song or style or whatever.  At this point you cannot entertain them anymore.  Security probably will be looking out for them or others who are causing an incident.  If not, then you must go at it alone.  In a very stern voice let them know you cannot talk to them anymore because they are working.  Ask them to hit up a bartender to speak to the promoter/owner and put your headphones squarely on your ears.  Get back to work and don’t lose your cool.  Remember that you tried to do all you could and then had to ignore them at a last resort.  You probably were not going to have them as your fans anyway, because they were looking for a different musical style then what you were going to play that night per the promoter/owner.  You certainly want to gain as many new fans as you can each and every time you leave your home to play out; but it is also important to understand that you cannot please everyone every night.  Obvious, yes, but sometimes it’s difficult to realize deep inside your perfect mix when some rogue people are disapproving of your music.

Doug Theodore
Castthefire.com
Sunday Stir resident
Atlanta, Ga