DJ Music Between Sets?

Gearhead17 · #1 11-14-2010, 12:30 AM

I would like to know how other bands/bass players feel about "DJ Music" (rap, dance, hip hop, house and so on...) being played between your sets of music? Does it ruin your band's vibe? Does it annoy you or is it actually helpful?

My band plays three 50 minute sets on Saturday's at one particular bar and we typically have 30 minute or longer breaks in between sets. The idea is to have us play most of the night and end around close (2:30am). The DJ music is on from the moment they open, stops when we play, then continues during our breaks. In many cases it has been very helpful and has kept many people in the bar during our breaks. The DJ's typically play those famous Bon Jovi and Journey songs - since we don't do them, we do not get complaints. Plus, they play all of the rap music we will never touch - the crowd lucks out again in hearing the music they want.

I am thankful for DJ's keeping our crowds dancing and drinking while we take a break.

I heard some other people do not like DJ's playing music between sets - why is that?

bigblondeafro87 · #2 11-14-2010, 12:51 AM

Well I guess if you're not playing at a bar or similar gig, some people may be trying to put on a show as opposed to a 'vibe'. In that situation, playing rap music in the middle of your concept album or what have you may be out of place.

fenderhutz · #3 11-14-2010, 12:54 AM

Just got back from our gig tonight. We don't have a DJ but our drummer knows what's popular and will create a playlist. Original music I don't think it's a great idea, but being in a cover band it's all about pleasing the establishment and patrons. People still dance to the iPod and when we play as well. We can takes longer set breaks and everyone is happy. Win win.

bigfatbass · #4 11-14-2010, 01:00 AM

Whenever possible we spin our own tunes through the PA on breaks. That way we can keep the people engaged during the downtime, but maintain creative control over what gets played. We strive to be an original band in a roots music scene where that is a cardinal sin. If we put on a disc with a bunch of blues standards or zydeco hits while we're off, the crowd doesn't lose our vibe/tone with a bunch of unrelated nonsense blasting at them. DJs with no respect for the style/genre of the band they are supposed to be working with/supporting are bad for the show, and bad for the clubs biz. If they play stuff that disenfranchises the crowd that paid for the band, they are costing the house money in lost sales at the bar, and lost return customers. Nothing is absolute, and no one complains when "Love Shack" or "Da Club" fills the floor with poptarts once in a while, but if they are blasting the band's fans out with junk, or even entertaining the crowd more than the band was, the club is in a lose/lose situation. And frankly, if what they are doing is so much better for the crowd than what the band is doing, why is there a band? If more people are dancing for the DJ, then the quality of the band can be questioned then, can't it?

kcole4001 · #5 11-14-2010, 08:41 AM

We usually do our own tunes, similar genre, sinilar volume, which is really the issue a lot of the time.
The crowd sure seems to love the DJ tunes, but it's so frickin loud that when the band starts back up it's quite a severe contrast. It just doesn't feel right.

plangentmusic · #6 11-14-2010, 08:42 AM

I hate working with a DJ. It kills the flow of the band's sets and fatigues the listeners ears.

MrDOS · #7 11-14-2010, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigfatbass

Whenever possible we spin our own tunes through the PA on breaks.

That's where I am. Our break music is cool danceable 80s tunes and "Wow, I haven't heard that in ages!" songs. We get requests regularly for a CD copy of the break music!

I also have had gigs where the DJ is quite a bit louder than the band, fatigues even our ears, and it totally kills the vibe.

Gearhead17 · #8 11-14-2010, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrDOS

I also have had gigs where the DJ is quite a bit louder than the band, fatigues even our ears, and it totally kills the vibe.

The DJ's we play with are generally much louder than us and it drives me nuts too. I wear my ear plugs from 8pm all the way to 3am. In my experience, the loud dance music makes people dance and shut up. Still, it's not safe for their ears and kills the ability to have a conversation.

stoneboy26 · #9 11-14-2010, 05:06 PM

I'm with you Gearhead.

Covers, 3 x 45min sets. 15-20min breaks. We have a DJ playing dance stuff and a bunch of rock stuff we don't play (inc the popular cover songs that we refuse to play - we do a fairly rock/hair metal inspired set).

Crowd loves both band and DJ and seems to keep everyone happy. The place is always packed so that's gotta be a good thing right?

We've played every Saturday at this pub for 6 months and looks like being extended into 2011, so we are not complaining at all!!

Marko5657 · #10 11-14-2010, 08:19 PM

We bring our own break CDs, but some places we bring karaoke for breaks. This weekend both nights we had karaoke.

JohnDavisNYC · #11 11-14-2010, 08:43 PM

for what we do, having great dubstep or jungle DJ's before, in between, and after our sets just makes for a great party all night. it's also inspiring for us and give us a good starting point, energy and vibe-wise.

granted, that's also kinda what we play, so it fits... i'd be bummed out if i had to hear minimal electro breaks on the set break of a singer songwriter gig... well... maybe i'd be psyched, but i bet the crowd would hate it.

john

Fredde · #12 11-15-2010, 06:36 AM

I voted for DJ's because I think it's good to keep the audience in the mood between sets, especially if it's a "dancefloor" kind of gig. The audience will use the break to get drinks, but the background music may help to keep the energy level up.

This, however, is only true if the DJ know what (s)he's doing and undestands that (s)he is part of the same show. It's also good to discuss the playlists beforehand, I learned this the hard way once: We had "Play that funky music" as first song of after the break, and guess what the DJ played as his last...

macheted01 · #13 11-15-2010, 06:56 AM

Well, I started in the music biz as a DJ, and still do to this day. It works out well, because I usually keep the flow going when our band takes a break. I play stuff thats not far off from what we are doing. Plus, I can play the requests that our band does not do. I also use it as a tool to show the other members in the band what tunes work. Its hard to get them to want to learn certain songs. I suggested a couple that pretty much got shot down and when I played them during our break and they seen the reaction, the next day they were like, maybe we should learn them songs. I also DJ'ed with other bands and always tried to collaberate with them. Get there set list and see what they are doing. Make sure I do not play what they are playing, yet try to keep the vibe going.
We recently had one bar that did not want me to DJ when our band went on break. They wanted that few dollars to go to the jukebox, which did not make the following we have very happy. Its kind of a double edged sword, I guess. The way I look at it, the dance floor is kicking and the energy is flowing or I take my ass up to the bar and have a drink with others and socialize and keep the drinks flowing for the bar, which keeps the numbers up.

Bassdirty · #14 11-15-2010, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gearhead17

My band plays three 50 minute sets on Saturday's at one particular bar and we typically have 30 minute or longer breaks in between sets.

The DJ's typically play those famous Bon Jovi and Journey songs - since we don't do them, we do not get complaints Plus, they play all of the rap music we will never touch - the crowd lucks out again in hearing the music they want.

I am thankful for DJ's keeping our crowds dancing and drinking while we take a break.

I heard some other people do not like DJ's playing music between sets - why is that?

I don't have a prob with it...but we only take like 10 minute breaks.maaaayyybe 15 tops in some instances.

I think the people who might have a problem with it, are people who arent playing what the crowd might like.and would notice when the crowd is dissapointed when the DJ stops and the band starts again.

Then again..we do pur own DJ ing (usually) so we try to play stuff the crowd likes/stuff that is similar to ours (but not the actual songs theyre gonna hear in ten mins)/dancable as well.

.

Bassdirty · #15 11-15-2010, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by macheted01

....usually keep the flow going when our band takes a break. I play stuff thats not far off from what we are doing. Plus, I can play the requests that our band does not do. I also use it as a tool to show the other members in the band what tunes work. Its hard to get them to want to learn certain songs. I suggested a couple that pretty much got shot down and when I played them during our break and they seen the reaction, the next day they were like, maybe we should learn them songs.

This is VERY good info for those who do not know.
A LOT of people refuse to play certain songs..say they never will and all that...until they see the crowd reaction/interaction.
Some people in my band had to learn the hard way (Yrs of playing just what they liked..which is fine ..if its not some obscure B-side from a decade..and band... long lost.)

.