This is one of the big DJ goals, eh!? But when you get to that skill level, how to DJ in a nightclub? Is there a DJ formula to follow? It’s pretty simple really. Let’s take a look at what you will need to remember.
When you’re just starting as a DJ in your bedroom, a target for every new DJ is to eventually end up performing at a nightclub. While house parties, bars, and small venues are a great way to get started and learn the ropes, it’s only once you’re doing regular more gigs at proper nightclubs have you “arrived” as a DJ.
If you’ve managed to recently cross that threshold, and have been booked for a gig at a nightclub, it can be just as frightening and daunting as it is exciting. After all, there’s a reason it’s viewed differently than house parties, bars, or private functions.
Generally, nightclubs need more than just an “average DJ” as the setting usually attracts paying customers that will look poorly on a club if the performances are bad. This can, understandably, be very stressful, and pretty scary, if you’re just starting to perform at this skill level.
Luckily, there are different things you can do to improve your chances of doing well on your first night club gig.
In this guide, we’ll get into some of the different artist tips on how to DJ in a nightclub as well as some of the important basics you’ll want in right place before you start performing your nightclub-based DJ set.
How Do You DJ In A Nightclub? (in short)
So you are finally getting offered some DJ gigs at actual nightclubs. Just follow these basic rules.
- Be prepared, and fully research the venue and party brand
- Bring multiple genres of dance music just in case things take a different direction musically.
- Maintain a high energy level of DJ etiquette at all times and don’t get too drunk. Not a good look.
- Engage with the crowd
- Play to the crowd and their needs and not your own.
- Check with the venue and see what the DJ tech specification of the DJ booth is. You may want to bring some of your equipment in and do not leave this to the last minute.
- Play a WICKED set!
What Is A Nightclub?
While there’s a good chance you know what a nightclub is, you must have a good idea of the type of nightclub you plan to DJ at.
The reality is that there are numerous types of nightclub venues out there that will all offer different products to their clientele.
We have listed some of the various types of nightclubs so you can get a really good feel of all the variations:
Beach Clubs
A Beach club is not simply a restaurant or a bar staff situated on a beach to spend the day. They are much more than that these days.
Beach clubs differentiate themselves by offering their guest a unique experience combining luxury, comfort, modern design, music, big sound systems, good food, and premium service.
Underground Clubs
In simple terms, underground nightclubs showcase a mixture of underground DJ talent, internationally-renowned DJs, DJ legends, and accomplished live acts.
The DJs and artists that play at underground different venues are dedicated to cutting-edge house, techno, electro, disco, dub-techno drum & bass, and anything else that fits within electronic music.
Techno Clubs
The name gives it away. Yes, Techno music is the only genre played at these dance locations. Techno places tend to be very different from other clubs.
Many people attend as, firstly, they are Techno fans and secondly these clubs are generally much more liberal.
People attend because they can dance freely without being the target of constant harassment or smothered with VIP culture.
People are generally facing the DJ and they are there purely to rave and experience the energy generated by the techno sound.
Ibiza Superclubs
Ibiza has been the undisputed party capital of the world since the 1990s and the island is still going very strong.
Yes, the island is developing year-on-year but it still has its collection of powerhouse superclubs to entertain the visiting party-goers from all around the world.
These clubs include Pacha, Eden, Es Paradis, Hï Ibiza, Octan, Amnesia Ibiza, and Privilege.
Hip Hop Clubs
Just like with techno venues, Hip hop clubs are also very genre-specific and you will only find rap, urban hip hop, and maybe some RnB being played as a standard at these certain venues.
Such clubs will generally attract a more urban focussed crowd dedicated to these genres.
Open Air Clubs
These are similar to the beach clubs but there is a subtle difference. Open-air venues can be found anywhere in the world with lenient sound restrictions, not just on the beaches.
They are a little rarer than the standard roof-covered venues as most towns and cities have stringent sound regulations.
This limits the existence of these types of clubs but there are some incredible ones dotted around the globe. There is nothing like people dancing under the stars all night!
It is a thrilling clubbing experience for all involved.
Commercial Clubs
These are the type of club venues that you will find in most towns and cities. The music policy is much more ‘open’ and commercial. Such venues target multiple local demographics and are focused on being light entertainment venues where you can dance, enjoy a fairly affordable drink and have a flirt with the opposite sex. All are accompanied by well-known or trending commercial tunes.
VIP Clubs
Love them or hate them VIP clubs are still enormously popular. A VIP nightclub is a venue where clubbers pay, often exceptionally high prices, to enjoy some very cool perks and fabulous service whilst out clubbing.
People attending VIP clubs don’t wait in line like everyone else. They are given super comfortable seats and a booth or table with specialized service, just for them.
These venues are often found to be member-only or invite-only.
As you can see from the above, knowing the type of club you’re going to be performing at is one of the first and most important aspects for a DJ since it will determine the type of music and what sort of clientele will be present.
How To DJ at Clubs
Of course, what’s most important is understanding the right behavior and method of performance you should have when going to a nightclub gig.
Understanding The Audience
As mentioned earlier, every nightclub is different, and you’ll need to know what genre of music, as well as the crowd’s general personality, is readily expected.
Knowing this will ensure that you can better accommodate whatever that particular club’s “vibe” is.
The last thing anyone wants is you to turn up to a venue and hammer out Techno to an RnB crowd. That vibe just isn’t going to work!
By understanding what your audience likes and how to appeal to them, you’re naturally going to be getting called back more often than the person that wants to do what they want over what the crowd wants. Learn the nature of your venue and play the music that they typically want.
You should also think about always having an alternative track selection or library available. This is just in case the crowd is not what you are expecting or you get thrust into playing another gig you were not expecting.
Trust me, IT HAPPENS!
But remember, these alternatives are only in addition to your standard track listings that you will play as a default.
One word of advice, preparation is everything here and there will be times that you will be very glad that you put some pre-thought into what music you take with you to gigs.
Maintain Crowd Engagement
The second important thing is to establish and maintain crowd engagement for as much and as long as possible.
If you’re a nightclub DJ, you need to make sure your audience is as interested and engaged in what you’re doing as possible.
Keep in mind that they’re listening to you. If you’re not engaging, that means they’re not having fun.
If they’re not having fun, don’t expect a callback.
The good thing is that you don’t need to be particularly stressed out over the process. While you should take the job seriously, the less stressed and intense you can be, the more enjoyable the overall experience will be for everyone.
An example of keeping the crowd engaged can include things like building up your drops, using the MIC appropriately, and playing the odd song request from the audience.
All of these are many ways to garner engagement from the crowd and have them feel like they’re part of the experience – but they are not essential.
Your track selection should do the talking.
Again, you’ll want to do some proper research into the club and party you will be playing at.
DJ Gear You Should Have
Outside of knowing your audience and keeping them engaged, there are a few other things involved with performing for a nightclub.
In addition to those factors, you’ll also want to make sure you’ve got the right type of equipment established for the DJ gig in question.
Whereas some different venues will offer specific pieces of equipment such as CDJs, don’t expect them to provide everything, and don’t expect this to be the norm.
You’ll want to speak with the club before showing up to know what you do and don’t need to come with.
DJ Controller and Vinyl Turntables
Regardless, there are a few things you’ll want to make sure you have control over, a quality DJ controller and laptop being chief among them.
Since DJ controllers are very affordable, mobile, and easy to play with compared to other DJs devices, it’s quite normal for a DJ to bring a quality controller with them when performing at nightclubs.
If you are spinning vinyl you MUST check that the venue will have fully operational, serviced, and available turntables.
In this digital age, where CDJs and DJ controllers are now the standards in DJ booths, vinyl turntables, headshells, and needles are often neglected, dusty, unserviced, and not in good order.
Do NOT leave this to chance.
Music Library
We touched on this before. You will want to make sure that you’ve got the right type of music being played.
Again, once you know what your nightclub and audience are interested in, that makes this process much easier.
The simple fact is that you need to be playing music that your audience wants to hear. If that’s old-school hip-hop, then play that. If it’s Techno, play that.
You also want to have several backup tracks or library access (DJ pools) available to play if you need them.
Having a solid number of new and old tracks lets you keep up with the recent pop tracks while throwing some crowd-pleasers out if there’s a lull in the engagement and interest.
The Key Takeaway
DJing skills in nightclubs is, on one hand, a pinnacle point that every DJ hopes to aspire to. However, on the other hand, DJs must also understand that this is only the beginning.
As you improve your skills and get better and better, you’ll go from standard gigs to named performances. Provided you can maintain top-quality DJ skills while performing, understanding and leveraging all the uses of DJing at nightclubs will be a key factor in the ultimate improvement of you as a DJ overall.
