One of the more interesting terms in DJing is none other than the term, “back-to-back DJing” or B2B DJ sets. But what is back-to-back DJing and what does B2B mean?
To start with, B2B is a simple acronym for Back to Back.
Back-to-back DJing refers to two or more DJs performing together. The vast majority of DJ performances are solo but back-to-backs are when two or more DJs team up to spin one track after another.
The reason the term was specifically “back-to-back” is the fact that, at the time, the DJs could literally have their backs touching or facing each other.
In theory, though, it could also be called side-to-side!
Back-to-back DJing is quite an old-school term but there are still many ‘B2B’ acts on the DJ circuit.
Plus, it is super common to see DJs do an ‘ad-hoc’ performance at an event. Especially if they well know friends, studio partners, or well-matched artists.
In this brief overview of the term, we’ll get into what the methodology is, why you would do it in general, and some of the ways that you can do it today.
What is Back-To-Back DJing? (in short)
The definition of “back-to-back DJing” is fairly straightforward. It’s just two DJs that are literally “back-to-back” while performing. The general idea is that two or more DJs are working together, sharing their respective tracks and also adjusting the DJ mixer effects and EQs in tandem.
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B2B DJ Sets
Back-to-back DJ performances can vary greatly and this is based on where the DJ’s gig is taking place, what type of party it is, who is playing, and various other factors.
The two most common places that you’ll expect back-to-back DJing are in either a nightclub/festival event or at a house (or private) party event.
B2B DJing at a Night Club/Festival
The most common place you’ll see (or expect to see) back-to-back DJing is at a nightclub.
It’s a way of keeping the venue vibe fresh and the energy on-point. Below is a list of different B2B things you need to consider when performing or back-to-back DJing at a nightclub.
#1. Communication
The biggest thing, when back-to-back DJing, is to make sure the individual DJs are properly communicating, both with each other DJ as well as with the audience as a whole.
Try not to get caught up in your own thing and not pay attention to what your partner DJ needs from you. If you let this slip problems can start to set in. Sentiments of rivalry and resentment can begin, and at worse, this will result in one person forcefully trying to upstage the other.
Not cool!! Do not let DJ ‘EGO’ raise its ugly head.
If you are an embryonic B2B then you should ideally talk things over with the other DJ before the event.
This is to ensure you know roughly what direction you guys are going to take things musically and technically.
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#2. DJ Etiquette
Next is to always maintain a high level of DJ etiquette while performing.
DJ etiquette compiles a whole list of different things but ultimately falls under being mindful of the other artist and DJ environment.
Some examples of good DJ B2B etiquette include things like hyping up the crowd or ‘biggin up’ the other DJ so they get some recognition as well.
Good DJ etiquette also includes focusing on your part of the performance, whether you’re the person performing or the one helping with the track EQs and FX before you spin next.
Examples of poor DJ etiquette include hogging the mixer, being a drunken pain, not focusing on your specific part of a performance, or mixing out too early before the other DJ has a chance to prepare.
We have a much more detailed article about DJ Etiquette here.
Give it a SPIN right here: DJ Etiquette: DJ Box Behaviour
#3. Read The Audience
Lastly, you need to be able to effectively gauge the audience and see how they are reacting and responding to your performance.
Remember that you’re working with a secondary DJ (or even more), so while it may be relatively normal for you to engage with the crowd while on your own, having to work with a second DJ may create enough of a diversion that – if you’re not careful – leave you focusing more on them than on the crowd itself.
As with single performances, the point of paying attention to the crowd is rooted in making sure that what you’re performing is actually resonating well with what they want.
If you’re playing with music that the audience enjoys, focus on that.
Conversely, if you realize you’re playing with tracks that aren’t going over too well, don’t be afraid to skip over them for something else.
Either way, the other DJ will steadily begin to infer what works and what doesn’t base on what you focus on and what you skip over.
Check out the below in-depth article about how to interact and rock a crowd.
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B2B DJing At A House Party
When it comes to back-to-back DJing at a house party or a friend’s home DJ setup at the weekend, the setting is often much more relaxed and less formalized than at a nightclub.
Still, even with this more chilled setting, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind when performing.
#1. Don’t Be Selfish
Depending on the number of DJs that are looking to perform, if no attention is put on it, it can easily result in one or two people performing while everyone else is just sitting around doing nothing.
This is one of the fastest ways to create a terrible time for everyone involved, especially if the audience senses that there are disgruntled DJs upset that they don’t have a turn.
Don’t HOG the decks!
Instead, consider making a list of the DJs present that want to perform and creating a set amount of time that each can finish their respective sets.
It’s quite simple that way.
#2. Make it a DJ Battle Contest
One of the other things you can do while at house parties is to turn your back-to-back DJing into something of a game where you slowly whittle down the other DJs over time until there is only one DJ “left standing”.
The way to do this is by giving every participating DJ several times they can make mistakes while performing.
When a mistake is made, that goes against their time performing their DJ set.
If they reach the maximum number of mistakes, they are kicked off, and another DJ can perform. This is done until a single DJ is left standing.
Not only is this a fun way of keeping the crowd engaged, but you also can create a game of the slight inherent rivalry between the DJs while also ensuring that it never feels antagonistic.
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What Is Back-To-Back DJing? Takeaway
We finish on our ‘what is back to back Djing’ takeaway. The good news, when it comes to back-to-back DJing, is that it’s not something you’ll make a habit of doing.
It’s something that DJs naturally fall into as they learn how to DJ, you will see.
It’s a great way to add some fun and new tracks into your mix while having someone else help with some parts of your DJing performance.
By knowing how back-to-back DJing works you can make a whole new set of fans, whilst at the same time potentially building a powerful bond and relationship with some other DJs for the future.
