preface: I'm starting what will hopefully become a regular DJ night in Nashville featuring music that many people on this board would like to listen to if they walked into a club or bar.

Question: do you have a formula for your DJ sets? I'm probably going in with a pre-determined playlist on my iPod, hooking it up to the PA, and pressing "play". Initially this "thing" will probably just be a bunch of like-minded folks hanging out at a somewhat already popular bar here in town, so the pressure to get the crowd crunk or bangin' isn't necessary, but would be a very nice byproduct.

This place isn't a pool hall or full-on dive bar, so music like Rolling Stones or Bob Seger may not apply. In fact, on the first flyer I plan to include the phrase "Only one rule... NO DEF LEPPARD".

ramones

For the first time out, my playlist will be a little more dance-y, but if we continue to do this, then I will most certainly include more classic crowd favorites. I'm hoping to include more people as this thing gets more frequent and encourage them to bring in their own stuff and have their own ideas for what people want to hear.

Bar Bands for Snobs:

The Jam
The Pogues
The Clash
Buzzcocks

basically anthems for drinking without having to feel like its a "guilty pleasure"

i take a crate of records (60-70) and maybe 30 cds whenever i play out. i've never been comfortable with preset playlists because part of the appeal for me as the dj is in reading a crowd and seeing how they react to what i play. i was in radio for a few years before i did a live dj gig and i was amazed at the connections even a small-time dj makes with a crowd of a few dozen.

i guess if it's just you and some friends, there's no harm in setting up an ipod to run for the first night or two, but that's also not really djing. i don't think anyone likes the idea of a dj doing all the work before the set. that's just one man's opinion, though.

Z... yeah, that's a concern of mine. Feeling out the crowd, etc. Trouble is, I don't have mixing ability, as I'm a novice. I just want to create an atmosphere where people can congregate, talk and drink. I would like my playlist to be in the forefront of people's consciousness, but I have a feeling it'll take a backseat because I won't be "playing" the typical DJ role behind the booth. My philosphy wll be more of playing a mix CD for a crowd rather than being an official DJ in the more conventional sense.

Definitely abhor using the IPod...abhor the new "laptop" djing as well...

Don't mind a lil' bit of "preprogrammed settage" in DJ sets...however, it helps a lot to be adaptable, and people never need to know whether you have "sets" in mind when you're whipping records/CDs out of a bag.....

i rarely mix songs. i'll put mylo and the stones together if i think it'll get a good reaction. i don't even like to refer to myself as a dj, more like a guy who plays records. i think you're on the right track with creating an atmosphere. and, in that case, feeling out a crowd will not be a major need at first. as the nights progress and more people get into it, that may change and you'll need to take on a more conventional approach. until then, though, it sounds like the objective is to just play some good music.

Yeah, man, just select. There's no need to mix or beat-match. Just play what feels right.

i never have a formula when dj'ing. i just [as Ish stated] play what feels right at the moment.

if i'm playing indie, classic tunes, punk, soul, etc., i never mix. if i'm playing anything involved in techno, i mix 'n' blend.

i usually will try to build my sets up, starting out mellow, and gradually bringing up the energy level as i go. that goes for techno/drum and bass sets as well as other music.

also discostu, Def Leppard isn't always a bad idea. when dropped at the right moment, it can add a mix of humour and shame, and that's always fun

And you just lost me. I need to hear 'Photograph' when I'm in a bar or it's been a waste. I don't mean it ironically either. I love that decade's offerings, whether one wishes to call it metal or otherwise.

such a great tune, and i love hearing it out as well. when i comes on, i usually end up buying a round.

That's why I love hearing it .

More incentive to hang out with Dalen.

Do a search for Bingo Night Playlists and see what I played then/ (I'm hopefully about to start back doing Bingo)

I have a legit "DJ'ing" gig next month and I have no idea what the fuck I'm going to play but I have to fill 4+ hours with mainly hiphop and dancy shit.

I may be calling on some of you to help---not really my field of expertise but I've jumped back there a few times at this place and it just feels like fun....I'm thinking the first time out, I'm gonna use a list though and rely on their computer as well as the CD tables they have.

i go with a pre-selected playlist, then work in requests (if any). and when i used to dj, i also made up my own between-song skits.

you can't DJ with an ipod.
maybe two, but even that seems wrong.

i can't fathom DJ'ing without pitch controll.

You guys don't realize how much I abhor Def Leppard do you? I have walked out of bars because their music has been playing. I've also yelled at people when they played it at a house party.

This is a great rule under any circumstance.

Awww man. I love them. Hell my husband got me sucked into that damn tv movie about them one morning on VH1. Bad, but entertaining.

(one day I'll learn how to quote without editing)

King Crimson.

For sounds I wanna hear in a club or bar, King Krimson ranks just under the cries of dying children.

I'd be a great DJ. I could empty the average bar or club in three songs.

Still enjoy me some damn def leppard. Mutt Lang, baby.

Well we agree on this point.

World Destruction by Afrika Bambaataa & John Lydon