DON'T KNOW WHAT TO PLAY NEXT? - 5 tips to keep the crowd engaged!

We have all heard of writers block, but did you know DJ's get it too? We all suffer from it, especially in longer sets. That moment when your mind goes blank and you don't quite know what to play next. Fear not, here's 5 top tips from Jamie Hartley, a resident DJ for over 10 years on what to do next! Try implementing these methods are your next gig! Do you have a tip, let us know below in the comments!

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[Crossfader]

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[wav.slav.]

2 for 1 rule.
That's some of the best advice I have ever heard. It's hard to balance djing between your love for the art and the factor of pleasing an audience.

[booxwee]

I always keep a folder with 'classic dance songs', incase the crowd seems to slow down I basically just echo out making it quiet and start one of the classics. Works most of the time hehe

[beat_shark]

The tip 4 and 5 are really good. Especially when educating the crowd.

This reminds me of the saying “ a good DJ plays what the crowd wants to heat but a great dj plays the songs the crowd didn’t even know they would love it”

Great work crossfader team!!!

[MrJFunkSanchez]

Really enjoy your vocal mixing and goes back to setting your cue points to add a new and fresh way of mixing. Thanks! I’ll definitely be using this a lot more.

[nilokay]

Tip number four is my favourite. I'll be make more use of it in future. gr8 video and much thanks

[AngelDiaz-fneb]

I have being DJing for some 42 years and your DJ tips are simple and practical. I can use all your five tips in session. Thanks.

[jogalong]

As a dj who doesnt like to play pop trash, i'd like to share few insights of my own. The crowd always tests you first and if you hit it on with the first 4-5 tracks, you can then smoothly go into what you actually love to play. Also there is a factor of "girl retainer", where every 3rd track you need to play some accapella they know. The genre as the instrumental can be literally anything. Crowd = girls * 3.

Ive made the mistake of starting with less known tracks more than once, it can be hard to recover. Even if you are just doing a warm up, start with a good track to break the ice, it will also boost your morale.

Another mistake I used to do in search of what to play next is to prelisten the middle/beginning of a track. Prelisten drops, so you will feel better if its equivalent or more energetic to the currrent track. If it fits, in a very worst case you can just bang it in without doing shit. But you have to properly set cue points.

Finally clean your messy library. If you have any doubts about a track, delete it. Its the worst time to go through a bunch of crap on stage and then having to just drop "something". There are djs who dont even know what they have and if thats your case, dont expect smooth mixing or correct build-up. Most likely you wont find correct tracks in time.

Last mistake - being burnt out just before the gig, trying to prepare. There have been times where I couldnt stand my own playlist from playing the tracks too much figuring out what goes well together. Crowd is much more sensitive to your vibe than transitions.

[dj_prez-]

Great tips, I'll definitely be using tip #5. Keep up the great videos that you are making.

[fashooooooooo]

Love the content. Learning a lot here!
2to1 ratio is a great tip. Thank you!

Please make a video talking about the different scenarios you face at venues with different set ups/hardware for beginner DJs if possible!

[carissam]

All of the tips were great. I really loved tip #5, it’s a great way to shake the nervousness of playing a track you personally love for an audience that may not like it or haven’t heard it before.

[CarolinaGarcia-bgbq]

I Love crossfader so much! All of your videos have helped me in a tremendous way 🙏 thank you!

[edwardgarcia]

Great and awesome advice and tips. Never thought about the 2 for 1. Great tip on that one. Thank you for all the help.

[danielbarrell]

You're my favorite channel on Youtube. Keep up your tutorials please love them.

[eerereps]

Loved the last tip - 2 for you, 1 for me!

[djsully]

Been DJing for quite awhile now and your channel provides some of the best free content on the internet. As for this video I use all of these methods as I’m technically a “Open Format DJ”, However as of this past/last year I’ve been more of a prime time Club DJ in Philadelphia PA (United States) Cheers to you bro! 👌

[malachibrown]

These tips are actually really helpful!

[Rortron]

Wow, these are some great tips, I'm halfway tempted on writing the rules on a sticky note and putting it somewhere I can see during my set, just to remind me, haha. Thanks for the tips Jamie!

[adityaharsh]

Personally I use the first tip more often than others but the last one was really a game changing one. Never thought of it, it's just been 3 years since I've started doing DJ and few months since I've started playing out to audience. Cheers to new tips and a life as a DJ ❤️❤️

[LLoyoc]

Great advice! DJ Jazzy Jeff does an amazing job with the 2 for 1 rule.
Thanks for the video!!