I had an interesting conversation with a good friend the other day, regarding booking guest DJs for his event. He made a valid point about only booking people who can “bring something to the table”. This, basically, means booking a DJ who is going to bring people through the door. Common business sense, agreed. However… I think this has its problems.
The catalyst for this post is a DJ mix I am currently listening to. It is by one of the world’s undisputed finest producers of soulful house music at the moment, he isn’t, in my opinion, anywhere near what I would consider an amazing DJ.
Promoters that book guest DJs purely on their pulling power are hurting the scene and development of new talent. Before everyone goes up in arms, I am not saying this is the same for ALL promoters around the world, but I’m sure you’ll agree it is pretty much the norm all across Europe.
Promoters need to start creating a strong brand and believing in it, based on the music that is played all night as opposed to the guest DJs, that way you can stop spending your budgets on DJs who you KNOW aren’t anywhere near as good as yourself or your residents. People… yes YOU… you also need to start making yourselves heard about what new talent you want to hear at these nights and start showing support for them.
Just a little something I wanted to put out there.
Easter Special 2024: The Vocal Booth Radio Show with Emily Vasell live guest.
Pure Gospel Energy and great chat on this beautiful Easter Sunday, all music curated by Emily Vasell, Word of Mouth DJ and upcoming Vocal Booth Weekender guest.
April 1, 2024
2 Comments
I agree Andy, if promoters apply that method the ‘soul’ will gradually go!!!
Im sure we can all relate to going to a event when the headlining DJ has played a ‘average’ set & the ‘not so well known’ DJ has took the roof off!
That’s why I love going to the smaller underground venues, that’s where the ‘soul’ is, new blood, originality & good music..!
Lea x
Great post Mr Ward i agree with you on this but we can all see that the money now takes over. The soul with the new generation is thin. I believe the OG’s have to reunite to bring our soul community back give the new gen a chance to go to THAT PARTY! yunno that party you danced all night long with your eyes closed and GOT LIFTED… not some Dj bopping around with some stupid mouse head on i think what we need is to have people listening to more REAL music not noise. i think what im trying to say is the more support we get ie. buying more of our tracks or spending more time supporting real artists the better chance we have of focusing on music rather than working full time and working on Production/Dj at the same time