Gig Prep; Being Ready To Step Back In The Booth

There is a lot of anticipation regarding returning to the decks. It’s been a long time since we’ve actually DJ’d for a crowd. The ability to be able to read the crowd and the uncertainty of room energy are just some variables that play into the love of our jobs. But there is a nervous anxiety that surrounds our industry right now. We’ve become the business epicenter of the pandemic, meaning cases are being tracked back to bars and nightclubs at an alarming rate. So those of us, who are able to go back to work, are having all types of feelings about stepping back into the booth. Not only do you have to worry about song selection, crowd control and your health, you also need to get back into the pre-set work routines. Ensuring your DJ bag is on point; wiring, headphones, USB Sticks, USB Hub, control CDs, stickers, business cards, hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes (last two were DJ Cream staples even before the pandemic). Being prepared is half the battle of this job, therefore being off for four months (and it’s going to be a lot longer for others) we’ve all fallen out of our gig regimen. Mental preparation and paying attention to the details will alleviate a lot of stress when that first gig comes along.

We have never experienced anything like what has happened over the last four months. We’ve all been put in a unique scenario and need to share information that we think can help each other out, so that we can get things moving in the right direction again. Many of us have shifted our energy into other ideals in order to stay afloat financially, capitalize on other interests during the downtime or did something new just to keep us sane during quarantine. Others had the unique opportunity to have weekends off, something that I haven’t personally experienced on a consecutive week basis in 19 years. The ability to have time off when other people have off was as unique to me as quarantine itself. As I speak to other older DJ’s, their ability to spend time with family and friends was nice change of pace. I think in situations where guys have been at it for so long, you can’t help but think, “Can I really start back up again?” In times of controversy and extreme change, I think it’s only natural for people to second guess what their next move is, and if you’re not constantly thinking about that then you’re not evolving personally or professionally. In most cases we will be back DJ’ing in some capacity, so what can we do to be ready?

Using your network to stay involved with the DJ culture, even if you’re not working yet, is a great way to stay mentally involved in the nightlife community. I’m based out of Florida and I haven’t worked since March 10th and probably won’t work again for several more months. So my strategy is to keep talking to the Get Down DJ Group guys who are currently working. See how those gigs are going and ask about what they’re playing, what worked and didn’t work, how was the vibe etc. Being in the know and keeping your finger on the pulse of the nightlife world enables you to stay mentally relevant, while providing you with hope in seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

Inherently there will be a little stress prior to that first gig, whether you’re worried about the safety of your work environment or just the nervous energy that comes with playing a gig. Prepare yourself in advance to ensure a smooth pre-gig experience. We’ve all been there before, whether we are rushing to get something to eat or we need to go out of our way to drop off a friend. Eliminate the possibility of being late. There is nothing more stressful than running late to a gig, especially if you’re playing a new venue. When we were working full time, we all had a routine, but now that we’ve been out of that routine for so long, we need to visualize what our pre-set schedule is going to look like. Write down what is needed to ensure you’re not forgetting anything. Packing your DJ bag (and in some cases DJ equipment) in advance while you have time will guarantee you will have everything you need. Running out of the house and packing your bag five minutes before you leave is certainly a risky prospect, especially coming off a four month lay off. Also, if you really want to get militant about your pre-set schedule, write down time goals. Make sure that you’ve showered by a certain time, had a meal by a certain time, bags packed by a certain time, etc. Eliminating all room for error will give you a sense of confidence going into your gig, which usually results in success. I do realize how unusual that might sound, but I think we can all agree that we have been in a pretty extraordinary experience in recent months thus reducing any stress is welcome when getting back in the swing of things.