DJs. Disc Jockeys. Human jukeboxes. Whatever you want to call them, they come in all kinds of shapes and sizes and spew out things that can either blow your mind or leave you wishing you were somewhere else. So, what makes a DJ a “good” DJ?
Overall, I think people go to shows to either lose themselves or find themselves. Either way, you look at it, this requires the DJ to put out relatable content. Something that makes an artist loveable is when you know you’ve learned something when you leave. Bassnectar is a great example of this, frequently including inspirational quotes in his visuals or even an eerie feeling voice guiding the crowd. Krewella also is known for their relatable lyrics and frequent uplifting speeches towards the end of sets. This makes fans really feel something and connect to the music, which in the end is what it is all about.
Learning something from a set not only makes you feel like a better person coming out, but it also makes the performer more relatable. Something that makes me more attracted to an artist is when they make you feel on their level, instead of seeing them as a super powerful money machine. A great DJ makes it known that they care about their fans, whether it be on stage or online.
We all know this does not remain true for every artist in dance music. There are lots of performers that look bored and lack the energy needed for a thriving crowd. It is so important for the DJ to come on happy to be playing, and energetic for their set. There is nothing better than looking up to see the performer smiling because it makes fans feel happy for them and happy to be there. Stage presence is so important.
A frequent problem that I seem to encounter is seeing DJs repeating sets. In my opinion, you should be able to go to the same artist’s show a month apart and not hear the same songs. After all, a DJ’s job is to feel out the vibe of the crowd and play for them. Hearing all of the same songs makes you feel like the artist doesn’t care about your crowd and does the same thing all year long! Mija is a great example of someone that doesn’t do this, as she frequently sports her “fk a genre” tees which remain true to her different and unexpected sets.
Speaking broadly, all of these characteristics would make for a stellar DJ. However, the best kind of satisfaction you get from hearing a set is when the music speaks for itself. Ultimately that is what it’s all about, and whether or not the DJ has a great personality, stage presence, or ability to connect with the crowd, the music should be what moves you the most.
