Getting a Slot in a nightclub/venue?

M O N T O

Howdy,

I was just wondering how did people here that have residencys actually go about getting them?Or more to the point, how would someone with nothing to show experience-wise go about getting a slot in a venue?

I'm a first year in WIT, have been dj'ing a few years now, but have still yet to play to an audience, bar a few parties here & there.

I just joined the Dj & Clubbing society in WIT, anyone have any info as to how stuff goes down there?

Equipment wise i use to work off cdjs, so i know how to use them, but since then have sold them on & went for the cheaper route, laptop & a controller.

Anyway, if anyone can answer anyone of these questions I'd be extremely grateful.

ianuss

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056027359

Executive Steve

Be good enough to get asked.

Musicman2000

Approach the managers of the venues, hand them demos, and maybe get to know other djs playing in clubs, but a lot of the venues are closed in Waterford so can be very hard to get in anywhere from what I was told

Jev/N

Musicman2000 wrote: »

Approach the managers of the venues, hand them demos, and maybe get to know other djs playing in clubs, but a lot of the venues are closed in Waterford so can be very hard to get in anywhere from what I was told

Going for managers is only for a select few clubs, the majority you need to chat to the promoters.

eeloe

Since you're in the WIT DJSoc stick with them guys, they'll steer you in the right direction!

In waterford at the mo, it's a bit diluted, not much happening due to the lack of venues open, and what is happening, is a bit monopolised.

Stick with the DJ soc...learn from them, keep practicing, and then start distributing demo's and start pushing you're mixes on soundcloud and take it from there!

Musicman2000

good advice from eeloe, but depends what kind of music your into, if you want to go down the commercial scene, take the advice I gave you, but it will be very hard to get in anywhere, and as eeloe, if your into more the House scene etc, stick with the WIT lads, they will defo point you in the right direction

eeloe

If you wanna get in to the comercial side of things, just go in to any club of venue, offer to play the first night for free, and any night after that for 50euro!

It's what most of them do around the place now!

M O N T O

Cheers lads,

Yeah i have mates in Dublin that do failry regular gigs in the button factory & andrews lane, but i can't see how they could help being that far away.


With the commercial Dj'ing, is there a strict quota/tracklist you have to follow when playing a club? I always thought if i ever did veer in that direction, there's so many house/electro remixes of popular tunes to choose from that tend to keep everyone happy.

Propane Nightmare

Hey I see my thread was linked up there:p Im also after joining the WIT DJ society as im in Waterford, you know when it starting and where its on? I hope its good as the DJ society in my college last year was really good and professional and I learned alot from the guys running it. I also got a fair few gigs from it allowing me play non commercial music.

Anyway, It seems in waterford that its just commercial pop and whats in the charts that gets played in the "clubs". Ive yet to be in a place playing house or trance or whatever, but if there is a place in Waterford that does, let me know. Its a bit disappointing as I cant stand commercial music most of the time. But I see rubys is opening up again soon I think, what type of stuff is played in there?

Musicman2000

To be honest propane, that’s all your going to get in commercial clubs, that’s what the majority of punters want to hear unfortunley, lady ga ga and beyonce muck, If you start banging out the best of Hard trance and House, I can guarantee you that you will have an empty club and a very pissed off manager or Owner, Its all about making money at the end of the day, I don’t play in Waterford myself, but I do in Carlow and Offaly and my god do you have nights when you would love to bang out a few decent tunes, and Ruby’s wont be open until well into 2011 and that’s if even and in the club itself it was the chart stuff, and also I wouldn’t recommend going in doing a gig for nothing

Number one your undercutting yourself, fair enough doing the first gig for 50 euro, but no way would I work every other night for that, Number 2 your going to push someone else out of a job, the average for a club gig is between 130 and 200 a night, if you go on the cheap your going to upset a lot of other djs and in a small town that’s a not a good idea

M O N T O

Propane Nightmare wrote: »

Im also after joining the WIT DJ society as im in Waterford, you know when it starting and where its on?

I've no clue, i registered & gave them my number, still haven't got any news about it.

Maybe if a few people in the soc would be up for approaching a club for a club night? I know escape nightclub is open 7 days a week so maybe they'd be open for something like that.


What gear have you got? AS of now i just have the laptop & a Behringer BCD3000.

eeloe

The DJ is already running nights......

Just groove on a Friday night in revolution!

Propane Nightmare

M O N T O wrote: »

I've no clue, i registered & gave them my number, still haven't got any news about it.

Maybe if a few people in the soc would be up for approaching a club for a club night? I know escape nightclub is open 7 days a week so maybe they'd be open for something like that.


What gear have you got? AS of now i just have the laptop & a Behringer BCD3000.

Ive got a behringer bcd2000, vestax vci 100, audio 2 DJ SC, and laptop running Traktor Pro.

eeloe wrote: »

The DJ is already running nights......

Just groove on a Friday night in revolution!

Wha??

eeloe

Propane Nightmare wrote: »

Ive got a behringer bcd2000, vestax vci 100, audio 2 DJ SC, and laptop running Traktor Pro.


Wha??

I meant to say the DJ SOC are already running nights, in one of the biggest Clubs in the city....get on to them, and you'll get a slot if you're mixes are up to scratch!

the night is called Just Groove, you can catch them on Facebook or what ever.

M O N T O

eeloe wrote: »

I meant to say the DJ SOC are already running nights, in one of the biggest Clubs in the city....get on to them, and you'll get a slot if you're mixes are up to scratch!

the night is called Just Groove, you can catch them on Facebook or what ever.

I Think i saw signs for this, is it a Dj soc thing? i thought it was just being run by Revolution, & the Dj soc had no part in choosing the mixes!

Also @propanenightmares i couldnt get in touch with you could I?
Got a laptop with windows 7 & am having trouble installing the behringer onto it, the driver seems to install okay but that application you need to configure it didn't!

eeloe

Yeah it's the Dj soc lads who are behind the night!

Are you running the program your having trouble with in 'compatibility mode' on windows 7?

Right click on the program and select run in compatibily mode, it'll run the program as if windows 7 was acting as xp!

M O N T O

eeloe wrote: »

Yeah it's the Dj soc lads who are behind the night!

Are you running the program your having trouble with in 'compatibility mode' on windows 7?

Right click on the program and select run in compatibily mode, it'll run the program as if windows 7 was acting as xp!

Cool, well they just accepted me on facebook so maybe i can reach them through there!


I've tried that, & failed.:( I was just wondering if Propane Nightmares is living in waterford i could maybe get him to sort it out for me? I downloaded the installation package for the Behringer to run on windows 7, & it says that the drivers have installed successfully, and the laptop recognizes the audio driver, but the application used for it, which i would have previously used for the behringer prior to the new laptop, doesn't seem to open. I double-click, the loading circle appears at the cursor, and then nothing.

I know that probably sounds confusing, because i have no clue how i managed it last time, it just seemed to work.

Got a job, so hopefully i can re-invest in two cdjs and start from scratch, i thought laptop djing was the way forward.

M O N T O

also @propanenightmares

Just figured out its the BCD control panel that doesn't seem to run for me, any ideas?

eeloe

It's not the way forward, nor is it a step back!

It's just abother medium in which a Dj can perform.

Stick with whatever suits you best, I myself use a laptop and a vci-100 and a kontrol x1.

M O N T O

And how is the Vci to use as regards reaction time with the laptop?


I'm basically considering selling the behringer & buying a better midi controller, which one would be the best?

eeloe

http://www.adverts.ie/301488/pro-audio/vestax-vci-100-13fw/

I'm actually selling my VCI, only reason so as i'm getting an audio 8 and 2 x1's, other than that i'd keep it.

It's an amazing piece of kit, check any of the youtube videos!

M O N T O

i actually noticed that, was on adverts and noticed you selling them, they seem like a great piece of machinery.


Just went on to thomann, shocked to find that a behringer 3000 costs just over 100 quid now, was thrice that when i got it just about a year ago!

Anyway i might take you up on the offer of the vci, considering you live in waterford would be easy for pickup & that, was also thinking of saving up to try get a Numark Mixdeck, looks stunningly good.

eeloe

Well the vci is there if it interests you!

YOP1992

M O N T O wrote: »

i actually noticed that, was on adverts and noticed you selling them, they seem like a great piece of machinery.


Just went on to thomann, shocked to find that a behringer 3000 costs just over 100 quid now, was thrice that when i got it just about a year ago!

Anyway i might take you up on the offer of the vci, considering you live in waterford would be easy for pickup & that, was also thinking of saving up to try get a Numark Mixdeck, looks stunningly good.

vci100 would be much better imo, i own one, savage piece of kit, great build quality and decent layout!

eeloe

Nice one yop!! :-)

M O N T O

Just an enquiry eeloe, what's different about your vci in comparison to a standard vci?

Because you're selling them for 420, when they cost 377 on thomann with a 3 year warranty?

ED E

MONTO: Shrink your primary partition and install your old copy of XP on a 30GB partition to be a pure "DAW". You will have to repair your Seven bootloader afterwards(will look like 7 is gone, it isnt).

With a "DAW" install you're just as stable as any mac.

eeloe

Mines firmware 1.3 with the djtechtools overlay and the black knob and fader kit

Didn't realize they are only 377 on thomann!

Anyway, this isn't adverts.....any more questions pop over there!

M O N T O

Cool, well if i do plan to buy it, i'tll definetly be a couple of weeks before i manage to get the money for it, starting a job in a couple of weeks.

Propane Nightmare

M O N T O wrote: »

I Think i saw signs for this, is it a Dj soc thing? i thought it was just being run by Revolution, & the Dj soc had no part in choosing the mixes!

Also @propanenightmares i couldnt get in touch with you could I?
Got a laptop with windows 7 & am having trouble installing the behringer onto it, the driver seems to install okay but that application you need to configure it didn't!

Yeah I could meet you if I have the time and it's near me. I live in riverwalk. I had to use a old laptop with widows xp just to get the behringer to work as the bcd2000 wouldn't work with windows 7.

M O N T O

Propane Nightmare wrote: »

Yeah I could meet you if I have the time and it's near me. I live in riverwalk. I had to use a old laptop with widows xp just to get the behringer to work as the bcd2000 wouldn't work with windows 7.

Cool, i might take you up on that, although i pretty much have my mind made up on buying a different controller if i can find the money. windows 7 is a lovely operating system & i'd hate to have to go back to Xp.

Apart from that, where you at the Dj soc meeting last wednesday?

ED E

Just install XP on a second partition(35GB) abd use it just for DJing.

M O N T O

I honestly wouldn't even know how to even start going about doing that, what is it, that i uninstall windows 7, then reinstall windows xp, while still keeping windows xp?

Honestly the behringer bcd3000 is much more trouble than its worth, i'm just going to go for a controller with a more decent level of reliability.

ED E

M O N T O wrote: »

I honestly wouldn't even know how to even start going about doing that, what is it, that i uninstall windows 7, then reinstall windows xp, while still keeping windows xp?

Honestly the behringer bcd3000 is much more trouble than its worth, i'm just going to go for a controller with a more decent level of reliability.

Its not actually that hard. Right now your drive is likely has one partition(a virtual section if you will). What you do is shrink that section and then create a new one on the free space. You then install XP on the new partition. From then on when you boot your laptop up you get a menu and you can select XP or Seven. Simples.

There is one technical thing with legacy bootloaders but if you have any techie mates they could do it for you in 20 mins or so depending on how fast/slow your machine is.

bildo

Don't partition your drive unless you know what you are doing. It is irreversible unless you do a total reformat which is a chore

ED E

bildo wrote: »

Don't partition your drive unless you know what you are doing. It is irreversible unless you do a total reformat which is a chore

IIRC the drive manager in 7 will allow you to re-extend. All it requires is the space is on the right, which it would be.

electrogrimey

This thread has morphed magnificently.

run_Forrest_run

beware trying to install an older version of a Windows OS on a partition which is essentially on the same HD as Windows 7. I've tried it and given up.
Windows 7 doesn't like installing an older version of Windows on the same HD.
I was just about to go out and purchase a new HD purely for the purpose of installing XP on it for DJing but I then realised Behringer released an update on their BCD3000 ASIO driver for 32/64 OS so I tried it again and guess what, happy days, it's all working perfectly on Windows 7 64 bit.

MONTO PM sent to help you out.

run_Forrest_run

electrogrimey wrote: »

This thread has morphed magnificently.

oops, so it has. OK, getting a slot is just like getting to Carnegie Hall....practice

ED E

On topic:

I'm now one of three "liaisons" for a college DJ society so I'm gonna have to start doing this stuff. Fortunately we have benefits to offer and a reasonably good rep by the sounds of it:)

eeloe

Monto, do you have any soundcloud links to some mixes i could listen to man?

M O N T O

eeloe wrote: »

Monto, do you have any soundcloud links to some mixes i could listen to man?

Sure thing,

http://soundcloud.com/bigfuc__kinglaser


obviously take out the two underscores, its basically a couple of mixes i made a long time ago, aswell as some songs i've produced.

superglue

eeloe wrote: »

The DJ is already running nights......

Just groove on a Friday night in revolution!

Howdy folks,

I founded the WIT DJ Society while I was a WIT student and am now running the above mentioned Just Groove night. I'm now finished college and am no longer directly connected to the society although I will gladly lend them a hand if it's ever needed. I just wanted to clarify that Just Groove is not connected to the college, and even though 2 of our residents still happen to be WIT students, I asked them to be residents because they are excellent DJs and good friends of mine, not because they are WIT DJ Soc members. I can of course see how people would think there is a link though

However, I have no doubt the lads will get the midweek nights up and running again very shortly so stay tuned for those. Also, thanks for the plug Eeloe. Much appreciated

To get back on thread, if you want to get a slot I definitely recommend that you get involved in a DJ Society or something similar if you're a student. I hope all you lads/ladies who posted here from WIT and other colleges will do just that. Me and a good few of my friends have had our first sets through college events and if nothing else, you will be meeting like minded people which is always a good thing.

eeloe

Jaysus Sorry dude, i thought for some reason Just Groove was a strictly WIT DJ SOC night! whoops! still tho, plug's a plug

Sure thing,

http://soundcloud.com/bigfuc__kinglaser


obviously take out the two underscores, its basically a couple of mixes i made a long time ago, aswell as some songs i've produced.

Listening away here, re-edits and mixes!

Think you should try and upload a more recent mix and tracklist

cipher_neo

How's it goin lads,

I've been trying to get a slot in Dublin for the last few weeks, and it's proving difficult. Maybe there are too many DJ's on the scene just now, especially with the advent of the laptop DJ.

I'm thinking that it may be worthwhile getting a night going and promoting it. I know that's easier said than done, but I don't think anything else is gonna come my way in the next while!

Anyone got any suggestions on good venues (that are cheap and not too big)? Or any comments at all for that matter?

thanks,

Lee

Logical Fallacy

cipher_neo wrote: »

How's it goin lads,

I've been trying to get a slot in Dublin for the last few weeks, and it's proving difficult. Maybe there are too many DJ's on the scene just now, especially with the advent of the laptop DJ.

I'm thinking that it may be worthwhile getting a night going and promoting it. I know that's easier said than done, but I don't think anything else is gonna come my way in the next while!

Anyone got any suggestions on good venues (that are cheap and not too big)? Or any comments at all for that matter?

thanks,

Lee

What have you done with regard to getting some slots in clubs? To be honest every time i turn around there is a gig waiting for me. What kind of music do you play out?

jtsuited

cipher_neo wrote: »

How's it goin lads,

I've been trying to get a slot in Dublin for the last few weeks, and it's proving difficult. Maybe there are too many DJ's on the scene just now, especially with the advent of the laptop DJ.

I'm thinking that it may be worthwhile getting a night going and promoting it. I know that's easier said than done, but I don't think anything else is gonna come my way in the next while!

Anyone got any suggestions on good venues (that are cheap and not too big)? Or any comments at all for that matter?

thanks,

Lee

if you think there are too many dj's out there think about how there are far far far too many nights out there run by dj's who can't get gigs.

cipher_neo

@Logical Fallacy I play mainly tech house, you can here a mix here:

http://leefarrell.com/music/?p=40

there's a couple of mixes on that site, but what I would play out in a club would be the link above. Whereabouts are there gigs waiting for you? I've tried a few promoters at this stage.

@jtsuited everybody has got to start somewhere

Logical Fallacy

cipher_neo wrote: »

@Logical Fallacy I play mainly tech house, you can here a mix here:

http://leefarrell.com/music/?p=40

Lots of nights, but i play out my own productions and they all center around a dubstep vibe. So i guess i do have the home grown producer angle to work off and my stuff seems to get nice praise so it's kind of a different angel than just being a straight DJ i guess.

Normally it's just a case of getting one gig with one promoter, as most promoters tend to know each other and hit up each nights, putting in a good showing and then being called up by others tbh.

jtsuited

cipher_neo wrote: »

@jtsuited everybody has got to start somewhere

but that somewhere should be a place where you realise you have something unique to give to the world, that you have a vision you think people will appreciate.
Not a place where you can't get a gig, rent out a venue and get your mates to come, at a financial loss to yourself and trying to take a slice of a cake that is sliced way way way too much already.