Read that Crowd!!

As a DJ, one of the most important skills you can develop is the ability to read a crowd. This means being able to understand what the audience wants to hear, what will get them moving and what will keep them dancing.

It takes time and practice to hone this skill, but it's essential if you want to become a successful DJ. Let’s explore some tips for reading a crowd and how this key component can help beginner DJs go from bedroom to dancefloor.

Tip 1: Pay attention to body language

One of the easiest ways to tell how a crowd is feeling is by paying attention to their body language. If people are standing still, looking bored, lingering at the bar or gravitating away from the dancefloor, it's a sign that they're not enjoying the music. On the other hand, if people are moving their bodies, dancing, and smiling, you know you're doing something right. Keep an eye out for these cues, test reactions with different genres and adjust your playlist accordingly.

Tip 2: Don’t just rely on your playlist

For beginner DJs, a DJ bundle is an excellent tool to keep the crowd engaged. The bundle usually includes a mixer (your dj controller), headphones, a microphone and some lighting effects. With this equipment you can grab their attention by making relevant shoutouts on the mic (birthdays, holidays and sports teams are an easy target), and create some visual energy with strobes and lasers to up the excitement. Sound and light are both frequencies that shape the experience, so don’t exclude one from the other.

Tip 3: Spot the energy in the crowd

Another important tip for reading a crowd is to look for the energy in the room. Sometimes, the crowd may not be responding to your music, but you can tell that they're still feeling the energy. It could be that they're just tired, or they're waiting for the right track to get them moving. As a DJ, you should always be looking for ways to build on that energy and keep the crowd engaged. If you see one group of people really jamming, try to encourage them to spread that energy by playing more of the music they’re responding to. With any luck it will be contagious and others will be encouraged to join in.

Tip 4: Use the DJ console to your advantage

The DJ console is an essential tool for any DJ, but it can be especially helpful for beginners to spice up the night with a few tricks. For those that don’t know, the console allows you to mix and manipulate your tracks, adding effects, and adjust the tempo and create mashups. Using your console to make dramatic changes in tempo can have a similar impact on the room. The crowd will notice the uptick in BPM and it may be a cue for them to start partying harder.

Tip 5: Try Nostalgic hits

Finally, it's essential to watch the crowd's reaction to your music. If you see people leaving the dancefloor or looking bored, it's a sign that you need to change things up. This might be an ideal time to throw in some feel good hits from the past that everyone knows. Whether it’s 80’s, alternative rock or a classic hip hop tune, surprising your audience with a throwback may win them over for the moment. Once you see them vibing keep that train going.

Tip 6: Taking Requests

Sometimes song requests can be conflicting with the mood of the room. If the place is already rocking and the request doesn’t feel like a fit then treat it more as a suggestion. On the other hand, if you’re trying to get some crowd participation and someone is handing you direct advice on what will get the people moving, it could be a great source of inspiration for you. Pull at that thread and see where it takes you.

We’ve covered how important reading a crowd is to steer the night in the right direction. By paying attention to body language, using your DJ bundle effectively and watching the crowd's reaction to specific songs, you can keep the dancefloor full and the energy high. Of course your ability to read the room will grow with practice and experience, but soon enough you'll become a master at reading a crowd and delivering the perfect music for any audience.

In our DJ school at Astro AVL we teach all these effective habits every DJ should be aware of. If you’re in the Burbank or Los Angeles area give Astro a call to schedule your private lesson with one of our seasoned instructors. 

Check out all our available gear and the DJ School on the rest of the Astro Website!