How To Play An Awesome NYE DJ Set

Getting ready to head out to play a New Year’s Eve gig tonight? Once you’ve had a final check, take a few minutes to scan through this list of tips to help make sure your DJ set goes out with a bang…

1. Music selection beats mix skills

This really is a rule for any sort of DJing (the best mixing DJs still get the music right first and foremost), but especially on New Year’s Eve. People want to hear the right music, and truly they don’t care about how polished your mixing is, so don’t get hung up on it – just play the right tunes and watch the room go wild.

2. Play stuff people know

I guarantee that even in the trendiest, most underground, hippest venue you can think of, they will play something everyone knows at midnight. In most venues, that permeates through the rest of the night too – and that’s just fine. New Year’s Eve is about memories, and the music that goes with them, so play your biggest records from the last year with pride.

3. Music off, lights on at midnight

If you can, this never fails. Huge records everyone knows up till midnight, some kind of countdown or announcement, get everyone cheering, then hit those house lights (or bright dancefloor lights), and turn the music off for a minute or so. People want to hug, kiss, find their friends, smile, cheer, feel the moment. Then, hit them with the biggest tune of your whole night at 12:01…

4. Prepare for the punters

New Year’s Eve can be a difficult night to DJ, as a lot of “part time” (read: once a year) clubbers hit the floor. Have a word with yourself before arriving and promise to be friendly to everyone, even those who seem hellbent on ruining your night by pestering. It’s not their fault. Be magnanimous and take your money. Speaking of money…

5. Make sure you get paid well

Promoters make more money on this night than any other night of the year. Do not accept poor pay for giving up your New Year’s Eve and putting in the extra effort to make it fun for everyone. Double your ask as a minimum. Ask for it – the money is going to be there, for sure.

Finally…

As this is going to be one of the last pieces you’re going to read on the Digital DJ Tips site this year, I’d just like to say thank you for being here in 2018, and to let you know how much all of us here are looking forward to bringing you loads more useful stuff in 2019. Have a great evening!

So where are you playing, or did you play? How was it? What did you play at midnight? Let us know your experiences of New Year’s Eve 2018 in the comments below…