Warm-up djs
generally involved in the festival lineup for the purpose of getting the crowd
in mood...before the main act comes into the scene. Basically the warm-up djs
play the role of appetizer to set the crowd for the headlining act which is the
performance of the headliners by themselves. Its been such a for long time the
tradition that is well-defined that warm-up acts should know their duties
efficiently and they should stick to that. Generally the warm-up djs play the
tracks to the genres like synth-pop, progressive, tropical, deep house. The boundary
is defined here i.e. djs playing the sounds of the above genres will be warming
up the festival crowd. Well, it sounds pretty fair that we are on a festival
and we are there to have fun, listening to music... but to be predicted as we
are going to have a decent lineup i.e. predicted style of music, for our
festival...sounds boring. May be some of you not agree onto it...
Some also
believe that warm-up dis shouldn't play banging beats or tracks that will be
too energetic for crowd...as it's already taking the freedom out of the
headliners. After all most of the audiences paid ticket prices for the main act
on the lineup. Some of them may not accept this thought, that warm up djs
should go beyond their own space. The meaning is here that we are here to see
main acts but we want our headliners to do that... not warm-up djs. Aren't we
in festival for the warm-up act....? may be a little bit of crowd excited in warm-up
acts. We as an audience should take full advantage of the festival. We are
paying for the festivals.....
Its been
quite for some years that a healthy number of people believe that warm-up djs
should be given more opportunities to do a bit more change in their sets what
has been followed traditionally for a long haul. The supporting acts (Warm up)
should be able to play to crowd highly to make them hyped for the headliners.
The idea is to get beyond the concept of equality those are blinded for warm up
djs and give them more freedom. This doesn't mean that the warm-up djs will be
playing set of headliners or control the stage alone, but they should be able
to feed off the response of crowd and give something extra to cheer than just a
warm up act. But they have to keep in mind that the headliners are coming after
them.
There is also
a belief that warm-up dj sets turns out to be helpful for main acts to perform
in a better way...creating a well rounded event overally. It’s nothing less
than a self motivation for the up and coming warm-up acts but also for the
headliners too. The both ideas i.e. Warm up djs on warming up sets and playing
banging sets have it's own advantage and disadvantage. This class of thought
depends on the respective venue, lineup, and the crowd. Its a decision to
be followed in different circumstances. This does not mean that the warm up djs
should be keeping back to his tracks. He just needs to be different on stage by
himself without playing the headliner's track. He has been treated as a
supporter to a headliner and it should go on. He should never step into the
shoes of the headliner; otherwise there will be a truthless festival.
Different
people may have different opinion, but we should understand the two sides.
Whether a warm up dj withhold or pacify the crowd, a little bit modern approach
is expected from him, making the dance floor more exciting without stealing the
creativities from the headliners. There's a reason why some djs have longstanding
avenues, opening up for the festivals, alongside performing as a club rocker(Music) like Above & beyond, Aly & Fila, Dan
Stone.... thoroughly have been moved up to the stages of excellent festivals.
Being a good opening dj takes a lot of practice, good understanding of sound,
and a beauty of track selection skill. His set can be the most memorable thing
of an unforgettable nightlife or a missing element of an exciting night.
An important
thing to be cared by warm-up djs is that the level of energy when the act
passes to the headliner's hand. The headliner should not have to reset the
energy in order to structure his set. If it happens then there is some mistake
on the side of warm up djs. The vibe and energy in the venue should be
seamlessly transited throughout whole stage performance. It takes a lot of time
from a normal dj to become a opening dj. Someone having true love for music, crafty
track selection mastery, and its understanding in different venues; all these
collectively construct an elegant dance floor. Its actually a challenge to hype
up the crowd while topping off headlining act at the same time. You have to be
aware that for who you are performing, how they play, how they bring transition
in their set...in fact a warm up dj should know overally a headline performer.
Each headliner has a unique musical style and the warm up dj should know it.
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