What do you expect from DJs/MCs

[MadamSamba]

I went to an event the other night where the DJ said not one word.

I kid you not. He said not a single word, neither welcome at the start of the event or goodbye at the end.

It turned out it was his first gig, but I was a bit surprised.

It got me thinking, what do you expect when you go to a club/dancing event, just music or a bit of atmosphere? If we're there just to dance, surely it doesn't matter, but I missed the DJ's usual "and the next song is"/ "and for all of you guys who can cha cha..."-type banter...

[MacMoto]

I went to an event the other night where the DJ said not one word.

I kid you not. He said not a single word, neither welcome at the start of the event or goodbye at the end.
Is this unusual? I thought this was normal... Where I go, you may get "that's all folks, thanks for coming, good night" at the end of the night, and that's about it.

[Chris Stratton]

My exprience to date as a dancer has generally been that good music speaks for itself, at least to a knowledgeable audience. Beginners benefit some from having dances identified (we use a sign that shows what the next dance will be, so it also helps people find a partner). On some occasions, if a DJ is talking a lot and has to have a corny introduction for everything, it almost seems intended as a cover for the fact that the music being played can't speak for itself. I personally would rather have a well thought out pre-made mix CD on than a live DJ who doesn't really know their stuff. (Of course, 'know their stuff' is subjective...)

[etchuck]

As a person who DJ's dances, some people don't like the chatter between sets of songs while others do. The last ballroom dance I went to on Saturday, the DJ didn't really interrupt the dancers with talking unless an announcement were made (now it's time for a mixer). The salsa DJ's also don't talk, but some of the swing DJ's do.

The last dance I worked I had a whiteboard to put up the order of dances on the playlist. Otherwise, I'd tell everyone the next three or four song styles coming up. Sometimes I'll tell people which dances I expect people to dance to a specific track.

I'd otherwise agree, I'd rather let the music speak for itself and watch whether people like a particular piece that I'm playing or not. If I find myself having to talk, I try to be as peppy as I can without being too annoying.

Of course, I want to do a ballroom dance where we have dance cards (like we did for the vintage dances).

[jon]

I want the DJ to shut up and play good music. People who can't identify what dance is appropriate to the music will get over it, in time.

[tj]

There's a DJ in Seattle who talks too much between songs. But hey, that's his thing, so the rest of us deal with it.

And it could be worse, the DJ at Crush in Vancouver, kept on interrupting during the middle of the song, announcing a dance competition coming in a few weeks. I mean, hey, we heard you the 10th time you said it. Can't you just stop telling us about it every song?

And a lot of times (DJ Harry in Denver, youngsta?), the DJ will completely ignore what the majority of the crowd wants, and will just play whatever he damn well pleases. :roll:

[salsachinita]

what do you expect when you go to a club/dancing event, just music or a bit of atmosphere? If we're there just to dance, surely it doesn't matter, but I missed the DJ's usual "and the next song is"/ "and for all of you guys who can cha cha..."-type banter...

:shock: NEVER been in this situation the whole time I've been dancing.....I imagine it would really annoy salsa dancers (I know I would be annoyed) at the clubs.

Of course, weddings and 21st etc would be a different story........

RE atmosphere, IMHO, it doesn't come from the DJ's chattering.....but the energy & vibes of the patrons/clubs and how they interact with the music, whether it's a live band or DJ/MC.

.....but then, I'm only speaking from a salsa clubber's point of view :oops: !

[MacMoto]

And a lot of times (DJ Harry in Denver, youngsta?), the DJ will completely ignore what the majority of the crowd wants, and will just play whatever he damn well pleases. :roll:
This is too often the case, in many places... :(

RE atmosphere, IMHO, it doesn't come from the DJ's chattering.....but the energy & vibes of the patrons/clubs and how they interact with the music, whether it's a live band or DJ/MC.
... and a good DJ reads the floor and gives what the dancers want, which of course produces great vibes. 8)

[squirrel]

:) MCs are good for parties, and I want an MC who can speak and entertain people...
In a disco, i like DJs who know what music to play to satisfy everybody!

[Pacion]

What about the ones who can't seem to shut up! :shock: :lol: