From the Studio to the Stage: Why I Love DJing Live
I’ve spent a lot of my life behind a microphone. Radio presenting and live DJing might look similar from the outside — music, microphones, faders — but they couldn’t feel more different once you’re in the middle of it.
Radio vs. Live DJing
On the radio, it’s an invisible audience. I can’t see them, but I know they’re there. The reaction isn’t quite as instant, although with modern communications, it almost is. It’s also a different connection. With radio you’re looking to build a 1 to 1 connection. With live DJing, you’re there and so is your audience. You can feel the crowd. You see the smiles, you see the nodding heads, you see people singing.
The power of the right track
There are songs that will always do the business live. A good crowd-pleaser at just the right moment can take the roof off. Over the years I’ve built up a mental playlist of “never fails” — those tracks that can turn a good night into a great one. Part of the craft is knowing when to hold them back and when to unleash them. Another part is knowing when to refresh them.
Rituals
I’m not superstitious and to be honest I don’t really have any rituals. Other than perhaps my first radio show and my first DJ set I don’t think I’ve got nervous. Excited yes, but nervous no. Once you’ve done it once, if it goes well, then you know that you can do it and you can just focus on doing it rather than worrying about doing it.
The Ice Arena energy
This Friday night I’ll be back at Slough Ice Arena, spinning tunes from 8.30–10.30pm. There’s something special about DJing in your hometown. The rink has a unique energy and my goal is to make people leave buzzing, whether they came for a skate, a night out, or just the atmosphere. There’s Friday Night rewind as well where I get to spin 5 classic tunes from a selected year and you can win a prize. You’ve always got to be weary of chosing the right time frame as while I have songs from the 70s and 80s on the laptop, chosing a year from these eras would put the competition beyond most in attendance.
Why I do it
At its core, live DJing is about connection. Music connects people, and being the one guiding that journey is a privilege. Every time is different, every night has its own flavour. I’ve always said when it becomes just a job I know it’ll be time to quit but it’s not that yet!
So if you’re around this Friday, come down to the Ice Arena. I’ll bring the tunes, you bring the energy, and together we’ll make it a night worth remembering.
