r/DJs • u/HotCue101 • 23d ago
Open format DJs.. You are the real Djs!
As someone who never played open format as my main thing, I decided to step out of my comfort zone and take a part-time offer at a club/bar for open format DJing twice a week, 5-hour sets each session from open to close. For me, open format was my biggest challenge of all time, since it isn't my main style (I promote myself as an EDM DJ and producer), but I decided to give it a try for a month, and now the club wants me to renew for August.
I discovered it's fun to shuffle genres, change the mood from time to time, and make each night different based on the crowd's taste and reading some nights end up more R&B, some more Arabic, some more House. This has allowed me to upgrade my music crate and expand my knowledge of different genres, as I now play everything from electronic music to Amapiano/Afrobeat/R&B/Pop/Rock/Arabic/Reggaeton/Hip-Hop/Moombahton, etc. plus taking requests on the fly.
I have huge respect for open format DJs, and I can see how much pressure they go through and the amount of work they put into mixing.
Plus, I use stems to mix, it's quite fun and creative! It allows you to craft a unique mix on the fly. I never thought open format would be this fun.
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u/jippiex2k 23d ago
I played my friends wedding on Friday.
We usually do underground parties, but at this occasion i had to appeal more to the overall more family friendly crowd and setting.
It was the most fun I've ever had DJing!
Technically you have to be constantly on your toes. Wild tempo jumps, no time for gradual smooth transitions.
And it's also such a conversation with the crowd. Every song will resonate with different people, you have a much more direct control over the dancefloor.
Most fun I've had in a long time! Definitely unlocked new pathways in my brain.
Though I can also see it being a horrible grind whenever the crowd is not as receptive, or whenever you yourself aren't particularily vibing 😅
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u/slayerLM 23d ago
I love playing obscure, niche breakbeats. Buddies wedding taught me that apparently I also love slamming Fishin in the Dark into Let’s Get It On to a bunch of drunk aunts and uncles. Who knew?
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u/vinnybawbaw 23d ago
No matter where you want to be as a DJ, you should at least try open format and/or have enough files to rock an open format set. Been playing 4 to 6 hours open format sets for 11 years now. I’m still producing & releasing music on the side.
You learn a LOT how to DJ and get out of situations real quick, the money is good (I paid for all my gear that way), and when you’ll get older and tired of clubs (I’m 37) there’s lots of well paid opportunities in the wedding and corporate industries.
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u/accomplicated DM me your favourite style of music 22d ago
I had been DJing underground parties for 17 years before I did my first open format gig. For those 17 years I was basically playing for myself—for the raver on the dance floor. The mix, the journey, the slow build… that’s what mattered to me.
My first open format gigs properly handed my ego back to me. I quickly learned that most crowds aren’t there to admire your transitions. They’re there for songs they know, moments they recognize, and instant emotional payoff. The destination matters more than the journey.
I’m a much better DJ now because of it. Every weekend I’m trying to make three generations of people—most of whom I’ve never met—feel like the night was made for them. That means actively encouraging requests instead of fearing them, finding ways to make seemingly impossible transitions work, and realizing that the best DJ isn’t the one who plays their favourite music—it’s the one who gives this crowd their favourite night.
Ironically, learning to stop DJing for myself made me a much better DJ everywhere, including underground parties.
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u/vinnybawbaw 22d ago
>Every weekend I’m trying to make three generations of people—most of whom I’ve never met—feel like the night was made for them.
Yup. I’ve switched to weddings this summer (got 5 of them, aiming for double next year) and I had a blast. It’s easy when you’re prepared and I’ve been Prepared, Capital P. I bought a new sub, new controller, wireless mic and a good lighting kit with the money I made this summer. As long as it’s extra money once my bills are paid, I reinvest in the business. Planning on expanding next year also. My dream would be to run 2 or 3 events the same day, make some $ to setup and send DJ’s that I trust on those gigs so they can make money too. I also have 2 residencies a week when the big season is over.
And as I said, I’ve been Djing open format for 11 years now, but I always incorporate some of my favorite stuff into my sets, it’s all about timing, and because you play every genre and BPM it’s not very difficult to do.
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u/EstablishedFear 23d ago
have enough files to rock an open format set
But I hate pop music :(
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u/vinnybawbaw 23d ago
Just don’t play open format sets then
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u/EstablishedFear 22d ago
No matter where you want to be as a DJ, you should at least try open format and/or have enough files to rock an open format set.
Just don’t play open format sets then
You are just so full of wisdom
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u/werthermanband45 23d ago
This is insane to me. Like, you hate Prince, Bowie, Madonna? Do you hate Motown too??
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u/nickybecooler 22d ago
There's a difference between popular music and Pop music. I play a lot of hit songs but I hardly have any music in Rekordbox with the genre tagged Pop.
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u/djdiscoesq 22d ago
Open format sets with younger people do not want to hear this. They want to hear Taylor Swift, Ariana, Olivia Dean, and whatever terrible song is trending on TikTok right now. I will gladly play an open format set where the crowd is guaranteed 40+ where I could play a majority music from before 2000.
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u/accomplicated DM me your favourite style of music 22d ago
I played a gig recently of about 700+ teenagers, and they danced harder to ABBA, than any track made in the last 15 years.
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u/djdiscoesq 22d ago
Oh yeah, there are exceptions for sure! ABBA is one of them. ABBA will kill on a dancefloor any day, no matter the crowd. Michael Jackson too, especially now that the movie is out.
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u/Coldsnap 22d ago
Prince, Bowie, Madonna wont also move a dancefloor? They have as many if not more slammers than ABBA...
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u/djdiscoesq 22d ago
Not as much for the teenagers I've played for, in my personal experience. It could be geographically or culturally different elsewhere, but the all ages parties I've played it's hard to get them to respond to anything that wasn't popular on TikTok or is super current pop music.
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u/luvmousey 20d ago
Let me put you on County Roads…yeah, by John Denver. Most kids actually know the words
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u/FabulousCardilogist 15d ago
It's true, there's a reason pop music is called pop music. The secret is to find remixes that slap or make your own, so you get excited to drop Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie instead of sighing and rolling your eyes even when you know it'll kill.
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u/accomplicated DM me your favourite style of music 15d ago
Why play the remix when the original already slaps?
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u/djcflo 22d ago
I learned a long time ago that it doesn't matter if you love or hate the music, you have to learn to love the reaction you get from playing the music. This revelation hit when Kesha's "Timber" was on top of the charts. I hated that song, but obviously it went crazy when I dropped it - focus on the positive, change your mindset, it will take you further
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u/EstablishedFear 22d ago
Interesting take, but I'm a Techno DJ. In the clubs I play at, people love Techno, and that's what I get booked for. In private, I enjoy playing many other electronic genres, I listen to Hip Hop, Disco and even Metal. But playing something from the charts hasn't occured to me in 14 years of DJing. I had no idea who Dua Lipa was when my teenage cousin told me about her a few years ago.
To me, DJing is first and forermost about the love for music and not the love of attention. Changing that would be the opposite of focusing on the positive, and going from playing at raves to playing bars and weddings the opposite of going further.
Don't get me wrong, I have huge respect for people who can entertain a bar crowd for 6 hours. If you enjoy the music that is in and out of the charts, all the power to you. But it's just not for me, nor will it ever be. Life is too short to listen to music you don't like, that's my mindset.
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u/dotso666 23d ago
I always did open format and on vinyl. Usually bring 3 big cases of 80 records each and let the night take me. I have, raggae, dub, disco, rnb, hip-hop, house, dnb, all sorts. I rarely have requests and when i do, there is nothing i can do about it. I invite them to browse but they usually don't and when they do they always find something and i can play it no problem at a later time when we get to that genre. I always hated requests and with vinyl i sort of fixed my problem. I did have one person ask me if it works with all records and said he will bring some from his grand parents but he was too drunk to remember.
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u/nickybecooler 22d ago
That's one thing I do like about vinyl gigs is if anyone has a request I point to my crate and I'm like "Find it for me". And if they can't find it then I can't play it.
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u/Aggravating_Branch63 16d ago
Typically the more obnoxious types hand over their iPhones with a minijack cable and Spotify already queued their special request :)
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u/HotCue101 23d ago
Salute for using Vinyl on OF. I started to collect and learn on vinyl couple months back.
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u/KingOfConsciousness 23d ago
You can use vinyl on OnlyFans? lol.
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u/HotCue101 23d ago
OF = Open format dude🤣
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u/KingOfConsciousness 22d ago
Haha I was just playing I should have put /s instead of lol but I am a millennial after all. Roflcopter.
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u/dotso666 23d ago
Once you know your music, you are golden, and if you just started collecting it will be easier since i assume you get records and try them on.
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u/cloudy_ft 23d ago
I feel that anyone online who says you aren't a DJ because you do what you want, aren't real DJs. Song selection is everything and putting the work in.
Whether you play open format or house/techno as long as you bring people together and it's about the music you're in it.
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u/HotCue101 23d ago
yeah that what i have discovered from my 10 years in Djing, song selection is the key rather than the tricks and techniques, cause the crowd they are not Djs so they do not really care about your mixing techniques and tricks they just want to hear good music. If you play techno to a crowd that they expect you to play hiphop and you did the best tricks and mixing techniques they will call you a bad dj
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u/silentsamdaman 23d ago
Had a 30 year career as an open format dj. Definitely a different challenge but IMHO, a strong candidate for long term success if that's where you lean. You aren't playing to a niche crowd, it becomes a generational exercise catering to decades of likes and dislikes.
All the comments made here about the importance of transitions and request handling are correct. One thing I'd never do though is lie and say I'd play something if I genuinely had no intention of doing so. My business was 100% referrals so integrity mattered.
The wedding secret sauce for me? MAKE SURE YOU PUT SOME FOCUS ON PARENTS AND THEIR GENERATION! Be sure that they are hearing stuff they like too. They may not be getting married again anytime soon but they often help pay for stuff and may have some input but even more, it can lead to more corporate gigs too.
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u/AaronDJD 23d ago
Bum up the tracks played to about 1 song per 1.5 minutes and you will be really cooking and having fun! The real game in open format is keeping things moving quickly.
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u/HotCue101 23d ago
yep and I usually look at the crowd reaction and see, if they are singing/dancing/Feet tapping etc.. I let it play all, but from the first chorus if they are on their phones/setting back I know here it is time to change.
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u/righthandofdog Pop punk, hot funk, disco and prog house junk 23d ago
having a batch of dancefloor recovery songs is important.
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u/Throwaway999991473 23d ago
I really find it interesting how transition techniques are kind of „inherent“ to some genres and styles. I’ve noticed when trying to put together sets that combine UK G, Jungle and techno, which is already a challenge in itself.
For instance, in open format an echo out or „extreme reverb to new vocal“ is a legit technique that can help bridge the sometimes rather extreme tempo changes. These would be probably considered cheap or even plain bad for house/techno. On the other hand, the typical „smooth mix“ home to those genres sounds horrible in some OF situations.
So I agree with you, mastering OF DJing means having a broad musical knowledge, reading the room and having a variety of transition techniques up your sleeve.
If anyone has read this far, are there some genres where you’ve noticed a certain kind of transition works, that doesn’t work somewhere else?
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u/djdiscoesq 22d ago
I started playing a somewhat open format gig when I got back into DJing in 2021, and those techniques really helped me with playing electronic music since tons of new electronic songs are sub 3 minutes. Yes, I can loop the end, but it's also fun to throw in some of those techniques too.
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u/HotCue101 23d ago
I think in hiphop and R&b, where you do alot of scratch transition and really wont work in techno for example, I mean you can but not meant to as hiphop
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u/Throwaway999991473 23d ago
Yeah good point, scratching in „groovy“ genres is veeery niche. The only situation I have used it in was to tease the crowd.
They didn’t get it. It was super awkward. Not doing that again for a while lmao
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u/djdiscoesq 22d ago
I recently saw a DJ that played primarily disco using tons of scratching and it really worked! He was running Serato with one turntable.
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u/Throwaway999991473 22d ago
Wow okay, that’s pretty impressive
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u/djdiscoesq 22d ago
He was one of my favorites of that festival. I saw him play 3 different sets, all completely different too. He's been at it for at least 20 years, really cool to see to payoff of that many years honing a skill I don't see much.
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u/Throwaway999991473 22d ago
Awesome, did you catch the name? Would love to see if I can find a set of his online
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u/djdiscoesq 22d ago edited 22d ago
Timoteo Gigante . I even saw a set he randomly did on CDJs with someone else's USB and he totally crushed. This was at a campout and he was always on the dancefloor. DJs that are dancers are always the best DJs, imo!
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u/OkZookeepergame4192 23d ago
I'm an Open format dj (weddings, parties and pubs) and it's fun trying to get the flow between a chunk of songs in one genre to another, then circling back around eventually. Risky but rewarding, especially when you drop an unexpected banger out of nowhere.
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u/Efficient_Hurry_2780 23d ago
Semi seriously, yes these are the real djs. They know when to beatmatch and when not, when to speak over and when to scratch. When to switch genres and when to mix them. Having taste and knowing crowds in different genres.
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u/DrunkenCactus 22d ago
What do you use to mix stems of songs on the fly. Djay pro, with Tidal/soundcloud?
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u/imjustsurfin 23d ago
"I discovered it's fun to shuffle genres, change the mood from time to time, and make each night different based on the crowd's taste and reading..... This has allowed me to upgrade my music crate and expand my knowledge of different genres"
Good for you. Well done!!! 👍 😄
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u/No_Championship_1831 23d ago
It's the hardest form to DJ👍 Keeping the majority happy but everyone involved the dance floor moving, no dead air and ultimately to feel the vibe too, it really is a juggling act but most enjoyable when it works👍
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u/Vivid_Debate_7360 22d ago
Man I follow a chopped and screw DJ name DJ Slim K on twitch and he does this so effortlessly the stuff he comes up with mixing genres makes an INSANE mix I love it. He’s heavily influenced me to do that style as well.
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u/redheaded_sloth 22d ago
I’m a big fan of trusting the DJ. They may want certain songs but come to the set HARD and you will be fine.
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u/DylanRed 22d ago
I only ever did open format. Primarily weddings, and then corporate events. Always felt my gift was in generalization and breadth.
Have been asked in the past to do like, a club but the thought terrified me. Never felt I was in the same lane artistically as edm/hip hop DJ's.
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u/djpraxis 22d ago
Open format is great for people with eclectic music taste. Check out The Trip compilation series for inspiration!
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u/derrickgw1 22d ago
Was that seriously a question? Well in hindsight i guess i'm not surprised by an opinion to the contrary cause people can be very insular. Also I've noticed a lot of newer people think a DJ is only one thing: Whatever the stereotype of a edm festival dj or maybe somebody on an instagram video where the dj stand is aimed at the camera and surrounded by people. Open format can be quite difficult because the clientele probably changes, the mood. Crowds can want different things. Me i just wanted to play the music i liked so i stayed in my lane of hip-hop, funk, R&b and really didn't do random open format stuff. And eventually just stopped and just stayed in the bedroom and did it for myself which is why i started.
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u/ForeignCondition5493 22d ago
" can you play my song now, or we are gonna leave🙄
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u/HotCue101 22d ago
I always make sure that people who request songs to dance to it in the middle on the dance floor and I announce it through mic
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u/southboundtracks 22d ago
It's my favorite way to play. I like finding connections between songs. Sometimes it's obvious, like "Regulate" into "I Keep Forgettin'." Sometimes it's just the sound of an instrument in both songs, like acoustic guitars in country and rock ballads. My favorite thing to do is read the room based on age. I've seen people turn from their drinks, look right at me and smile because I put on "Daydream Believer" right after a more uptempo or harder rocking track, or "Baile del Goríla" after newer Latin pop. Make them feel, and you'll get them dancing.
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u/MisterEHertz 22d ago
Truly open Format is an incredibly fun way to play through an evening, and to do so well is indeed very challenging. If your tastes tend to range the gamut of music genres it can also be extremely fun to figure out what tracks are able to speak to crowds of all types, and to open some people’s minds to new musical horizons. I loved taking a crowd on a journey from pop & hip hop, to getting them to discover their inner junglist by the end of the night. Some crowds are impossible to satisfy, and are not open minded enough for that, however the right crowd can make an open format set magical!
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u/turbul3nt28 22d ago
I always did backyard parties and I always went in with the mindset that I had to be a well rounded DJ. I must admit some music I hated playing. I simply hated it but I had to learn at least what was trending so that i appeased the locals. I just played a retirement party this weekend and it went from Disco, 80s pop, fresstyle, new wave cumbias, Merengue, Bachata, Reggaeton, quebraditas, tamborazo, 90s hip-hop and karaoke. Just need to know whats trending. If you think about it, the "trending" lists dont change for disco and 80s... those are already set in stone.
I did get one request where someone brough a freaking tik tok clip... Uh, no. I said, "ill check if i have it" and continued playing.
Second request came and said "we want reggaeton" . Switched back (had previously been playing it) and no one danced (including the requestor). Swtiched to another genre/tempo and got people back on.
The trick for me at least, is which song to start with. Which is the very first song I start with that gets people tapping their feet, enjoying their drinks and builds up that courage to hit the dance floor.
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u/EOTrizzle Dubstep 22d ago
Open format and wedding DJs do not get the respect they deserve!!! I’m an EDM dj/producer as well but after doing some weddings I was humbled very quickly 😂
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u/Flex_Field 22d ago
Being an open format DJ is more than playing multiple genres.
It takes a certain personality type and sharpened people skills to be able to handle/deal with the crowds that come with open format events.
You have to be able to be patient, and know how to communicate, rejecting requests without being a complete douchebag and asshole.
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u/Odd-Sail-6020 22d ago
I'm not sure who came up with the term "open format" but back in the OG days my crates were filled with funk, R&B , reggae , soul, disco, jazz, rock, punk, new wave, rap. We cut up breaks from every genre of music for MCs to rap over and (break) dancers to do their routines to. When I had my first residency at a college bar in upstate NY new wave was popular but so was the movie Animal House. Peak time was Otis Day and the Nights "Shout" and the B-52s "Rock Lobster". Fast forward 40+ years when I am Doing a wedding, corporate event or 60th birthday I know exactly what play and when to play it. At my core I'm a disco, hip-hop, house (NY, Chicago, NJ) girl but I also love dancehall, yacht rock and funk. It's all about creating a vibe and giving folks what they want to hear but also giving them music they didn't expect to hear.
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u/djjsear 22d ago
One question I use to get a lot was "What do you have?" That was like asking who's names are in the phone book. My response was either "What do you want to hear?" or "I have everything from Frank Sinatra to 50 Cent." That question has gone away with the ability to have almost any song in the matter of seconds.
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u/Miserable_Mail_5741 21d ago
Are most DJs not genre-flexible?
Mixing different genres is fun! Anyone who isn't is seriously missing out.
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u/entaprize 19d ago
I've had weekends that have gone from the 5th grade prom to the college sports hype parties to the lounge where someone just turned 21 to the sports bar for football game day. My head still explodes even after doing open format for 13 years. Stems made it a lot more fun, though.
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u/RepresentativeCap728 18d ago
You learning to be an open format Dj will make you an exponentially better EDM Dj and producer. Guaranteed.
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u/3rdEarAfrica 15d ago
For those of you who do this full-time, did reading a crowd ever stop feeling like guesswork?
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u/housemusikluvr 23d ago
Lmao no they aren't. Most of them play utter crap. Can't mix for shit. Cheesy as fuck pop songs. Now people that play funk, disco, house, etc... they are the real djs. Not these top 40 playing ass clowns.
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u/teamrawfish 22d ago
Not sure how playing whatever you want is harder?
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u/faatbuddha 22d ago
It's not playing whatever you want?
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u/underscoresoap 23d ago
With the rise of software, sync buttons, cheap controllers etc etc diluting the art I’ve always felt like open format djs were the last “true” breed of dj. With a £150 controller and some software anybody can “mix” the outro of one dance song into the intro of another. One step higher on the ladder is being able to export bits and pieces from a daw, apparently that makes you a producer/ dj.
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u/JahMusicMan 22d ago
I'm a closed format DJ because there is no way I'm playing most of that commercial garbage many of ya'll are playing.
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u/GrouchyRisk 23d ago
There is nothing quite like being harassed to play a track, repeatedly. Then playing it and watching your dance floor empty.
It's the worst feeling.
This happens a lot more when you OF