The Secret DJ: "Playing B2B separates the pro from the plastic"

What are the secrets of playing back-to-back and not losing my own identity? It seems hugely popular now, but honestly, doing it is scary to me. Any tips? Roberto, Naples

Good question, Roberto! I like this one. A lot of times these days the answer to nearly every question about DJs somehow contains the word ‘ego’. An awful lot of Eastern religions and philosophies, and a fair few Western ones, are about achieving some sort of peace through subduing the ego. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m about as spiritual as a lump of plasticine left on a windowsill on a hot day, but it’s clear that rampant ego is behind a lot of issues in the world, both general and personal.

The ‘identity’ you speak of I assume refers to your playing style and choice of other people’s records? It is your schtick. Your jam. Your vibe, maaaan. What you do. This will not disappear when you work alongside another DJ, no more than the ability and style of a tennis player will vanish when they play a set of mixed doubles. In fact, it will become far clearer to everyone who you are, including yourself. Perhaps for the first time.

Back-to-back is not new. I spent a fair few years doing it with many, many DJs when it was almost unheard-of. So I am eminently qualified for this one on the grounds that I have had to bribe, bully and convince many other DJs both large and small over the years that it is both safe, fun and generally a jolly good idea. My sales pitch went along the lines of “What you usually get is one DJ doing their ‘thing’, which can often be fairly inflexible and unchanging. When you go B2B you suddenly have to think quite hard about what you’re doing, and it tends to end up with two professionals working hard in original and challenging circumstances instead of one going through the motions, which can only be a good thing, right?”.

Most of all, this is a good thing for the dancefloor. The expectations of the crowd change greatly when there are two DJs up there. People become less demanding of a dishwater-dull seamless and endless drone and far more accepting of a changeable, esoteric and binary vibe that adds a frisson of ‘whatever next?’ to the mix – literally.

A back-to-back session immediately speaks of something special, something different. Something exciting. The only thing you need to be scared of is the reason why you think it will be anything but spectacular and fun. If you’re a plastic DJ who can only use one type of format or equipment and plays a set that cannot change, then yes: you absolutely should be nervous – in fact, you probably shouldn’t do it until about 10 years further down the line. B2B is all about improvisation, creativity and flexibility. It separates the pro from the plastic. The ability to arrive and play not just easily but creatively with a stranger is perhaps the apogee of the skills of a professional DJ. Just as a true musician can arrive in almost any situation and not merely perform, but excel.

Don’t worry if you can’t. It will come with time. It’s certainly something to aspire to. As for tips, in a sense B2B is something you cannot prepare for. It is experience, confidence and professional courtesy all rolled into one. And yes, it’s scary because it absolutely exposes both your weaknesses and strengths. It is the true test of whether you are all about the self or about the dancefloor. This is clear when you do it with someone trying for the first time or still raw at it. They cut your tunes off. They lean in, hog and twiddle when nothing is needed. They are reluctant to leave, and over-keen to arrive in a mix. Some just decide your tune is shit and cut it off almost as soon as it starts, which sounds hideous to everyone except them. Many simply cannot operate without their synced and heavily prepped set. But then again, some are naturals. I’ve popped more than my fair share of other DJs’ B2B cherries, and some have utterly and immediately shone: true pros who took to it like a duck to water. And take it from me, when it works, it so works. Fluid, and naturally jamming. The opposite of ego, in this case, is duo.

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