The DJ handover – when one DJ finishes their set and hands over to the next DJ – should be a fairly straightforward episode in a DJ’s evening. But like all parts of any job, there is best practice, and then there is going way over your allotted slot time because you’re so into rinsing the EQ and effects that you’ve not looked up for half an hour. We take a closer look at the DJ Handover and how to do it well.
As mentioned above, going into the next DJs set time just isn’t cool, even if you’re killing it. When it’s time to go, its time to go, don’t make it awkward with any of that “Can I just put one more on?” nonsense: unplug your headphones and head to the bar.
Equipment. If you’ve got a controller, laptop or bunch of FX to set up, then we would politely suggest that you do it with as little interference to the current DJ as possible. And if you really have to unplug a load of equipment, reverse the polarity, and reinstall the flux capacitor, then maybe think about putting a tune on, and doing all the re-arranging in your own set time rather than during someone else’s.
Standing next to someone who’s DJing, breathing down their neck, your headphones expectantly around your neck is never a good look. Give your fellow DJ a bit of space to do their thing until it’s your turn to get on.
At which point, utilise all those assertiveness and diplomacy skills you no doubt have to get them off and you on. Polite and firm is the key!
When you get on, don’t suddenly become a desperate needy narcissist who has to stop the music and get everyone in the club to acknowledge their arrival. Give a thought to the groove of the night and see if you can make your tunes flow perfectly from the previous guy’s.
Everyone loves a pro, a DJ who’ll help another DJ out when they can’t find their headphones, or who’ll quickly mix in another tune if the new guy isn’t ready. Be nice!
Good luck with your DJ handovers; and make sure in the post-gig haze that you don’t walk off leaving your USB plugged in!
