Don't Hang the DJ - Advice for Dance Club Etiquette

One of my good friends is a DJ here in Chicago. He plays at most of the major bars and clubs in Chicago, mainly around Wicker Park. Most of the time, people are nice, but there are a few rules to consider when you go to a club and encounter a DJ.

1. DO NOT REQUEST MUSIC THAT DOESN'T FIT

If you're in the middle of a hiphop club, and you walk up to the DJ and ask for something by the Beatles, chances are, the DJ will not play your request. Unless he's apathetic. DJ's want nothing more than to entertain the crowd. They may throw one or two curveballs into the mix, but that's at their discretion, not yours.

2. DO NOT REQUEST SAD MUSIC

Again, DJ's love to see a crowd dancing and moving to music that they're playing. So, if you ask for Pavement's "Here", or Radiohead's "Creep", your request will not be honored.

3. DO NOT REQUEST THE SAME SONG

Hey, who's in charge of picking the music? The DJ, that's who. My friend complains that girls will come up and ask for something by Fergie, next thing you know he's asked to play something ELSE by Fergie. People who request the same song or group of songs over and over need to get an ipod, and listen to their music at home, on their own time.

4. YOU ARE NOT "FRIENDS WITH THE DJ"

This one is just manners. People will walk into a club and claim to be friends with a DJ. Yeah? How long have you known him? What's his middle name? People who say "I'm friends with the DJ" are really saying "I'm friends with a big music nerd who sleeps on someone's couch." If you really want to be friends with the DJ, go up and introduce yourself after the set, they're probably nice when you get to know them.

5. DO NOT COMPLAIN ABOUT THE MUSIC - COMPLAIN ABOUT THE DJ

Once I was at a club and I heard someone say "I don't recognize any of the music!" I was shocked! These were not no-name songs; these were club hits by major hip-hop, R&B and dance recording artists! Was this person naïve about music and clubs?

The old debate follows: if you go into a club, expect to hear dance music. If you don't want to hear dance music, do not go into a dance club.

However, that is not to say that DJs are not responsible for the party. A good DJ will keep songs flowing naturally. People will naturally want to dance and have a good time. Bad DJs usually cannot get a dancefloor started; you can always tell when a DJ lacks experience.

As always, you can leave the club if you like and find a better spot to party. And that is what you should do - immediately. Don't waste time in a place where you're not having fun.

Follow these tips, and there will be no trouble in the DJ booth.