Published
24-10-2025
Type of Work
Conference Presentation
Abstract
The presentation set out to educate novice and intermediate DJs the importance of track selection in a DJ set. This is a skill that elevates a good DJ to a great DJ. It addresses issues that some DJs have when trying to read a crowd or curate a pre planned set. The presentation was given at SAE Dubai's annual DJ symposium to a live audience using slides and audio examples. The presentation was well received and many of the audience had questions and seemed to take away a better understanding of an often underrated element of being a successful DJ.
In conclusion, I would have liked to have dived a little deeper into some of the more psychological aspects of listening to a series of different songs in terms of genre and tempo and how this can effect mood end energy in a crowd. However, due to my time being short and the fact that I was planning on a more introductory presentation, I covered a few more important bases as to suit the audience.
References
Brewster, B., & Broughton, F. (2006). Last night a DJ saved my life: The history of the disc jockey. Headline.
Broughton, F., & Brewster, B. (2002). How to DJ right: The art and science of playing records. Bantam.
Marchiano, M., & Tanco, M. G. (2021). DJing & reading the crowd in an EDM context from a second person perspective. SEDICI, Universidad Nacional de La Plata. https://sedici.unlp.edu.ar/handle/10915/136939
Munro, K. (2023). Can you feel it? The information behaviour of creative DJs. Journal of Documentation, 79(4), 830–846. https://doi.org/10.1108/JD-05-2022-0106
Rudnicki, K., Murrath, T., & Poels, K. (2025). The relation between DJs behavior and their audience's positive affect and perception of the show: A field study in electronic dance music clubs. Empirical Studies of the Arts. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/02762374251340660
Citation
Foley, A J (2025). The art of selection [Staff Scholarship, SAE University College]. Creo
Included in
Audio Arts and Acoustics Commons, Musicology Commons, Music Performance Commons, Other Music Commons