DJs' perspectives on interaction and awareness in nightclubs

Abstract

Several researchers have recently proposed technology for crowd-and-DJ interactions in nightclub environments. However, these attempts have not always met with success. In order to design better technologies and systems in this area, it is important to start with an understanding of how nightclub interaction currently happens. To build this understanding, we carried out an interview study focusing on DJ-audience interactions. We interviewed eleven DJs from several different cities, and asked them to discuss the ways that they interact with the audience, and the ways that they maintain and use awareness of the audience. We found that DJs gather a wide variety of information about their audiences, and that this information is important to them as they plan and shape the evening's musical experience. DJs are adept at gathering visual information about the audience, despite poor lighting conditions and a heavy workload of selecting and mixing music. Despite the difficulties, DJs took a dim view of technology designed to let crowds exert more control over the music. This study is one of the first to look closely at the interactive relationship between the DJ and the nightclub audience through the lens of HCI, and our findings provide a number of guidelines for the design of new DJfocused nightclub technologies.

Competing and Collaborating Brains: Multi-brain Computer Interfacing

“…This information can be used to adapt performances to changes in response. This can be [22] done autonomously, but such information can also be provided to, for example, a DJ or VJ who then adapts his or her performance to the audience response [9].…”

Performing Online and Offline: How DJs Use Social Networks

“…Spurred on by the advent of the Internet, smartphones and the digitization of music, early research in this domain focused on tools and audiences. Gates et al [9] classify these initial works as interactive nightclub technologies that were essentially audience-centered applications, DJ-centered applications, and applications for interaction between the DJs and their audiences. These applications broadly attempted to take advantage of sensors, mobile devices and communication technologies.…”

“…These applications broadly attempted to take advantage of sensors, mobile devices and communication technologies. They took the form of playful applications, performative spaces, automation and mixing tools, and systems based on bio-feedback [9]. Ahmed et al [10] present an overview of more recent studies and prototypes that employed a variety of modalities (e.g.…”

“…Gates et al [9] focused on how DJs gathered information about, and interacted with their audience in nightclubs, while Ahmed et al [10] give a detailed account of how the DJ's work extended beyond performance to include 'the work to make the performance work': collecting, preparing, performing and promoting. They found DJs to be active on several SNS and forums in order to promote themselves and acquire bookings, but faced general challenges in integrating these activities.…”

“…Firstly, we observe that DJs, with their electronic and digital instruments, have a more direct and deeper engagement with technology, as compared to traditional musicians or bands. Secondly, DJs have to constantly depend on social engagement, not only offline with their audience during their performances [9], but also online with other DJs and for promoting their work in order to build and maintain their profiles as artists [10]. Thirdly, DJs rely on discovery of music to feed their work rather than the more traditional creative and individual activities that other types of artists typically engage in.…”