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Bag gigs are a bad deal. If you searched this article out for advice to recover from yours, I am sorry you had a bad one. It happens to everyone and for a lot of reasons.  We look at some common reasons gigs go bad and some essential things you can do to put it behind you when it happens to you.

DJs have a significant responsibility to create a fun and memorable experience for their guests. However, several factors can make this challenging. 

First, the equipment can fail you. This could include a speaker malfunction, a power outage, or other technical issues. If the DJ is not prepared with backup equipment or a plan to address these issues, it can lead to a significant disruption in the event.

Also, a DJ gig can go wrong is if the music selection is not appropriate for the crowd. If the DJ is not familiar with the venue’s vibe, the crowd’s preferences, or the demographics of the guests at a private event, they may struggle to find the right balance of music that will keep everyone entertained.

Sometimes the DJ is the problem. DJ can create a negative experience if they are unprofessional, rude, or drunk. This can damage the DJ’s reputation in the industry.

I cannot overemphasize the importance of preparation, communication, and professionalism for professional DJs. By being prepared for technical issues, understanding the crowd, and maintaining a positive attitude, create a memorable experience for everyone involved.

Humans make mistakes. As Inc.com explains, “epic fails” can feel debilitating, embarrassing, and demotivating. In addition, failing can make you feel out of control and unable to move forward.

However, there are things we can do to manage failure, starting with taking ownership or what went wrong. Acknowledging and accepting the responsibility for the repercussions is a huge first step to move forward and taking back control. 

In addition, owning the mistake or bad gig allows you to learn from the experience and avoid similar problems in the future. Failures experienced a bad gig can teach you new skills and provide new depth of knowledge. Reframing the bad gig this way can help you move into a resilient mindset and find your determination to put it behind you. 

Digital DJ Tips has a few different things you can do in their “How to Get Over a Nightmare Gig” article, which include:

  • Take a break: It is essential to process what happened, so take a day off to engage in some self-care activities. But don’t dwell on the negative experience. Instead, focus on moving forward.
  • Identify what went wrong: Maybe it was the technical setup, the crowd, or the music selection. Perhaps it was something else. Whatever it was that contributed to the bad experience, figuring this out means you can work on finding a solution for next time.
  • Talk to other DJs or industry professionals for advice and support: Now would be an excellent time to reach out to mentors, or join an online forum or group to look for support. Remember, everyone experiences difficult gigs at some point, and there’s no shame in seeking help.
  • Practice and prepare for future gigs: Nothing is more important that what you learn from the experience—and making sure that you can control what you can to avoid it again in the future. These efforts might mean working on new techniques, reviewing (and revising) your music library, or preparing robust redundancies or backup plans for technical issues. By focusing on improving your skills, you can feel more confident and prepared for future events.
  • Stay positive: It’s easy to bottom out and wallow in your misery. Don’t. Remember why you started DJing in the first place. DJs can regain their passion and energy for the craft by focusing on how they love music and performing.

Moreover, bad gigs can be an impetus to work towards a new goal. This could involve setting a new challenge, pursuing a new project, or taking steps to improve skills and knowledge. By acting, individuals can regain a sense of momentum and motivation, and build on the lessons learned from the failure.

Failure is a natural part of the learning process. DJs that can take ownership of the failure, learn from the experience, reframe the failure in a positive light, act towards a new goal can recover from an epic failure and build towards future success.

Sources:

What If a Wedding DJ Gig Goes Bad? – Be a Wedding DJ (2021). Available at: https://beaweddingdj.com/what-if-a-wedding-dj-gig-goes-bad/ (Accessed: 22 February 2023).

James, G. How to Recover from an Epic Fail – Inc.com (2014) Available at:
https://www.inc.com/geoffrey-james/how-to-recover-from-an-epic-fail.html (Accessed: 22 February 2023.)

How To Get Over A Nightmare Gig – Digital DJ Tips (2019). Available at: https://www.digitaldjtips.com/how-to-get-over-a-nightmare-gig/ (Accessed: 22 February 2023).