Playing a warm-up set: tips for getting started

The aim of the warm-up

You fill the room and prepare the ground. Guests arrive, order something, talk. The music should invite people to stay, not to leave. So you don't play peak-time hits, but build tension.

Tempo and energy

Start lower: for house around 115 to 122 BPM and energy 3 to 5, for techno a few BPM slower than the headliner. Build up gently over time. The end of your set should come close to the next DJ’s tempo so that they can take over seamlessly. Have a quick word with them beforehand.

Selection and dramaturgy

Choose tracks with groove, warmth and few vocals. Leave out the big drops and save the bombs. Mix long and calmly, use intros and outros. Plan reserves: once the dance floor has filled, you may tighten things up a little but stay below the headliner’s level. More on the flow: Building a set.

In practice: the handover moment

Listen to the headliner's style beforehand and plan your last third so that it heads in their direction. If possible, agree on the tempo they will start with. A clean handover is part of your performance.

And: do not play to show off. A good warm-up hardly stands out, because the floor is full at the end.

Related terms

Frequently asked questions