The events of the past two years have profoundly transformed the way the world looks at live entertainment. People are once again packing out clubs and concert halls worldwide, but the whole pandemic saga has given birth to a new ‘virtual’ DJ arena that’s going from strength to strength.
Streaming live sets from home has become the norm for thousands of new and established DJs from all backgrounds. Live streaming can be great for reaching and engaging a huge audience of listeners, if and when playing live is not an option.
But what about playing to a live crowd and streaming your set online at the same time; a balancing act worth attempting, or just one extra thing to worry about while doing your thing?
Here is a brief overview of the pros and cons of streaming your next DJ set, while doing your thing on stage:
Pro – You’ll reach a far bigger audience
The club you are playing could have a maximum capacity of 500 people, but streaming online means benefiting from a potentially infinite audience. There is really no better way of exposing yourself and your music to as many people as possible as by streaming online. Hence, if your main goal at the moment is to get as many new listeners on board as possible, live streaming every set is a no brainer.
Pro – You’ll show yourself and your skills in their prime
Streaming from home is all well and good, but never quite replicates the vibe of a real live performance. Irrespective of how much effort you put into your live sets from home, you are still at home. This is where streaming from a full-on live set can make all the difference. Sets streamed while DJs are playing on stage in packed venues are naturally more engaging and impressive than those that come from a back bedroom or garage.
Con – More equipment to carry and set up
On the downside, you will have no choice but to take along the dj equipment you need to stream your set, and ensure it is set up appropriately. You will also need to keep an eye on it to ensure it is working throughout your set, perhaps making adjustments without it getting in the way of your performance. Whichever way you look at it, this will inherently give you one more thing to worry about.
Con – Obtaining the consent of the venue
Do not instinctively assume that every venue will give you its blessing to live-stream your set. If you are planning on streaming your set free of charge online, this could be viewed as something that will discourage revellers from turning up and spending their money. Some venues are more liberal than others when it comes to streaming, but there will always be those who will not allow webcams anywhere near their DJ booths. Long story short – always ask in advance!
