19 INSANE DJ STRUGGLES You Won’t Believe Are Real! (PAINFUL AF!)

By Ryan Chambers

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Hey there DJs! Who here can relate to this?

So, I was working a pretty cool corporate gig recently and I gotta say, it was awesome to see the management give a shoutout to the DJ during the night. You know, the DJ, the one who keeps the party going all night long? It’s easy to overlook a DJ’s hard work amidst all the dancing, drinks, and fun.

Now, most DJs will tell you they’re grateful to be doing what they love. But let’s face it, there are some “interesting” characters and unique challenges that come with the territory.

First, let’s talk about the lovely folks DJs get to encounter.

To be fair, most people who hit up a club or pub are super chill and make the DJ’s job a blast. But of course, there are always those few…you know who I’m talking about.

1. Mr. “Play Something Good!”

Ever had a guest at your party who just can’t seem to get into the groove? We’ve all been there, but there’s always that one person who takes it to the next level.

Meet the opinionated types. These are the folks who, while you’re jamming out to “Don’t Stop ‘Till You Get Enough,” will rudely interrupt to ask, “Can you play something GOOD?!?!”

But hey, don’t let them bring you down. Keep on spinning and rockin’ your set like the true DJ pro you are!

2. Mr. Talkative

Mr. Talkative. We all love a good chat, right? But when it comes to DJs, it’s important to know the code. When we’re wearing our headphones, it means we’re in the middle of mixing between tracks, and it’s best to let us focus on the music.

But as soon as we take off those headphones, it’s game on for the chats! We love hearing from our party people and getting to know the crowd is all part of the fun.

So let’s keep the good vibes going, and strike up a conversation with your favorite DJ. Who knows, maybe you’ll even inspire us to play your favorite song or give us some insider tips on the hottest new tracks. So let’s chat it up, and keep the party going strong!

2. The Next Beyonce

These are the fun-loving guests at your gig who are always looking for a chance to grab the mic and belt out their favorite tunes.

You’ll recognize them by their signature phrase: “Hey, do you have that song by Beyonce?” And of course, they can’t quite remember the name of the song, but they’ll happily sing it for you anyway.

But hey, it’s all good fun! Let them have their moment in the spotlight and keep the beats coming. Who knows, maybe they’ll inspire the rest of the crowd to join in and turn your party into a full-on karaoke fest. So, keep the jams rolling and let the singers shine!

3. The Expert Drunk

Ah, the glory of the expert drunk. We all know the type. At the beginning of the night, they’re super shy and hesitant to approach the DJ booth. But as the night goes on, and they start to throw back a few, they transform into a whole new person.

By the end of the night, they’re bursting with Dutch courage and ready to take over the party. They’ll start making requests, offering their “expert” opinions on the music, and maybe even trying to take over the decks themselves.

It’s all in good fun, though. After all, isn’t that what parties are all about? So let the progressive drunk do their thing, and keep the party going strong all night long!

4. Mr. I Pay Your Wages

We all know the “boss” type. They come up to you at your gig and demand that you play a specific song because they’re a customer and they “pay your wages.” Yeah, right. We all know who the real boss is.

But hey, don’t let them get you down. Keep the beats bumpin’ and the crowd groovin’. After all, the party is all about the people, not just one entitled customer.

So let’s show that “boss” who’s really in charge and keep the party going strong! And who knows, maybe they’ll even let loose and join in on the fun.

5. The Booth Lingerer

You must have come across the lingerer. You know, that one guest who seems to have taken up residence next to the DJ booth all night long?

They’re always peeking over the DJ’s shoulder, trying to catch a glimpse of what’s coming up next. It’s like they’re on a mission to make sure they never miss a beat.

But, let’s be real here. Maybe the real reason they’re hanging around is that they’re secretly crushing on the DJ. Hey, it’s a known fact that music is the language of love, so who knows what could happen!

In any case, keep the good tunes coming, and let the lingerer linger. They’re just trying to get their party on and have a little fun.

6. The Fellow DJ 

Aha, the fellow DJ. We all know the type. They come up to you at your gig and casually drop the line, “Hey, what software are you using to mix on your laptop? I’m a DJ too, by the way.”

Sure, buddy, we believe you. But in all seriousness, it’s all good fun. As DJs, we’re always curious about how our fellow spinners get the job done. Who knows, maybe they’ll even share some tips or tricks that you never thought of before.

So let’s embrace the fellow DJ and keep the party going strong! Who knows, maybe you’ll even get to swap some sick beats with your new friend.

7. The Phone Watchers

You know the type. You could be DJing on the night that England wins the World Cup (finally!), and there will still be a few folks who are perfectly content to sit in the corner and stare at their phones all night long.

But hey, we’re not here to judge. Maybe they’re just waiting for that one important call, or maybe they’re checking out the latest Instagram reel. Who knows?

In any case, we’re here to keep the party going strong, and that’s exactly what we’ll do! So let’s turn up the volume, pump up the beats, and make sure everyone has a great time, whether they’re dancing up a storm or just chillin’ in the corner.

8. Mr. Persistent

Oh, Mr. Persistent. We all know this one. They come up to you at the beginning of the night with a song request, and then like a moth to a nightclub light, they keep coming back every 30 minutes to check on the status of their song.

But hey, we can’t blame them for being persistent. After all, they know what they want, and they’re not afraid to ask for it. And let’s be real here, it’s always fun to mess with their head a little bit, right?

So, is their song next? You’ll just have to wait and see! But in the meantime, let’s keep the good vibes flowing, the beats pumping, and the party going strong. After all, that’s what it’s all about!

9. Special Requests

Special requests! We all love them, right? Whether it’s the classic “It’s my mate’s birthday, can you play something special?” or the ever-popular “Come on, we’re leaving in 10 minutes, can you play our favorite song?”, we’ve all heard them before.

But hey, we’re not here to judge. We’re here to make sure everyone has a great time, and that means playing the songs that people love, even if it’s just for a few minutes. After all, who knows when they’ll be back on the dance floor again?

So let’s keep the good vibes going, and play those special requests with a smile. Who knows, maybe they’ll even inspire the rest of the crowd to keep the party going strong all night long!

10 “Pah, some DJ you are!”

The classic “And you call yourself a DJ” line. We all know it well. It’s usually reserved for those cretins who come up and ask for some obscure track that nobody knows – not even them.

But hey, we’re not here to judge. We’re here to make sure everyone has a great time, and that means playing the songs that people love, even if it’s not our usual jam. After all, as DJs, we’re all about pleasing the crowd and keeping the party going strong.

So let’s embrace those obscure track requests, and show them that we’re not just DJs, we’re music lovers too! Who knows, maybe they’ll even introduce us to our new favorite song. So let’s keep the good vibes going, and party on!

11. The Back Seat DJ

Have you ever met the backseat DJ hanging around the DJ booth? These are the folks who after suggesting a killer track that you play, suddenly become drunk with confidence (and maybe a little too much alcohol) and insist on telling you what other tracks they think will seamlessly mix into the set.

Now, we’re all for getting tips and suggestions from our fellow music lovers, but let’s not push our luck here. After all, you’re the one in the driver’s seat (or should we say DJ booth?) and you know how to keep the party going strong.

So let’s keep the beats bumpin’ and the drinks flowin’, and show the backseat-booth DJ who’s really in charge. Who knows, maybe they’ll even join in on the fun and dance the night away.

12. Running Low on Gas

Ah,  pre-party exhaustion. We’ve all been there, right? After a long day at our 9-5 “steady” jobs, we’re already feeling pretty wrecked before we even arrive at the party.

But as DJs, we’re always up for a challenge. It’s our job to get people up and moving, and that means finding the energy and will to keep the party going strong.

So, time to pull up those big boy pants!

Let’s power through that pre-party exhaustion and bring the heat to the dance floor. After all, there’s nothing like seeing a crowd of people grooving to your beats, and that’s what makes it all worth it.

So let’s turn up the volume, pump up the energy, and show that pre-party exhaustion who’s boss. The party won’t stop until we do!

13. The Empty Dance Floor

As DJs, we know that the real party doesn’t start until later in the evening. But we still have to be professional and show up on time, even if we know that no one else will be there.

It can be tough playing to an empty dance floor, but that’s all part of the game. We’re here to set the tone for the night, and that means getting the party started, even if it’s just for a few die-hard fans.

So let’s bring the beats, turn up the energy, and make the most of those vacant hours. Who knows, maybe we’ll even inspire a few early birds to hit the dance floor and get the party started a little earlier.

So don’t let those vacant hours get you down. Keep the good vibes flowing, and get ready for the real party to begin!

14. Getting a Drink!

“Will I ever get a drink?” As DJs, we’re always in the thick of the action, and that means we can’t just leave the decks unattended whenever we crave a pint. But fortunately, in a decent club/pub, the bar staff usually knows the score (well most of the time)  and will check in with us to see if we need a refreshment.

But let’s be real here, there are times when it feels like we’ve been screaming for a drink for an hour. It’s all part of the job, though, and we know that our time will come eventually.

So let’s keep the good vibes going, and get ready for that refreshing pint when it finally arrives. 

15. Dodgy DJ Gear

Ah, the struggle of poor quality DJ equipment and sound systems. As DJs, we know that we’re only as good as our gear, and that means we can be at the mercy of some incredibly ropey technology at certain clubs/pubs.

If we’re mixing from a laptop, we rely on the sound system to amplify and carry our beats to the crowd. And let’s face it, there’s nothing worse than hearing the music cut out mid-set, all because of some dodgy old desk that’s seen better days.

But as professionals, we know how to roll with the punches. We adapt, we improvise, and we overcome. And when the music comes back on, we hit it hard and keep the party going strong.

But to be honest, if you are a mobile DJ, it is definitely wise to invest in your own gear to navigate these murky tech waters.

16. Silence!

Tech failures. Equipment failures resulting in silence are a DJ’s worst nightmare. And as DJs, we know all too well the frustration of laptops freezing, crashing, or just generally acting the bollocks on us.

But fear not, because we always have a backup plan. Most DJs have a reliable bank of tunes on their iPod/Spotify that they can instantly plug in and play, so we can quickly recover from any technical glitches and keep the party going strong.

And when those gremlins in the system strike, we don’t panic. We know that it’s just part of the game, and we’re ready to adapt and overcome any obstacles that come our way.

17. You Now Hate That Song! 

The curse of repetition. As DJs, we know that some songs can quickly wear out their welcome, especially when we’re playing them over and over again.

This is especially true for radio DJs, who are often playing the same songs day after day. The first time you heard “Avicci Levels” on your show was great, but after the 2,367th time, it can drive you absolutely mad.

But fear not, because as professionals, we know how to stay sane in the face of repetition. We mix it up, we try new things, and we keep our sets fresh and exciting. And who knows, maybe we’ll even discover a new favorite song along the way.

18. Hank Marving Starving! 

When it comes to private functions, DJs are often the last ones to get fed, even though they’re the ones providing the beats to keep the party going strong.

But as professionals, we know how to roll with the punches. We keep our energy up with snacks and drinks throughout the night, and we know that our time to eat will come eventually.

And when it finally does, we savor every bite, knowing that we’ve earned it with our hard work and dedication to keeping the party going strong.

19. “Anyone Can Be a DJ!”

There will always be those who think that DJing is just a matter of sticking on a playlist or pressing “play” on Spotify.

But as any professional DJ knows, there’s so much more to it than that.

We’re not just playing music, we’re reading the crowd, anticipating their needs, and creating a vibe that keeps them dancing all night long.

It’s Not All Bad Though! 

To end, despite these challenges, we’re confident in saying that all of Ireland’s DJs are incredibly happy to be doing what they’re doing. Nothing beats a good night behind the decks, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

And let’s not forget the crowd. 99.99% of people are genuinely good eggs who make the whole experience better. They’re the ones who keep us going, who inspire us to play our best sets, and who remind us why we love this job so much.

So let’s keep on rockin’, and let’s show the world what it really means to be a professional DJ. 

We’re not just playing music, we’re creating memories that will last a lifetime. And that’s something truly special.

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