It’s New Year’s Eve again, and it seems like it just a few months ago that DJ Angelo was handing out some very practical advice for DJs playing the biggest night of the year. The DJTT staff is still on holiday break, in a TechTools tradition, I’ve put together some of the best resources for DJs playing tonight. Read on and let us know if you’re playing out!
BEATPORT’S FREEBIES AND NYE COLLECTIONS
Beatport are back with another installment of Secret Weapons for New Year’s Eve. These collections are designed to add plenty of clout to your set without resorting to tracks that have been mercilessly rinsed since the last time the ball dropped.
If you found the 3 minute countdown we shared with you last year a bit rich for your taste, you’ll want to check out Beatport’s free countdowns and impacts courtesy of Sounds to Sample. As you would expect, the countdowns are very clean and neutral enough for most music genres or event themes.
Get ready for New Year’s Eve with our DJ Tools and Secret Weapons—plus free downloads btprt.dj/ZEgmB7
— Beatport (@beatport) December 28, 2012
SOUNDCLOUD’S ALTERNATIVE COUNTDOWN TRACKS
Given Beatport’s dominance in the electronic music marketplace, you might decide to veer further off the beaten track for your New Year’s drops for something more original. There’s also a good chance that if you are reading this for immediately usable, practical advice – you’re quickly running out of preparation time! I’ve done a quick sweep for you all, so here’s 6 very different countdown options for you to choose from. All of these countdowns are available for free download from SoundCloud at the time we published this article.
PLAYING IT STRAIGHT
We like this straight up countdown courtesy of Jo_Prex out of Nantes, France. The strings are a little dramatic in places and partygoers may be ultimately disappointed when they find out an ex-CIA agent wasn’t in the process of having to diffuse a lethal bomb behind the DJ booth. Good stuff all the same.
BUTCHERED AULD LANG SINE
If your countdown requirements include a good deal of shouting, some semi-incomprehensible (and possibly suggestive) language followed by a horrendously cheesy version of Auld Lang Syne, we’ve got you covered with this instant “classic”, fresh out on SoundCloud.
RINGING IT IN
At the other end of the scale, we find ourselves cowering in the corner at what we’ve been lovingly referring to as “THE BELLS.” Prepare to be furnished with 16 seconds of countdown followed by 40 seconds of doom-mongering spire clangers. This could well be the ideal soundtrack for any DJ looking to focus on the deathly aspect of 2013. Little says, “Watch the ball drop and then hope it doesn’t crush all who hath witnessed it’s might and fury” more than this production.
TURN IT UP
When it comes to getting people ready to party, there’s nothing more a crowd likes than being repeatedly shouted out by someone, other than perhaps being repeatedly bellowed at by lots of people. If your party is less count down and more shout down, look no further than this offering from Philly’s Lil’dave.
MIND YOUR LANGUAGE!
If a supercharged crowd, helicopter fly-bys, wailing sirens, police loud hailers, and plenty of ‘effin and jeffin’ are on your ball-dropping shopping list, this Lil’ Jon countdown mashup will more than do the business for your midnight celebrations. Be sure to deploy this with discretion, it’s a bit crass.
FULLY ORGANIZED
You want the full package? Kit Cut from Brampton, Canada has the complete suite of countdowns for you to drop. With drops for 2 hours out, an hour out followed by 30 minutes, 10 minutes and 10 seconds, there’s no excuse to not keeping your dance floor fully informed at all times.
DJ TECHTOOLS TIPS OF YORE
We’ve have four years of articles covering New Year’s Eve – so instead of trying to rehash the same concepts over again, it’s important to take a quick look back to remember all of the tips of years past. Check out:
- 2011: A DJ’s Guide To Surviving New Year’s Eve: Last year, DJ Angelo gave his inside perspective on the key elements about New Year’s Parties – the DJ’s responsibilities in a party on New Year’s Eve and what audiences expect on the big night.
- 2010’s New Year’s Eve Tips: Two years ago, Ean and Charles Feelgood got together to compile their top tips for breaking down the final hours of the year.
- 2009: Bearable Holiday Tracks and Remixes + New Years Tools
- 2008’s New Year’s Tips and Tools
DJING NEW YEARS EVE FROM A TOURING ARTIST PERSPECTIVE
We’ve spotted one more solid set of advice on the topic of New Year’s gigging by The Roots frontman, Questlove. He’s been playing instruments for years, with a recent turn to DJing – and offers his perspective on putting together a year-ending set in this article. It actually turns out to be a bit more of a general overview of his DJing perspective, making it even more worthwhile to check out.
Read CoCreate’s article: “DJ Questlove On How To Rock Your NYE Party“
TELL US YOUR TALES
If you’re playing tonight, we want to hear how it goes – share your wild and exciting tales of New Year’s past and present in the comments and let us know what you’ve learned from playing out. Good luck to everyone playing tonight, and stay safe!
