Why DJs prefer longer sets

In today’s dance music market, the notion of an “extended set” has almost become a novelty, a special event that promoters use to encourage people to buy tickets. However, in the very early days of DJ culture, most selectors played all night long as standard.

With many clubs and festivals booking huge lineups, where artists sometimes play as little as 45 minutes, there are less possibilities for longer sets. Here’s why some DJs prefer those marathon performances…

DEEPER CONNECTION WITH THE DANCEFLOOR
Playing for a longer period means you can connect with the dance floor on a deeper level. For those willing to stick it out, there’s the opportunity to go on a magical musical adventure. Where you’ll end up nobody quite knows, but it’s a hell of a ride getting there.

TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES FULLY
Most DJs are music connoisseurs with broad tastes and influences. Longer sets give them space to express themselves with more nuance and diversity, digging deep into their collections to share a variety of genres and styles.

MORE OF A CHALLENGE
Piecing together a marathon set that keeps the dance floor engaged with twists and turns, ups and downs, while also making it make sense, pushes DJs out of their comfort zone. For a lot of artists, this is a challenge that they relish and the pinnacle of a DJ performance.

A CHANCE TO EXPERIMENT AND IMPROVISE
Shorter sets offer little room for experimentation, unless that’s what the DJ is known for. But playing for several hours means a selector can really stretch themselves out and dip into unexplored terrain. Whether it’s ambient, hardcore, folk, jazz or anything else, there’s a wonderfully fulfilling chance to break away from the norm and get truly inventive.