I wouldn't say it's hard fact for everyone but there's definitely an element of that thrown in. You can (scratch that - *should*) still concentrate on making killer music and pay someone else to do the socials for you. Not a plug; I have a friend who is a visual artist first and foremost but is a bloody wizard at growing online presence for people that don't want to or can't be bothered playing the social app game. No cheating or fake likes, everything is genuine, but he's an absolute wizard at it. I've seen him take a new artist from nothing to 70k *genuine* fans/followers in a little under a year.
A lot of that is knowing how to exploit the various algos on a variety of major platforms, and of course the music itself needs to be of sufficient quality to retain fans in order to keep building on them, but he does it in a way that he's obviously mastered and it would take the average person such as myself a few years to learn, and then pay constant attention to stay on top of changes and developments, which of course is all time that takes you away from the core goal ie spending time making and performing music.
However, even before social media came along and became flavour of the week, good management and PR has always been a key factor in getting the exposure and high profile gigs an artist needs to reach "it's my real job" level in a timely way o without relying on luck. The hard part is finding managers/agents who are the real deal, and don't want huge amounts of capital from you upfront. Great management and marketing can make mediocre talent into a regularly paid artist even with relatively dull material but the most amzing musical talents frequently end up burned out and jaded after attempting and failing to take control of every aspect of the process from writing the music to mastering the tunes, to running the label, building the website, booking the gigs, chasing the royalties and gig fees then five years later, collapse in an exhausted heap, vowing to never again be stupid enough to consider a career in music.
The DIY aesthetic is much lauded, and all well and good, but there is still such a thing as 'biting off more than you can chew' when it comes to back-end stuff.
Yeah… ofcourse, it all comes to the question if you want to be an artist or The Celebrity?
I believe both let’s say social functions have their purpose and are extremely important for human development.
The problem is, when society shifts into monopolized form of organization, where everyone have to pay same homage to single companies to keep your business going. This is why my post was made.
You say that you have a pal who is good at social media. But what he creates, believe or not is not the profile of an artist. He creates the product for the social media companies. This product is crafted in specific way, and if it wants to be successful, this product should represent certain features programmed by the companies that monopolized the spectrum.
Where is art within that? Where are open minded individuals who oppose censorship and protocols in terms of building abstract and innovative visions, against the ignorance and hate of the society which react aggressively at any form of change?
Your friend and those monopolized channels of show business does not support values like innovation, freedom of expression. And it’s the cause of its all what we discuss a lot here and there. The same music, the same style, people are becoming more exclusive and closed off. Artists are forced to be products, or they cannot as you said… perform art. This is a sick shit system and have to be reformed. Consequences may not be seen today (I honestly believe they are visible today btw.) but such consequences will develop further in the future.
Edit: I am sorry, I believe your post was made in good faith. But I am tired of pretending, that the shit they are pulling all of us in is “just the way it is, and there are many cool and creative ways to eat that shit and still be happy after.”
And people who are great at creating lies out of nothing or even something beautiful… are just fucking rats. 🐀
They can sell everything as long as the corporation is happy.
If you want to have people come see you play those big gigs, you need some kind of hype and you need fans to tell their friends about you. That holds true regardless of if you want to push a niche sound to a specialist audience, or headline Tomorrowland.
Equally, you can spend a lot of energy trying to deconstruct a system or, use it to your own ends. The Internet ain't as free as 20 years ago but it's still a lot easier for a regular individual to get things done doing it that might not have been possible not even half a lifetime ago. As usual, knowledge is power. No point giving in to technofear and wallowing in the futility.
It’s not about “technofear”, or about self promotion, rather the narrow possibilities represented by social media.
It is all case of the organization, but people have to be aware of consequences of their actions.
Technology could be used to help people and to destroy them. The way we use technology and if we choose ignorance and irresponsibility towards it or if we choose as you said knowledge and wisdom will define in what state humanity will be. If we will be slaves or we will built fair society.
In that case, if artists will choose the way of celebrities and will abuse the creation over the self promotion for easy money, doesn’t matter if it will be “buying likes” or “organic followers” created artificially in certain way we will have problems.
Techno wasn’t created as a domain for celebrities, and stood just against it by the roots of it. If you want to play the show business game, maybe choose EDM or Onlyfans maybe, for the cheap entertainment.
Once again, abusing technology for Ego like that isn’t about Technology and Technofear. It is about abusing the power for the wrong cause which will develop bad habits in the society and future generations by the bad traditions and rotten culture of empty promotion. I think artists should look above ego and such cheap solutions. Otherwise they are just hoes. I think it is important to look at that properly.
That's your opinion and I'm sure there's some validity there but I also think it's ironic that people creating 'techno' music are also looking on technical developments with an air of complete mistrust. Of course the system can be abused. But on the flip side, new cutting edge music is finding new cutting edge ways of distributing and promoting itself. As a producer, label or DJ you're free to approach the industry however you'd like, but surely embracing change and learning to navigate new distribution channels is going to be more sustainable in the long run than shaking your fist at it hoping it'll go back to 'the good old days', because it's too late for that, it won't. Plus having been in the industry myself at the tail end of the vinyl heyday I've seen enough corruption under 'the old ways' to know it's the same old shit just happening in new ways.
Huh, nice conversation by the way. Yeah, this is my opinion. Situation we have now with social media and monopolized web domain isn’t the new one. Maybe for you but it’s around 15 years now as it is the standard. Monopolized world isn’t new either and rather oligarchy was with humanity for the majority of our time here. Support of the corrupt system in my opinion is wrong.
Around 30-20 years ago the internet was fairly new and as you said free, today it is just the tool for big capital to make money on it. It does not only affect music business.
Technological progress for all the cost isn’t good. And social media aren’t just a new technological upgrade, for some kind of new profession. Social media by the core are fucking with fundamental human rights. Blurring the responsibility for the abuse on uneducated mass that uses it, hiding behind the walls of chaotic consumer agreements as the effect forces society to obey. You cannot function today without smartphone and social media if you don’t want to be a fucking freak… it is impossible. And internet and social media as an experiment, when corporations controlling all the world communications is rotten to the core. The world where people have to share their private info to float on the surface on the terms of privileged isn’t anything good. We are crossing the world where our personal data are being used as the currency while even if not as loud and visible as the right to live, our privacy is the fundamental human right. Similar as the freedom of speech. If you want to make money, today you should have at least some program of sharing your personal data, for the sake of corporates.
Right for the privacy was never abused as much, and as it is difficult to recognize when it is, for simple not well educated working class. The volume of the abuse is so big, that people nearly got used to it.
When the fundamental human laws are broken, society have to deal with chain events of numerous issues, including destabilizing economy what we have today, right for ownership, rising inflation and many more. This are the consequences we all see, I am not talking about the music industry. Everyone sees that and everyone is affected.
And I suppose artists should stand as the opposition, and use their talents to speak and write about problems of ego and decay of the society. When our mouths will be shut with money, we becomes corporate marketing tools. Especially when fathers of Techno, had exactly some of that issues in mind fighting for such rights. Underground Resistance and others. Artist doesn’t matter, the message should be important. It’s all what techno is about.
Some of my top techno artists are 50+ mate. Youre never too old.
Ben Klock is roughly 52, Ellen Allien is about 55, Marcel Dettman is 46.
Just keep spinning mate, youll get there.
They’ve all been playing since the 90’s though, and pretty well known since at least the naughties. I think it’s harder to break into the scene at an older age because a lot of breaking into the scene is networking, which is much easier when you’re young and you’re partying every weekend.
There's a difference between being one of the best and most recognized techno DJs in the world, and simply getting some gigs. You don't have to party to network.
Exactly, which is why they’re not really relevant to this conversation. I didn’t say you have to party every weekend, I’m just saying it’s much easier. Most of my gigs come from people I met at parties, most of the people who come to see me play are people I met at parties, and like half of the people who come to my own events that I run, are people I met at parties.
Is it feasible to create an event with some live acts, or maybe all live acts instead of only djs? If the audience wouldn’t be receptive, I understand why an event organizer might be reluctant. But, just a thought. I’d love to attend a small renegade live party these days. Do some gear spotting while busting a move!
So some friends of mine runs an event in London where it’s basically 3 live acts and then 3 dj sets by the same artists, so each one does one of each, which works pretty well. The first 3 sets are pretty chin strokey, experimental, etc. Then the other 3 are more dance friendly. It’s a good vibe - the people who get there early know what to expect, so there’s a lot of sitting around, it’s very quiet atmosphere, etc. Then by the time the dj sets start, it’s usually more lively and dancy.
I’ve been to events before where it’s been pure live sets and they were all pretty dead because the live sets are just not interesting enough to keep people dancing.
I think an event of all hybrid sets could maybe work better?
I'm 41, started playing sets at your age, started playing our own live performance with a mate just last year. Like the others said, no one cares. The only thing I'm having a hard time with is staying up sober if my slot is after 1AM. But I don't do it often so it's OK. Would love to hear your music though. Here's some of our live sets: soundcloud.com/wavecheck-live
Good luck!
As someone who took 7 years just to get the gist of production and feels like they still have a lot of work in terms of DJ'ing, love to hear it! Hope to get there by 36 but these comments temper my patience.
Love yalls vibe too, gonna have to follow
I'm 40. In March I started running the event I wish existed when I was 20.. an electronic music open mic. People sign up, we pick 6 and put a night together for them. We charge people $10 suggested / pay what you can, and the little underground (literally basement) bar charges us nothing for Wednesdays. We've had performers in age from 20's to 60+. I've met most of the people in the local scene and have a long list of connections for running more parties in the fall. It's maybe 20 hours of work a month to run this, flier design etc. Our next event is tonight actually. We plan on doing a vinyl release featuring artists that have played our stage.
I never would have had the self confidence to run this event in my 20s, how to approach people how to organize it etc. Now I can recognize how my nervousness and self confidence kept me from performing for two decades. Plus I don't have the desire to get plastered every time I'm in the bar any more.
Running a small event myself (with a partner) is great.. everyone is thankful for me doing it, I am not pulling favours to get on stage (I DJ in between sets), and I'm building relationships across the city.
videos of our last night: [https://www.youtube.com/@CatalystOttawa](https://www.youtube.com/@CatalystOttawa)
Toronto has an open stage as well, maybe you're the person I sent this to on instagram but either way.. check out [instagram.com/toronto\_emom](http://instagram.com/toronto_emom) !
My friend, Montreal has a cooler event than the one I am running. You need to get yourself to BRAINFREEZE MONTREAL - [https://www.instagram.com/brainfreezemtl](https://www.instagram.com/brainfreezemtl)
Tell Doc Catalyst sent ya
im your age and i just started playing parties and festivals. i just DJ, well i also produce but i have not played any of my own music in my live sets yet.. i just play tracks that ive collected. But if you have a whole set worth of original stuff then great !
its never to late to do what you love! Im 35 and throughout the years I had some gigs and Im not taking alkohol or drugs either. Im a fully trained anaesthesiologist and I still would chose the music life if I had the chance to
I’m of a similar age and circumstances and still play out. My relationship with the scene is much different these days as I don’t really party or have a desire to stay out late. It’s an internal dilemma i have with this scene that I think about often but I love making, playing, and searching for music so I just find a way to make it work. It certainly makes the networking part of the gig finding process a challenge when most of the scene happens at odd hours though. Luckily I live in a place where day events are a regular thing. At the same time, I no longer have the same aspirations with performing as I used to when I was a more active event goer and playing gigs outside my home city regularly.
You say releasing music isn’t your thing but I find that a good way to stay connected to people in the scene that doesn’t require me to be in clubs all the time.
Honestly, playing a good live set is a lot harder than djing or producing single tracks. It‘s actually more rare to see the youngins playing livesets as they have yet to acquire all the skills needed to do it properly. Not saying it’s impossible though.
I’m 47 and only have done DJing weddings in the past. I have been producing for many years. Now I’m trying to get into my local scene. It’s definitely is hard since networking is the way to get gigs in my city. I do see other DJs getting gigs who do have children and families. So if they can get out there. That means I have too as well. DM me if you want to chat on IG more. I’m more active there.
I have a friend who played his first gig at 35. He was not a producer, just a DJ but because of his contacts, he started playing at some nice parties and clubs. He played for a couple of years, then he got a job and left DJing completely.
You can play at whatever age you like, as long as the music is good, the crowd is happy, there’s nothing to worry about.
Tiesto is in his 50s, carl cox is in his 50s, etc. you're not too old. I have a friend who has started making music again now that he's in his 50s as well. I answer his questions and coach him a bit, but he has his first proper gigs soon.
Record a small liveset of like 30 minutes to an hour and send approach your contacts.
Not my first gigs, but Im stil DJiing vinyl in my early 40s (tech, trance, house, dnb).
My recommendation: take a couple ibuprofen before the event, stretch frequently before during and after, and drink lots of water. No shame in leaving after your set if you gotta get home to the fam.
Been playing stages since I was 13 with my band, I’m approaching 38 - and though I play out less now then I did in my 20s, I still do get gigs once in a blue moon.
I’ve been recording and releasing music since I started - with the last 16 years being dedicated to my home studio recordings.
In the beginning before I started recording our own music, we had interest from producers and industry people in the local Vancouver scene but it always came with artistic caveats that led us to not take those opportunities.
As long as you are making the music for yourself that is all that matters - I believe in my art enough to continue making and releasing it in spite of zero commercial success.
I also don’t have the patience for what is required to be “successful” commercially in this day and age, especially as I get older. The music industry is a lumbering beast on its last legs, and I don’t think there is a record deal that is favourable to the artist since the days long before I started playing music.
I’m 45 and have just started playing live gigs. I used to produce and put out tracks but the recording and promotion got really tedious. Playing live is still fun. I’ve played several open mics. I’ve also played long sets at art gallery shows and such. No proper clubs or festivals yet mostly because I don’t want to play at midnight.
I’m using a Machinedrum, tt-303 and microfreak. My live skills are getting real tight because I practice for shows. All my gear fits in a suitcase so I just drop it down and go.
Hit since 82 is in his 40s and he's killing it. Do it mate. I'm 33. Used to dj and play loads out but I was always "on it" while I alwaysbplayed good i would have definitely been better sober. I produce too but as I've gotten a bit older (im33 now) I have taken it less seriously and its one of my regrets so I keep vowing im gonna get my self back out there a again now I'm more level headed and have better skills.
So ym answer is do it mate, with your all. Real fans and lovers of the scene and music won't care how old you are . None of us do.
Lemme us know how it goes. If you're in UK ill come support
I took a break round 35 but I'm getting back into it just over a decade later. Kinda motivated by the fact that after my last relationship ended I started going to events again, and my new rave crew are basically an artist/dj collective/agency based out of Bristol, UK. Our ages range from 50 at the top end to late 20s at the lower end, so we've all seen some things and been through some shit.
But they're also involved in running regular events that attract a mixed crowd, and the DJ agency supplies a lot of talent on the festival circuit, after having attended said festivals for a few years it becomes even more obvious (I guess it always was the case, but when I was 20something I didn't pay attention) that when us ravers have been in it for a number of years, we either turn our back on the scene and move on, or we become the ones who make it happen.
Producers, DJs, promoters, photographers, riggers, stage managers, crew, drivers - we're pretty much all somewhere between two and three decades older than the majority of ticket holders but we blend in just fine and don't look like token grandparents at a kiddies party. We've all got too much love for the scene and the lifestyle to hang up our party boots, but we're also a bit better at self care, remembering to eat at least one meal a day and stay hydrated, we still chuck a few substances down our necks but party responsibly and sustainably. We're also great at looking out for other less experienced people having a difficult time, and we've usually got some pretty fun stories to tell about shit we've seen over the years.
I'm honestly super grateful to have been included into this crew as it's definitely given me a new appreciation for the whole thing and stopped me feeling like a fish out of water on those occasions when I'd be standing in a club and realised I was probably 30 years older than most of the people round me!
I saw Pole at DEMF 1. He had to have been late 30's or early 40's and I thought it was the most badass thing he was up there crushing it.
Underworld are straight up geezers now but their last tour has been fire.
It's only too late if you say so.
I’m 33 and in the middle of a break for school and was thinking a lot how I might be missing the window to have the opportunity to play live sets and DJ (sometimes I wondered if it is already gone lol) but so glad to see this post! Gives me hope lol also keep producing and keep playing! Shows follow. I am very amateur when it comes to connections and going around but even with the little to no connections I had I was still able to score a decent amount of shows
Most of the techno shows i go to the crowd is older. Techno has been around for a while, and a lot of us who started in the 90s plan on raving to the grave.
And if you wear your hat backwards people will think you are like 25.
I just turned 36 myself this year. I just played my first show in over a decade, and the momentum it built was crazy. Me and two other dudes started an all hardware group and we've booked our 2nd show already. If you have the passion just keep doing it. Let it be fun, and it should come with ease.
As a 50 years old gabber producer i can say that as long your stuff is good, being an old geezer is only added value for most of the people, and you are 36, a kid basically. :-)
I felt some anxiety about my age, but then I watched a few of the 40+ old djs I like on YouTube , and I just noticed they had more…confidence than the younger dudes. They did not seem unfazed, just go out there and play the music they liked. You got this
I am closer to 40 than you are and started doing gigs for 1-2 years ago, and starting to get more of them now.
No idea why you think that would be an issue in anyway tbh?
42 -- been deejaying since I was 20 and tinkering with synths for about half that time. and when i mean tinkering, i mean tinkering -- programming a few little loops and twisting random knobs without any real understanding of what was going on under the hood.
it's only been a year or so since I started focusing on learning synthesis in earnest and being intentional with the gear i acquire and the time i devote to it.
the process has been immensely rewarding and honestly i'm grateful that I waited as long as I did -- because at this age, if this were not filling up my life in the way that it is, I'm not sure what would be. alcohol? drugs? watching fucking netflix? my office job? i shudder to think.
i don't go out and party the way i used to because my body and mind simply cannot cope with the recovery aspect of a night out -- so turning on the synths and drum machines is a way for me to engage with the culture in a deeply personal way that is completely informed by my own history and experience with this music at large. and in the end, i wind up with something that is very tangible and is an expression of who I am and the things I've heard and felt along the way.
a younger version of me would not be capable of working in this way or expressing these things as the raw experience had not been acquired.
keep going, the most rewarding part of all of this is still in front of you.
I'm 39, done this all my life. I see no age limit on the stage - its all about your connection to the crowd and your artistry. Once you get out there you'll be a star, don't sweat that stuff.
Almost 37
I started producing casually in my teens. Did some small club and bar gigs in my 20s and then fell off entirely.
In the last year my production quality has skyrocketed and I'm driving hard to get some proper work.
In the house and techno world, age doesn't seem to matter nearly as much as it does in other genres. If the tunes are quality, people will enjoy it regardless.
I played my first gig at 44 years old.
I also started DJing in my 40s
I am learning to DJ and produce at 42. This gives me hope
As long as you take care of your ears, I don't see why not
Met a guy the night of his first dj gig. Dude was 51, unrelated but he looked like he was in his early 30s
Bought my first synth at 44 (three years ago). I’m just now getting “I’m not too bad actually” vibes and I wonder about playing life sometimes.
43 for me 🖤🫡
I played my first gig at 14; I’m 58 and I have a gig in two weeks. Who cares? Mick and Keith are 80.
Nice haha :)
Nobody gives a shit, if your music is good.
This is correct. You have to make good social media content today, not music. Your age and music doesn’t matter. 🤡 It’s a joke… but still :P
I wouldn't say it's hard fact for everyone but there's definitely an element of that thrown in. You can (scratch that - *should*) still concentrate on making killer music and pay someone else to do the socials for you. Not a plug; I have a friend who is a visual artist first and foremost but is a bloody wizard at growing online presence for people that don't want to or can't be bothered playing the social app game. No cheating or fake likes, everything is genuine, but he's an absolute wizard at it. I've seen him take a new artist from nothing to 70k *genuine* fans/followers in a little under a year. A lot of that is knowing how to exploit the various algos on a variety of major platforms, and of course the music itself needs to be of sufficient quality to retain fans in order to keep building on them, but he does it in a way that he's obviously mastered and it would take the average person such as myself a few years to learn, and then pay constant attention to stay on top of changes and developments, which of course is all time that takes you away from the core goal ie spending time making and performing music. However, even before social media came along and became flavour of the week, good management and PR has always been a key factor in getting the exposure and high profile gigs an artist needs to reach "it's my real job" level in a timely way o without relying on luck. The hard part is finding managers/agents who are the real deal, and don't want huge amounts of capital from you upfront. Great management and marketing can make mediocre talent into a regularly paid artist even with relatively dull material but the most amzing musical talents frequently end up burned out and jaded after attempting and failing to take control of every aspect of the process from writing the music to mastering the tunes, to running the label, building the website, booking the gigs, chasing the royalties and gig fees then five years later, collapse in an exhausted heap, vowing to never again be stupid enough to consider a career in music. The DIY aesthetic is much lauded, and all well and good, but there is still such a thing as 'biting off more than you can chew' when it comes to back-end stuff.
Can you dm your friends info if he's available for hire? Lol
Yeah same!
Yeah… ofcourse, it all comes to the question if you want to be an artist or The Celebrity? I believe both let’s say social functions have their purpose and are extremely important for human development. The problem is, when society shifts into monopolized form of organization, where everyone have to pay same homage to single companies to keep your business going. This is why my post was made. You say that you have a pal who is good at social media. But what he creates, believe or not is not the profile of an artist. He creates the product for the social media companies. This product is crafted in specific way, and if it wants to be successful, this product should represent certain features programmed by the companies that monopolized the spectrum. Where is art within that? Where are open minded individuals who oppose censorship and protocols in terms of building abstract and innovative visions, against the ignorance and hate of the society which react aggressively at any form of change? Your friend and those monopolized channels of show business does not support values like innovation, freedom of expression. And it’s the cause of its all what we discuss a lot here and there. The same music, the same style, people are becoming more exclusive and closed off. Artists are forced to be products, or they cannot as you said… perform art. This is a sick shit system and have to be reformed. Consequences may not be seen today (I honestly believe they are visible today btw.) but such consequences will develop further in the future. Edit: I am sorry, I believe your post was made in good faith. But I am tired of pretending, that the shit they are pulling all of us in is “just the way it is, and there are many cool and creative ways to eat that shit and still be happy after.” And people who are great at creating lies out of nothing or even something beautiful… are just fucking rats. 🐀 They can sell everything as long as the corporation is happy.
If you want to have people come see you play those big gigs, you need some kind of hype and you need fans to tell their friends about you. That holds true regardless of if you want to push a niche sound to a specialist audience, or headline Tomorrowland.
Equally, you can spend a lot of energy trying to deconstruct a system or, use it to your own ends. The Internet ain't as free as 20 years ago but it's still a lot easier for a regular individual to get things done doing it that might not have been possible not even half a lifetime ago. As usual, knowledge is power. No point giving in to technofear and wallowing in the futility.
It’s not about “technofear”, or about self promotion, rather the narrow possibilities represented by social media. It is all case of the organization, but people have to be aware of consequences of their actions. Technology could be used to help people and to destroy them. The way we use technology and if we choose ignorance and irresponsibility towards it or if we choose as you said knowledge and wisdom will define in what state humanity will be. If we will be slaves or we will built fair society. In that case, if artists will choose the way of celebrities and will abuse the creation over the self promotion for easy money, doesn’t matter if it will be “buying likes” or “organic followers” created artificially in certain way we will have problems. Techno wasn’t created as a domain for celebrities, and stood just against it by the roots of it. If you want to play the show business game, maybe choose EDM or Onlyfans maybe, for the cheap entertainment. Once again, abusing technology for Ego like that isn’t about Technology and Technofear. It is about abusing the power for the wrong cause which will develop bad habits in the society and future generations by the bad traditions and rotten culture of empty promotion. I think artists should look above ego and such cheap solutions. Otherwise they are just hoes. I think it is important to look at that properly.
That's your opinion and I'm sure there's some validity there but I also think it's ironic that people creating 'techno' music are also looking on technical developments with an air of complete mistrust. Of course the system can be abused. But on the flip side, new cutting edge music is finding new cutting edge ways of distributing and promoting itself. As a producer, label or DJ you're free to approach the industry however you'd like, but surely embracing change and learning to navigate new distribution channels is going to be more sustainable in the long run than shaking your fist at it hoping it'll go back to 'the good old days', because it's too late for that, it won't. Plus having been in the industry myself at the tail end of the vinyl heyday I've seen enough corruption under 'the old ways' to know it's the same old shit just happening in new ways.
Huh, nice conversation by the way. Yeah, this is my opinion. Situation we have now with social media and monopolized web domain isn’t the new one. Maybe for you but it’s around 15 years now as it is the standard. Monopolized world isn’t new either and rather oligarchy was with humanity for the majority of our time here. Support of the corrupt system in my opinion is wrong. Around 30-20 years ago the internet was fairly new and as you said free, today it is just the tool for big capital to make money on it. It does not only affect music business. Technological progress for all the cost isn’t good. And social media aren’t just a new technological upgrade, for some kind of new profession. Social media by the core are fucking with fundamental human rights. Blurring the responsibility for the abuse on uneducated mass that uses it, hiding behind the walls of chaotic consumer agreements as the effect forces society to obey. You cannot function today without smartphone and social media if you don’t want to be a fucking freak… it is impossible. And internet and social media as an experiment, when corporations controlling all the world communications is rotten to the core. The world where people have to share their private info to float on the surface on the terms of privileged isn’t anything good. We are crossing the world where our personal data are being used as the currency while even if not as loud and visible as the right to live, our privacy is the fundamental human right. Similar as the freedom of speech. If you want to make money, today you should have at least some program of sharing your personal data, for the sake of corporates. Right for the privacy was never abused as much, and as it is difficult to recognize when it is, for simple not well educated working class. The volume of the abuse is so big, that people nearly got used to it. When the fundamental human laws are broken, society have to deal with chain events of numerous issues, including destabilizing economy what we have today, right for ownership, rising inflation and many more. This are the consequences we all see, I am not talking about the music industry. Everyone sees that and everyone is affected. And I suppose artists should stand as the opposition, and use their talents to speak and write about problems of ego and decay of the society. When our mouths will be shut with money, we becomes corporate marketing tools. Especially when fathers of Techno, had exactly some of that issues in mind fighting for such rights. Underground Resistance and others. Artist doesn’t matter, the message should be important. It’s all what techno is about.
As I keep saying though, systems aren't fully set in stone and rigid, they can be co-opted or even altered to suit your needs.
Can you share your friends info?
Dm'd
Its not joke its true
Some of my top techno artists are 50+ mate. Youre never too old. Ben Klock is roughly 52, Ellen Allien is about 55, Marcel Dettman is 46. Just keep spinning mate, youll get there.
Octave One are both in their 50’s I think.
They’ve all been playing since the 90’s though, and pretty well known since at least the naughties. I think it’s harder to break into the scene at an older age because a lot of breaking into the scene is networking, which is much easier when you’re young and you’re partying every weekend.
There's a difference between being one of the best and most recognized techno DJs in the world, and simply getting some gigs. You don't have to party to network.
Exactly, which is why they’re not really relevant to this conversation. I didn’t say you have to party every weekend, I’m just saying it’s much easier. Most of my gigs come from people I met at parties, most of the people who come to see me play are people I met at parties, and like half of the people who come to my own events that I run, are people I met at parties.
Is it feasible to create an event with some live acts, or maybe all live acts instead of only djs? If the audience wouldn’t be receptive, I understand why an event organizer might be reluctant. But, just a thought. I’d love to attend a small renegade live party these days. Do some gear spotting while busting a move!
So some friends of mine runs an event in London where it’s basically 3 live acts and then 3 dj sets by the same artists, so each one does one of each, which works pretty well. The first 3 sets are pretty chin strokey, experimental, etc. Then the other 3 are more dance friendly. It’s a good vibe - the people who get there early know what to expect, so there’s a lot of sitting around, it’s very quiet atmosphere, etc. Then by the time the dj sets start, it’s usually more lively and dancy. I’ve been to events before where it’s been pure live sets and they were all pretty dead because the live sets are just not interesting enough to keep people dancing. I think an event of all hybrid sets could maybe work better?
I’m 50, and have done more in the last 10 years than I ever did in my 20’s. Mostly live sets, but DJing as well.
I'm 41, started playing sets at your age, started playing our own live performance with a mate just last year. Like the others said, no one cares. The only thing I'm having a hard time with is staying up sober if my slot is after 1AM. But I don't do it often so it's OK. Would love to hear your music though. Here's some of our live sets: soundcloud.com/wavecheck-live Good luck!
As someone who took 7 years just to get the gist of production and feels like they still have a lot of work in terms of DJ'ing, love to hear it! Hope to get there by 36 but these comments temper my patience. Love yalls vibe too, gonna have to follow
I'm 40. In March I started running the event I wish existed when I was 20.. an electronic music open mic. People sign up, we pick 6 and put a night together for them. We charge people $10 suggested / pay what you can, and the little underground (literally basement) bar charges us nothing for Wednesdays. We've had performers in age from 20's to 60+. I've met most of the people in the local scene and have a long list of connections for running more parties in the fall. It's maybe 20 hours of work a month to run this, flier design etc. Our next event is tonight actually. We plan on doing a vinyl release featuring artists that have played our stage. I never would have had the self confidence to run this event in my 20s, how to approach people how to organize it etc. Now I can recognize how my nervousness and self confidence kept me from performing for two decades. Plus I don't have the desire to get plastered every time I'm in the bar any more. Running a small event myself (with a partner) is great.. everyone is thankful for me doing it, I am not pulling favours to get on stage (I DJ in between sets), and I'm building relationships across the city. videos of our last night: [https://www.youtube.com/@CatalystOttawa](https://www.youtube.com/@CatalystOttawa)
Just followed your IG. From Toronto but we've been thinking of a move to Kingston and I would totally make the drive out to thr capital city
Beauty, thank you! Don't hesitate to sign up for a slot if you produce! 20-30 minute sets, low pressure
I definitely will when we're in the area!
This is so sick, it's exactly the kind of thing that needs to be done in Atlanta. God bless
Amazing. I’m in Toronto and would love to be part of this. Will check if there’s an event today evening.
Toronto has an open stage as well, maybe you're the person I sent this to on instagram but either way.. check out [instagram.com/toronto\_emom](http://instagram.com/toronto_emom) !
this is so cool i want this in montreal!!
My friend, Montreal has a cooler event than the one I am running. You need to get yourself to BRAINFREEZE MONTREAL - [https://www.instagram.com/brainfreezemtl](https://www.instagram.com/brainfreezemtl) Tell Doc Catalyst sent ya
👀
Hey this is a great idea. I hope you don’t mind if I give you a follow on IG and ask you some questions about how you went starting up your own night.
Absolutely don't mind an IG follow.. But could you ask here and we can keep it public? I'd love to share the details to whoever reads this thread :)
I did my first gig at 50. Just get out there and rock out
This gave me hope, I am 49 :)
im your age and i just started playing parties and festivals. i just DJ, well i also produce but i have not played any of my own music in my live sets yet.. i just play tracks that ive collected. But if you have a whole set worth of original stuff then great !
You not seen Octave One still rocking it?
its never to late to do what you love! Im 35 and throughout the years I had some gigs and Im not taking alkohol or drugs either. Im a fully trained anaesthesiologist and I still would chose the music life if I had the chance to
I’m of a similar age and circumstances and still play out. My relationship with the scene is much different these days as I don’t really party or have a desire to stay out late. It’s an internal dilemma i have with this scene that I think about often but I love making, playing, and searching for music so I just find a way to make it work. It certainly makes the networking part of the gig finding process a challenge when most of the scene happens at odd hours though. Luckily I live in a place where day events are a regular thing. At the same time, I no longer have the same aspirations with performing as I used to when I was a more active event goer and playing gigs outside my home city regularly. You say releasing music isn’t your thing but I find that a good way to stay connected to people in the scene that doesn’t require me to be in clubs all the time.
Yousuke yukimatsu started in his 40s and is now playing on stages all over the world so you go
Artists blooming at a later age is probably more common than you think.
Older = better. Do it.
Annie Nightingale was still doing it into her 80s. She had the best beats
I didn’t start touring in earnest til I was 46
40 is the 20 of techno djs get out there
Honestly, playing a good live set is a lot harder than djing or producing single tracks. It‘s actually more rare to see the youngins playing livesets as they have yet to acquire all the skills needed to do it properly. Not saying it’s impossible though.
I’m 47 and only have done DJing weddings in the past. I have been producing for many years. Now I’m trying to get into my local scene. It’s definitely is hard since networking is the way to get gigs in my city. I do see other DJs getting gigs who do have children and families. So if they can get out there. That means I have too as well. DM me if you want to chat on IG more. I’m more active there.
I have a friend who played his first gig at 35. He was not a producer, just a DJ but because of his contacts, he started playing at some nice parties and clubs. He played for a couple of years, then he got a job and left DJing completely. You can play at whatever age you like, as long as the music is good, the crowd is happy, there’s nothing to worry about.
Tiesto is in his 50s, carl cox is in his 50s, etc. you're not too old. I have a friend who has started making music again now that he's in his 50s as well. I answer his questions and coach him a bit, but he has his first proper gigs soon. Record a small liveset of like 30 minutes to an hour and send approach your contacts.
Not my first gigs, but Im stil DJiing vinyl in my early 40s (tech, trance, house, dnb). My recommendation: take a couple ibuprofen before the event, stretch frequently before during and after, and drink lots of water. No shame in leaving after your set if you gotta get home to the fam.
some of the best are in their 60s. with all due respect 36 isn't old
Country/city? The answer will depend on your location as ages of techno fans vary by country.
I’d just rent a PA and throw a dope park party if I was you
I played my first live techno set at about 38. Nobody cares how old you are if you’re playing good music.
My first gig was 2 years ago. I am 40.
Do it for the love, the need to share and explore. it doesn’t matter at what age as long as you are excited and passionate (which it seems you are!)
Of course fucking YES. PERIOD.
Btw 36 is not almost 40. You’ll see…
36 is no age at all. Get yourself back out there!
Been playing stages since I was 13 with my band, I’m approaching 38 - and though I play out less now then I did in my 20s, I still do get gigs once in a blue moon. I’ve been recording and releasing music since I started - with the last 16 years being dedicated to my home studio recordings. In the beginning before I started recording our own music, we had interest from producers and industry people in the local Vancouver scene but it always came with artistic caveats that led us to not take those opportunities. As long as you are making the music for yourself that is all that matters - I believe in my art enough to continue making and releasing it in spite of zero commercial success. I also don’t have the patience for what is required to be “successful” commercially in this day and age, especially as I get older. The music industry is a lumbering beast on its last legs, and I don’t think there is a record deal that is favourable to the artist since the days long before I started playing music.
My bass player did his first gig with us at 50 something years old. Now he's leading a band. It's never too late.
I’m 45 and have just started playing live gigs. I used to produce and put out tracks but the recording and promotion got really tedious. Playing live is still fun. I’ve played several open mics. I’ve also played long sets at art gallery shows and such. No proper clubs or festivals yet mostly because I don’t want to play at midnight. I’m using a Machinedrum, tt-303 and microfreak. My live skills are getting real tight because I practice for shows. All my gear fits in a suitcase so I just drop it down and go.
I was 42 when I played my first live gig. No regrets
Hit since 82 is in his 40s and he's killing it. Do it mate. I'm 33. Used to dj and play loads out but I was always "on it" while I alwaysbplayed good i would have definitely been better sober. I produce too but as I've gotten a bit older (im33 now) I have taken it less seriously and its one of my regrets so I keep vowing im gonna get my self back out there a again now I'm more level headed and have better skills. So ym answer is do it mate, with your all. Real fans and lovers of the scene and music won't care how old you are . None of us do. Lemme us know how it goes. If you're in UK ill come support
Man, this thread is giving me hope.
Taylor Swift is almost 40 :)
I’m starting at 52
I took a break round 35 but I'm getting back into it just over a decade later. Kinda motivated by the fact that after my last relationship ended I started going to events again, and my new rave crew are basically an artist/dj collective/agency based out of Bristol, UK. Our ages range from 50 at the top end to late 20s at the lower end, so we've all seen some things and been through some shit. But they're also involved in running regular events that attract a mixed crowd, and the DJ agency supplies a lot of talent on the festival circuit, after having attended said festivals for a few years it becomes even more obvious (I guess it always was the case, but when I was 20something I didn't pay attention) that when us ravers have been in it for a number of years, we either turn our back on the scene and move on, or we become the ones who make it happen. Producers, DJs, promoters, photographers, riggers, stage managers, crew, drivers - we're pretty much all somewhere between two and three decades older than the majority of ticket holders but we blend in just fine and don't look like token grandparents at a kiddies party. We've all got too much love for the scene and the lifestyle to hang up our party boots, but we're also a bit better at self care, remembering to eat at least one meal a day and stay hydrated, we still chuck a few substances down our necks but party responsibly and sustainably. We're also great at looking out for other less experienced people having a difficult time, and we've usually got some pretty fun stories to tell about shit we've seen over the years. I'm honestly super grateful to have been included into this crew as it's definitely given me a new appreciation for the whole thing and stopped me feeling like a fish out of water on those occasions when I'd be standing in a club and realised I was probably 30 years older than most of the people round me!
I saw Pole at DEMF 1. He had to have been late 30's or early 40's and I thought it was the most badass thing he was up there crushing it. Underworld are straight up geezers now but their last tour has been fire. It's only too late if you say so.
I’m 33 and in the middle of a break for school and was thinking a lot how I might be missing the window to have the opportunity to play live sets and DJ (sometimes I wondered if it is already gone lol) but so glad to see this post! Gives me hope lol also keep producing and keep playing! Shows follow. I am very amateur when it comes to connections and going around but even with the little to no connections I had I was still able to score a decent amount of shows
Ha. I didn't even start playing until 45.
How wholesome is this thread? Warm feels. Gotta love it.
Most of the techno shows i go to the crowd is older. Techno has been around for a while, and a lot of us who started in the 90s plan on raving to the grave. And if you wear your hat backwards people will think you are like 25.
I just turned 36 myself this year. I just played my first show in over a decade, and the momentum it built was crazy. Me and two other dudes started an all hardware group and we've booked our 2nd show already. If you have the passion just keep doing it. Let it be fun, and it should come with ease.
As a 50 years old gabber producer i can say that as long your stuff is good, being an old geezer is only added value for most of the people, and you are 36, a kid basically. :-)
I felt some anxiety about my age, but then I watched a few of the 40+ old djs I like on YouTube , and I just noticed they had more…confidence than the younger dudes. They did not seem unfazed, just go out there and play the music they liked. You got this
I haven’t gigged live in 23 years, starting next year at 44
I am closer to 40 than you are and started doing gigs for 1-2 years ago, and starting to get more of them now. No idea why you think that would be an issue in anyway tbh?
Age is just a number what matters is your music and the energy you give out!
Everyone’s old
just dj'd last month for the first time in over 10 years. 47 here. I'm defo getting back into it.
You gotta get involved in your local scene, it's easier to get into small parties if you know what you're doing :)
Played my first gig last year at 47 after being a bedroom DJ since the 90s. It's never too late. There is always time.
Tipper. Ott. Sphongle. Carl Cox. Jazzy Jeff. Tiesto. Shit ain't got no age limit
^[Sokka-Haiku](https://www.reddit.com/r/SokkaHaikuBot/comments/15kyv9r/what_is_a_sokka_haiku/) ^by ^WizBiz92: *Tipper. Ott. Sphongle. Carl* *Cox. Jazzy Jeff. Tiesto. Shit* *Ain't got no age limit* --- ^Remember ^that ^one ^time ^Sokka ^accidentally ^used ^an ^extra ^syllable ^in ^that ^Haiku ^Battle ^in ^Ba ^Sing ^Se? ^That ^was ^a ^Sokka ^Haiku ^and ^you ^just ^made ^one.
42 -- been deejaying since I was 20 and tinkering with synths for about half that time. and when i mean tinkering, i mean tinkering -- programming a few little loops and twisting random knobs without any real understanding of what was going on under the hood. it's only been a year or so since I started focusing on learning synthesis in earnest and being intentional with the gear i acquire and the time i devote to it. the process has been immensely rewarding and honestly i'm grateful that I waited as long as I did -- because at this age, if this were not filling up my life in the way that it is, I'm not sure what would be. alcohol? drugs? watching fucking netflix? my office job? i shudder to think. i don't go out and party the way i used to because my body and mind simply cannot cope with the recovery aspect of a night out -- so turning on the synths and drum machines is a way for me to engage with the culture in a deeply personal way that is completely informed by my own history and experience with this music at large. and in the end, i wind up with something that is very tangible and is an expression of who I am and the things I've heard and felt along the way. a younger version of me would not be capable of working in this way or expressing these things as the raw experience had not been acquired. keep going, the most rewarding part of all of this is still in front of you.
If you're here it's almost guaranteed you are playing better tracks than the edm shit almost everyone in their 20s is playing
im 40 now started back up at 37 and have been having an amazing time. its never too late and youre never too old to be an artist
I'm 39, done this all my life. I see no age limit on the stage - its all about your connection to the crowd and your artistry. Once you get out there you'll be a star, don't sweat that stuff.
Yo you’re 36 - why are you saying you’re almost 40?
Almost 37 I started producing casually in my teens. Did some small club and bar gigs in my 20s and then fell off entirely. In the last year my production quality has skyrocketed and I'm driving hard to get some proper work. In the house and techno world, age doesn't seem to matter nearly as much as it does in other genres. If the tunes are quality, people will enjoy it regardless.
Just do it.
Nothing is impossible.