20 Years Behind the Decks: From Turntables to TikTok Attention Spans

I played my first ever DJ set over 20 years ago. I had a crate of records, two Technics turntables, a dusty mixer, and an hour to make an impact. Back then, each record was a full single track—four, maybe five minutes long. You had to work for the mix. You had to feel the crowd. There was no sync button. Just your ears, your timing, and the vibe in the room.

The club would be dark, loud, and packed. And you know what? No one was rushing up to the decks to ask for a song 30 seconds into your set. People had longer attention spans. There were no phones in their hands, no Spotify, no "just play this from TikTok." It was about the moment. The experience. The trust in the DJ.

Fast forward to 2025, and the DJ game—especially here in Sydney—is a different beast. Streaming has completely changed the way people consume music. Instant access to anything means audiences expect everything, right now. Pop songs barely pass the 2-minute mark. Clubgoers have shorter attention spans and bigger expectations. And when you’re doing open-format sets at bars, weddings or corporate gigs, you're not just mixing tracks—you’re managing energy, volume, requests, and vibes all at once.

Now add in the guests. I’m often on the same floor level, face-to-face with 100+ people dancing. These days, more people than ever come up to me mid-set with a request, while I’m beatmatching two tracks and riding the volume fader. Some get it when I say, "Hold up a sec," others—not so much. The impatience is real. Especially after a few drinks.

But this isn’t a complaint—it’s an evolution. And real DJs, the ones who mix live, read the room, and understand flow—we adapt.

At weddings, I handle this with patience and professionalism. I’ve learned to work around the chaos. Still, there’s a better way forward—for both DJs and clients.

Here’s how to avoid the mid-set request pile-up:

1. Clients, set expectations early. Let your DJ know the vibe you’re going for. Share your must-plays, your do-not-plays, and trust your DJ to fill in the rest.

2. MCs, make an announcement. Something simple like: "Our couple have hand-picked the music and hired a pro to keep the party pumping. Trust the process, and enjoy the ride!"

3. DJs, hold your ground (with kindness). A quick nod or "Give me a sec" goes a long way.

I’ve been doing this for over two decades, and I still love it. But the job has changed—and understanding how tech, access, and culture have shaped the dancefloor helps us all keep the experience smooth.

If you’re planning a wedding or booking a DJ in Sydney for your event—whether it’s a corporate party, bar, club, or private function—book someone who gets it. Someone who mixes live. Someone who can manage the crowd and still deliver a killer set.

And if you're a DJ reading this, trust me—there’s power in setting boundaries, communicating with clients, and staying sharp.