Westend DJ x Back2Back DJ Battle

Westend DJ invites Faded Society, a DJ and producer behind London’s unique live DJ battle, to guest feature in this blog to break down the competition and how you can get involved. 

Welcome to the September battle. The last few tournaments have been addictive to watch with so much energy felt not only by DJs, but the audience and expert judges in the room. Let me give you a glimpse inside the world of Back2Back DJ Battle.

CONCEPT
This is a year-long competition with four qualifying tournaments and a grand-finale at the end of the year aiming to find London's next up-and-coming DJ. Think reality MTV show meets Boiler Room; where each tournament features 8 finalists battling it out to win the hearts and minds of the audience in order to make it through to the next round - all within one night!

It’s a digital-only competition with open-format genres so DJs can play an array of music and styles. The battles not only take competing DJs to the next level of their career, but prepares them into a semi-professional role. From understanding set briefs to reading the room, from quick decision-making to keeping the crowd engaged. 

Expert music industry judges are invited to provide technical feedback and professional perspectives after each round, but the ultimate power is given to the crowd who gets to vote with their scream-o-meter. 

The guest judges that we’ve featured in the past include DJ Karnage the official DJ for Flowdan, Will C a classically trained digital and vinyl DJ behind the brand Organica, as well as Nicky Maciocia from Riot Noise who manage artists and DJs across UK festivals. For September, we invite renowned music producer and DJ educator Sharpson to the stage to give his knowledge and feedback. 

8 DJs, 3 ROUNDS, 1 WINNER

Each tournament starts with a classic 8 competitor knockout where DJs face-off in a series of 1-on-1 battles. 

In the Quarter finals, DJs are randomly picked alongside one theme from the Hat Of Themes. There are 4 to choose from - which I won’t tell you, you’ll just have to come to the live battle to find out! The 8 finalists will know before-hand and need to be prepared to mix any on the night. There’s no genre rules as long as DJs understand to stick within the set “vibe”. The trick of winning is to be creative and show their skill sets within the perimeters given. 

If they get through to the Semi finals, they’re introduced to a spinning Wheel of BPM covering from 125 bpm up to 160 bpm. Wherever the needle lands, this will dictate the tempo range for mixing. Again, there’s no genre rule as long as they stay within the values of the bpm! This round tests their ability to adapt to the opposing DJ’s genres whilst keeping the crowd engaged with their own styles.

In the Final, the remaining 2 DJs standing play for 15 mins in a back-2-back and track-for-track battle within a random bpm range. This is their last chance to win the audience over with pure track selection skills. How well they know their music and how it’ll translate on the dancefloor is crucial.

Each tournament is rowdy, sweaty and full of good vibrations. It becomes a party, a singalong, a dance-along, and sometimes gets deafening when it comes down to voting - but it was all worth it to crown the winner.

WINNING PERKS

There’s a huge list of prizes supported by respectable brands to help boost DJs into the next level of their career.

Win Westend DJ vouchers to upgrade equipment. Get discounts to Mixcloud Pro accounts to promote new music. Attain crisp sounds with a free track or set mastering by Sound Basha Studios. Get free hours to All Nighter Studios in either their DJ booth or music production rooms. Get featured on Back2Back DJ Battle podcast channel as well as opportunities provided by Faded Society ltd.

For the All-Stars battle in November, winners from 2024 tournaments are invited back for a final championship to win all of the above plus a vinyl masterclass with BMC Radio as well as a DJ slot at any UK festival that Riot Noise manages.

APPLY NOW

This is the last chance for DJs to be part of the competition before the All-Stars battle in November. DJ applications closes midnight on Mon 19th August 2024

https://www.fadedsocietyltd.com/back2backdjbattle 

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