Extravagant DJ intros are awesome for building hype in festivals for artists people have been looking forward to seeing for years, however they are not needed for small clubs, bars and house parties as most people won't appreciate them, and the mood and hype isn't the same due to factors such as popularity, lighting and the stage. If it's a big club however it could work, provided the lighting and stage is fit for it.

I actually find some of the intros the most creative, epic, orchestral versions of tracks I'd never hear otherwise. I absolutely love them and look forward to them!

Having a DJ intro at a house party serves nothing but to fulfill an ego but at a festival it serves to build that hype and anticipation to amp up the vibe of the event!!!

A couple of months ago, I did a DJ livestream where I started with just the acapella of the verse of the song and echoed it out for a couple of bars. Then I hit play on the second track, which was the full (non-acapella) version of the same song with all the blaring instrumentals and beats coming in all at once. It sounded epic and it really got the attention of the viewers as well as the small live crowd that was standing in front of me. Best intro to a set I have done so far! :)

Hardwell's Everybody is in the place the best epic intro ever for me! House party or small club nights doesn't need epic intros unless there is a theme party like "halloween" or maybe "roman epire" or stuff like that

I remember, Ben Gold was playing after Solarstone at ASOT 650 and he came on stage and pressed play and jumped directly into the middle of the song (even without song intro). I wanted to go to a different stage, but stayed 30 minutes because it was impressive. And instead of waiting 5 minutes until the build up is done you could dance further. Was a smart move and I never seen someone doing it like this again haha

When Luke talks about hiding from the crowd I just picture “When Will The Bass Drop?” SNL skit with Andy Samberg. 🤣

Wow you are a man after my own heart, I'm exactly the same I'm now 40 so I used to listened to all the old rave tapes and that's when I started djing when I was 12 when Carl Cox was know as the 3 deck wizard, I worshipped him when I was a kid and still do, not sure if I would have an intro if I ever make it but I'm all for keeping it old school too, its another art being able to mix from the last djs track as you don't ever know what it will be but I have so much respect for you you are amazing and a true dj

A good dj doesn't need an intro, mc or whatsoever. Just his best tracks, a musical soul and a lot of energy.

I hate how much i love your humbleness. Just too humble.

Love the tip about playing of the previous DJ. Keeps me creative knowing that I am gonna have to work with whatever is currently playing.

Since I am one half of a DJ duo, when we are out on gigs, my DJ partner comes in after another DJ, and stars are set. We play one track at a time instead of the usual 3 tracks each. It works for us and while listening to my partner's set and watch the crowd, I get a feel on what track I want to bring in to keep the energy going. I feel that intros should only work if you are opening a set. If you are a headliner or part of a DJ lineup, it is not necessary. Transiting your track after the previous DJ is the best way to go.

That’s all great tips but I also feel a little break before your set so the people can applaud to the DJ before you is a great way to show appreciation to the other DJs on the bill.

Intro for any dj is the music begorw hand like a bar o gig. U setcit sett mood

I feel like sometimes it depends also on the genre as well, like say Illenium or Seven Lions using a intro makes sense. But that's just me.

i prefer to mix through, to me it's the best way to keep the flow of the party and keeps the crowd dancing. by arriving at the venue 30ish minutes before my set; i can see how many people and try to read them, then going to the DJ-booth, ask the tittle of his\her last track and select my first song. i remember partys where a crewmember said\yelled through the mic something like "thank you Dj 1, everybody make some noise...", at that point i mixed my first track in whereafter they announced me. i do have a DJ-intro, it's a 7 second jingle that i only use for my radio-sets.

I DJed an office party and played O Fortuna as an intro. Echoed out after a minute before starting my actual set by filtering in. 🙂

In the club settings, the headliners sounds level would usually be louder than the opening DJ. That was another sign that the main DJ is playing

Yes 16 years i follow you.

Could remember how you start your set a amnesia with just a simple beat… simple & magical

Yeah all the old DJ I know would drop the bass or turn it down a bit and mix in or just switch the deck off so slows down and start on a break or vocal 👍you know who it was by the music I used to mix in a white label to start

Loved the vlog, Luke!

If you're nobody: you don't need If you're big and playing big clubs/festival : yes, it builds hype, HUGE difference of hype at the beginning of sets between big artists that have intro and those who have not

100% agree with mix in intro. Like how it's been done back then. Show's your mixing versatility n respect to that current Dj ending his set.

Idk why but i like skrillex intro its so cool it gives me goosebumps everytime

Thx

Loved your intro to beyond! Great way to hype up the crowd

I like Intros @ Festivals as it fits the whole vibe and atmosphere. Where as in clubs i like it when you hand off live to the next guy. When i was with you last at MoS you did a live handover to Sander van Doorn. That was pretty impressive given he started off his set with some pretty hardcore stuff. I guess you knew what was coming !.

Great tips

I've got few my own Acetate Dubplate DJ intros still I think it was more thing then today as djs have mashups or their own jingle drops etc but quite few big tracks started out as a DJ intro .

If mixing is part of the art then it makes sense to mix into and out of each artist signature. Love Blau! bro, one of my favorites!

10000% agreee

9:41 I WAS THERE WITH MY LIGHT UP MASK!!! SO GLAD I SAW YOU LAIDBACK LUKE!!!

Hi Luke, I want to ask you something that has nothing to do with the video: “ what is the main reason that you stop to use pioneer and start to use denon? I used DDJ RZX pro for sometimes now, but I want to give it a try as well, tell me what are the benefit to choose that brand and how do you feel with the job wheel, is it better then Pioneer? Thanks in advance. Hope you will come to Melbourne one day

Opening with the first or second breakdown of a trance track can make an epic intro :D

Starting from the 2nd break is a great idea, loved all the tips in this vid! Vlog idea. How important is reputation / image in the industry vs or aligned with making the right music. some examples of artist that have ruined their careers with bad reps. Tutorials for maintaining a good artist image would be nice!!

could you do a new/updated video on your take on genres, there are a couple songs I would love to know what genre you think they fall into. That was been one of my favorite videos you've made!!!

Next time I play a wedding I'll definitely hide under the DJ booth.

Hey Luke in the next vlog can you go over what colleges you have to go to become a Dj whenever I get asked hey what do you want to be when you get older or something I always say Dj and I always say idk I know you need a license and if you have some suggestions I would really like to here them

this is awesome advice for newer producers/djs, pls keep doing these! i've been producing for a long time but now i'm trying to learn more DJing techniques

well i always start by choosing a song with a longer, ambient intro, but sometimes i would just mix in after the previous dj.

When I watched you do a mix-through, I wasn't sure you started sometimes. :-D

Actually I was thinking about this topic and this vlog on time thanks @laidbackluke 😍😍

I actually find intro good 👍 especially if they don’t know you and builds tension and hype the crowd even doing live-streams & dance parties where there is real live crowd

Tbh the only really big intros I like have been the ones from the djs/artists thst also have major stage production with them like Swedish house at edc or deadmau5 Eric prydz Iv always liked grabbing an acapella of maybe a tv show favorite part of a movie and build up around it, I took a norm Macdonald stand up rip sounded cool, and that was just a guy talking to ppl who don’t know him

IMO on tour and feativals intros are cool, maybe drop a new ID so everyone will be excited for rest of set!

Totally depends on the DJ, Venue, time, crowd.... If Martin Garrix is playing his massive ADE Show, having a minute long theatrical intro to introduce people to the show and build tension works wonders, it's all part of that huge show. If you're a small time DJ gettin paid $200 for 4 hours in a bar, no point at all. Also depends on personal taste and how you wanna construct your set, all that stuff.

speaking of club nights.... when are you back in London?? your show at ministry of sound was unreal!!

Simple answer, yes.

I love Mark Knights intro. 'MARK KNIGHT IS IN THE HOUSE' 😎

Amazing plane set at Saga, Luke! Happy I could be there even with one hand :D

What do you guys think about intros with vocals? (example: a conversation or sample)

Your da man, Luke! I be mixing into other DJ's too, because I only do Birthdays and Clubs =) Intros on Big Festivals can be dope too tho. Martin Garrix e.g.

curious as to what people think of a big epic intro at a houseparty where the DJ isn't hiding behind the decks. Not something I would do personally and maybe it would be a bit out of place but if it was well put together and original I wouldn't mind seeing another DJ do it

Make a quick and cheesy one that you can put over a really bad transition or a really long intro to a song... Makes you feel great. Fills the gaps and conceals your mistakes.

Great and interesting tips, actualy i share your opinion, both are a good way stay creative !

I think some DJs used to use the acapella of your Daft Punk Teacher’s edit as an intro

Hey Luke, I was wondering if you have ever gone through creative ruts with DJ'ing and how you have gotten out of them. I feel like I'm not improving and that I'm not having fun when I mix.

Yo, I'm watching it stoned 4 days before a house party where I'll have an opportunity to play a mix #420

can i have the name of the background soud plz

Mixing into the DJ before you is a fun challenge. Can you maintain or even elevate the mood the DJ before you had? I’ve been at clubs where at 2am the headliner comes in and stops the music for his intro. Lame af 🙄everyone was dancing to some grimy dark tech house and the next DJ goes into some happy peak hour edm track after his extended countdown from 20 intro😂

Can you make a vlog on how to make an intro song?

Hei you was amazing at Saga festival i was the first guy from the crowd who put the L' s up on the left side You need a spectacular build up name calling intro for a better spectator experience (just my opinion)

9:40 lekker set @ academy la kuya 🔥

We want you at UNTOLD FESTIVAL 🇷🇴💯

Hey luke! How can we implement this into b2b sets? What kind of techniques work well with b2b? Thanks!

i love seeing a dj intro at a festival

IMO, in a festival if done well it can be a good thing, anywhere else, it depend but in most case i like it less. great video as always

Where is the family guy ??

i compress myself very very much in this industry, so now I'm very very bored now about electronic dance music. congrats guys. 😂🥳

I'm on BP medicine, if I hide under the booth an pop up, I'm going right back down.

I feel like James Hype's intro song is an epic dj intro that basically works anywhere, even if you're playing to 2 people :))

Hollywood intro? What’s that cheese you do with your hands? And are you aware of the events you play? (4:32)

my mom f*8king loves my intro when i mix in my room lol

Question:Do you need to MC when you're djing because i never seen Laidback luke MC when he's djing..Is MCing really needed??

its nice sometimes but no you dont need an epic intro.I would dj at a cafe where i would play jazz ,soul ,funk hip hop,electronica, blues.Mostly low key downtempo stuff and i would start playing once i was set up and got myself a glass of wine or cup of coffee.I would not use an epic intro there.Also for me its not been about bigging myself up but just playing good music.If one needs to build mood or get the party started then yes a few kinds of intro effects samples loops and the right tracks could be a good idea but dont worry too much just play great music

The setting will dictate what kind of intro you want to have. Usually I just start with an intro mix as I mix & produce uplifting trance

Can I Have a laidback Luke cap ?

I always got annoyed by any dj that used the “In the beginning there was Jack” intro. So overused. My favorite way to mix the previous dj out was to use to good old on/off dial on the SL1210’s.

I think im my whole life, I never heard or seen a house dj play a intro.

I play UK Hardcore, there is no such thing as low energy lol.

If you are on a tour where your average audience is 10k+ yes, otherwise no. Especially not in a club.

Unless you are at a festival or you are like the maind draw for a club night i feel thos intros are unnecessary and it hurts more than it helps

No. Read your Dancefloor. The end. This has never changed.

Epic DJ Intros are becoming boring very annoying if every 60 to 90 minutes there is a new intro.

What is the point of this video …. Felt like he was just talking nonsense the whole time.. wasted my time watching this.