In the span of a few years the level of hype and sheer number of B2B (back to back) DJ sets has increased massively. For those unfamiliar, B2Bs are sets where two or more DJs (that aren’t part of a group) share the duties of DJing. It presents a promise of something fresh and exciting, giving fans the idea that having two of their favourite artists come together will create a perfect set. It’s simple math right? 1+1 =2. Two DJs has to be better than one doesn’t it? More often than not, the simple answer is no. There’s a wealth of reasons why this is the case, from the sets catering more to the DJs than to fans, to them being grossly disjointed and the hype just not matching up.
That surprise track one DJ rinses out may spur the other to work hard to top that, leading to an overall better, more creative set…
Anyone who’s DJ’d by themselves and back to back will tell how fun B2Bs can be. Even if you’re rocking a crowd and feeding off their energy, standing on stage for a few hours can be lonely at times. Going B2B with another DJ solves this issue. There’s someone to talk to, share drinks with and even hold you down if you have to take a piss. B2Bs are a blast for DJs. Having someone behind the decks with you can help take the edge off and can also breed creativity. That surprise track one DJ rinses out may spur the other to work harder to top that, leading to an overall better, more creative set. While this may occur, it’s certainly not a given. Lazy DJs use B2B as an excuse to drink more and be less worried about their technical skills. While B2Bs may be a blast for DJs themselves, the fun energy doesn’t always carry over.
instead of a well-crafted journey with quality transitions, we’re left with banger after banger hastily slapped together with high-pass filters and maybe a few echo outs.
In addition to sets being more fun for DJs than fans, the biggest issue is how disjointed they can be. This is especially possible when you have multiple DJs going back to back. When most DJs put together a set they’re looking to take listeners on a journey. They plan things out better and are solely responsible for their set. For B2Bs often times instead of a well-crafted journey with quality transitions, we’re left with banger after banger hastily slapped together with high pass filters and maybe a few echo outs. Even worse is when DJs aren’t even paying attention to what’s being played and end up rinsing out repeats within the hour. No matter how big a track is, there’s no need to play it more than once in a set, even accidentally.
…often times the Instagram hype and sense of FOMO aren’t really justified.
Hype kills. One of the biggest problems in electronic music is the hype. Everything is a “movie” or “legendary.” You see a pic of 4 DJs going B2B with the caption iconic and feel like missing that set was a moment you’ll forever regret. While there is a magic and an undeniable electricity in seeing DJ icons working together behind the decks, often the Instagram hype and sense of FOMO aren’t really justified. I’m sure there’s been iconic B2Bs that people still talk about 10 years later, but don’t expect this at every B2B.
B2Bs aren’t instantly worse, nor are they instantly magical, they’re a sum of the two DJs’ collective talent and effort…
Despite the less than favourable light shined on B2Bs in this article, don’t get it twisted, they can be great. There is something special about artists coming together and collaborating in a live setting. The hype isn’t all unjust and at times having multiple DJs behind the decks can bring a level of creativity and technical skills that cannot be achieved by one person alone. B2Bs aren’t instantly worse, nor are they instantly magical, they’re a sum of the two DJs’ collective talent and effort. Don’t let my words stop you from scoping the next B2B that comes through your city, just don’t expect it to be greatest DJ set you’ve ever witnessed, because 1+1 doesn’t always equal 2, especially in the DJ world.
