I've been wondering about this for awhile now...

I don't really have much of a desire to spin. I mean, I would if I had access to some decks and vinyl, but laptop DJ-ing just doesn't excite me that much. (And that's fine - I'm pumped for everyone who's into it, and I think it's cool that they do it, but I'd much rather produce.) But I do have some questions about what kinds of tracks that DJs play.

Do professional DJs only spin new tracks? Are DJs just a very exciting means of advertising a product? I mean, I've been listening to di.fm's trance channel a ton over the last few years, and I never hear DJs spin bangers from the past. (When's the last time you heard someone work The Orange Theme by Cygnus X into a set?) Is this because they only spin new tracks, or am I just missing something?

-Sortevik

It depends on the reaction of the crowd.  A majority of the time, DJs play mostly records from the current year or one or two years before and maybe on or two classics.

Some DJs play half current and half classics.

Yea usually the encore consists of classics while the main set is of tracks the DJ is trying to promote on tour.

Ohh, that's cool. That makes sense.

Thanks guys. You've been really helpful. I appreciate the insight.

-Sortevik

Well the thing for me is that if I ever get round to DJ'ing (which I sure hope I do cos i'd love to do it) i'd personally try to go for a set that is balanced with new tracks and some really nice classics.