Open Dex Returns
January 8th, 2007 by rui
Are you a brilliant DJ just waiting to be discovered? Would you like to show the DJs at The Big Chill festival how it’s done by taking control of the decks? Do you fret at the lack of opportunities for up & coming DJs to show their skills? Well fret no more because Open Dex is back!
Now in its third year, Open Dex is The Big Chill’s very own DJ competition, with monthly heats and annual final deciding who gets the coveted prize which includes a DJ set at The Big Chill festival, a Big Chill Sundae DJ set at The Big Chill Bar, and, of course, bare kudos. You can get an idea of what to expect (should you win), from the 2006 and 2005 winners’ stories.
You’ve got to be in it to win it, and to be in it you need to email your DJ name, email address, mobile phone number, where you live and a description of the style of music you would like to play to opendex@bigchill.net. Please put ‘OPEN DEX’ as your subject line – that bit is important, if you don’t it might not make it through our spam traps.
If selected, you will be asked to play a 20 minute set at one of the heats at The Big Chill Bar. The DJ who the judges think played the best set will be asked back to the final in July. The winner of the final bags the festival set, with groupie-laden international fame and fortune just around the corner. Probably.
The first heat kicks off on 17th January at The Big Chill Bar. Get those emails in and get practising that killer 20 minute set!
The Rules
We’re looking for brand new, undiscovered DJ talent, so please, no professionals (Ever been paid to DJ? Yes? Then guess what, you’re a professional). Also, previous entrants can re-enter, but priority will be given to brand new entrants.
The judges decision is final.
Tips
Know your audience. A 20 minute gabba-fest isn’t likely to make you a winner. If you know the Big Chill, you know what works.
Don’t sweat the tech. Help will be on hand at the heats to show you how the mixer, CD players and turntables work. Pushing the buttons and tweaking the knobs is the easy bit – concentrate on what tunes to play, and what order to play them in.
The heats take place once a month on Wednesday nights at The Big Chill Bar in London. If you can’t make it to Brick Lane on a Wednesday evening then there isn’t much point in entering!
Further reading. If you do feel the need to swot up, try reading Frank Broughton and Bill Brewster’s How to DJ Properly – a definitive DJ manual, packed with tips, tricks and advice from proper experts.
Open Dex 2007 kicks off at The Big Chill Bar on Wednesday 17th January.
