Playing by the Rules? Genre Conventions in Contemporary DJ Performance

Moriaty, Manoli and Kehagia, Nina (2025) Playing by the Rules? Genre Conventions in Contemporary DJ Performance. Dancecult: Journal of Electronic Music & Dance Culture, 17 (1). pp. 77-101. ISSN 1947-540

Text 4-FAT-1305-MoriatyKehagia.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Share Alike. Download (3MB)

Abstract

Genre conventions play a central role in shaping contemporary DJ performance, influencing how techniques and technologies are applied across styles such as techno, house and drum ’n’ bass. While scholarship has examined questions of authenticity, automation and the shift from analogue to digital technologies, less attention has been given to how DJs adapt their practices in response to genre-specific expectations. Using a mixed-method approach that combined an anonymised online survey with five semi-structured interviews, this study explores how performers negotiate issues of skill, legitimacy and audience perception. Findings reveal that drum ’n’ bass DJs emphasise abrupt transitions and rewinds, techno performers favour multilayered mixing and live processing, while house DJs prioritise smooth transitions and curation. Across genres, debates about automation remain, yet most participants framed DJing as a balance of technical ability and artistic judgement. We conclude that genre conventions continue to structure performance practice, though increasingly navigated with flexibility.

Item Type:	Article
Keywords:	DJ performance, digital technolog y, genre and practice, club culture, mixed methods
Faculty / Department:	Faculty of Creative Arts & Humanities > School of Creative and Performing Arts
Depositing User:	Manoli Moriaty
Date Deposited:	11 Feb 2026 14:21
Last Modified:	11 Feb 2026 14:21
URI:	https://hira.hope.ac.uk/id/eprint/4826

Actions (login required)

View Item