Over the past few years technology has both been a blessing and a curse for DJs. It has given DJs more tools at their disposal to mix, dissect and recreate tracks on the fly live. But for those who believe that DJs are just glorified button pushing playlist selectors (which ironically some of the highest paid could be argued are), it has also given them more tools to do the job of a playlist curator. Spotify has been at the front of this in the playlist revolution and they are looking to roll out a new partnership in Australia with Nightlife Music called crowdDJ, which allows users to select songs from a playlist of licensed songs and it will play over the soundsystem at that venue.
Kate Vale, Managing Director of Spotify Australia & New Zealand, says in a statement, "crowdDJ® is an exciting new technology and best-in-class use of our API, designed to enrich and personalize your music experience from home to venue."
It is simple to use. Through the free app you can select a song two ways. The first is to go through an in-venue kiosk such as a juke box, which this app would appear to be on its way to be making obsolete. The second would be to connect your Spotify through the app and then request a song from the venue's licensed library of tracks.
After, users can save the playlist to their Spotify and see what songs were played at home instead of Shazaming at the bar.
The partnership is only available in Australia, but it is already being road tested in 250 venues nationally, with 1,000 being prepped by the spring 2016.
It will be interesting to see if venues decide to use this method as a way to replace a DJ, though having someone who's job is to select songs over a gaggle of drunkards would be a better way to avoid having the same Zayn or Taylor Swift song played seven times in an hour and kill the night.
