The dance music revolution spurred by Boiler Room sets has reshaped the club culture narrative in a way few could have predicted. From an old boiler room in Hackney, where the idea was born, to millions of online viewers, these sets capture the raw essence of the underground dance music scene.
Beyond the aesthetics and high-energy vibes, there’s a deeper story – authenticity, connection, and innovation. If you want to create your own Boiler Room-esque event, here’s your comprehensive guide.
Setup and Setting
Boiler Room’s charm comes from its simplistic yet intense ambiance. It’s a platform that emphasizes the raw, unfiltered energy of the music and the environment. The setting isn’t just a background; it’s a pivotal character in the narrative.
Venue Selection:
When Blaise Bellville stumbled upon that old boiler room, he wasn’t merely finding a place to host music; he was identifying a space that would become synonymous with underground music’s authentic vibe. Similarly, when you’re scouting for a location, it’s not just about the space but about the story it tells.
From gritty warehouses to abandoned buildings, the venue should embody an energy that complements the music. Remember, authenticity isn’t fabricated; it’s felt.
Cable Management:
While the aesthetics of a venue play a crucial role, the technical aspects cannot be ignored. The labyrinth of cables that powers your equipment can quickly become a hindrance if not managed effectively. By efficiently using underfloor spaces, cable ramps, and gaff tape, you ensure the safety of performers and attendees and maintain the venue’s raw aesthetic.
Additionally, always anticipate the unpredictable. Power outages can be disastrous, so it’s paramount to have a reliable backup plan.
After all, the show must go on.
The Power of Live Streaming
The secret sauce of Boiler Room isn’t high-end post-production or rehearsed performances; it’s the sheer authenticity of its live broadcasts. The environment, the music, the people – everything remains unembellished. After all, DJ Doc Brown broke down many different ways that DJs can make money on Twitch, and live events certainly can replicate the same success. But let’s break it down in detail about three more ways to capitalize on the rise of streaming events.
Keep It Raw:
The appeal of Boiler Room extends beyond its name or branding; it’s rooted in its genuine showcase of musical prowess. They provide an unedited window into the world of DJs, where every mix, beat, and drop is bare.
It’s about the music in its purest form, allowing the talent to shine without distractions.
Engage Online Communities:
In today’s digital age, merely broadcasting isn’t enough. The rise of platforms like YouTube and Facebook has been instrumental for Boiler Room, enabling it to tap into vast online communities. By actively using these platforms, you can broadcast content, cultivate engagement, foster discussions, and build a dedicated fanbase that resonates with your brand’s ethos.
Camera Dynamics:
The way you capture an event can drastically affect its reception. With Boiler Room, the genius lies in its strategic camera placement. A well-positioned fixed camera angle that seamlessly captures the DJ’s enthusiasm and the audience’s reactions creates a symbiotic experience, bridging the gap between the performer and the viewer. This immersive experience fosters a sense of belonging and unity, making every broadcast an event to remember.
The Talent Mix Matters (A LOT!)
Central to Boiler Room’s acclaim is its meticulously curated artist roster, which consistently combines a fusion of renowned figures and emerging dynamos in the music scene. Their approach is unique; it’s not about the clamor of mainstream hits but about capturing the essence of the underground movement, offering a stage to those voices that radiate raw passion and potential.
They’ve mastered balancing the familiar with the new, ensuring their broadcasts remain at the forefront of innovation while resonating with a vast audience.
If you’re a DJ looking for different ways to prep sets that are unique and that stand out from the crowd enough to get booked at dope gigs and massive festivals, check out how these four established acts prep for the same gig!
Spotting Fresh Talent:
At the heart of Boiler Room’s strategy is its knack for identifying and propelling emerging talents into the spotlight. Take the case of Sherelle, for instance. Before becoming a household name, she delivered a memorable set on Boiler Room, which became a turning point in her career. As you curate your lineup, it’s essential to focus on established names and provide a platform for up-and-coming artists ready to shake up the scene.
Diversity is Key:
A monotonous lineup can quickly become stale, no matter how talented the artists are. Boiler Room’s strength lies in its commitment to diversity. They’ve seamlessly integrated many genres, from the pulsating beats of techno to the rhythmic patterns of jungle. When curating, it’s crucial to venture beyond the mainstream, celebrating genres that might be overlooked elsewhere. This eclectic mix ensures that each session offers a fresh auditory experience, continually engaging and surprising the audience.
Crafting the Right Atmosphere
A standout event is characterized by its soundtrack and the environment it crafts. While the beats play a central role, the ambiance often remains the unsung hero that can make or break an experience.
Exclusive Yet Inclusive: One of Boiler Room’s unique aspects is its ability to master the paradox of exclusivity and inclusivity. They maintain an intimate, charged atmosphere by hosting events with a limited in-person crowd. Yet, they cast their net wide, streaming these electric moments to a vast online audience. It’s a delicate dance of keeping the physical experience close-knit and personal while the digital outreach spans millions, ensuring the room’s energy is felt globally.
Let Loose: The spirit of an event is often defined by its unscripted moments. Tom Wiltshire, the driving force behind Boiler Room’s music curation, underscores the significance of maintaining a slightly unrestrained and liberating vibe. This atmosphere encourages attendees to shed their inhibitions, immersing themselves in the music and expressing their genuine selves. When the barriers come down, that’s when the magic truly begins.
Respect The Space: It’s important to remember that the room’s vibe is a delicate alchemy, and respecting the venue is incredibly important if you want things to run smoothly. Pissing off the venue owner can instantly throw off the energy in the room, which can palpably change the entire energy (let alone prevent you from having future parties there next time). DJ Bockoven, one of the head honchos at Ope n Air in Columbus, shared knowledge on the topic in a recent interview about lessons he learned after throwing successful parties by saying, “If you treat the venue right, it is more likely they will let you throw a show there again, and word will spread of your character displayed. ”
Addressing the Challenges
Every event, no matter its scale or popularity, faces its share of challenges and criticisms. Navigating these waters requires a mix of authenticity, adaptability, and resilience.
Staying Authentic:
The world of events and showcases is rife with accusations of cultural appropriation and insensitivity. Boiler Room has, on occasion, been critiqued for potentially co-opting grassroots music scenes.
The antidote?
Genuine collaboration. Instead of merely borrowing from a scene, engaging directly with local artists and communities is pivotal. A shining example is Boiler Room’s partnership with Lesbiennale, which underscores the value of authentic ties and mutual respect.
Online Trolling:
As we dive deeper into the digital age, the specter of online trolling looms large. The music scene is no exception, with artists, especially female DJs, frequently finding themselves at the receiving end of unwarranted online backlash.
Steering through this requires a two-pronged approach: fostering an environment of support and encouragement for artists and maintaining active community moderation. While it’s impossible to silence all detractors, emphasizing positivity and curating a supportive online community can significantly mitigate the impact of these challenges.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, Boiler Room’s meteoric rise is a testament to its authenticity, innovation, and music’s sheer power. The formula seems simple: an intimate venue, cutting-edge talent, and a live global audience.
Yet, this genuine connection and celebration of underground music sets it apart. If you want to recreate this magic, remember it’s not just about the music but the experience, the community, and the undying spirit of the underground dance scene.
Will Vance is a professional music producer who has been involved in the industry for the better part of a decade and has been the managing editor at Magnetic Magazine since mid-2022. In that time period, he has published thousands of articles on music production, industry think pieces and educational articles about the music industry. Over the last decade as a professional music producer, Will Vance has also ran multiple successful and highly respected record labels in the industry, including Where The Heart Is Records as well as having launched a new label with a focus on community through Magnetic Magazine. When not running these labels or producing his own music, Vance is likely writing for other top industry sites like Waves or the Hyperbits Masterclass or working on his upcoming book on mindfulness in music production. On the rare chance he's not thinking about music production, he's probably running a game of Dungeons and Dragons with his friends which he has been the dungeon master for for many years.
