Meet the people behind the parties in Thompson’s, El Divino and the Project-UG boat party

We spoke to DJs and a big dog promoter to find out what goes into organising your night out.

Aiden Turley, DJ

When you’re DJing in a nightclub, do you have a preset mix or do you pick the songs there on the night?

When I’m DJing in clubs I don’t have a set mix, I literally bring all my music with me and read the crowd to find out what they want to hear.

At the end of the day it’s them listening to it.

What was the maddest event you’ve ever DJ’d at?

The maddest venue I ever DJ’d at without a doubt was the Project-UG boat party. By the end of the night my laptop was water/sweat damaged.

How well do you take people requesting songs when you’re DJing?

I’m not rude when songs are requested sometimes I lie and say “yeah okay” but have no intention of playing it. This one time though, in Society a girl made it her mission to sneak past the bouncer and climb up the ladder to the DJ box then tap me on the shoulder to request Beyonce.

For her bravery and efforts I did play Beyonce. (take note kids – determination pays off)

Do you get any added perks for DJing?

I do, it’s great but being friends with so many other promoters and DJs they let me in for free and that but I make sure I do the same in return.

Curtis McCosh, DJ

When you’re DJing in a nightclub, do you have a pre-set mix or do you pick the songs there on the night?

Every night is different, so I could never go in with a pre-planned set. It also feels like it’s bound to take a lot of the fun out of DJing.

What was the maddest event you’ve ever DJ’d at?

The majority of clubs in and around Belfast are pretty mad, but one that sticks out is Status Nightclub in Bangor last New Years Eve. AWOL at Filthy’s during freshers is also insane.

How well do you take people requesting songs when you’re DJing?

Song requests can be a massive help because every now and again somebody will request an amazing song you forgot even existed and you can’t help but play it.

Do you get any added perks for DJing?

Haha, that depends on the club really, I guess having a job where you’re paid to party is a perk.

Matty McAlister, DJ

When you’re DJing in a nightclub, do you have a pre-set mix or do you pick the songs there on the night?

I’ve never really been one for planning my sets, I like to keep an open mind and play to the crowd.

I’ve certain tracks that I know work, but a lot of the time I just read the crowd and play what I think will work on the night.

What was the maddest event you’ve ever DJ’d at?

I’ve had some pretty crazy nights playing KneeDeep at El Divino over the past few years. Another gig that always sticks in my memory was at Coach last December. The place was packed from the front to the back and the atmosphere was pretty special.

How well do you take people requesting songs when you’re DJing?

I don’t really mind people requesting songs if they ask nicely. People demanding you play their song next and being abusive isn’t going to get you anywhere. And if you’re going to request Spice Girls don’t bother – I’m more of a Girls Aloud type of guy.

Do you get any added perks for DJing?

Some clubs and promoters will give you a few beers or discount wristbands whilst gigging. I usually drive though so it’s lime cordial for me.

Keaton Ross Hamilton, Head promoter of Project-UG

What was the maddest event you’ve ever helped throw?

To me our boat party stands out the most, I mean picture this, 200 sweaty ravers in a unique spot with nothing but the finest techno the city has to offer. It was authentic as fuck, it’s what the city needed this summer.

When you’re organising an event, what aspects do you focus on?

I focus on the crowd and what they want mainly, put it this way a group of nuns aren’t going to want to come listen to Alan Fitzpatrick Skesis down at #HAUS on a Friday night but wee Jay and Ricky from Dee Street sure as hell do. It’s my job to target the audience that our music caters too.

I heard you guys at Project-UG threw a Castle Party, how did that come about?

Oh my, that was eventful. We were working with a DJ duo at the time who had this contact and we were like okay yeah, let’s talk to this guy see what he wants. We all got in touch and he ended up being this castle owner so we where like fuck yeah, let’s throw a rave in a castle.

We booked AlmostDJs, Andrew Johnston, Ryan Stewart, Eddy Kennedy, Shane Cunningham and MiniMinds into this gig in the dungeons of this castle in the middle of Newry in two separate rooms and well fuck me man it just took off from there.

The place was crazy, there were 1000 people at this thing, a guy we used to work got spiked with herbal haze and I ended up in Daisy Hill hospital with him until like 6 in the morning until Aiden saved the day in a taxi with a very coked out bald driver.

All in all we fucking had the night of our lives.

Have you anything crazy in store for the near future?

There’s a lot to come, some very big bookings also to be released in the coming months. Stay posted.