Disco Dance6, 1989 Robin’s Corner

ALBERS CORNER by Robin Albers

So, summer is just around the corner, and the cafes and nightclubs in the seaside resorts are doing brisk business again. In Noordwijk, there’s a nightclub that has been thriving for 20 years: The Zeepaardje.

Who hasn’t been there? For 20 years, it’s had the same interior, is packed throughout the summer season, and even in winter, it’s still doing quite well. In those 20 years, there hasn’t been any major change at The Zeepaardje, and why should there be? Renovations can be disastrous for a nightclub; a new look might negatively affect the patrons who see it as their “home” and might look elsewhere for a place where they feel comfortable. Sure, renovations can have tax advantages and be a write-off for the owner, but careful consideration is needed about what and where renovations take place. This brings me to my point: renovating the sound system and the DJ booth.

I personally love JBL sound—it’s tight, full, and durable. A smaller venue might opt for Bose, but Bose is the last brand I’d choose for a nightclub. Those ugly little speakers can’t handle the sound of genres like hip house and struggle to deliver quality. Nightclubs that still haven’t invested in Technics SL-1200 turntables should consider it; I still see many places using outdated turntables without pitch control and with belt drives—what a mess… Sound and equipment are still often neglected aspects of nightclubs.

Then there’s the other neglected area: the DJ. Staff turnover… The Zeepaardje has had many DJs over the years; the owner’s motto is “nothing ventured, nothing gained.” A new DJ is a surprise for the audience. If they’re good, they might stay for a few months or even a year or two. Personally, I never worked anywhere for more than two years. I always sought new challenges. However, some nightclubs use the same DJ for years. The audience notices this, as a long-standing DJ develops a predictable playlist, which can become so standard that the crowd knows what track will follow the previous one.

For example, The Marathon in The Hague with Rens van Kralingen—nice guy, but he prevents the flow of fresh talent in The Hague. He’s been the regular DJ at DE Disco in Kijkduin for years, but the long-time patrons of The Marathon might want something different… Locomotion in Zoetermeer with Jack—a nice guy too—has been the birthplace of the Dutch mixing championships, so the owner could have made his move long ago. I believe that extended contracts with a DJ can be detrimental to a venue. Sticking to the same DJ for years isn’t good for the venue, the audience, or the flow of new talent…

Think about that… DJ,

Best regards,
Robin