More and more people are using later life to dive into lifelong passions or discover new ones. Some are writing books or spending more time outdoors; while others are turning to more unexpected pursuits, like DJing.
Phil Morse – founder of Digital DJ Tips, the world’s largest online DJ school – tells us that nearly half of his 40,000 students are over 50. Many are learning to mix tracks for pure enjoyment, while others are using their newfound skills to host parties or play at events.
We spoke to Phil and some of his students to learn why DJing can be the perfect later-life hobby.
Jason, 54: “My love of dance music is finally materialising into playing for a crowd and generating joy for others”
It’s no surprise to ex-professional DJ Phil – who launched Digital DJ Tips in 2010 – that more older adults are looking to get their start on the decks.
He explains, “Dance music first swept the UK in the late 80s and early 90s. The people who were going out then are now in their 50s and 60s, and the people who ran the events are even older. So there are now people of all ages who adore the art of DJing.”
Fifty-four-year-old Jason from Devon, a lifelong music lover who discovered DJing in later life, says, “I’ve always been a bit jealous of those people who are playing the music whilst I’m dancing. I knew that I had really good taste and an ear for what tunes would work, but not necessarily the skills to turn my taste into something that’ll get a crowd dancing.”
To help this generation of music makers take their first steps into the world of DJing, Digital DJ Tips offers free guides and paid-for courses featuring some of the biggest names in the industry, such as James Hype and DJ Jazzy Jeff. And it’s been a key resource for Jason and others like him.
Jason explains that, although he’s been learning to DJ for over a decade, coaching from Digital DJ Tips has really helped to unlock his skills and confidence. Recently, he’s even secured his first paid gig: playing at a wedding. “My love of dance music is finally materialising into playing for a crowd of people and generating joy for others,” he says.
However, for lots of wannabe disc jockeys, the end goal isn’t to play in public. As Phil tells us, many of the DJs he works with just want to flex their creativity and turn the music they love into great-sounding mixes. “It doesn’t need to go further than their own headphones,” he explains. “I think having a hobby that’s about creating, rather than consuming, becomes appealing later in life.”
Fifty-five-year-old Sara, a VAT consultant from Sussex, says, “It’s got me listening to new music again, and I’ve noticed that the skills, focus, and mindset I’ve picked up while learning are helping me in other areas of my life too.”
And for Mike from Essex, 52, DJing has enriched his social life and helped push him out of his comfort zone. “I went to Clockwork Orange last year [an iconic club night in Ibiza], and I’ve been to events at London venues like Fabric and Drumsheds – all of which I never would’ve done. I’m also meeting people and making new friends.”
Matt, 62: “It’s given me a massive confidence boost [...] I think it’ll be a never-ending journey”
That said, opportunities for performing in public, and even getting paid for it, are certainly there. Take 62-year-old Matt Lee from Brighton, for example. Matt started DJing for the first time in his 50s and says it’s unlocked a whole new world of possibilities for him.
After organising his own event at a local club, Matt performed to a sold-out crowd at the Brighton Fringe Festival. Since then, he’s been invited back to play the opening and closing nights, as well as various other shows.
Matt says, “I’m in my early 60s now, but it feels like I’m starting a new adventure. It’s given me a massive confidence boost, enabling me to get on stage and just get on with it. I think it’ll be a never-ending journey.”
However, not everyone looking to share their music will want to step on stage. In this case, Phil recommends using online platforms like Facebook and YouTube. “An awful lot of DJs of all ages are sharing their music online by live streaming from their homes. This means people can tune in from all around the world,” he says.
While there are plenty of reasons to get stuck into DJing, Phil also points to some challenges of learning. Since he honed his craft on turntables in the 90s, digital DJing has emerged in full force, and modern learners must navigate complex software and equipment, which can be daunting.
However, Phil explains that new developments in DJing technology also mean that newbies can reach a relatively high competency level quite quickly, especially by taking courses with companies like Digital DJ Tips. Plus, the hardware that beginners need to invest in is relatively straightforward.
He says, “You can use the laptop you already own and plug a DJ controller into it. DJ controllers are basically glorified keyboards that help you control the software. Beginner controllers cost around two or three hundred pounds, and they’re so good that professionals will happily use them at home. These things are always in demand, so you can always sell them afterwards.”
You can even get a taste of DJing without shelling out hundreds of pounds on equipment. Apps like djay allow people to use music from streaming services like Spotify and iTunes to create great-sounding mixes from their phones. “They have more or less everything you need to have a play around and see if it’s for you,” Phil tells us.
Phil also points to specific practical hurdles that might come with age, which are relatively easy to overcome with the right advice. For example, he tells us that some of his students have been concerned about the prospect of standing up for hours on end while performing. But Phil and his team at Digital DJ Tips are keen to have conversations to make the art more accessible and enjoyable for people of all ages.
“You can wear the right shoes and stand on a nice mat, which you can buy on Amazon, and suddenly, your back doesn’t hurt. Eighteen-year-olds don’t talk about this sort of thing, but we do. It’s definitely a hobby for all ages,” Phil says.
“Once you’ve got the skills, you’ll never forget them – and you can start doing the real fun stuff”
As Phil explains, when it comes to DJing, not everything is teachable. Like any art form, there’s a mysterious and ineffable quality to it, which gives people plenty of room to be creative and make it their own.
He says, “The big question with DJing is: what do I play next for the people in front of me? Is the dancefloor going to get busier or quieter when I put on this song or that? And that’s something you can never fully know. But everything else is learnable.
“So it’s a shame when people have the enthusiasm but get stuck on all the technical bits. Anything’s complicated if you don’t have anyone to show you, right? But, take it from me, learning the technical skills is easy. Once you’ve got them, you’ll never forget them – and you can start doing the real fun stuff.”
As Jason says, “If you really love dance music, it’s never too late to learn.”
Interested in learning to DJ? Head over to the Digital DJ Tips website or check out Phil’s book, Rock The Dancefloor!, which is available on Amazon.
Do you love music? If so, have you ever considered learning to DJ? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.