Onfield DJ and Host at Every Football Home Game
August 11th, 2022 at 1:15 PM ^
I like the idea and can see our home games, especially the night games, going absolutely bonkers with the pompoms and maize outs!
August 11th, 2022 at 1:20 PM ^
Don't they already do that?
August 11th, 2022 at 1:38 PM ^
They did for The Game and it was great! Nice to see this as this WILL resonate with recruits!
August 11th, 2022 at 1:50 PM ^
They had a DJ for The Game?
If so, how did it resonate with recruits?
August 11th, 2022 at 2:05 PM ^
It filled them with a deep, reverberating sound of exactly 42.27 Hz.
August 11th, 2022 at 2:09 PM ^
They do this at the Tennessee games. The students seem to enjoy it.
August 11th, 2022 at 4:24 PM ^
We've already got the world's best DJ/host on the PA at Michigan Stadium: fellow MGoUser Carl Grapentine.
August 11th, 2022 at 1:17 PM ^
It could be fine if done right and may appeal to recruits. Could you imagine having a five-star recruit on campus for a night game and he gets to throw on the headphones and play the next song before the 4th quarter or something?
It could also be poorly executed and make UM look bad - but this seems to be more of a Dave Brandon Era thing.
Hoping for the best here.
August 11th, 2022 at 1:19 PM ^
But why, is my thought?
I'm not a traditionalist when it comes to this stuff, I'm genuinely curious as to what their goal is on this one.
They already play the same music the DJ will play, so it can't be that. You're not changing the fan experience from that perspective.
Half the stadium won't be able to see the DJ on the field...so that doesn't really do anything.
Would love to get a better idea of the goal.
August 11th, 2022 at 1:24 PM ^
Probably because they know that the length/amount of commercial breaks isn't going to subside any time soon with the new media deal and having a person whose entire job is to keep the crowd's attention engaged is unfortunately necessary
August 11th, 2022 at 1:30 PM ^
100%. Makes perfect sense to find solutions for that.
My point is...what is the benefit of having this person on the field versus, playing the same music from in the press box?.
It's not the type of music or the RAWK, I'm talking about. I'm saying, what do you gain by having someone on the field?
At a basketball game, it's far more intimate...so hell, build the booth into the student section. At football, no one is coming or staying because of a DJ. The music will be the same. It doesn't have nearly the same impact, IMO.
August 11th, 2022 at 2:30 PM ^
My hunch is that having DJs on the field suggests some of the energy and excitement of a club, whether or not all 100,000+ can see them.
After all, going to a club with a DJ doesn't necessarily mean watching the DJ. Other than a glance or two in their direction, it's the excitement of the music, the crowd, the potential pickups, and that it's a place cool enough to have a DJ.
August 11th, 2022 at 2:52 PM ^
DJ “on field” will bring greater in-person fan engagement during commercials.
I can see this also potentially being an additional bridge between the stadium and the broadcast booth. Maybe the DJ is with a music artist for a brief segment promoting their tour/album (or bugging out like Eminem), or the broadcast team cuts to 5* #1 recruit being “dj for a break.”
At the very least, it’s an investment in upping the in-stadium fan experience which counteracts the lagging NCAA attendance numbers. Overall, I think there’s pretty safe and possibly substantial upside here.
August 11th, 2022 at 3:01 PM ^
Maybe it's just my read of it, but I think the "in-game host" is the more telling aspect to the job than the "DJ" label.
For example, you can have music playing at a wedding via a playlist, but a DJ/emcee who is conducting the cake-cutting, speeches and dancing keeps the guest's attention through the reception (another experience with too much sitting and waiting) and encourages participation.
August 11th, 2022 at 1:25 PM ^
It's set up in the student seating corner. The rest the stadium doesn't need to see the DJ.
August 11th, 2022 at 1:28 PM ^
It could be the engaging the fans in the stadium part. DJ can do things based on what is happening at the moment. That is the only thing I can think of.
I used to love to go to Pistons game and enjoyed the guy calling out Deeeetroit Basketball. Good times.
August 11th, 2022 at 1:35 PM ^
Exactly, basketball it makes perfect sense...because everyone is engaged and it's an intimate setting.
It's not a big deal, but I just don't see it having the desired impact (any more than what they already do).
DJs during basketball also are part of your on-court promotions, they engage the entire arena even if they only focus in one area. Which goes to my comment about people being able to see.
August 11th, 2022 at 2:20 PM ^
The whole stadium doesn’t have to be able to see the DJ for it to have an impact, especially if it’s in front of the student section. But to your point, my preference would be for the DJ to be on a platform suspended above midfield secured via hoists located at the top of the stadium, which would make him visible to everyone and allow them to lower him to the 50 yard line during TV timeouts. Of course Warde hates fun and would never approve this idea because it “isn’t traditional” and “doesn’t create a hostile work environment for support staff.”
August 11th, 2022 at 2:00 PM ^
And do they still do that at Pistons games?
August 11th, 2022 at 2:07 PM ^
Don't know. I haven't been there in a while as the teams weren't good. But I might check it out this year. They seem to have an improved roster this year.
August 11th, 2022 at 2:11 PM ^
Some of the more fun moments last year was UM players getting into the half-time vibe at road games. Like Wisky...Jump Around. Happen at a few other road games where the half-time feel was like a party. So, its def possible to have a 'intimate' feel in a large fb stadium.
A DJ brings something akin to a party vibe and you don't get that nearly to the same degree with pre-recorded music.
August 11th, 2022 at 3:57 PM ^
If this is what it takes to populate the student section and get them there before kickoff, so much the better! So far, the piped-in music hasn't changed much about the student section. In fact, there seems to be less student participation over the years. As one famous person has said often, "Let's see what happens!"
(Just don't do this at the expense hearing the world famous, legendary Michigan Band or Drumline! Maybe the DJ can lead the band down the field, along with the drum major and baton corps, and do a cartwheel or two on the goal line. The image boggles the mind.)
August 11th, 2022 at 1:23 PM ^
I think the players like it, I think the students like it. I think it can possibly help recruiting. To all the "Get off my lawn" folks, It's time to embrace the modern era. 14-21 year old kids dgaf about how it was in the 1900s!
August 11th, 2022 at 1:41 PM ^
I realize you couldn't wait to get that off...but this doesn't impact that crowd.
1. It's not going to help recruiting. Stop.
2. They play piped in music now...rap, top 40, etc. - a DJ isn't playing different music. And if the DJ was playing different music, you can play the same music without a DJ. There is no genre of music that requires a DJ to be live in front of you.
Point is, if the problem is the music...you can easily change it.
3. They're still going to have the band and everything else. It's not replacing anything. No one should get offended by it.
My question (not saying your post was directed to me) was...what is the gain? What do you benefit from it?
I can answer that question at basketball or even a hockey game. I can answer it for a soccer match if you were allowed to play music during play. But I don't see it for Michigan Stadium.
August 11th, 2022 at 2:20 PM ^
Did you see how electric the crowd was during the OSU game? The fans were LOUD. That's the benefit. They were having FUN. Every time that song came on, whether pump it up or whatever, players fed off it.
You are gaining ENERGY.
August 11th, 2022 at 2:35 PM ^
I don’t really care either way about having a dj, but the energy during the ohio game had a lot more to do with the ass beating we were watching than any music played during breaks. Hell, he could’ve played some new age mediation music and people still would’ve been going absolutely nuts
August 11th, 2022 at 2:48 PM ^
Agree to disagree, totally got people even more into the game. At least it got me going even more, so sample size of n = 1.
August 11th, 2022 at 7:20 PM ^
If you drop the intro to Jump Around...without a DJ, you telling me the students aren't going to get just as excited?
When they hear that "Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaah...duh duh duuuuuuun!"
Everyone in that stadium knows what time it is.
You play Sandman or Enter Sandman...and it takes a DJ to get people even more excited? Pump It Up, Brightside...
There was no DJ for the Iowa game and Michigan fans went NUTS! I was literally on the field for that entire game, it was an incredible scene.
Y'all are just making shit up.
I was never against it, I was just questioning the value add. That's it.
It's literally going to be a guy taking up 25 SF of space in a corner playing the same thing they could play from the booth. Which is pretty much my point, there's not going to be any major difference so there's no need to form some strong opinion about it. Y'all acting like I'm the "get off my lawn" "down in front" guy is incredibly lame.
August 11th, 2022 at 7:23 PM ^
Exactly.
Anyone who thinks that scene was due to the DJ is probably looking up oceanfront property in Iowa.
Have the DJ, it's not hurting anything. But don't credit it for the OSU game atmosphere, lol.
Y'all are acting like if we are up 40 at half against Hawaii that the students are going to stay "Whoa bro, we can't leave! DJ Maizeman is KILLIN IT RIGHT NOW!"
August 11th, 2022 at 2:46 PM ^
Obviously he did not and I am sure those watching on their TVs, only caught glimpses of the DJ.
August 11th, 2022 at 7:11 PM ^
Yes I saw...and it had nothing to do with the DJ.
Stop it.
August 11th, 2022 at 10:21 PM ^
You were not at the game, so you are not best judge. The recruits love this stuff. So glad you're NOT the AD as you would probably have only the MMB play Gershwin songs all game long.
August 11th, 2022 at 3:01 PM ^
I for one want an on field organ player
August 11th, 2022 at 1:24 PM ^
I’m pretty sure all that is needed from a DJ is:
Seven Nation Army and Pump it Up on constant rotation. And Mr Brightside in the 3rd quarter.
August 11th, 2022 at 1:41 PM ^
I want the DJ to cut the sound out earlier on Mr Brightside to get more crowd singing. That's what everyone loves about that bit anyway.
As far as the "I WANNA HEAR THE MARCHING BANDDD!!" comments - I love our band, but I can't hear them most of the time anyway (yes I know they're mic'd, doesn't seem to matter).
August 11th, 2022 at 1:48 PM ^
There hasn't been a single "I wanna hear the band comment."
But I agree on Brightside. It was Brian or Seth who made the point about how that felt like European Soccer (Iowa game).
THAT is where I think Michigan could elevate the gameday experience at football.
DJs make sense for basketball, at Football, figure out ways to make it feel more like European soccer. Chants that arent led by the band, songs, etc. - I personally thought the scene versus OSU and in Indy were INCREDIBLE.
I think those full on crowd involvement things are far cooler than a DJ. The "wave" is the dumbest thing in the world, yet lasts because it includes the entire crowd doing something together.
I'd love to be the "leaders" in finding more of those moments.
August 11th, 2022 at 3:01 PM ^
I'll be that guy: I actually *do* want to hear the band.
The problem is that, with all the piped-in junk that comes in and other restrictions, the band isn't doing much besides its old stand-bys. They used to try out new songs all the time - I was in the student section the season they started playing the "Iron Man" theme by Black Sabbath. Also, they used to overlap more songs from the bball/hockey pep bands. I don't recall ever hearing them play the GoT theme at football games but used to all the time at bball games in the late Beilein years.
Let the band *do* more and keep the "college game" feel to it. Otherwise it's just NFL atmosphere.
August 11th, 2022 at 5:28 PM ^
^^ crg gets it.
Don’t want UM gameday to feel like another contrived corporate pro league atmosphere. I’m all for music during the ridiculously long TV breaks, but more BAND, with a little DJ thrown in.
So for the record, get off my drought stricken lawn.
August 11th, 2022 at 4:09 PM ^
I wanna hear the band.
August 11th, 2022 at 5:07 PM ^
The wave is on par with genocide
August 11th, 2022 at 5:57 PM ^
The "wave" is the dumbest thing in the world,
Blasphemy. Especially coming from a Michigan fan.
August 11th, 2022 at 2:03 PM ^
Please substitute Mr Brightside between the 3rd and 4th quarters for the blues brothers intro that just goes on and on and on
August 11th, 2022 at 5:59 PM ^
So, drop something that’s actually unique to Michigan in favor of a song that 100 schools play.
August 11th, 2022 at 7:00 PM ^
Unique doesn’t equal good
August 11th, 2022 at 1:30 PM ^
We need some new music besides the usual rotation of stuff cited already. There is more than enough good music out there spanning the 70s -> today. And it shouldn’t be a repeat the same handful of songs where people identify it as being a distinctly “Michigan Stadium” playlist.
This is also known as having good taste in music (that ~90% of people enjoy) / being a good DJ.
August 11th, 2022 at 2:24 PM ^
I'm old and don't like much EDM or trap or whatever. But I'm pretty sure nobody in the student section - not to mention a sizable portion of remainder of the stadium - wants to hear Credence or Bob Seger during every stoppage and commercial break.
August 11th, 2022 at 6:02 PM ^
I wish we actually had a “distinctly Michigan Stadium” playlist. All the songs we regularly play are used around the country. “Pump it up” is pretty much the first song we came up with ourselves.
August 11th, 2022 at 1:33 PM ^
Don't you know? Pump it up.
August 11th, 2022 at 1:52 PM ^
....you got to pump it up.
August 11th, 2022 at 1:53 PM ^
I heard they got this guy... it's going to be so awesome.