A couple months ago we featured the legend that is DJ Marcia Carr, head of the vinyl-only, female DJ collective Girlz Be Like, in our Staff Picks playlist. With a SEVEN hour mix, no less! It’s a serious undertaking but before Marcia even starts planning her set, she reminds herself of her north star, her guiding light.
She sees her purpose in DJing as sharing “message music” that brings joy in a world filled with struggle. “Faith plays a huge part in that too,” she says. “It’s always been important to avoid tracks with negative messages or bad language. I want what I play to uplift, not bring people down.”
Read on to hear more from DJ Marcia Carr about what it takes to pull off a marathon set.
So what goes into the preparation for such an extensive set?
DJ Marcia Carr: For a longer set, like the seven-hour one I do annually at Grow for Girlz B Like (which I also creatively direct), prep starts a month in advance. I start digging through my vinyl crates, pulling out forgotten gems. Disco 45s, House 12s, maybe some Neo-Soul or a few dub plates. I let inspiration lead the way. Sometimes a track title or an artist jumps out at me and sets a vibe; the direction of how I might lead or start the set.
Physically, I’ll split my records into three loose piles – beginning, middle, and end. A bit like scoring a film using a moodboard. I think about how I want to open the set, what mood I want to build, and how to close strong without burning out the energy too early. This is so that people can keep the pace. It’s all about flow and being mindful of the crowd at different stages of the night. The payoff? Seeing the crowd react and vibe to it all – it’s such a satisfying feeling.
All good stories have a beginning, middle and end, but how do you keep that energy flowing throughout?
When I DJ, I don’t stick to just one genre. I explore the full spectrum of Black music, from fresh new sounds to forgotten retro gems from the past few decades. I build my set gradually, hour by hour, with special care during hours 3 to 5 to keep the crowd engaged without exhausting them. After all, you want people to stay until the lights are back on.
I know not everyone in the club is there purely for the music, most just want to hang out. That’s why I keep a few semi-obvious, feel-good party tracks in my crate – ones I still enjoy – to lift the room if needed. For me, DJing is about storytelling. Taking people on a journey, raising their energy and introducing them to sounds that inspire. Surprise is part of the essence, so I throw in curveball tracks to keep things exciting. But I’m always ready to pivot quickly if something doesn’t land; the timing might not be right.
With vinyl, you’re limited to what you bring, so preparation and instinct are everything. I’m passionate about the craft and I take pride in giving people a memorable experience. I want the person standing in front of the booth to leave feeling something real. Being a DJ isn’t for the faint-hearted, but I’m always up for the challenge. To please both the crowd and my own ears without compromise.
There’s also practical considerations for a set this big, how do you prepare physically?
Before a gig, I make sure to rest well, plan ahead, stay hydrated and eat properly to manage my energy. DJing is about giving and receiving energy with the crowd – like a call and response. I’m grateful for the opportunities I have and see my role as sharing uplifting, positive ‘message music’ that brings joy in a world filled with pain and hardship everywhere at the moment.
It sounds like this wasn’t the first or won’t be the last time you’ve done a set like that?
No two of my gigs are ever the same, and it’s the interaction with each unique audience that makes every event special. I treat each party as a one-off experience and believe that the energy I put in directly shapes what I get back. If I have two gigs in the same week, I never repeat records twice. Keeping my sets fresh and imaginative with spontaneous mixes excites me and the audiences seem to appreciate that too.
Playing in Vienna recently was a standout moment. My set unexpectedly was extended to five and a half hours (from three hours) with a diverse, expressive crowd (mostly club dancers) that made it unforgettable and barely any phones in sight.
What would your ultimate advice be for DJs hoping to follow in your footsteps?
For those selectors and DJs aiming to do longer sets, self-belief and flexibility are key. Being dynamic, ready to switch direction and always carrying extra records can make all the difference.
Check out more from DJ Marcia Carr on Mixcloud.