Few things flatten a set faster than dropping a track the crowd has heard a dozen times. Playing music other DJs don't have is how you build a recognisable sound, and it's easier than it looks if you know where to dig.
This guide covers the best places to find underground music for DJ sets, how to dig efficiently, and how to organise what you find so it's ready to play.
Photo by Brittany Bendabout on Unsplash
Why play underground music in your sets?
- You stand out. When most DJs draw from the same top charts, unfamiliar tracks make your set memorable.
- You build a following. People return to DJs whose selections they can't get elsewhere, and that turns into bookings.
- You control the mood. Lesser-known tracks let you shape tension and release without leaning on crowd-pleasers.
"Exclusive" here mostly means rare or unreleased: independent releases, promos, edits and tracks that never reach mainstream playlists. Always respect the artist's terms. If a track isn't cleared for DJ use or distribution, ask before you play or share it.
Where to find underground music for DJ sets
1. SoundCloud
SoundCloud remains one of the best places to find unreleased tracks, edits and early work from emerging producers.
- Search by specifics. Instead of "house", try a subgenre and a year, and sort by newest.
- Follow labels, collectives and producers. Their reposts and likes are a feed of curated discoveries. Check who the artists you like repost.
- Use filters SoundCloud's own search lacks. SearchSound.cloud's advanced search lets you filter by BPM, genre, duration and date, which is useful when you need tracks in a specific tempo range or extended mixes. Save your common searches as bookmarks.
- Check the monthly charts for rising tracks by genre before they peak.
- Look for download options. Some producers enable free downloads for DJs. Always check the description for terms.
2. Bandcamp
Bandcamp gives independent artists and labels full control, so a lot of underground music lives only there.
- Browse detailed genre and subgenre tags and sort by new or best-selling.
- Follow labels and artists to get release notifications.
- Buy releases directly. It pays artists well, and many releases come with lossless files that suit club systems. Buy the WAV or FLAC rather than converting an MP3 later, because converting MP3 to WAV does not improve quality.
- Use the "Discover" page and the recommendations on album pages to chain from one release to the next.
3. Online communities
Reddit (for example r/DJs and genre subreddits), Discord servers and forums for your genre are good for recommendations and ID requests. The way in is to take part, not just ask for tracks: share finds, answer questions and credit sources. Be cautious about anything offered as a leaked or private link, since using it can put you on the wrong side of the artist and the law.
4. Record pools
Record pools are subscription services that give DJs access to promo releases, edits and extended versions. Examples include BPM Supreme, Digital DJ Pool and ZipDJ, each with a different focus. Pricing and catalogues change, so check current terms and try any free trial before committing. Pick a pool whose catalogue matches your genre, and note that many pools lean towards commercial and open-format music.
5. Vinyl and record stores
Crate digging still turns up music that was never released digitally.
- Build a relationship with a local record store. Staff will often pull records for you.
- Check markets, fairs and online marketplaces like Discogs for specific labels or catalogue numbers.
- Look for white labels, limited pressings and foreign releases, which can contain different versions.
To digitise what you find, record the turntable into a DAW or audio editor, clean up clicks and pops, and trim the file. You can trim the recording with the audio trimmer in your browser.
6. People
Many of the best tracks come from people you know. Go to local nights and listen to the DJs you admire, then ask what they played. Follow producers on social media and engage genuinely with their work. Offer something in return: a mix, a remix, a feature on your show. Producers share promos with DJs who play their music and credit them.
How to dig efficiently
A repeatable routine beats occasional marathon sessions:
- Set aside 30 to 60 minutes a week.
- Start with a few artists or labels you love and follow their connections.
- Listen to the middle of a track, not just the intro, to judge how it mixes.
- Save everything promising immediately to a "to review" folder or playlist.
- Review that folder once a week and keep only tracks you would actually play.
How to organise and prepare your tracks
Finding tracks is half the job. Make them usable:
- Tag genre, BPM, key and energy level, and add a tag for rare or unreleased tracks. Use the BPM and key finder for files without reliable tags. It analyses audio in your browser and your files stay on your device.
- Plan harmonic mixes with the Camelot wheel so keys fit together.
- Build playlists by role: warm-up, peak, closers and surprises. Our guide to finding seamless transition tracks goes deeper.
- Set cue points and beat grids in Rekordbox, Traktor, Serato or your software of choice.
- Back up your library to at least two places, such as an external drive and cloud storage.
If you want to go further with underground selections, see our guide to finding rare underground music and mixing it.
FAQ
Where can I find unreleased or underground tracks for DJing?
SoundCloud, Bandcamp, record pools, genre communities and record stores are the main sources. Following small labels and producers and checking their reposts is the most reliable route.
Is it legal to play unreleased tracks in a DJ set?
Only with the artist's permission. Promos sent to you are generally meant to be played, but sharing or redistributing them is not. When in doubt, ask the producer.
How do I find tracks at a specific BPM on SoundCloud?
SoundCloud has limited tempo filters. A tool like SearchSound.cloud lets you filter by BPM range, genre, duration and date.
Should I use a record pool?
If you play commercial gigs and need a steady supply of edits and extended versions, a pool can save time. For deeply underground sets, Bandcamp and SoundCloud usually have more variety.