DJ 101 Part 1

DJ 101 Part 1

These are just a few bits of DJ basic knowledge you may not know about, even care about, but I'm putting them here in DJ 101.

Start and Finish times

This comes up a lot, more than you would think! When a DJ quotes (well in the majority of cases), the start time is the time the first song is played, the finish time is the time the last song of the night ends. So if your party starts at 7pm, by 7pm the DJ will be playing music, and a midnight finish means the last song will end at midnight. The DJ will tell you how long he needs to set up (normally around an hour) and how long he needs to pack away (again normally around an hour). This means that if you book your DJ for 7pm, he will normally arrive at the venue around 6pm, if the finish is at 12am, then expect the DJ to leave no later then 1am. These are things you should clarify with the venue. Also, think about when your guests will be arriving, many times I've been booked from 6pm until say midnight, with guests not arriving until at least 7.30pm. You have paid me to DJ to an empty room for an hour and a half in this case! Judge when you think your guests will be arriving, and leaving and book the DJ accordingly. Also make sure you ask your venue when the DJ can gain access and when the DJ has to stop the music. Your venue may advise you that they finish at midnight, however they may tell the DJ last song is 11:30pm, the final 30 minutes is for people to drink up and vacate the premises. Just have a clear dialogue between yourself, the venue and the DJ for it all to run smoothly!

Playlists

Every DJ is different, some welcome them, some hate them. Personally I don't mind them, as it gives me a good idea of what type of music the DJ is expected to play on the night. However, don't worry if you don't bother with one, as any good DJ should be able to read the room and hopefully play what the majority of guests want. It's nice to have a playlist as a guide, not as an instruction as to what to play for the whole evening. I have had a 5 hour party booked and been given a playlist that lasts over 8 hours, this is overkill. The DJ will normally play around 20 songs in an hour, so for a 5 hour party, a playlist of say 50 songs is ideal to give the DJ an idea of what you want as well as giving him room to play some bangers he knows will work. A DJ is an artist, so would like some control over what he plays, if you give the DJ an extensive playlist and tell him these are the only songs you want to hear, you may aswell hire a jukebox.

Buffet or not buffet

I never take for granted that the client will feed or water me at a party, it is not in my contract and therefore it is not expected. It is always lovely to be asked but the majority of the time I will have eaten before I come out to do a gig. Unless I am invited and particularly hungry I will not partake in the buffet. The only time it would be written in to a contract to feed the DJ would be if it was an exeptionally long affair (ie. Wedding).

House party?

We do not just DJ at pubs and clubs, if we are asked to, we are quite happy to set up in your house, garden, river boat etc. to DJ for you. Obviously due to our unpredictable UK weather outdoor events may require a marquee or arrangements to be moved indoor at short notice. As long as our t's & c's are complied with, there isn't an issue!

If you have a question you wish to ask then contact us at info@totalpartysolutions.co.uk and we'll add it to DJ101 part 2