Frequently Asked Questions

What you should be asking when looking to book a good DJ for your special event...

 

How much music do you have ?

Your DJ should have something over 8000 songs, this should give enough scope to fill the dancefloor with a wide variety of music for the various age groups, but also satisfy requests on the night.

What music do you have ?

If you have international guests, or you like styles which are perhaps not general commercial chart, you will need to ask about this. Your DJ should fill you with confidence that not only does he carry these styles, but is happy to use them to fill your dancefloor. Many professional DJs will carry at least a small amount of just about every style you might need, right across the various era's of music, including many nationalities such as French, Serbian, German, Latin, Scottish, Irish, African, Israeli and much more. Perhaps just as important is the fact that he will be happy to play it !

What music will you play ?

If you have chosen the styles and any particular songs, these will be your DJs priority. Around this brief your DJs will guage the audience, and using his experience, will choose songs that will get people on the floor

Can I choose songs for you to avoid playing ?

Either giving him a list, or using an online music request system you can select songs for your DJ not to play, and he should discuss general styles you like and dont like so the evening goes the way you want it to

Can I choose the music ?

If you want to choose every song for him to play, and even the order, he sholuld advise against it, but be happy to accomodate your wishes. When booking a professional DJ, he ought to know better than you what will fill the dancefloor, but should be equally keen to incorporate your favourite songs and styles. He should offer advice, but be open to your suggestions.
Many DJs offer a free online music database where you can choose as many songs as you like (bear in mind around 19 songs per hour is the most he can play!). You also get a further login for your guests, so they can choose 2 songs each, and of course he should be happy to take requests on the night

Can my guests choose music ?

Yes, either on the night, of perhaps via an online music database system if he has one. You may also have the facility to remove any guest requests you dont like !

Do you have 'clean' versions of songs ?

Your DJ should have a large amount of 'radio edit' and cleaned versions of songs, so if you need him to make sure he plays these instead of the originals, just let him know and he should be happy to accomodate your wishes

Can I bring an iPod ?

Check with your DJ before the day, in case you want to play your own background music perhaps, or if you have some special music you need included which he doesn't have

Can I bring a CD ?

You shouldn't need to, but most have the facility to play CDs

Can I bring a memory stick ?

Once again you shouldn't need to, but many DJs will have the facility to play it

How big are your speakers ?

Unless you are in the business, most brand names will be meaningless, you may have heard of JBL and JAMO, but do you know which is far better than the other ? (it's JBL by the way) Size often isn't a good indicator of quality (how many times have you heard that !!) If you are booking for an 18th birthday, then high volume may be something you are looking for, but if it's a Wedding, then more discreet speakers would be more appropriate. Your DJ should help guide you through which systems he has, and which he recommends, you may not understand half of what he says, but you should get a feeling that he knows what he's talking about. He should point out that it will be loud enough to encourage dancing, but he will monitor the volume so that those guests who would rather talk than dance, get to enjoy their evening as well

What if your system breaks down ?

He should reassure you that he carries extra equipment with him, both sound and lighting, so in the unlikely event of a problem, he can be up and running again very quickly

What if you get ill ?

You need assurance that if he gets ill, you will still have a DJ. Most DJs will know other DJs who may be able to cover your gig at short notice, and many DJs are members of DJSupport, an online facility to quickly locate emergency cover. Have a chat with him, he should reassure you how he would cope in this emergency
You should never end up with him sending his roadie/ friend/brother to entertain on your special day

How long does it take to set up ?

For a normal amount of equipment with reasonable access to the room/ marquee, allow an hour. Should you book extra's such as uplighting, this takes longer but your DJ would discuss this so you are fully aware.

How long does it take to break down ?

For a normal amount of equipment it's usually around 45 minutes. You may need to bear this in mind when planning your timings, in case the venue insists both guests AND equipment are out of the venue by a certain time.

What will you wear ?

For a Wedding, most professional DJs would normally wear black tie (dinner suit) as we think you and your guests have made an effort, therefore so should we. However if you would prefer him in shirt and tie, fancy dress, very loud Hawaiian shirt, then just let him know ! He should be flexible to your requests, as with all other arrangements

Will you get drunk ?

"Absolutely not !" should be the answer, hopefully followed up with "I don't drink alcohol while working". You wouldn't expect a plumber to be sipping a Bud while sorting your central heating, or a doctor with a hip flask. The waiters & bar staff are unlikely to be drinking, so why should your DJ ?

My venue has asked for PLI (Public Liability Insurance)

Many venues now ask for this in case of claims by guests following an accident. Your DJ should have cover, but do check the level in case it's below that required for the venue. Some ask for £2million, some for £10 million just in case of any accidents with their equipment or set up. Your DJ should be happy to email either you or your venue with the policy. If you get contact a DJ from this website, they will have £10m PLI already in place as part of their membership !

My venue has asked for PAT

This is Portable Appliance Testing, all electrical equipment taken into a venue should be annually tested by a qualified Electrician, with each item having a sticker as well as having a test certificate. Some venues will insist on seeing this, either before the event, or on the day. Your DJ should be happy to email either you or your venue with the Certificate

Can you set up earlier ?

You may wish to have everything set up early, perhaps before a Wedding Breakfast or conferance, although it's not always appropriate. In a marquee this is the preferred option as guests will rarely go somewhere else after the Wedding Breakfast, so bringing a lot of equipment through your crowd of guests is not really what you want. If however you have chosen a beautiful venue with nice architecture, do you really want 21st century equipment in your photo's... probably not.
It's something you should discuss, but my general advice is to enjoy your venue for the Wedding Breakfast, then take a one hour break when you can relax and greet evening guests as well as chatting infomally with your daytime guests, while your DJ sets up a great show for you.
Tags: