5 Red Flags To Avoid In The DJ Industry!!
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​1. Promoters who want you to play for free / Promoters who are way too involved

So let me start by saying that 90% of promoters I’ve worked with have been incredible.

When I have had problems in the past, especially early on in my career, it has been when a promoter wants you to play for free on a warm-up set. This is fine if you want some experience, but anything beyond that is just them being cheap.

My other issue, which I still have sometimes even now, is when promoters are way too involved in the music. I have had promoters send me Spotify playlists, which is okay to get a rough idea for a new venue/event you have never played before, but anything beyond that, like them standing in the booth or texting you through the event about music, stifles creativity and freedom needed to play a good set.

2.Brand-new events

A brand-new shiny event can seem like a fantastic opportunity, and of course, it may turn out to be so. But brand-new events often have no track record or reputation, and they may be more likely to cancel or have other problems. If you’re considering playing at a brand new event, make sure to do your research..

*Who is the promoter, and what are their credentials?
* What’s the reputation of the venue like?
*What’s the genre? What type of crowd? What’s the capacity?
*What’s the entry fee, drinks prices etc..

You might think, why does a DJ need to know what the entry fee is? You can decide how much you want to charge for a set. If it’s a £150 minimum spend on tables, you can potentially charge more, and the crowd will be drastically different.

3. What’s the entry fee, drinks prices etc..

Clubs and bars charging low drink prices often try to attract a large crowd by offering cheap alcohol. This can lead to several problems, such as drunk and disorderly crowds, fights, and damage to the venue. Also, having a low drinks offer is usually the venue’s last chance to attract customers. This is a sign that it might not be there for much longer.

4. Venues that ask you to bring your own equipment

While it’s not always a red flag, venues that ask you to bring your equipment may be trying to cut corners. Again, it comes down to ‘why’ they don’t have equipment. But if you do decide to take this type of gig, you may be able to add a fee to take your equipment; what you need to take into consideration is the risk of damage to your controller and if it’s worth it.

5. Venues that are too vague about the genre

If a venue is too vague about the genre of music they want you to play, it’s a red flag. This could mean they don’t have a clear vision for the event or are not expecting a large crowd. If they are vague about the music policy but then start complaining about the music you are playing during your set, this can also be problematic.
If you’re asked to play at a venue that is unclear about the genre, give some examples and ask questions about the type of crowd and what’s worked for them previously.

What I’m Listening To: 

I’m absolutely obsessed with the new Jack Harlow. I know it’s going to get overplayed, and I will hate it in a few weeks, but for now, it’s my jam.

Loving on me – Jack Harlow​

For my house music lovers, I gotta shout out to Danny James for putting me onto this track!

Dreamer- SUBSHIFT

What I’m Watching: 

I’m loving this venue and loving the DJ set by Diplo even more! I’m aware this is the full set, so a 90 minute video, but it is well worth the watch! Check it out and let me know what you think.