Where to find dj gigs
If you’re a DJ looking for DJ gigs there are some great places you can start. Here in this blog, we detail our advice to new DJs looking to get their first DJ gigs.
Firstly, what kind of DJ are you going to be? This is an important question as it dictates where you will look for DJ gigs and what strategies you will employ.
The main types of DJs are mobile DJs (including wedding DJs) club & bar DJs and headliner DJs.
Mobile DJs
The majority of DJs in the world are mobile DJs. Mobile DJs will take their DJ equipment to perform at an event like a wedding, private event or birthday party. In addition to their own DJ equipment, mobile DJs will often have a deck stand, lights and a sound system.
Mobile DJs are booked to play the style of music the booker wants. Often this means sticking to a commercial playlist that would keep everyone on the dancefloor happy.
Mobile DJs can find DJ work by advertising their services online, through a website or on social media. The best way mobile DJs can get DJ gigs is by word-of-mouth. As with all businesses, reputation is key.
Club & Bar DJs
Club and bar DJs are those who perform in their local area, often in pubs, bars, restaurants and smaller clubs. In some cases, they may also DJ at resorts or local businesses like gyms. Local DJs will often have to play the style of music that the promoter or booker requests of them.
Club & bar DJs can find DJ work by approaching their local venues with a mixtape and offer a trial shift. They will then gradually build up their reputation over time and find more local businesses to work with.
Headliner DJs
If you want to DJ your own style of music you should aim to become a fully-fledged artist or headline DJ. You can then play any genre of music you like as people are there at the gig to see you. Often, headline DJs are also music producers, so if you want to become a headline DJ you need to learn how to produce.
Headline DJs will get DJ gigs by releasing popular music in the hope they become famous through their music. When a DJ gains some notoriety they might be signed by a record label or approached by a DJ agency. The agency or label will then help them organise DJ gigs in large clubs and music festivals internationally.
Tips To Find DJ Gigs
There are some additional ways that new DJs can get their first DJ gigs. Our partners, London Sound Academy and DJ Gym train DJs in the UK and also offer DJ gigs for their DJ course graduates. If you want to improve your DJ skills and access a range of DJ gigs check them out.
Another great idea is to sign up for your local open deck night. Click here to find a list of open deck nights in the UK.
Join a DJ Agency
One of the best ways to find DJ work is to sign with a reputable DJ agency like Epic. We find DJ work for DJs in London and the surrounding areas. Open-format DJs can apply to join our roster if they have their own DJ equipment, sound system and lights. For more information please contact us. It’s advisable to prepare a mixtape and also have your LSA accreditation in place.
Looking for more ways to find DJ gigs?
Click here for 42 ways to find DJ gigs.
