I need my space

[Disco Tech Liverpool]

I'm getting a little tired of getting to venues only to find that they want to put you in a corner with about 3 foot of space to fit into despite telling people when they book that I need around 10 foot of space.Last night the place I was in wasn't the biggest of places but it did have a foot high stage which was a good 14ft or more across.

As i walked through the door I noticed the buffet tables were on the stage, there was a DJ booth to the right of the stage in the corner as I looked. I said to the girl there can you move the tables to the side of the dance floor as I won't fit in the booth, which she said well thats were all the DJ's go. I said that most DJ's don't have a set up like mine, I couldn't even fit the flight case housing my player and mixer on the deck stand behind the booth as it was too big. Also they wanted me to take the gear in through the front and right through the building as they refused to open the fire door next to the stage which led into the car park.

I can't understand these places, you get absolutley no help at all to make a party 'better'. I like to be symetrical with my equipment and as you all know it is better if you are square on to the audience. These people and places don't accomodate for DJ's having speakers and other such equipment. It's fine going in a small booth if you are a resident DJ and use their equipment but not when you are mobile and wanting to do a good job. I can take a minimal amount of gear in yes, but thats not what I'm about. I like to put my full show on.

Last nights party however was one of the best this year thus far, even had heat riser fire alarms rather than smoke detectors, got a midnight finish too which is always good.

[Big Mix Mobile Disco]

Space requirements, access etc... are layed out in my booking agreement which my customers have to sign - if I feel the requirments havn't been met (enough notice is always given) I reserve the right not to perform and the full balance is still due.

You'll find people won't ignore your needs that way.

[Penfold42]

:agree:

[gaza]

Also, i cant believe the amount of times you turn up to find a table that has been put in place for the Dj, i know most people on here have deck stands, but there must be a hell of a lot of DJs that dont have them.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Space requirements, access etc... are layed out in my booking agreement which my customers have to sign - if I feel the requirments havn't been met (enough notice is always given) I reserve the right not to perform and the full balance is still due.

You'll find people won't ignore your needs that way.

And you'll alienate your clients and start the evening off in a bad light.

Come on, let's be honest - what a load of nonsense. Have you really ever 'not performed' because you didn't have enough space?

[DeckstarDeluxe]

only issue Ive had is height rather than space. Sure sometimes Ive been stuck in a tiny space and a few times had to place one speaker on top of the other but it is explain on the evening that its the best I can do in the space. Never had a customer complain in such instances.

[Excalibur]

And you'll alienate your clients and start the evening off in a bad light.

Come on, let's be honest - what a load of nonsense. Have you really ever 'not performed' because you didn't have enough space?

Agreed. As in many things, you can learn a lot from the past. ;) :D My old mate Procrustes had the right idea. ;)

[Vectis]

That's why customer meetings and venue databases are such a good idea.

Also, in my experience, such issues tend to present themselves more frequently at 'downmarket' venues...

[yourdj]

I can't understand these places, you get absolutley no help at all to make a party 'better'

Can you not sort out two set ups that you can adapt to the venue just in case?
I know it means allot to you looking at your site but i doubt a client would notice a light or two missing :)

This is the reason I went back to a T bar. I also have a couple of small actives for tight spaces. :)

On a seperate note. A venue manager has seriously upset me this weekend and they really get on my nerves when they quite simply do not have a clue what they are doing She made the annoyed staff serve the coffee before the speeches and toasts which i have never seen happen which sums it up really :Censored: They area all french and were cursing her sarcastically.

Another local venue to me makes me set up in a separate room which NEVER works because they cant be bothered to buy a dance floor in the main hall. This is not your local social club but one of the most expensive hotels in england! They can see this and on talking to them do not seem too care as it will take 15 mins more.


DJ's do not have tables
there must be a hell of a lot of DJs that dont have them.[/QUOTE]

Yep. What do they do when the venue has no tables i wonder :confused:


Agreed. As in many things, you can learn a lot from the past. ;) :D My old mate Procrustes had the right idea. ;)

Yep. I have too and can fit in 1 metre square space if needed :)

[rob1963]

This thread highlights the importance of having a set up which is flexible and which doesn't take up too much space anyway.

For example, the total width of the frontage surrounding my deck is less than 24 inches, and by using tripods & tbars for lighting there is more flexibility than overhead bars or trussing.

[thex-faders]

A local venue to us has its own Booth / Lighting and dancefloor area in the function room. The booth is TINY! It already has a mixer and CD unit... But all we do is take the laptop and soundcard, plus CD's for back up and we're away. They do allow DJ's to bring their own equipment but they have issue being in a residential area with music being played till 1am etc. So if you bring your own gear and crank it up when the party gets started your constantly being told to turn it down etc.

For this reason whenever we do events there we use their booth etc. The reason some venues put in their own systems is because of council regs or residential areas. Not sure if this may have been the issue in this case?

As long as it is made clear to the client and the venue are happy for you to use their equipment its win win for everyone in my eyes. Little or no set up time for me, client gets charged a little less and venue dont loose their license because of noise complaints etc.
Tom

[Jambo]

I must agree with Rob!
Flexibility is the key here, not every venue has the size to cope with the Disco taking up 1 end of the room, we as Mobile DJ's need to be able to adapt to different venues and adapt to the area that we have to set our rigs up!

This is why people bookus because we are supposed to be professionals!

The other point that someone made is also good practice and that is the pre-gig meeting with the client which should preferably be held at the venue so that issues such as setup area can be discussed and agreed before the gig!

I think that whole thing basically comes down to having good communication with your client!

[Big Mix Mobile Disco]

And you'll alienate your clients and start the evening off in a bad light.

Come on, let's be honest - what a load of nonsense. Have you really ever 'not performed' because you didn't have enough space?

Well almost 95% of my gigs I don't have any issues, and I always meet with my clients at the venue before hand to discuss such things.

I have never come accross a venue yet where I have had to not perform, however if an issue is forseen I try to resolve it before the gig itself. As a professional I won't perform if it is unsafe to do so!

[Excalibur]

I think that whole thing basically comes down to having good communication with your client!

I think it comes down to having a selection of kit in the van which means you can deal with just about any venue you encounter. One size doesn't always fit all. ;) ;)

[rob1963]

I must agree with Rob!


Many do...










































...but few would admit to it.

;)

[Shaun]

Have you really ever 'not performed' because you didn't have enough space?

I almost have. I'm sure I posted a thread about it.


**Edit: Here it is in the supporters section. http://www.forum.mobilediscodirectory.co.uk/showthread.php?t=21313

This is the only time I can recall ever being close to not performing due to space restrictions. Luckily my show can be condensed down quite a bit, but if there's anything my previous situation has taught me is that there might come a time when the unthinkable could happen and I have to inform the client I can't play due to not enough space.


[ if anyone can't read the link above.....why the heck aren't you a supporter? :P ]

[Disco Tech Liverpool]

I can adapt my equipment to fit into a 2ft space if I need to, my point being I don't want to. I like to use my full rig, be square on to the audience and symetrical. The problem on Saturday was not with the customer, so no 'meeting' would have been advantegous. The customer knew there was a more than ample stage, she just didn't know that they were going to put the buffet tables on it and refuse to move them. The customer was not there when I arrived, however the barmaid was... "That's how it always is in here and all the DJ's go in that box", that was her attitude.

Posting this on this forum is not the place to moan about it, as by posting on this forum usually means that you have an interest in your job, you care about your disco. Unfortunately the other 90% of mobiles don't care, they get in with what gear than get away with, a couple of lights and get out as quick as poss with the money. I'm first in and usually last out. This is what I was saying to the barmaid trying to get a point across that I 'care' about my party, both visually and audibly. I wouldn't ever start on the wrong foot with any customer, it's better that they are on side with you. I explained the space I needed, it was there as the customer knew, then the venue set the buffet up on the stage. I asked for it to be moved due to my (preferred) requirements and more or less got the cold shoulder because thats how it is, tough. I don't like it. Help your customers to have a great party, listen to your DJ's.

[Jambo]

Thats quite unfortunate and really one for the client to sort out as it is they who are paying for the venue, I can understand that from the barmaids attitude there really wasn't anything that you were able to do to rectify the situation!

[NKR]

I can adapt my equipment to fit into a 2ft space if I need to, my point being I don't want to. I like to use my full rig, be square on to the audience and symetrical. The problem on Saturday was not with the customer, so no 'meeting' would have been advantegous. The customer knew there was a more than ample stage, she just didn't know that they were going to put the buffet tables on it and refuse to move them. The customer was not there when I arrived, however the barmaid was... "That's how it always is in here and all the DJ's go in that box", that was her attitude.

Posting this on this forum is not the place to moan about it, as by posting on this forum usually means that you have an interest in your job, you care about your disco. Unfortunately the other 90% of mobiles don't care, they get in with what gear than get away with, a couple of lights and get out as quick as poss with the money. I'm first in and usually last out. This is what I was saying to the barmaid trying to get a point across that I 'care' about my party, both visually and audibly. I wouldn't ever start on the wrong foot with any customer, it's better that they are on side with you. I explained the space I needed, it was there as the customer knew, then the venue set the buffet up on the stage. I asked for it to be moved due to my (preferred) requirements and more or less got the cold shoulder because thats how it is, tough. I don't like it. Help your customers to have a great party, listen to your DJ's.

And the end result was? Did the customer get them to move the buffet?

Personally if its a new venue for me, I do a recon run and talk to someone in charge at the venue about the date we are performing and what are requirements are and how best they can be accommodated. I then feed this back to the client to ensure they are also happy.

Communication before the end can solve a world of problems.

[StarZSoundS]

And the end result was? Did the customer get them to move the buffet?

Personally if its a new venue for me, I do a recon run and talk to someone in charge at the venue about the date we are performing and what are requirements are and how best they can be accommodated. I then feed this back to the client to ensure they are also happy.

Communication before the end can solve a world of problems.


There are three major components to planning a succesful evening for your client.

The Client.
The Venue and Staff.
The Entertainment....:) :) :)


Not neccesarily in that order.

Part of your role is to diplomatically keep an equilibrim between those factions.I don't think kicking off at a Venue does you any favours at all. :eek: :eek:

[NKR]

There are three major components to planning a succesful evening for your client.

The Client.
The Venue and Staff.
The Entertainment....:) :) :)


Not neccesarily in that order.

Part of your role is to diplomatically keep an equilibrim between those factions.I don't think kicking off at a Venue does you any favours at all. :eek: :eek:

And some beer!

[StarZSoundS]

Lot for you to catch up on.....

That UkBrides thread is right up your street!!

[NKR]

Lot for you to catch up on.....

That UkBrides thread is right up your street!!

Way too long for me to catch up on that one.

We have pretty much decided we will do what comes our way as we enjoy working for people who have seen us or know us. Not very inspiring I know, but with another little one on the way I won't have time to drive it that hard soon.

Anyway :offtopic:

[Disco Tech Liverpool]

There wouldn't have been enough time for me to set up if I'd have waited for the customer to arrive. The end result was I've been booked to do another gig in the same place. Had word with client and manager on the phone, mentioned the problem with the buffet on the stage, client said they will make sure that the buffet wont be on the stage, manager who wasn't at the original gig told me to ring him a day before the party to sort it out, he was the opposite of the barmaid, quite helpful.