Club DJ Work

[SC Events]

Hi All,

I wasn't sure where to post this as it's not Mobile DJ'ing.

Basically, I am trying to get in to a Nightclub and/or a decent Bar, but I don't know where to start and am after some advice.

I have spoken to the manager of a local Nightclub a few times and he rang me just before NYE to see what days I was mostly available and said he would call again in January as he was very busy, so there's still time yet - If I got in that nightclub, even for one night, it'd be brilliant!!

My mixing/beat-matching is pretty good, but is not the best in the world and i'm worried that if I got in to a club, they would go "Nah, you're not good enough" - I'd be very grateful for any hints/tips/tricks on this front.

Also, what sort of music do you play in clubs and how do you mix it up? Most of the clubs I have been looking at have at least two rooms: One is a 70's, 80's, 90's, 00's, Party, Cheese, Chart, R&B room and the other is for Funky House, Electro, Commercial Dance, Chart Remixes, etc...

I would guess that if I got offered a job, I would be working the 'Party Room', which i'm totally happy with.

Any help/advice would be very much appreciated.

Cheers! :)

[Fullforceeventsltd]

I'd personally would not bother unless you want to work hrs for nothing. Over the last few years the money has really dropped in bar and club work.

I was doing the bar and club scene for about 9 years and got out late 2008. The money then was a good regular weekly income. Nowdays I know, around my area some bars and clubs are paying DJ's to do a 8pm start to a 2am finish or even later for £60 - £100. Obviously if you are operating legit you have to declare this as well as the bar or club will be putting it through their books as an expense.

Bars and clubs are a great experience, hard to get into though. You can earn a lot better money nowadays for less hours on
Mobiles.

I would suggest writing out a cv with your Dj'ing experience and dripping a demo into the bars or clubs. Dont expect fast results as most owners hardly ever take the time to read or even listen to the demo's. Sometimes you nay just be lucky.

To get a break into the bars or clubs you may have a trial as a warm
up DJ - some clubs still have warm ups but due to cost cuts most are using one DJ for the whole duration.

I know a few club owners and they all are struggling to keep above water business wise.

Good Luck.

[DeckstarDeluxe]

Sign up to event uk Scott for a start.I only do the regular club work because I have a few guys I can call upon to cover me when the mobile stuff comes calling. Not great money but a good laugh in the right place.

[RevolutionDiscoNW]

hi Scott, I still do a regular Town centre bar every weekend and as whats already been stated the money is not the best, the customers are abusive and your never guarenteed that its safe work .....
its been known that djs get a phonecall an hour before theyre meant to start sayin they have been replaced!
its a cut throat industry bar/club djin - even more than mobile there is always a new kid on the block who will work cheaper ....

[WWDJ]

hi Scott, I still do a regular Town centre bar every weekend and as whats already been stated the money is not the best, the customers are abusive and your never guarenteed that its safe work .....
its been known that djs get a phonecall an hour before theyre meant to start sayin they have been replaced!
its a cut throat industry bar/club djin - even more than mobile there is always a new kid on the block who will work cheaper ....

Been there, had that, got a text on the day. (which worked out well considering I was really tired that week :D )... had another years ago where I went on a planned holiday and got replaced while I was off.

Take it for what it is. It can be fun and the crowds are always up for it. If the crowd is abusive, ignore them and concentrate on your mixing. It usually works for me.

[Jonathan Ford]

I don't know how true this is, but I was talking to a colleague over the weekend who told me that a group of bars and clubs in Derby have got together and agreed that there is no need to pay a walk-in DJ more than NMW.

[Dynamic Entertainment]

Sign up to event uk Scott for a start.I only do the regular club work because I have a few guys I can call upon to cover me when the mobile stuff comes calling. Not great money but a good laugh in the right place.

You getting anything through from Pete then Neil?

I ended up as one for their DJs due to them getting the Barracuda contract for invoice processing but their website has been in the "Testing" stage for the last 12 months (at least)....

[DeckstarDeluxe]

You getting anything through from Pete then Neil?

I ended up as one for their DJs due to them getting the Barracuda contract for invoice processing but their website has been in the "Testing" stage for the last 12 months (at least)....

I'll send you the email address.

I've never looked at their website to be fair....

[Jonathan Ford]

I'll send you the email address.

I've never looked at their website to be fair....

Their website lit my antivirus software up like a Xmas tree this morning!

[SC Events]

Thank you all for your replies, they're much appreciated :)

Just to update you all, I was in the Nightclub I mentioned in my OP on Thursday and I had a word with the Manager. He is going to give me a trial on Thursday 17th February and if it goes well, see what happens :D :D

If any of you could recommend any Must-play songs as well as any hints/tips/tricks it'd be appreciated :)

I will be DJ'ing in the downstairs room which plays, 70's, 80's, 90's, 00's, Party, Cheese, Indie, Rock (But not too heavy) and chart music.

Thanks a lot!! :beer1:

[surround sounds]

I used to do lots of work around atherstone in a club.Mainly dance,chart,rnb stuff to be honest,Over that way soon for a few wedding later in the year

[hammy]

Just go back to the old mixmasters Scott plenty there to keep ya going

[Dynamic Entertainment]

Thank you all for your replies, they're much appreciated :)

Just to update you all, I was in the Nightclub I mentioned in my OP on Thursday and I had a word with the Manager. He is going to give me a trial on Thursday 17th February and if it goes well, see what happens :D :D

If any of you could recommend any Must-play songs as well as any hints/tips/tricks it'd be appreciated :)

I will be DJ'ing in the downstairs room which plays, 70's, 80's, 90's, 00's, Party, Cheese, Indie, Rock (But not too heavy) and chart music.
Thanks a lot!! :beer1:

If you have to ask for this kind of stuff...your screwed ;) :D

In seriousness, just go with the flow and try and keep anway from the action party dances...atlast untill the bulk of the room is well oiled....


Just go back to the old mixmasters Scott plenty there to keep ya going

Erm...definate...NO! Any decent club manager will be on the look out to see if a new DJ used premixed material. I mean, when I mentioned that i was going digital, i was told by a couple of venues that if i bought software with an automix feature i would be out of a job.

They pay for a club dj to do the work themselves, and it weeds out the wannabees that just download a load of music and allow the software to do the mixing....

[BeerFunk]

Just to update you all, I was in the Nightclub I mentioned in my OP on Thursday and I had a word with the Manager. He is going to give me a trial on Thursday 17th February and if it goes well, see what happens :D :D

If any of you could recommend any Must-play songs as well as any hints/tips/tricks it'd be appreciated :)

I will be DJ'ing in the downstairs room which plays, 70's, 80's, 90's, 00's, Party, Cheese, Indie, Rock (But not too heavy) and chart music.

Thanks a lot!! :beer1:The best advice I could give you is to go and check out a club with a similar music policy. You'll see and hear the DJ in action, and the reaction of the crowd to certain tunes. You'll probably find the DJ has to work harder to fill the floor early doors, if he/she even bothers that is, until the club fills up. It gets easier as the night goes on, for obvious reasons :beer1: :beer1: :beer1:

Going by the music policy, I'd say you'd do well to check out one of the big clubs (Lava:Ignite?) on the midweek student night(s), if possible.

[SC Events]

Thanks for all of your replies. The Club is owned by Luminar Leisure who I believe also own Lava & Ignite, Oceana and Liquid.

Steve, I'm pretty sure I know what music to play, was just wondering whether there were any songs that are must-plays, as I know some songs will work in a club but not work when doing a Mobile Disco and vice versa.

Cheers :)

[Dynamic Entertainment]

Thanks for all of your replies. The Club is owned by Luminar Leisure who I believe also own Lava & Ignite, Oceana and Liquid.

Steve, I'm pretty sure I know what music to play, was just wondering whether there were any songs that are must-plays, as I know some songs will work in a club but not work when doing a Mobile Disco and vice versa.

Cheers :)

Not really. You have it easier with the room your playing out in ;)

Your joining the ranks as a Luminar Jock then eh!

In seriousness, if you can get to the club and see what works with the other Dj then your on to a winner to start with.

In the room your in, mixing isnt essential, but basic 4 or 8 bar reloop mixing makes the night flow a bit better, and you can get away with some club mixes...i.e. the More Airplay remix of We Like To Party (Vengaboys) as opposed to the Airplay radio edit.

If you can demonstrate mixing capabilities in the party room, you have more chance of getting noticed for the dance room, which ive always found pays better ;)

[SC Events]

Not really. You have it easier with the room your playing out in ;)

Your joining the ranks as a Luminar Jock then eh!

I hope so, if next Thursday goes well :)


In seriousness, if you can get to the club and see what works with the other Dj then your on to a winner to start with.

A good friend of mine was a DJ there for 4 years, but he finished about 6 months ago. However, he is back in there on Saturday in the room I am working in, so I am going to watch him :)


In the room your in, mixing isnt essential, but basic 4 or 8 bar reloop mixing makes the night flow a bit better, and you can get away with some club mixes...i.e. the More Airplay remix of We Like To Party (Vengaboys) as opposed to the Airplay radio edit.

OK, I usually prefer to beat-match music anyway, so that should be ok.


]If you can demonstrate mixing capabilities in the party room, you have more chance of getting noticed for the dance room, which ive always found pays better ;)

Cheers for the info Steve, much appreciated :) :beer1:

[Dynamic Entertainment]

Im not saying its a dead cert...but it has happened. If your also willing to travel then there is occasional cover work at other Luminar clubs. ive not been attached to Luminar for about 4 years. I was in one of the clubs that they "sold" to Kandu...by sold, it was a tax scam as a few members of the Board of Directors bought 20 clubs for £20mil..and when kandu folded i never bothered much as the nearest Luminar club is about 100 miles away now.

[SC Events]

I appreciate any help and advice Steve as I am a total newbie to Club DJ'ing.

As for travelling...it really doesn't bother me as long it's not costing me more to do the job than what i'm getting paid from it.

[SC Events]

Hi all (again),

I have done 3 weeks in the club now. The first night was ok, the second was better, but last night was dead!

I was told to play 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's, 00's and Chart, but have now been told not to play modern music as it gets played in the mainroom and they want the 'party room' to be completely separate - I'm happy with all this. The manager classes modern music as anything released in the last 5 years. - fair enough.

However, Thursday night is Student night, so as soon as the mainroom opens at 11:00pm (I start at 10:00pm), the vast majority go in to that room, so I lose most of the people.

Does anyone have any tips or advice on what sort of music or specific songs to play up to 11:00pm, when the main rooms opens, so I can try and keep as many as possible in my room?

Also, as it's a party room, last week I did some games where they could win a FREE drinks voucher or a VIP Entry pass, which they responded well to...is there anything else I could try that has worked for any of you?

I appreciate any help.

Thank you :)

[simonp]

Hi all (again),

I have done 3 weeks in the club now. The first night was ok, the second was better, but last night was dead!

I was told to play 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's, 00's and Chart, but have now been told not to play modern music as it gets played in the mainroom and they want the 'party room' to be completely separate - I'm happy with all this. The manager classes modern music as anything released in the last 5 years. - fair enough.

However, Thursday night is Student night, so as soon as the mainroom opens at 11:00pm (I start at 10:00pm), the vast majority go in to that room, so i lose most of the people.

Does anyone have any tips or advice on what sort of music or specific songs to play up to 11:00pm, when the main rooms opens, so I can try and keep as many as possible in my room?

Also, as it's a party room, last week I did some games where they could win a FREE drinks voucher or a VIP Entry pass...is there anything else I could try that has worked for any of you?

I appreciate any help.

Thank you :)

Have you thought of promoting nights within nights so people know what to expect from your room. You've got a fairly wide ranging brief so there should be loads you could do to keep the bodies in your room e.g. Devote the middle hour of your slot to definate gebre and promote it in advance. i.e next week 11.30 - 00.30 you'll be dropping early 90's dance classic bombs - week after 'Indie hour' - week after 'one hit wonders from 80s, 90s, 00s', week after 'Seventies DiscoFever' so on so forth - create a different night within a night each week to keep your room freash, you'll soon get your own following

[DeckstarDeluxe]

Try Classic "Urban or Rnb" such as

Beyonce - Crazy In Love
Fatman Scoop - Be Faithful
Usher - Yeah
Will Smith - (Anything pretty much)
Christina Aguilera - Dirrty
Shakira - Hips Dont Lie
Kevin Little - Turn Me On

Keep the girls in there and the boys will stay.

[SC Events]

Cheers Pridders and Neil, I will give them a try and see what happens :)

Does anybody else have any advice for club work? Would be good to build up a fair bit of knowledge so I have a better chance of things working :)