Aggro at Gigs....How do you deal with it?

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Something in another thread has prompted this so I thought I'd ask...
I know we have had threads that have focused on abuse towards the DJ etc etc but this is looking at it another way.

When it kicks off at a gig that you are DJing at (probably more private functions and not club / bar gigs)....How do you deal with it?

When I was working in night clubs and bars, I was told to keep the music going but to make an announcement over the mic to get the attention of the doorstaff if they hadn't already seen what was going on. The idea was that by keeping the music going, it wouldn't bring attention to what was happening and make the situation worse. Whether that was the right or wrong thing to do, I don't know but I did what I was told.

When it comes to private functions etc....more often than not, there aren't doorstaff present so what do you do?
Do you keep the music going? Do you cut the music and try to get the attention of staff (if you are in a hotel etc?).
What if you are in a village hall and there are no staff as such to get hold of?

Does this mean that it all comes down to us as DJ's to try and get the situation sorted?

Personally, even though I have done a bit of door work in my younger (and fitter) days, I don't think it's my place to get involved. I am there to entertain, that's what I am paid for.

If I am honest, I am more interested in the safety of my equipment. It's ok if you are up on a stage and away from the trouble but what if you are on floor level and the trouble is right near you?

I am sure everyone has their own way of doing things and some will agree and disagree with different methods so what do you do? Also, do you have anything in your Terms & Conditions regarding your own safety and something that covers you if you have to stop due to trouble etc?

Luckily it hasn't happened really at functions that I have done. At a wedding once it kicked off outside the room apparently. I didn't see it and only found out afterwards when someone made a comment when I was packing up "Great night mate, shame it was spoilt by the trouble earlier" - "Eh? News to me!". It also kicked off outside the venue at the 18th on friday night but that was after the party and I had finished so not really much I could do.

So....over to you. I know what I would do now thinking about it but when it does happen, depending how bad it is, the way I go about things may be different.

[DiscoMagic]

this happened to me on Saturday at a 21st, luckily I knew the parents who had some mates and I had my self and 4 blokes just standing in a circle around the rig, I then sent two lads to go and stand by my car - just in case.

Nothing got damaged - but god knows what I would have done if I hadn't known the people organising it.

I do think that as a result I will not be doing any 18th / 21st's unless I think there is enough 'adults' to help me cope with the situation in future!!! My equipment is always worth more than the couple of £100 that I would earn!

[Shaun]

If it kicks off I kill the music, pull out the plugs and use myself as a barrier between the trouble-makers and my equipment. Things have kicked off a few times over the years but I've never had to physically get involved to protect my gear.

[marting]

So....over to you. I know what I would do now thinking about it but when it does happen, depending how bad it is, the way I go about things may be different.

cant really so much as haven't done my first gig yet but if it does kick off think i would be tempted to switch off until things got sorted my first priority would have to be my safety and then worry about the gear.

were providing an entertainment service not a bouncer service.

i also refer to my t&c's


13 The hirer agrees to provide adequate supervision of guests and will ensure that venue management adequately supervises customers and or staff on site premises. Please note: Where the function may include guests under the age of 16 years, the client, (or parent) is responsible for the behaviour and safety of any minors attending the venue. The client will provide and maintain adequate adult supervision at all times. MGM Entertainments will not be liable for the supervision of minors.
13.1 Unwarranted Abuse or threatening behaviour from hirer’s guests or venue management or venue staff will not be tolerated and will result in the performance being terminated with no loss to the artiste(s) or MGM Entertainments.
13.2 The hirer agrees that compensation for any loss of or damage to performing artists(s) equipment, vehicle(s) or personal belongings caused by hirer’s guests, venue customers and or venue staff may be sought including any additional costs.

[DeckstarDeluxe]

Only aggro I've had is verbal abuse which is water off a ducks back.

Club gigs if it kicks off the door staff just pile in and sort it out. They don't want me saying anything on the mic and refuse to give me a radio (Annoying but not much I can do about that)

Private gigs having done loads of young farmer type parties where it does get abit OTT and they are pushing into each other but they sort it out between themselves. Never had a fist fight at one of my events in over four years and long may that continue (In all fairness its hard to be angry when the DJ is playing cheese :P)

[Larry B Entertainment]

If it kicks off I kill the music, dial 999 if its serious enough and then get out of there. The kit can be replaced, I cant :o

[hammy]

If it kicks off I kill the music, pull out the plugs and use myself as a barrier between the trouble-makers and my equipment..

Same as Shaun

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Marting - Exactly and that's my point!

I agree with Shaun and I wanted to see what others said before I revealed (if you like) what I would do. My gear is important to me and so I would be out there infront of it, trying to make sure that it's ok and yes, I would cut the music so that everyone knows what is happening and can try and stop it.

Another stance on the subject - What if during the trouble, you get hurt? Whether it's serious or not, do you just say to the organisers "Sorry, that's enough" or do you continue? Should you continue?

[Shaun]

Another stance on the subject - What if during the trouble, you get hurt? Whether it's serious or not, do you just say to the organisers "Sorry, that's enough" or do you continue? Should you continue?

If I'm assaulted or my equipment is damaged then I'd call the poilce and end the party. Zero tolerance for that kind of thing. I'm there to work not defend myself.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Deckstar - When I was doing the likes of Yates's, Litten Tree and Chicago Rock, I was always given a radio. There would be aggro almost every week but it got sorted easily by the doorstaff because there were plenty of them around the venue and on the door. Most of the time it was away from the dancefloor but when it looked like something was brewing, I would get on the radio and advise the doorstaff and 9 times out of 10, just before it happened, they would be there to sort it. In those places I never had to cut the music because of the radio thing but in clubs years before that, I had to make announcements....as I said, rightly or wrongly.

I think you should have a radio for your own safety too.

[DeckstarDeluxe]

Deckstar - When I was doing the likes of Yates's, Litten Tree and Chicago Rock, I was always given a radio. There would be aggro almost every week but it got sorted easily by the doorstaff because there were plenty of them around the venue and on the door. Most of the time it was away from the dancefloor but when it looked like something was brewing, I would get on the radio and advise the doorstaff and 9 times out of 10, just before it happened, they would be there to sort it. In those places I never had to cut the music because of the radio thing but in clubs years before that, I had to make announcements....as I said, rightly or wrongly.

I think you should have a radio for your own safety too.

As I said I've tried talking to the head doorman be it a code word on the mic or a radio and refuses to allow either. "Just let us do our job" kidda deal but they are also pretty slow to react to fights (fairly few and far between actually).

[Excalibur]

Music off immediately, use the mic, and hope that peer pressure will sort it out. I rarely work in places with door staff, so don't have that luxury.
:(

Now in the old days..............................;) ;) ;)

[surround sounds]

same as Shaun. Music off

[Ecstatic Events]

As I said I've tried talking to the head doorman be it a code word on the mic or a radio and refuses to allow either. "Just let us do our job" kidda deal but they are also pretty slow to react to fights (fairly few and far between actually).

That's shocking - I've always been referred to as a "third" eye when working pubs and clubs. Always been given a radio, and can only think of a handful of times I've needed to use it.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Mike - 'Third Eye' is the perfect description and was what I was referred to aswell. It's a bit cheeky really when you are supposed to be DJing but hey, if it helps stop trouble from happening then it's cool. I don't do any of those places anymore which is cool.

A lot of people would probably like to "Kick the....." etc but in reality, it's not worth the bother and could go wrong big time. I've never even contemplated calling 999 before and not sure if I would but then again, it depends on the situation at the time. If I feared for my safety then I would have no problem doing so.

[Andy Goodtimes]

I don’t do many clubs and bars nowadays but when I do I usually have a radio, same at the Ramada Christmas parties but at the other hotel I do which is nicer there’s never the slightest hint of trouble so not been necessary.

I have a roadie who is a 6ft 4in Jamaican and an X army boxing champion and there have been a few times that I have had to cool him down and tell him to leave it but he looks the part and it does mean that trouble is never directed towards me or my kit.

If a fight starts at an event or it’s about to start I will always dip the music and say something like…”You guys stop right now or if it can’t wait then take it outside immediately as this is Janet & John’s special day and you are spoiling it”.

At one of the Christmas Party Nights this Christmas just gone I had about 300 punters made up of various parties and one of them was about 30 Police Officers and one of them was nothing but trouble all night. The Hotel staff and his Senior Officers had had numerous words with him to no effect. He had a bottle of vodka under the table, he was pushing folk about and he got a girl from a party of nurses who was one of these size 0s and only about 6 stone and swung her round dangerously on the dance floor even though she was screaming for him to put her down, he kept taking his drink onto the dance floor and I had to stop the music a few times till he took it off, but then near the end he jumped up and pulled some decorations and a light fitting down and one of the hotel girls got the step ladder to try and put it right, he climbed up the ladder after her and put his hand up her skirt nearly making her fall…That was it as far as I was concerned, I called security on the radio and stopped the music and said “You’ve been a nuisance all night and you are a Police Officer and should know better”. Most folk in the room started on him then and a few security staff and his senior officers quickly surrounded him and took him out and made him go home in a taxi.

In a way I guess we are in control and although it’s not our responsibility and states that in the contract too we have the power to sort it so we do as it’s what comes naturally.

[Jason]

I've had one incident. I cut the music immanently. Pressure from other guests resolved the problem.

I don't get directly involved, but did brace the rig. I'm not going to wade in to bust up a fight, or tackle a drunk and obviously violent guest.

Its not our place to control this or get involved. Too high a risk of re-percussions, legally or otherwise.
On a private night out, I'm able to defend myself, but professionally, I don't want to get involved.

[DiscoMagic]

I would be interested to hear if any know if anyone is aware of an insurance that covers this kind of thing???

I am sure that my PLI insurer doesn't, and after my recent experience will probably look for the extra cover ...

[spin mobile disco]

DJ Guard or musicain guard insurance cover this kind if thing. They pay you and then sue guilty party to recover their expenses. Must be something about last weekend i had punch up at mine as well.

[yourdj]

If it kicks off I kill the music, pull out the plugs and use myself as a barrier between the trouble-makers and my equipment. Things have kicked off a few times over the years but I've never had to physically get involved to protect my gear.


If it kicks off I kill the music, dial 999 if its serious enough and then get out of there. The kit can be replaced, I cant :o


DJ Guard or musicain guard insurance cover this kind if thing.

I have been involved in club security and regularly do a Geoff Thompson type class
but in a private event I would certainly not put my life above my equipment.
There are plenty of glasses let alone fire extinguishers about any venue.

I would get my mac at least and get the hell out the way and call the police.
Insurance will deal with the damage. Thats what its there for. obviously I would get eye witness accounts and pictures :)

Depends on the situation and I stand for no nonsense but if it got too a brawl then thats the trigger.

[Booche]

It all depends if the actions were towards myself or not if they were literally fighting etc near my equipment i would intervene and tell them to go sort it outside as i too have worked the doors local to me in Derby BUT that doesn't mean i go round splitting every argument up lol

There was one situation were i did intervene when a polish person had sort of assualted a fellow Dj friend (wont mention names) were the polish guy was playing about with the fellow Djs equipment and when asked a few times to leave the console got quite abusive and the polish guy ripped the fellow Djs clothing which doesn't sound that bad but when faced with a drunk foriegn person who doesn't understand english that well can turn very very ugly and very quickly luckily i had just finished my gig and the clients had gone but the other Djs hadn't so it was a case of help out and sort out

Luckily it turned out ok when i retained him after the place it happened at asked me to just basically get him out and keep him out to which i did and at the end after a few harsh words from myself and the places management he got the hint and lefted lol