Hotels and their DJ's

[buster38]

i have been booked for a function next year in Cornwall ( nearly 8 hours away from me ) and i was told by the couple who booked me that normally they would have to book the hotel DJ if they want to use the function room, but the couple told the hotel manager that they have heard and seen the DJ that they have and if they had to use him they would book another hotel where they dont have to use their DJ. I was also told that the hotel DJ is a bar man that likes music but not normally a DJ, i think it is a case of the hotel wants to cash in on the function charge the earth for a bar man to do the job and only pay the bar man an hourly rate.

Any thoughts on this?

[Dragonfly]

many guys are part time djs seems sensible business on the part of the hotel if they have someone that works there that djs , they know him they employed him to start with and im guessing have seen what he does , what a dj does will not be to everyones taste and what everyone wants maybe they saw heard him when he was playing from a playlist of really obscure tracks?

I am however totally against venues saying that clients have to have their disco. it's their party they should have the right to choose .....

would they also say ............... all your guests may only drink stella

or

all your guests will have to have meatballs and chips for the wedding breakfast?

no.

If I was that barman and he is only getting barman wages I just hope the hotel supplies the gear to use and it's set up when he arrives.

[PropellerHeadCase]

I understand the hotels' needing to have some level of control over the people that come onto the premises and that may have access to the loading bay and so on, but I think this swings too far in the opposite direction.

[CRAZY K]

i have been booked for a function next year in Cornwall ( nearly 8 hours away from me ) and i was told by the couple who booked me that normally they would have to book the hotel DJ if they want to use the function room, but the couple told the hotel manager that they have heard and seen the DJ that they have and if they had to use him they would book another hotel where they dont have to use their DJ. I was also told that the hotel DJ is a bar man that likes music but not normally a DJ, i think it is a case of the hotel wants to cash in on the function charge the earth for a bar man to do the job and only pay the bar man an hourly rate.

Any thoughts on this?

8 hours away--hope your charging mega money:)

Yes, come across this a few times with Weddings--I tell people ( they dont listen) to tell the venue that they want the option of their OWN Entertainment otherwise they are going somewhere else.

I would be surprised if the Hotel said--ok fine clear off somewhere else then!

I was invited to one recently where the Hotel had " insisted " they supplied the DJ.

As im not a full time DJ I have no particular axe to grind but I thought it was poor--the sound system and lights werent as good as mine--and im a Barn Dance Caller/ Country DJ mainly--certainly nothing like Rice who I did see a year or so before the Wembley incident:D

Talking over the mike?---forget it:eek:

My friend who invited me and my wife said we had to have this DJ--I didnt spoil the moment by saying--I dont think so"!

There are DJs who come with the Hotel package who are excellent--spoke to one yesterday who is on here--but its not something I would be happy with for my Wedding unless I had seen them in action, or had spoken to an outside source---not the Hotel Manager:eek: --- for a recommendation.

You dont get two goes at Weddings--does this topic come up on the Hitched Wedding site--maybe Al--Propellor Head Case- or Rice might know.

Just my view, in fact the last two Weddings we have been invited to --the Discos have been really poor--and thats not professional jealousy or being bitchy--just reality---which I guess reinforces what Daz keeps saying about the publics view of DJs---despite numerous excellent people on here!!!

CRAZY K

[buster38]

although it is 8 hours away we are going away for the weekend the fuction is book and it is only 10 mins away from my mother in law who also lives in Cornwall.

[Dragonfly]

although it is 8 hours away we are going away for the weekend the fuction is book and it is only 10 mins away from my mother in law who also lives in Cornwall.

so either a nice little profitable family break ................. or total hell on a stick from start to finish dependant on wind direction ;) :D :D :D :D :D :D

[PropellerHeadCase]

There are DJs who come with the Hotel package who are excellent--spoke to one yesterday who is on here--but its not something I would be happy with for my Wedding unless I had seen them in action, or had spoken to an outside source---not the Hotel Manager:eek: --- for a recommendation.

You dont get two goes at Weddings--does this topic come up on the Hitched Wedding site--maybe Al--Propellor Head Case- or Rice might know.

Yes, hotel DJs come up in conversation. Often in a negative light, but not always. Depends, to an extent, on the hotel.

[theoloyla]

many guys are part time djs seems sensible business on the part of the hotel if they have someone that works there that djs , they know him they employed him to start with and im guessing have seen what he does , what a dj does will not be to everyones taste and what everyone wants maybe they saw heard him when he was playing from a playlist of really obscure tracks?

I am however totally against venues saying that clients have to have their disco. it's their party they should have the right to choose .....

would they also say ............... all your guests may only drink stella


Err yes they would and do if they are tied to a particular brewery.
I agree with the other posts though. If you dont like what's on offer then tell them you want something different and if they cannot or will not accomodate your tastes then you have two choices accept what they offer or go somewhere else. Life is often full of hard choices and compromises.

[CRAZY K]

Err yes they would and do if they are tied to a particular brewery.
I agree with the other posts though. If you dont like what's on offer then tell them you want something different and if they cannot or will not accomodate your tastes then you have two choices accept what they offer or go somewhere else. Life is often full of hard choices and compromises.

I blame the Hotels for trying it on. Rip off Britain again!

Instead of saying--well we have an excellent DJ who works here and you can come and see him sometime to check it out, cost is competitive etc OR you can use your own DJ----they say---YOU HAVE TO HAVE OUR DJ.

No choice--REALLY great eh?

CRAZY K

[Corabar Steve]

Err yes they would and do if they are tied to a particular brewery.

No they wouldn't. For starters there would be at least one other (probably weaker) Lager available (not a premium brend as Stella is) & there would also be other types of beer along with wines, spirits & alchopops etc.

[pdarnett]

One venue in Yorkshire actually charge couples a fee if they bring their own dj!!!

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

One venue in Yorkshire actually charge couples a fee if they bring their own dj!!!

That happens in some places round here too.

[Corabar Steve]

Yep, not uncommon at all.

As I said in another thread recently, we had a couple change the venue rather than use the hotel's resident of pay a fee for us (the venue in question also had no ides on how high their sound limiter was set & seemed like a bunch of incompetents anyway, this was also a contributory factor)

[Dragonfly]

One venue in Yorkshire actually charge couples a fee if they bring their own dj!!!

I believe Wood Hall near leeds does this , and I have heard of other venues too??

[Dragonfly]

Yep, not uncommon at all.

As I said in another thread recently, we had a couple change the venue rather than use the hotel's resident of pay a fee for us (the venue in question also had no ides on how high their sound limiter was set & seemed like a bunch of incompetents anyway, this was also a contributory factor)


I had a couple change the date earlier in the year which was a really great feeling I have to say and probably once in a life time thing.

[Vectis]

Need to find a description for this activity...

... 'corkage' doesn't cut it

Any suggestions? 'Jockage' ?

[rob1963]

Need to find a description for this activity...

... 'corkage' doesn't cut it

Any suggestions? 'Jockage' ?

Ripoffage?

[spin mobile disco]

Local hotel near me does the same thing. I was hired to provide after season party for local cricket club, they were charged £50 extra to provide own disco or they could have the hotels resident for an extra £250.
So they hired me and hotel staff were very rude all night lol, apparently it was hotels manager that does own disco there and because he was in a strop he took it out on staff.
But punter loved the night and thats all that counts ( oh and being paid as well)

[ian8limelight]

As a DJ that has done a lot of hotel residency work, I can see it from both sides of the coin.

Some of the Hotels like to have a degree of control over the DJ's that they allow into their establishment for a number of reasons, including:-

1. They know the individual(s) concerned, and that they have the necessary 'support' (e.g. PLI, PAT);

2. They may have a 'noise' problem and trust the judgement of their resident DJ (if they have/haven't invested in a sound limiter), and will portray and support the Hotel's rules and image;

3. Their own DJ knows the 'make up' of the Hotel, how it runs for a function, and they haven't got to worry about him/her (i.e. one less thing for the Banqueting Manager to worry about on the day !)

These reasons, however, do not make the resident DJ 'the best thing since sliced bread' and/or is not to detract from any other like-minded professional DJ and their capabilities. :D

A lot of Hotels will recommend their 'resident' DJ but, of course, those arranging and paying for the function may still insist that they want to bring in someone they know/have seen before/been recommended by friends, etc. They will not necessarily know the 'resident/recommended' Hotel DJ. In most cases, the Hotels allow this but will usually insist of seeing the DJ's PAT and PLI documentation. I have, however, in the past worked at a venue who would not allow another DJ to perform there, and have turned away business (but have always replaced it with another function). But please see my previous paragraph ... the same applies :o

I have been booked to perform at other venues where I have been in the situation where they have their own 'resident/recommended' DJ and have faced the same issues I have already highlighted earlier.

These are my individual views and experiences; please accept them as they are written. :)

[Excalibur]

As a DJ that has done a lot of hotel residency work, I can see it from both sides of the coin.

Some of the Hotels like to have a degree of control over the DJ's that they allow into their establishment for a number of reasons, including:-

1. They know the individual(s) concerned, and that they have the necessary 'support' (e.g. PLI, PAT);

2. They may have a 'noise' problem and trust the judgement of their resident DJ (if they have/haven't invested in a sound limiter), and will portray and support the Hotel's rules and image;

3. Their own DJ knows the 'make up' of the Hotel, how it runs for a function, and they haven't got to worry about him/her (i.e. one less thing for the Banqueting Manager to worry about on the day !)

These reasons, however, do not make the resident DJ 'the best thing since sliced bread' and/or is not to detract from any other like-minded professional DJ and their capabilities. :D

A lot of Hotels will recommend their 'resident' DJ but, of course, those arranging and paying for the function may still insist that they want to bring in someone they know/have seen before/been recommended by friends, etc. They will not necessarily know the 'resident/recommended' Hotel DJ. In most cases, the Hotels allow this but will usually insist of seeing the DJ's PAT and PLI documentation. I have, however, in the past worked at a venue who would not allow another DJ to perform there, and have turned away business (but have always replaced it with another function). But please see my previous paragraph ... the same applies :o

I have been booked to perform at other venues where I have been in the situation where they have their own 'resident/recommended' DJ and have faced the same issues I have already highlighted earlier.

These are my individual views and experiences; please accept them as they are written. :)

Amen to all of that. Been there done that. It is great to go into a place where you know the staff/layout/standard procedures/wrinkles, and it is good for the venue staff. Used to have a place who knew what my last words meant, and as I said them all house lights came on, every time.

On the other hand I am pro choice in most things, so feel that customers should not be coerced into having a DJ they may not know, or like.

[Johnny]

Speaking as a dj who's main income is from hotel residency work. I can endorse what ian8limelight has said.

The main reason for the residency dj is that the hotel knows that he is going to do a good job and that he/she will responed to reasonable requests from the hotel on the night.

Many a time I have turned up at one of the hotels I dj at, to be told what a nightmare of a time they had with the dj that the client had hired the week before. That complaint could be for a number of reason's but most are of noise level of music, which upsets the neigbours.

However in all cases if the client's wants to bring in a outside dj then that is ok with the hotel's but do expect the outside dj's to follow instructions and requests from the hotel staff.

[CRAZY K]

One venue in Yorkshire actually charge couples a fee if they bring their own dj!!!

I would feel an overwhelming urge to say Foxtrot Oscar to them:D

CRAZY K

[Excalibur]

Speaking as a dj who's main income is from hotel residency work. I can endorse what ian8limelight has said.

The main reason for the residency dj is that the hotel knows that he is going to do a good job and that he/she will responed to reasonable requests from the hotel on the night.

Many a time I have turned up at one of the hotels I dj at, to be told what a nightmare of a time they had with the dj that the client had hired the week before. That complaint could be for a number of reason's but most are of noise level of music, which upsets the neigbours.

However in all cases if the client's wants to bring in a outside dj then that is ok with the hotel's but do expect the outside dj's to follow instructions and requests from the hotel staff.


And the other side of the coin is that I often turn up and staff say how much better the evening has gone than with their usual DJ! Note to Johnny, don't think I have worked in your venues!;) I do know that many venues simply choose their resident on one criterion. PRICE! I lost a residency many years ago, and when telling customers where I used to work, many of them would say " oh ys, we went there recently, and the DJ was :Censored: :Rob James:

You pay peanuts, you get monkeys.

[PropellerHeadCase]

I can understand chargung to bring an unknown quantity on-site, but I thnk that money should be spent maybe having the resident vet the DJ or something. And yes, some Hotels have residents because they are good and enhance the name of the hotel, and others are totally price driven... a bit like punters, really.