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Paying for your guest DJs?


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I'm recognizing a lot of mid-sized events recently, which have a list of more than 2 or 3 guest DJs, some even from abroad.

Promoting a small Soul do myself I always wonder how promoters can afford to pay at least their guests expenses.

For my part I had also friends over djing for me but at least managed to pay their flight and accomodation plus a fair bit on top.

Most of us do not mind a bit of £££ to buy our next tune, don't we? :thumbsup:

 

Edited by hermanthegerman
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I was told by a big name DJ ( a proper one who graces many premier events) that he did a 'Rare Soul' night as guest DJ 50 miles from his home. It was poorly attended so the promoter didn't pay him.

Needless to say he won't be doing that venue again without payment upfront! Well, to be honest he told the promoter to stick it where the sun doesn't shine.

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It's a bloody nightmare being a promoter, you want to try it sometime. Worrying if any bugger will turn up, and if you will lose money. That's why most will accept any old crap just so long as it gets folk through the door.

Lots of people only too willing to do it for nowt these days.

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actually julian,ive always wondered how the dj payment system works?

is anybody able to do a bit of an increment list to show what one would expect..

in fact is there a premiership league and a pub team league? haha

for example:

butch at the top of the premiership (how much would he get)

and

mr who cares in the dj pub league (how much would he get)

cmon lets knock up a dj league for djs to work up and...fall down?

 

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Please note that these are estimates as different DJs who DJ in a local area will be cheaper than at the other end of the country, also over years of knowing each other sometimes you have a good night and over pay as you get in extra people, some DJs give 100% wages in the charity box at the end of the night, yes I've had that done a few time, others say just give me £20 to cover my petrol.  I know of one well known DJ who DJed recently who traveled over 360 miles round trip for a 1 hour spot for £50 which he agreed before he went - why because he still has the buzz of djing and soul music.

That's 6 hours traveling plus fuel for £50 - it's a hobby ?

The actual fees that promotors pay I guess is that grey area - so without names:

Top dogs

150 - 250

mid range

50 - 120

Troop DJs

30 - 40

Pub hobby spinners

10 - 20

Hobby DJS

A few pints - don't care

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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i wonder what it is that gets you in the premier ship league! it cant be the records cos there are plenty of (lower end djs) whom have far superior records to the so called top dogs!

could it be time served...casino..totw..etc or just simply keeping your name in the mix and maybe being a bit of a showman?

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31 minutes ago, chalky said:

Far too may promoters just promoting on a wing and a prayer, hoping they get enough in to cover costs.  The guest Dj should be paid an agreed amount regardless whether the promoter makes a profit or not.  Bout time half of them packed it in anyway. 

There is also far too many somcalled Dj's who will do it for nothing, just to get behind some decks and get their name on a flyer.

Three options these days, tired old 45's ALL night, smaller clubs who take a few chances and mix, and the forward thinkers.  It depends where the money goes but there are some "top dogs" who will still take on a set at the smaller clubs because they give a shit and are happy to take a mid range payment - not because there's a promoter pocketing the rest but because that's all the club can afford.  Isn't it nice finishing a set knowing that everyone (the crowd) goes home happy?

Edited by JimK
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For specialist 45 gigs I won't usually play for anything less than $100 as the guest.  Obviously there are exceptions though.  Depends on the situation.  On tour I'll aim for at least $100 to $200 appearance fee/retainer & that can be for anything from a 45min set to multiple set rotations over 4 or 5 hours.  But for example, on tour in Austin last year, I stayed with another DJ for the whole week & during that week played his 2 nights for free.  Sometimes I'll guest for my good friends for free just to go hang out & jam with them & catch up.

Ironically, the more mainstream gigs I do often pay better.  I did 4 hours one night this weekend from Serato off my laptop playing all sorts of stuff for $100 an hour, not a soul 45 in sight.  

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15 minutes ago, Paul Jnr said:

Once a promoter tried to book me to guest and still expect me to pay on the door....not going to name drop  :g:

:lol: brilliant! what a guy. And the way it's going with everyone wanting to Dj, I can see this happening for real.

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11 minutes ago, Quinvy said:

:lol: brilliant! what a guy. And the way it's going with everyone wanting to Dj, I can see this happening for real.

Could be a nice little earner for them......

'Door Tax £5 punters - £10 DJ's'.

 

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On 6 January 2016 at 20:35, chalky said:

Far too may promoters just promoting on a wing and a prayer, hoping they get enough in to cover costs.  The guest Dj should be paid an agreed amount regardless whether the promoter makes a profit or not.  Bout time half of them packed it in anyway. 

There is also far too many somcalled Dj's who will do it for nothing, just to get behind some decks and get their name on a flyer.

So if your names

on the flyer you should be paid,? What if you're doing the promoter a favour by refusing or waiving your "fee".,because you understand the costs of promoting,and a profit is in the balance.? Is paying a big fee a guarantee of a successful night.?

 

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On 04/01/2016 at 12:43, hermanthegerman said:

I'm recognizing a lot of mid-sized events recently, which have a list of more than 2 or 3 guest DJs, some even from abroad.

Promoting a small Soul do myself I always wonder how promoters can afford to pay at least their guests expenses.

For my part I had also friends over djing for me but at least managed to pay their flight and accomodation plus a fair bit on top.

Most of us do not mind a bit of £££ to buy our next tune, don't we? :thumbsup:

 

Depends who you want to get over I suppose. The answer usually is your own pocket if its a well known face and hope to get it back through door sales.

Sometimes venues will stump up the cash for you ive found.

I have run various DJ events over the last 20+ years mostly small and always found set swaps are a good idea so no money changes hands and both parties get to spin at a new or different place. This is my favourite method aside from paying in records. 

Also used to do simple splits say if the DJ was from same town as us (London) ie we all split the door fees after costs. Sometimes people dont get paid but then we all dont get paid, which is easier to take for all concerned.

We have mainly hired other collector / DJs whos tunes we like or styles we repsect and know from buying and selling records. This is simpler in my view. 

 

 

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At the larger events I see some DJs also selling records/cd's etc. when they are not playing so making money in another way. Do promoters charge for this or is it part of the deal (or even goes unspoken)? In it's own way no different to buying artist merchandise at a concert. 

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On 09/01/2016 at 20:24, hermanthegerman said:

Some good and interesting replies there, thanks for that folks.

Regarding the "I invite you, you invite me" policy: This recently made lot's of the same DJs taking turns at each other's events, so whereever you go (if you travel) you encounter the same line-up.

What about DJs who do not promote for example, are they supposed to stomp up their own event to be invited? Or to dj at all?

I guess that's part of the problem of nowadays event overload.

As a punter I prefer to go to events where at least there is a few surprises in the line-up, but that's just my humble opinion...

No, you have to put your hand in your pocket. Simple as that. 

Sadly there is no free way of doing this unless you do swaps or someone else pays for them. Its part of promoting.

There are enough solid record collectors our there to find interesting people with interesting records who can DJ

 

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On 09 January 2016 at 13:06, chalky said:

Whatever the agreement is it should be honoured regardless of the amount of paying people. If they agree to do it for nowt or waive their fee then that is entirely up to the DJ.  But I know of countless times a promoter has said to a DJ we have only had such and such through the door so can only afford this, that is what I am saying is wrong.

Nothing a promoter does guarantees a successful night.

But what you said earlier was "so called dj's who do it for nothing",now you're saying its up to them.

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1 hour ago, KevH said:

But what you said earlier was "so called dj's who do it for nothing",now you're saying its up to them.

Well it is but doesn't mean I agree with it.  When you are taking money on the door then I believe a Dj should be paid.  As said the promoter should act with a certain amount of professionalism and if can't afford to take the hit then get out of promoting.  As also said, rarely does a Djs fee go up if there is a decent turn out.

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Guest chorleybloke

Bit of a different system down under where the vast majority of DJs at local events around the country don't get, or expect, any monetary payment.  Free entry and sometimes a pint is the norm at my do.  Suppose this is because we're virtually all mates doing it for the crack.  Bit different at the big weekenders though where visiting (ahem) dignitaries will get payment in kind (beer, food, gifts etc).

I always feel slightly embarrassed when someone presses an envelope into my hand after DJing in UK.

Cheers.............Pete

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2 hours ago, chorleybloke said:

 

I always feel slightly embarrassed when someone presses an envelope into my hand after DJing in UK.

Cheers.............Pete

Hi Pete

You're leaving yourself wide open here, my friend.

Some horrible person might say " I'm not surprised you're embarrassed taking any money after playing that set!:D:yes::D

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On ‎10‎/‎01‎/‎2016 at 10:05, bobkayli said:

At the larger events I see some DJs also selling records/cd's etc. when they are not playing so making money in another way. Do promoters charge for this or is it part of the deal (or even goes unspoken)? In it's own way no different to buying artist merchandise at a concert. 

Record Dealers pay the entrance fee as any other punter would at nighter,s. Unless you happen to be a dealer at the major weekenders where tables can cost  hundreds of pounds for the privilege just on the off chance that you sell a few tunes to cover table costs before any profit to yourself.

DJ,s who sell at nighter,s don't normally get charged for the privilege of selling their tunes.

Steve

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2 hours ago, Pga1 said:

Got to agree about equipment set up but never set tone arm too light as it can also damage records,  all styluses have certain tracking weights  eg ortofon pro s 4g  sorry if off track (pun) cheers

I've never understood how someone can spend £1000+ on a record, but won't stump up £100 for a decent pair of needles for DJing...

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Guest chorleybloke
10 hours ago, JulianB said:

Hi Pete

You're leaving yourself wide open here, my friend.

Some horrible person might say " I'm not surprised you're embarrassed taking any money after playing that set!:D:yes::D

Lol yes I suppose I walked straight into that Julian, maybe "awkward" would have been a better choice of word:D

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11 hours ago, cover-up said:

I've never understood how someone can spend £1000+ on a record, but won't stump up £100 for a decent pair of needles for DJing...

It's 'the strange world of Northern Soul'....I remember many years ago I increased the entrance fee to The Embankment Club from £2.50 up to £3.00, and a few people really moaned about it - then headed straight for the record bar to spend a fortune! :D

I don't think any D.J is actually bothered about their fee not covering their expenses, it's just the way our Scene is - Although I'm sure most people wouldn't mind paying an extra pound on the door so they do get that little bit extra......but that just wouldn't be right would it? :wink:

Let's hope the 'D.J Union' doesn't cotton on and sends em all out on strike! :D

Len :thumbsup:

Edited by LEN
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Guest Soultown andy

As far as im concerned if you cant afford to foot the whole bill for the nite [room door staff equipment djs resident and guests],you shouldnt be promoteing.And fuck that u dj here if i can dj at urs,thats why theres so many mickey mouse promotions these days.Spare needles decks and amp will always be there at the decent venues ,and likewise djs and staff will be paid.Anyone can promote but i think most peeps know the decent well run venues,yet some of the cowboys get good support so theirs no real answer to it.

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1 hour ago, Soultown andy said:

As far as im concerned if you cant afford to foot the whole bill for the nite [room door staff equipment djs resident and guests],you shouldnt be promoteing.And fuck that u dj here if i can dj at urs,thats why theres so many mickey mouse promotions these days.Spare needles decks and amp will always be there at the decent venues ,and likewise djs and staff will be paid.Anyone can promote but i think most peeps know the decent well run venues,yet some of the cowboys get good support so theirs no real answer to it.

Come on Andy, I Dj'd for you a few years ago at Keele and never got paid. Not bothered at all, but just saying like.

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45 minutes ago, tosspot said:

A few kind words, a pat on the back, & maybe the petrol money (that's if the club isn't running at a loss) ,or just a pint or 2, that's all I need :wicked:

That's exactly what I hear about all the djs who do the circuit and not just play the big venues....all great chaps/ladies who won't EVER make a fortune from what they do....dedicated to the music they love, and basically get paid pro rata to the venue they play at....so generally never a fortune...guys/ladies I thank you because your the guys who give up your time for very little. Thank you...Rob

Edited by Lionelonthevinyl
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9 minutes ago, Lionelonthevinyl said:

That's exactly what I hear about all the djs who do the circuit and not just play the big venues....all great chaps/ladies who won't EVER make a fortune from what they do....dedicated to the music they love, and basically get paid pro rata to the venue they play at....so generally never a fortune...guys/ladies I thank you because your the people who give up your time for for very little. Thank you...Rob

Whoops sorry, re posted.....Rob

Edited by Lionelonthevinyl
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