Tips On Booking A Professional Mobile Disco And DJ

-- End Ad Box --->and duties on the night because they are well
An article providing tips on booking a mobile discexperienced and even calm when everything seems
jockey and discotheque. This article may not coverto be at crisis point!
every aspect of what to look out for in booking a DJOnce everything is done and the function is drawn to
but treat it as a guide, and you will not go far wrong!a close, the DJ entertainer has to safely pack the
It's a wonder there isn't millions of DJs in the UK asequipment away, safely load the vehicle and journey
opposed to thousands!back to home.
Think about it.In this basic example, the Wedding function was in the
The sophistication of modern music and the advanceevening but the entertainer had to prepare some
of the internet and data storage is so far advancedconsiderable time before the actual day, start off in the
technology wise, anyone with a laptop or i-pod thesemorning in order to set-up in the afternoon.
days can literally plug and play for a party!Given all the above, does it clearly demonstrate that
If we compared service providers in the entertainmentDJ entertainers can be present well-before a function
and leisure industry, probably the most importantand usually well-afterwards too!?
aspect of ensuring a function is a memorable successIt is therefore not unreasonable to assume that DJ
is professional entertainment, not helium balloons,entertainers can allocate a considerable number of
Wedding Cakes or confetti!hours on the day for a few hours actual entertainment!
In fact, the 21st Century Professional Disc Jockey toPlease note, like everyone else, the entertainer also
that of his predecessors can indeed be defined as aneeds to eat and drink on the day!
Superstar DJ service!Whilst not every entertainer will expect to be included
Client demand today expects a premium high qualityin the guest numbers for allocation of food and drink,
service all-round that's excellent value for money.clients should not expect hired entertainment to
However, due to changes in the music industry, statutefunction for long periods of duration without forms of
and regulation (safety) requirements for the publicsustenance!
practice of DJ'ing and of course good (legal) businessDehydration and muscle cramp can affect the
practice, the modern day professional mobile DJ is byperformance of any entertainer. Likewise, the working
no means a cheap and cheerful alternative to the localconditions (if not already specified in the hire contract)
band or vocalist.must be duly noted, especially in extremes of
Of course, without bands the mobile DJ entertainer istemperature and adverse weather conditions.
'nothing' yet the diversity of the band is nowhere nearIt has been said that expensive Wedding Cakes do
to that of a DJ who can access thousands of songsnot get people dancing!
in seconds and present a variety of genres for allEntertainment is by far the biggest contribution to a
tastes!successful function and will be remembered as the
In fact in many cases, the Mobile DJ may have to bebiggest aspect on the day by the attending guests.
licensed to practice the profession, be registered withYou decide!
the Inland Revenue and produce accounts.Because the time suggested for all the arrangements
It is increasingly likely that regulation is just off thefor a bespoke function can literally be anything from
horizon too and consequently, the shortfalls willseveral months to even two years in planning,
undoubtedly be picked up by the client!choosing the right entertainment should equally not be
Although the overheads and running costs arerushed or compromised.
reflected in the fee quoted for a function, premier DJBeing honest, booking a professional DJ entertainer
entertainment is gradually being brought into line withservice for a Wedding or private function can be just
other supply services; the cheap and cheerfulas much a headache as booking the right caterer or
approach is about to change.right venue.
The shock and awe from clients when they areWord of mouth is a great way to hear about the DJs
quoted £80, £90 and £100+ per hour forreputation and how a particular function panned out,
bespoke quality entertainment is very common, yetbut what if the function was totally different to what
hardly an eyebrow is raised when the quotes for ayou require? What if the DJ in question is unavailable
professional Wedding Cake can be £500+ or theor not suitable for your function? Who would you
services of an MC is quoted from £350+ for a littlebook?
over two hours work!People don't generally book DJs everyday and are not
If we take a Wedding Reception as a basic example,as clued-up on the 'requirements', let alone the specifics
it is overlooked that the experienced entertainers daythat one should be looking for when booking a DJ!
does not start with the playing of the first music trackSo what are the basic points of note?
on the night!We will outline some of the essential pointers to look
Whilst DJs may use equipment that looks and soundsfor in booking DJ entertainment to help your special
out of this world, they don't just beam-in to the functionoccasion run as smoothly and as memorable as
and start performing.possible.
Explaining an example background, once satisfied thatMost function hire room venues require an entertainer
all paperwork is in order (licences held, certification,to hold Public Liability Insurance cover.
contract, etc) the DJ entertainer has to prepare whichThis indemnifies the venue in the event of an accident
equipment will be used for performance and mayclaim on the premises should it involve the disco
have had to specifically set aside requested music forequipment.
client. In many cases, this can be done prior to theMore often, the P.L.I. cover requested for an
actual day of the booked function.entertainer to hold can be anything from £1m to
The transport vehicle will need to be in good (clean)£5m+.
working order before safely loading of equipment andPlease note, the Musicians Union offer £10,000,000
journey to venue.Public Liability cover for their members as a benefit.
Taking account of the journey times, distance, fuelThe venue may ask the entertainer to present a
costs, road charges and parking, additional costs, etc.,Portable Appliance Test 'certificate' too. The P.A.T.
the entertainer will usually arrive at the venue in good'certificate' states that the electronic (disco) equipment
advance of reception guests in order to safely set-upused by the entertainer is electrically safe and has
equipment with clear access (usually confirmed andbeen passed. In other words, it is a paper trail to refer
agreed prior with the client).to in the event of a claim.
This is not always straight forward as other servicesSo before a DJ ventures on to a premises, it is
may have exactly the same window of opportunityimportant that he or she holds these requirements and
(time) to supply and set-up their provisions; venue staffcan present or forward copies of as requested.
may be unavailable to liaise with whilst the overall*Check with the venue what requirements must be in
access areas and times specified can become aplace before commencement of entertainment.
physical and mental assault course of negotiating,*Please note, the UK Licensing Act was changed in
manoeuvring and problem solving before one item is2003.
unloaded from the entertainers vehicle!Although Mobile DJs (whether registered with a DJ
Please note, some venues follow a strict RISKAssociation such as DJ Associates, or not) may carry
assessment procedure which must be adhered toboth P.L.I and P.A.T. cover or are in the process of
under the guidelines from the Health and Safetyrenewal, please ensure your mobile DJ entertainment is
Executive.covered for statute / local authority licence
Once the entertainer has unloaded the gear safely andrequirements to avoid disappointment on the night.
set-up not only to the satisfaction of the venueYour entertainer should also provide a written
management but to health and safety guidelines, theconfirmation of the booking, either in letter or client
sound-system may be tested before actual functioncontract (booking form).
times if permitted by the venue management. Else, theUsually, the process of returning a signed document
entertainer may only be able to check the whole(contract) and a reservation fee to secure a booking is
system just prior to actual commencement (time) ofthe 'accepted norm', but remember to study the
entertainment.Terms and Conditions of hire for balance of payment.
Therefore, the standard and quality of the equipmentApart from the pricing details, it should state the nature
used needs to be in a well maintained and top quality(type) of function, the date, the times required and
condition to minimise faults and unreliability. Thereforecontact details for the client and the venue.
again, the entertainer is likely to have investedThe letter or contract may also include entertainer hire
thousands of pounds on proven track-recordterms. Please read all the terms and conditions of hire
equipment including flight cases to protect thebefore committing to any agreement.
equipment (some of which can not be hired from theAlways confirm your booking within the requested
local disco shop!) regularly servicing the equipment, etc,time-frame to guarantee a successful booking.
etc.Sometimes, late return of a booking and contract form
Satisfied that the equipment for entertainment is set-upmay not be enough.
ok, the DJ entertainer will need to get ready andSome DJ hire terms may only quote initially for
present themselves for the booked occasion.performance time and may not include travel time to
Please note, the difference in time from set-up tofrom venue, location of venue, setting-up/de-rigging and
actual performance can literally be a number of hours.vehicle loading times for the full final quote.
Also, it is quite common for DJ entertainers to stay inAdditional fees may be charged to the client for
close proximity / near to the equipment as leftparking, standing time and additional function/hire
unattended may invalidate insurances.requirements.
Once the DJ entertainer is ready, they will beSome DJ hire terms may include specific client
expected to perform, calling upon all their experienceobligations so again, always read the terms and
of reading the crowd and accessing not only theirconditions of hire before committing to any agreement.
music knowledge but generally ensuring that everythingIt is worth noting that whatever your mobile DJ quotes
runs smoothly on the night, liaising with venue staff,for your function, please take into consideration some
guests and even photographers, videographer andof the points noted in this guide as well as the
caterers to name a few!reputation and experience of the DJ in question.
Another point of note is that DJs can be looked uponGood luck!
as a central figure to co-ordinate a number of tasks