Some Disc Jockeys can't handle the truth
On Tuesday morning, my post on the importance of DJ equipment appearance at weddings struck a nerve. in the first seven hours, the post attracted over 1100 visits and 60+ comments. By mid-day, Wednesday, over 1600 people had viewed the post, and more than 70 had commented.
While over 90% of comments concurred with my assertions and opinions, there were some interesting sidebar comments, and others that miss the point.
DJ Attire: I was surprised at the number of people that referenced poor DJ attire, as a side comment. It’s pretty universal that the DJ wear a tuxedo or dark suit (black or navy). Unless the reception is themed, any other attire is probably off the mark. Just odd to know that any DJ out there hasn’t figured this out.
Talent vs. Appearance: A number of DJ’s asserted that talent trumps everything else. From my experience, talent and experience are the most important factors in the success of an event, but they do not exist, independently. If a DJ is late to the gig, or the gear looks like the closeout table at Circuit City, talent will not be enough. Try that at a Four Seasons or a Ritz Carlton, just once, and you’ll never see the inside of their building, again.
Eating at the Event: This is one issue where there are many opinions. Here’s mine. A 5-hour event really involves about 8-9 hours of work. Once the DJ is set up and changed into attire for the reception, they are working continuously. They are unable to leave the room, lest someone need to make an announcement, or the volume needs to be adjusted, or some curious guest decides to riffle through their music collection.
I have found that people who work 8-9 hours need to eat a meal, and that it’s easiest and most efficient to arrange for this, with the client, in advance. If the client sees the wisdom, and approves it, the matter should end there. Typically, you’ll find a DJ sitting with the photographer and videographer, getting their strategy aligned for the balance of the reception.
Having good manners about when to go through a buffet line is important. Looking like a starving fraternity member doesn’t leave a great impression.
Tables from the Facility: Trust me when I tell you this. Banquet managers have plenty to concern themselves with, the DJ shouldn’t have to be one of them. By being self-contained, and not asking for the slightest thing from the venue, an entertainment service makes itself that much easier to work with, than the next company. Wouldn’t one want that edge?
Multiple views of the same event: I think it’s important to realize that there are many views of the same event. The client’s view, the guest’s view, the venue’s view, the disc jockey view, and outsider’s view (maybe a spotter, looking at the event, independently).
I have been that spotter, and the fact is that different participants, in an event, view success, failure, efficiency, beauty, and a myriad of other descriptors from their own unique perspective. Failure to step out of your own skin and look at an event from another view is foolish. The person you answer to may be ignorant of what’s important, but they are the boss. It’s incredibly important to understand their perspective, and do your utmost to help them understand yours.
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I still don’t get the comments about using the table from the hotel or table/linen company of the night.
In my opinion most self contained DJ units look like a setup from a band’s sound/audio tech. The material they are made of looks shabby after a few gigs and should be used behind a blocked off sound booth. Not in front off the beautiful guests.
A table with linen to match the decor and a DJ that knows how to make is decks and cords look nice always excited me when going to wedding I am not working.
I’m a conflictist and don’t mind saying so. I am busier than I want to be and I don’t advertise at all. I work with everyone and I see it from all sides. I will be “me” not some “model” of something I’m not or can’t be. People hire you for you. Now if you sell setup and breakdown into your cost that’s one thing.
Most DJ’s are overpriced, overpaid, and under-skilled. A lot of companies send these “spinners” out into the world and they f*** up the gig. Why do the client say things like, ” I can do the music myself?”. It’s because of the lack of experience and interpersonal communication of the DJ and DJ companies. A lot of you couldn’t and wouldn’t work for me. And Vice Versa.
I’m one of the DJ’s that routinely use the venue’s tables for gear – with 2 notable exceptions: No Table – I use my own, If it does not have matching linen or does not help me with my presentation then I’ll use my own or my own linens. Just the way it is. I learned early on in my 15 years as a mobile ‘jock to keep things neat and tidy, tacked down and non invasive. My gear is a combination of vintage gear that works amazing and has been updated constantly to look like new and top of the line new equipment in black ATA cases and I am amazed by all these “bedroom” Dj’s I see gigging out or trying to under sell me. Either I see them as very flashy and over the top with crappy gear or just a mess in the corner or on the stage, on a few occasions I have chatted with the event planners and heard their discuss – great lead in – “i’d never want to be that kind of dj…” then they ask for my card
Some of these things apply for all but some ?
who said you need to carry your own, when 9/10 times if there is a table close by and can be used, then why not keep things within the house and allow a Dj to put his music on the said table….
Hey I don’t care if I have to bring my own table, but it wont look the same as the others then what you say you have to pay even more money (clients pay that)
Talent vs. Appearance
Now how can you even put that in the same league ?
I bet the one that wrote this is not even a DJ.
Actually, the person who wrote this column was a DJ for 25+ years (that would be me).
However, the my initial post on the topic, and its follow up, are not the key. The important fact is the pointed opinion expressed by catering, wedding, and event professionals in about 75 comments.
To a one, they prefer self-contained DJ entertainers, and believe that the physical presentation of equipment is critical.
One should recognize that just because a table may be available does not automatically mean that a venue to the needs of an entertainer. Whether they express it openly or not, most venues will do what they need to, for the success of the event and pleasing the client; however, they would far prefer it if DJ entertainers required one thing only: electricity.
I mightily suggest you go back and read the comments.
Andy Ebon
The Wedding Marketing Authority