Six questions to ask before hiring a DJ

Whether you’re planning a wedding or a birthday party, your DJ will play a key role in entertaining your guests and making sure they have a night to remember. That’s why it’s important that you make the right choice when choosing your DJ.

We’ve put together six questions for you to ask your DJ before making the commitment to hire.

Have you played at my venue before?

Acoustics can vary between venues and it’s important to get it right. If your DJ has played at your venue before, they’ll be aware of the acoustics already. If they haven’t it’s worth asking if they can perform a site visit to check the acoustics and plan accordingly.

Conducting a site visit will also give your DJ a chance to meet the staff, learn any rules for the venue and provide their insurance details.

Can I help with the playlist?

The playlist chosen will set the entire tone of your event, so it’s important to get it right. A good DJ should get to know your style of music before the event to ensure that they put together the most appropriate playlist.

The best DJs will be happy for you to give them a list of songs to play and a list of songs not to play. After all, you should feel in control of the music at your event.

How do you handle song requests?

Guests at your event may request songs that go against the playlist you’ve provided your DJ with. Some hosts prefer the DJ to refuse requests that go against the playlist whilst others will allow requests as long as it fits with the overall style of music.

It’s important to agree with your DJ upfront about how requests will be dealt with to ensure that you’re on the same page.

Do you have back-up equipment?

What happens if a speaker breaks on the day or if the microphone stops working mid-event? A good DJ will have back-up equipment to hand which can be used in an emergency. After all, the show must go on!

How do you get people dancing?

There’s nothing worse than seeing the dance floor empty at a party, so you need to be sure that your DJ has the ability to get people up and dancing. They should adapt their playlist to suit the reaction of the crowd whilst using the microphone to encourage your guests.

The best way to check how your DJ does this is by seeing them in action. Ask if they have any videos of their performances or check their social media pages for any clips. This will help to give you the confidence that your DJ can get the crowd dancing and make your event a success.

What other services do you offer?

Many DJs offer services such as video screens, light-up dancefloors and upgraded lighting. It’s worth asking your DJ what other services are available to choose from but don’t feel pressured to agree to anything you don’t want.