Getting gigs.....

highlydebased

I've been DJ'in for around a year at this stage as a mobile DJ, I've managed in that time to do a few parties and discos and stuff and make a fair few bob. I've got a decent enough setup and could do a medium sized venue.

But I've problems getting gigs. I'm only going on 17 this stage, and the problem could be that I'm not terribly outgoing when it goes to organising gigs and stuff as I'm a naturally shy youngfella....thankfully at most gigs i've done the crowd has been good so I've manged to get into it and be good with the mic etc.

I've put in ad's in the local newspapers etc but still have not manged to get any gigs out of them. With the summer here i'm off for 3 months, and if I managed to get a gig a fortnight it would be better paid than having a normal daytime part time job.

any suggestions for getting some handy gigs for myself....? Or any other random advice is also welcomed.....

Nolanger

Start your own club and be its resident DJ - team up with a young promoter with similar music tastes, get friends to help out with posters, flyers, website, sound equipment - rent a small club/hotel/pub function room one night a month and build it up from there.

seannash

your looking for 21 sts or birthday parties right,not club gigs playing house music right?

DJ_Spider

I have found it's a bit of a closed shop here as well. It might be because discos are run differently here, but I do a gig at the strand house every few weeks, and last time people were saying 'why don't yoou say anything or let us sing?' Well I am English ans was told there was a bit of anti-english feelings in this pub so I just play the songs. Also I work for 2 hours so can play more songs. I did say to the bar manager could I do karaoek next time? he said yes, but Mrs Spider said I would get a lot of problems if I did. One thing is the pub doesn't really lend itself to gigs.

They do have plenty of DJs and James Brown there, but I find it very cramped, and have to put one of my speakers on the shelf between seats. I'm thinking of only taking one next time, it would still be loud enough and people are usually so locked they wouldn't notice!

Also I think taking a TV would be too much hassle, so I think I will not do it next time, just say if you want to sing I'll play the karaoke song, if you know the words you'll be ok! I might say I broke the TV. But at least they will know I have a voice, and I am close enoguh to the door to do a runner if I get anything thrown!

djdeclan

I'd say take it easy man, you're only at the game for about a year; it takes a lot of time to get established. My tip would be to get business cards printed up and drop them in bars that regularly have functions, most printing shops do deals on cards or you can get software off the net and do them yourself. Then when gigging you should leave some at every table so that if people like you then have your contact details. (this worked very well for me back in the early days)
With every gig you do you will gain confidence and, most importantly, experience!
Try not to worry too much if you have a bad night; sometimes theres nothing you can do - some crowds just aren't into dancing!
Try and get a gig doing lights at your local nightclub, you won't need to be paid (although it would be nice!) for it as you will learn tons from the resident DJ (provided he is good) and possibly pick up some work from it; a couple of my DJ friends in Donegal started out this way and have gone on to be very successful nightclub/mobile DJs in their own right.
Don't advertise in the press too much as it attracts the attention of the taxman!
One other point I will make is never, EVER, undercut another DJ for work. In my book that is the lowest thing you can do. It will give you a bad name and other lads will never pass work on to you if they think you can't be trusted.

Anyway best of luck!!

highlydebased

Thanks for that gents....