Booking international DJs, what kind of fees should I expect?

A Nice Cup Of Tea

Hi, first time poster and long time lurker.

Ive promoted some medium sized dance events in Ireland over the past few years that mostly focussed on local talent and now we're looking to bring over some big name international guests to compliment the domestic DJs.

The problem I have is that most of the international names seem to deal with multiple agencies who want to practise "open bidding" for their client. This is of course to protect their best interests (the client and their commission) and gigs will vary but I find this to be difficult when working out a budget.

So lets talk big name DJs and their supposed Irish fees that Ive heard about in the past few years. All are based on a 3 hour set and dont include flights and accommodation;

Paul Van Dyke, Armin Van Buuren and Ferry Corsten: $15 - 20,000

Eric Morrillo, Sasha and Carl Cox: $10- 15,000

Tiesto and David Guetta: $50,000 plus % of profits

I understand that the above DJs usually only deal with promoters that they are familiar with but Im sure our pedigree of venues and production will help should we choose to go with any big names.


Whats the most money you've heard of an international DJ paid for an Irish gig? 50 grand for Fatboy Slim in Redbox on Paddys Eve some years back is one that stands out in my head.

How accurate are these figures above? Id love to hear thoughts on this from anyone who knows first hand and a discussion on international DJ fees in general would be good

colin29

None of those DJs are worth the money they are asking, stick with local talent.

A Nice Cup Of Tea

Fair point Colin. But local talent doesnt always fill clubs. We're looking at using a big name international guest every 2-3 months only, all other nights will be supporting domestic DJs

MikeHoncho

Might I suggest that you don't go from local DJ's to household names in one giant leap. Maybe have a look at booking some more mid level international DJ's first. I have no idea how much DJ's cost by the way but I think you need to manage your risk a bit better. You could be leaving yourself open to a world of pain if something goes wrong. Think how much money you would need to put in to promoting a DJ of that size to break even. A few posts on message boards and a Facebook page ain't gonna cut it.

SuprSi

A Nice Cup Of Tea wrote: »

Tiesto and David Guetta: $50,000 plus % of profits

WTF :eek::eek:

old gregg

Ok, I haven't a clue about international DJs cos I'm pretty simplistic about dance music ... if the vibe is good and the music is banging then it matters not to me whether it's a household name or someone just starting out ... plenty of holes in that I guess but, anyway ...

is there any merit to the idea of approaching a small but respected label and ask them to put together a package and then you run an event or two just to test the water with a 'biggish' name and then see how that goes?

I'm thinking of things like some of the mainland European festivals who run events where all the artists are from the Ultimae label or even some of the Warp showcases?

Again, I don't actually know my arse from a good DJ so I'm more curious than anything.

Jev/N

Most DJs will cost you:

Fee
Flights (possibly x2 or x3 - maybe first class depending)
Hotel (1-3 rooms - again, standard will vary)
General Rider
Tech Rider
etc.

All these will have an impact on the overall cost and will also depend who you go through. Well known promoters and bookers can book for a lot cheaper than some new guy.

Also, those names won't pull number like they used to and, in that respect, aren't worth what they charge. There's many up-and-coming to middle rank international DJs who would charge less and get more of a crowd. All depends on hows it's promoted though

jonnny68

old gregg wrote: »

if the vibe is good and the music is banging then it matters not to me whether it's a household name or someone just starting out.

100% agree, never a truer word spoken,actually as someone who has been clubbing since 1990 and has seen nearly everyone who is worth seeing there has been unfortunately many times ive been to see a so called superstar DJ who has dissapointed big time after paying top whack (Sasha/Oakenfold,etc)

I did go through a bit of a phase (sucked in more like it) of only going to see big name DJ's but you live and learn and in all my years it hasn't been so called superstar DJ's where ive had the best nites ever but local and lesser name DJ's.

DONT FOLLOW THE HYPE

barryd09

its safe to say djs are paid faaaaaar over the odds.

jonnny68

barryd09 wrote: »

its safe to say djs are paid faaaaaar over the odds.

big time alongside Professional footballers although if i could roll back the years id still give anything to be one or the other :D

brianc27

A_nice_cup_of_tea mate, my rates are in line with the norm for top of the range djs, i can ride the mixer and fist pump like a mother fvcker, what i bring to an event that no other dj can replicate is the charisma and down right balls to make any party go off like an H-bomb on Nagasaki. Ive been often described as the john gibbons of techno, give me a bell mate and we'll sort something out, we can negotiate my 6 figure fee over the phone, here's my number, 3.

seannash

lads its safe to say that the OP doesnt care about running an credible night.
it seems to be all about getting eople in as he pretty much admits he doesnt know any mid level djs and can only recognise the big name djs that would be household names.

my advice would be find out what sort of music your regular crowd likes(this doesnt mean dance music,you need to know your genres,is it trance,deep house,electrohouse,prog,techno,drum and bass etc

ask one of the djs the local djs that tore the place up to advise you who he thinks would work

find that out and then look at djs that are currently riding high in dj charts etc.

if you have a facebook page with a good few followers ask them for suggestions.if you dont want to wade throught the deadmaus and tiesto requests maybe select a few mid level djs and see if people would vote on it.

we dont know your crowd unfotunately.
also consider a dj who is based in the uk or you can also look at the djs your interested in and check there schedule.if theyu have a gig in ireland on a saturday night you can try book them for the friday.

i seem to recall laidback luke isnt too expensive and might be able to bridge the gap of commercially appealing dj who doesnt cost a fortune.
also try and contact another nightclub in another county and try and get two gigs fcor the dj so itll reduce the costs

cian1500ww

This image from DJTT comes to mind :rolleyes: :

OV

You could probably get Brandon Block for an eight ball. Fill your boots son.

electrogrimey

What's with all the stupid answers lads? The bloke asked for some advice, and it looks like instead of all of you admitting you've no idea what he should do, you just make some smart comment.

The guys you mentioned above, Tiesto etc, aren't going to bother playing anywhere smaller than the O2, Olympia etc, and I assume you're going to be running it in an average club yeah? So you're definitely going to have to go a bit smaller, which in reality is better than all involved. I heard last time Erol Alkan played (he's festival dance tent headliner size name for anyone who doesn't know) played for €10,000, obviously plus expenses and whatever. For that price, even with 700 people paying €15 in you're still not nearly making a profit, so if you want to book a big DJ, you're either going to try and use some contacts, or resign yourself to a loss in order to better the night. Getting a big name is good for a promotion company though, so it could be worth it. A good way to pick names is look at the festivals that your crowd would be going to, and pick some names playing about halfway through the day. They'd be a good size I'd say.

seannash

electrogrimey wrote: »

What's with all the stupid answers lads?

i think i gave him alright advice but ive a feeling hes more a figures man than a house music fan