Question....what do you look for when you decide you wanna book a DJ or not? Are you only interested in music that you like? What about demos? Do you even listen to demos? If so, what do you look for to determine whether you give this DJ a shot or not? What is a no, no, in a mix?? Is one bad tune in the mix or is it one bad mix in the mix?? Nust mixes be completely flawless??

What is something that you see that you like in a mix? Do you look for tricks or flow instead?? Or do you want it all and look for both? I didn't ask if you wanted the mixes to be clean because we all pretty much know that is what you are looking for...

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I usually look for someone who plays a commercially friendly sound; the genre only matters if its going to lose me money. Djs are based on the crowd and him being able to hold its attention. He needs to show me he has all the latest tunes and all the classics (tracks that were hot two weeks ago).

Beatmatching is not very necessary or needed. If the dj knows how to crossfade in and out of songs without making it sound horrible, no one but other djs are going to notice.

Of course, I consider all of that once I've seen their price tags first.

It depends on the area. In NC I will give most DJs who

a) Show up on time and
b) Aren't total jerks

a slot at the next event. If the DJ is new and still getting used to mixing, then we'll put him/her in an opening slot instead of at peak-time (!!!) (Plus I'm guilty of booking myself to play the peak-time slot ). Since there aren't a ton of local DJs in the area I can work with almost anyone who asks for a time slot.

In Atlanta I'm sure that I'll have to be more selective, getting demos, etc, but I still want to harbor new DJs as well. We all remember the work that was needed to get our first gigs, so I would as a promoter try to at least give the new guys some crowd experience with early sets.

No matter what you spin or what skill you have, remember to look, and act, professional. There's no formal dress code or anything like that, but by looking nice when speaking to a promoter you give off the impression that "I'm serious about being a DJ", and that means a lot.

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I have to belive in the DJ. And I have to belive that he can hold his ground.

The DJ's attitude/cockiness is a HUGE factor for me. If they have ego's, are show off's, are shit talkers, or have drama in the scene, I won't book them regardless how good they are. I always want all my Dj's & staff to get along well.

I don't book Dj's with the "I NEED TO EDUCATE THE CROWD" attitude. That only looses me money as most of the time those DJ's have no clue what they're doing. There's a time and place for that.

In addition to what the others already said, I want DJ's to be able to keep the dance floor packed at all times. Regardless of what they play. I don't usually listen to demos. They way I get most of my Dj's is by listening to them live at other people's parties. If I show up to a club/event and I like the DJ I will approach him and make him an offer. Other times I book them through friend referrals. Usually my friends know what I look for in a DJ.

If a DJ has a following that is a plus, but unlike other promoters that's not a huge factor for me. That's what the headliner is for. I usually know who I want to headline and I book my DJ's around that headliner. I keep my DJ's and promoters separate.