Feb222011
Its been a while since I’ve had a good old rant but something has got to me lately that has really pissed me off. In fact it was over a year ago I decided to write 5 Alarm Bell Phrases Every DJ Should Avoid and it’s one of the points I wrote about back then that I want to expand on today. I’m not going to name names here, those responsible will know who they are, also there is more than just one type of person involved in this.
The thing that has really got me annoyed is the constant requests from promoters for me to come and DJ for them in exchange for selling tickets to their event. If you are a DJ that has been playing for at least a few years then I’m sure you will have been approached at some point in your career by a promoter of a big name club who wants to offer you a dream spot at their club. It all sounds great at first until it comes to the business of getting paid.
You get told that you will earn your money from DJing by making around £2 on each ticket that you sell and often promoters will require a minimum number of tickets to be sold. Now I don’t know about you, but when I price up a DJ gig I am representing my ability to perform and perform well. Undercutting the competition or offering to play cheaply just is not for me. If you quote a cheap price to play then you are compromising your integrity as a DJ and telling the promoter that you are not very good at what you do. Chances are you are actually a very capable DJ and you are much better than a lot of bedroom jocks out there - so your performance should be priced accordingly to reflect your talents.
I makes me so angry that clubs and promoters will pitch to vulnerable, inexperienced DJs that they can come and DJ at these big brand events as long as they sell X number of tickets for them. I’m sorry but surely that’s the job of the promoter?!?! The clue is in the name. If a promoter is struggling so much with an event that they have to rely on the DJ’s mates to come along then in my eyes it is an event to be avoided.
Not only is this kind of attitude towards DJs completely wrong, but it is saying to the DJ ‘Look, we don’t care what you play or how you play it, we don’t care how well you structure your set or seamlessly blend your tunes, we don’t even care if you or the crowd enjoy the night or not, we just want numbers through the door’. This kind of attitude is wrong as it shows that the promoter is lazy and incredibly stupid. They only care about the money in their back pocket and they really don’t give a shit about you, or your reputation but worst of all they don’t give a shit about the crowd and if they are having a good time or not.
By recruiting DJs in this way it is severely damaging club culture as we know it and turning it from an industry of fun and enjoyment where DJing used to be and should be a pleasure, into a cold corporate world of preying on desperate DJs to rape them of their talent and line the promoters pockets with gold. If you are a DJ then you should just be a DJ. You shouldn’t have to spend any time on promotion - that is what the promoters should do. If the night is not a success then it should be the lazy, clueless promoter that financially loses out and not you.
If this kind of thing continues to spread it will not always be the hard working talented DJs that get all the breaks and opportunities, instead it will be the arrogant unprofessional bedroom jocks that happen to have the most friends that get the chances in this industry. The DJing world already has it’s fair share of self-important arrogant pricks and I really don’t think it should be fuelled this way with any more.
I was approached to DJ for a big brand last week - one which also approached me a couple of years ago in fact - and the first question I asked before anything else was “Do you want me to sell tickets”? They said no, but the deal was that I would be given a concessions guest list and for every person that came through the door on my discounted list I would be paid a couple of quid. There was a bonus payment if I hit a certain number of punters through the door. I don’t know about you but that sounds suspiciously like selling tickets to me. The promoter was stupid for thinking they could fool me and they were lazy for trying to get me to do their work for them.
Hey, by all means if you are just starting out and this really is your only way to get into what is, let’s face it, a very tough industry then by all means dive in and bring all your mates down, just make sure you do it with your eyes wide open and make sure you use their name and their brand to the same extent as they use you.
Have you ever been approached by a big name brand in this way before? How did you react? Maybe you are still trying to decide about a recent offer. Are you one of these shady “promoters”? Would you like to try and defend yourself? Please add your thoughts in the comments below.
Rant over.
Oct192010
Today might be your lucky day - I’m giving away a pair of tickets to see the Cut Up Boys live at Sakura in Reading on Friday 29th October 2010.
The Cut Up Boys are probably most well known for their Mash-Up Mix series and are definitely not to be missed!
All you have to do is drop me an email to dj@paulvelocity.co.uk before 26th October and I’ll sort it out for you. If I get more than one email then I’ll pick one winner at random.
I’ll only be contacting you if you are chosen. There are no physical tickets - your name will be added on the door. I will not be there on the night, I am basically giving up my guest list spot so someone else can go. You will receive two free entries to the club - you plus one. I cannot guarantee you entry to the club - you must observe their dress code and club rules. ROAR. Please don’t be daft and get thrown out or something equally stupid.
Good luck!
Mar272010
LOCK N LOAD EVENTS PRESENTS SOUTH WEST FOUR BANK HOLIDAY SATURDAY 28TH & SUNDAY 29TH AUGUST 2010 CLAPHAM COMMON, LONDON 12pm - 9pm / 20,000 Capacity per day
Weekend Early Bird tickets: £72.50 + Booking Fee. Saturday Saver tickets: £40 + Booking Fee. Sunday Saver tickets: £40 + Booking Fee.
Tickets available from: www.ticketmaster.co.uk
All SW4 early bird day tickets have completely sold out, breaking all previous records! With an extra day added to this stellar event, weekend tickets are also selling fast as the SW4 loving public commit to two days of sun-drenched beats! But that’s not all… after announcing that the world’s no.1 DJs Armin van Buuren and the one and only Fatboy Slim are to headline this year’s festival, the next news blast from the South West Four camp will include some HUGE and exciting names on the bill! This will be a mixture of artists who have rocked the festival before alongside many new faces set to make their SW4 debut!
CARL COX & FRIENDS - BEDROCK - THE GALLERY - BOYS NOIZE RECORDS - TOOLROOM KNIGHTS - TOGETHER
In 2010 SW4 will play host to an incredible eight music stages across the Saturday and Sunday! Naturally this allows us to cover more musically with the festival not just encompassing the biggest names in house, techno, trance and electro but also hip hop, dubstep and drum & bass! We will soon be announcing who will be supporting Armin & Norman on the main stage but before we do so we can now unveil who will be hosting the indoor arenas! Bedrock, The Gallery and Toolroom Records will be hosting Saturday and Carl Cox & Friends, Boys Noize Records and Together will take charge on Sunday! These names are famed as the very best club nights and labels within the scene. The question that’s on everyone’s lips is who will be playing?! We can’t spill the beans just yet but we are sure you can guess at least four of the arena headline acts. Each arena is set to be announced at the biggest events happening in London this Easter with the full details below. We are very hyped about who will be hosting our arenas on Clapham Common this year and can’t wait till you get a load of the acts that they have assembled for us.
SW4 2010 Day One: Saturday 28th August
Bedrock
Music: Progressive & Tech House
www.bedrock.org.uk
A name synonymous with excellence in progressive and tech house, John Digweed brings Bedrock to South West Four this summer. With well over 100 single releases, several artist albums and DJ mix compilations, Bedrock has recently showcased music from artists such as Timo Maas, Guy Gerber, Guy J, Danny Howells and Digweed himself. Bedrock continue to host parties across the world and are a prominent figure on the UK’s clubbing calendar, most notably for their sell out shows at matter. Bedrock is viewed by many as one of the most influential names in electronic music and its ability to constantly evolve and adapt to the ever changing market explains why Bedrock has remained at the very top the game for more than a decade. John Digweed has been a firm South West Four favourite since the festival started and after smashing the Main Stage last year with Sasha, we are delighted to welcome him back for Bedrock!
“SW4 is always one of the highlights of my year and a very special event. The crowd are amazing maybe because its right in the centre of London which is very rare but probably because it’s a fantastic event and day out. This year I’m back again hosting a Bedrock Arena on the same stage that Carl is hosting the day after. We are certainly taking a new musical path to other events we have done previously and I think the line up that we have assembled is a true reflection of where I am and the label are at right now. It’s a really special bunch of DJs and live acts that we have brought together. We announce the lineup at our Bedrock Easter party at matter next week so I’m looking forward to people’s reaction! See you all on the Common.” John Digweed
BEDROCK ARENA LINEUP TO BE ANNOUNCED AT: matter, London - Easter Thursday 1st April with John Digweed.
The Gallery
Music: Trance
www.thegallery-club.co.uk
Celebrating a staggering 15 years in the club scene, The Gallery will once again descend onto Clapham Common to continue its love affair with South West Four. Recognised as one the biggest club nights on the planet, The Gallery are the purveyors of all things trance. Their infectious party continues to pack out the world famous Ministry Of Sound every Friday night with the biggest names in trance. Coming to South West Four off the back of a mammoth tour in support of their 15th Anniversary, their line up is always insane for this event!
THE GALLERY ARENA LINEUP TO BE ANNOUNCED AT: Ministry of Sound, London - Good Friday 2nd April with Above & Beyond.
Toolroom
Music: House & electro
www.toolroomrecords.com
From its HQ in Maidstone, England, Toolroom Records sets the standard as one of the most respected house music labels in the world. Spearheaded by the formidable musical talent of head honcho Mark Knight, the label has had countless dancefloor, underground and mainstream hits from some of the biggest and most exciting names in dance music. This includes Faithless, David Guetta, Underworld, Dave Spoon, D.Ramirez and Fatboy Slim. Toolroom also hosts the brand ‘Toolroom Knights’ - a club night dedicated to bringing the underground sound of Toolroom Records to the overground, pushing the musical boundaries through the convergence of established artists such as Mark Knight and Fedde le Grand alongside up and coming talent such as Kim Fai and Filthy Rich. Coming to South West Four for the very first time in 2010 we are delighted to welcome Toolroom to host an arena at this year’s festival.
“SW4 last year was superb. It was the first time I’d played the event, and now, coming back this year to host our own arena…I can’t wait! It’s gonna be, without doubt, the biggest Toolroom Knights party in the capital to-date, with the best talent on board, representing the sound of the label; past, present and future.” Mark Knight
TOOLROOM KNIGHTS ARENA LINEUP TO BE ANNOUNCED AT: Koko, London - Easter Thursday 1st April with Dave Spoon, Funkagenda and ATFC.
SW4 2010 Day Two: Sunday 29th August
Carl Cox & Friends
Music: House & Techno
www.carlcox.com
An incredible artist who has rocked South West Four continuously over the years, Carl Cox is quite simply a legend in dance music. From hosting arenas to headlining the main stage, Carl has pretty much played in every position since SW4 started. In 2010 Coxy will play Clapham Common for the very first time on the Sunday and host the sites newest and largest indoor arena. For this he will bring with him his widely acclaimed Carl Cox & Friends brand, made famous at his pioneering residency at the world’s no.1 club Space in Ibiza. Carl will be joined by the most forward thinking acts in underground house and techno, all of which are pushing the boundaries and laying the foundations for dance music’s future. Expect this arena at SW4 to be rocking as Carl and his friends do what they do best!
“I can’t wait to return to Clapham Common again for this year’s massive SW4 weekender. Two years ago I headlined the main stage but this year I will be returning with my Carl Cox & Friends tent hosting some of my favourite DJ’s and friends. I always love playing SW4 – it always rocks, a great way to end the summer.” Carl Cox
CARL COX & FRIENDS ARENA LINEUP TO BE ANNOUNCED AT: The Warehouse, London - Easter Thursday 1st April with Carl Cox and Layo & Bushwacka!
Boys Noize Records
Music: Electro
www.boysnoize.com
Always three steps ahead of the crowd, we are very proud to welcome Boys Noize Records to the Sunday line up. Inspired by the likes of Daft Punk, Boys Noize Records was founded by Boys Noize in 2005. The label is known for releasing some of the best releases around and is connected with artists such as A-Trak, Exercise One, Remute, Aeroplane, Erol Alkan, Brodinski, Chris Coco, Ian Pooley, Tocadisco, Miss Kitten, Tiga, Feadz, Mixhell and D.I.M. Famed for their wonky, thumping electronic styles, Boys Noize Records’ message is spread right across the globe with parties in Miami, Berlin and Sydney to name a few. The label hits the UK for the very first time this summer with an exclusive UK festival appearance at South West Four.
“I cannot wait to bring Boysnoize Records to a UK festival for the first time ever! South West Four is one of the best festivals in the UK and London is one of my favourite places to play so we are extremely excited to be hosting an arena. I will be pulling out all the stops in bringing some fantastic acts from the label, alongside some massive guests and friends. Watch out London!” Boys Noize
BOYS NOIZE RECORDS ARENA LINEUP TO BE ANNOUNCED AT: The Coronet, London - Easter Thursday 1st April with Black Grape, The Sunshine Underground, Jakwob and Grum.
Together
Music: Hip Hop, dubstep, drum & bass
www.together-club.co.uk
Together makes its much anticipated return to South West Four this summer after a three year sabbatical. Recently relaunched for a series of special events at The Coronet, Together is the freshest night to hit club land in 2010. Over the years Together has played host to artists as diverse as 2Many DJs, Crookers, David Guetta, Hot Chip, Justice, Lethal Bizzle, Klaxons, London Elektricity, MSTRKRFT, Roni Size and Simian Mobile Disco. Events at The Coronet have continued in similar vein with headline performances from The Bloody Beetroots, Mylo, Ms Dynamite, Felix da Housecat, Tinie Tempah, Does It Offend You Yeah?, Cassius and Todd Edwards. With another colossal Together lineup expected at SW4 encompassing hip hop, electro, dubstep and drum & bass the question on everyone’s lips is who will they invite?!
TOGETHER ARENA LINEUP TO BE ANNOUNCED AT: The Coronet, London - Good Friday 2nd April with Ms Dynamite, Hatcha, Joker and Plastician.
SW4 LINEUP ANNOUNCEMENTS THROUGH APRIL
South West Four 2010 takes place on Clapham Common on Bank Holiday Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th August. Having sold out weeks prior to last year’s event, the demand for tickets is even greater this year with the festival stretching across two days. The entire Early Bird day ticket allocation have already sold out with the weekend tickets soon to follow! Standard Day Tickets are now on sale priced £40 + booking fee with weekend tickets currently priced £72.50. Do not miss it!
Click here for tickets!
Feb162010
If you have been on the DJ circuit for longer than a month then I am certain you will have come across these phrases from event managers and promoters before - all of which should set off those little alarm bells ringing inside your head.
Perhaps you have a keen eye for this kind of stuff and can spot them a mile away in emails you have received or maybe you are completely new to the whole DJing scene and you want to discover the phrases you will come across time and time again - and the ones to look out for!
Whatever your experience, I’m sure this article will ring true for DJs and shady promoters across the globe.
“If you can play the first event for free I’ll consider booking you regularly”
Normally this is backed up by “We don’t know if you are any good yet” or other such phrasing. I reckon most DJs will have heard something like this more often than not. They will try to coax you into playing a free set with the promise of more work in the future, perhaps even dangling a residency carrot in your face. Unfortunately most of the time this work is non-existent and you end up playing a one-off event for free.
You must be wary of this type of promoter because they are looking out for their own best interests and not yours.
What they’re really saying: I don’t have a lot of money and I don’t know anybody else, but I’m going to lie to your face as I want to get something for nothing. Any chance you’ll believe me?
“Sure I can pay you, but only if you sell X number of tickets”
Unfortunately in today’s industry this has to be the one that pisses me off the most.
I think it riles me up so much because I am asked to do something that is not in my job description - selling tickets. I am not a promoter, I am a DJ. I have little to no experience of promoting events and selling tickets. Why not? Because that’s not my job!
My job is to rock the dance floor and to give the crowd a good time. It just seems really weird that in order for me to be financially rewarded for doing my job behind the decks I have to do someone else’s job of selling tickets. Sorry, but no.
The worst ones are those that get you to buy a book of tickets upfront. You only get paid if you sell enough to turn a commission, but if you can’t sell enough tickets then you are out of pocket.
What they’re really saying: Look, we couldn’t give a shit how tight your beat matching is or how well you can structure a set, we don’t even give a f**k if the crowd has a good night or not, all that matters to us is the number of people through the door and how much money you can make us.
“Im running this event for charity so I was wondering if you cold come and DJ for free”
The good old classic charity event. Now I have nothing against charities on the whole. I feel a lot of them are standing for very humane and just causes. But as soon as you hear the word “charity” in relation to DJ work, you can bet your left testicle the next few words will include either “discount” or free”. And because of this you have to be very careful of those using the word “charity” just to try and get something for nothing.
Charities that do it properly will no doubt ask you for a discount or free set but they will do it through official channels, on headed paper and give you their registered charity number without you having to ask for it.
Be wary of those “charities” and check them out in full before accpeting any work from them. Don’t be afraind to say no to these people. Its possible for promoters to liberally use the word “charity” in the hope fo getting something for nothing. Although they might be a charity, you however are not.
What they’re really saying: Ive been asked to put on an event with a budget of zero. Im going to losely base the event around a charity in the hope of getting a load of DJs to play for free. Are you one of them?
“I’ll put your name on all the flyers and give you loads of exposure”
or “This is a great opportunity for you to play alongside some of the top names in the industry”
Now this is a good one. Here’s a situation where it appears the client now knows whats best for you in your flyer portfolio. They assume that the DJ set you will play for them will be so amazing that you’ll want to feature it in your DJ CV.
The big alarm bell here is that they are the kind of promoter who thinks that they know best. They are going to be expecting the best DJ set in the world from you but sadly they will seldom have the budget to pay for it.
What they’re really saying: Hey, Ive seen you’ve DJ’d at some great events, but I want you to come and put your name to ours where we will demand you play for twice as long for a fraction the money because we’ve blown all of our cash on the headline act. Its OK though because our event will look great on your DJ CV.
“I don’t have a large budget but I can help promote your site”
This is kind of two phrases combined into one when it comes to alarm bell phrases. Normally its said all at once just like the phrase above, but don’t get caught out if they’re said alone. Both “I don’t have a large budget” and “I can help promote your site” are individual phrases that should be avoided at all costs.
What they’re really saying: I want to put on my event for next to nothing and in order to get that done, I’ll tell you that I know famous people and/or can get you tons of exposure.
What do you reckon?
Are there any phrases missing from this list? What do you think they are? Let me know in the comments if you have come across any of the alarm bell phrases before or if you have got some yourself that perhaps aren’t listed here. There just has to be more…
Oct152009
The British Music Experience is excited to present a unique chance to interact with one of the UK’s most successful DJ and Producer teams, the Freemasons.
On Thursday 26th November James Wiltshire (left of picture), Producer half of the dance duo will be presenting the music-making techniques that have made the Freemasons the most in demand dance DJ ’s, Producers and Remixers of the moment.
From producing massive dance hits of their own including ‘Love on my Mind’, ‘Rain Down Love’ and the anthem ‘Uninvited’ feat. Bailey Tzuke, to remixing Whitney Houston’s comeback smash- ‘Million Dollar Bill’, to Kelly Rowland’s ‘Work’, Beyonce & Shakira’s ‘Beautiful Liar’, to producing for Kylie and Sophie Ellis Bextor.
The Freemasons have led the way for dance and house music production and remixing. James will be explaining and taking questions on how they go about creating their trademark sounds in studio and live, including the software and kit they use and how they exploit it. How they got started in music production, started getting access to samples and vocals and how they begun to collaborate with big artists.
Freemasons Music Masterclass
Thursday 24th November
Start: 6.30pm
Get Tickets Now
Hosted by Gaydar Radio’s Maria Peters, this amazing unique evening will give you the chance to meet the individuals behind the music. Find out first-hand how it’s put together and tips for the route to successful production, plus behind the scenes of working with some of the most famous artists of our time.
Get Tickets Now
