Home 2023 Forums The DJ Booth When is it OK to turn down Gigs

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  • #5463
    John
    Participant

    When you can afford to financially and ethically. Sometimes one comes before the other but money makes the world go ’round. If you disagree with the way the gig is being run or things that are going on there then by all means turn it down. If it’s not your style or conflicting dates or any number of other reasons.

    The problems come in though if DJing is your only income coming in. You have less say in the matter. A paying gigs is a paying gig. I have found myself more times than I’d like to admit playing either some place that I didn’t approve of (for many different reasons) or playing music I hated. Simply because I needed to make money.

    If you can afford to do both financially and without burning any bridges then by all means bow out. Better to do it sooner rather than latter as people get really irate when you do things last minute when it comes to gigs, at least in my experience.

    #1001348
    Emma Partnow
    Member

    As long as you don’t have a ‘Written Contract’ I can’t see a problem in saying to somebody that you have a ‘Style’ or ‘Reputation’ that you are Building and wish to Maintain;
    If DJ’ing is ‘Not’ your Only Source Of Income; and you don’t see the Necessity of Gigging for the sake of it; that’s Cool;
    I DJ on a Radio Station called ‘TranceX’; but right from the Beginning (although I am surrounded by World Class DJ’s); I told the Host that I Would ‘Not’ be Playing Trance Whatever He Decided To Call The Station; and I am the Only DJ who ‘Does Not’ Play Trance; but in some senses I Feel that we ‘Must’ Stick To Our Principles; and Our Instincts 😎

    #1001355
    D-Jam
    Participant

    You turn down a gig when you feel it’s not ideal for you. It’s that simple.

    You’re not obligated to take every gig offered to you.

    #5495
    Ivyquake
    Member

    D-Jam, post: 5481 wrote: You turn down a gig when you feel it’s not ideal for you. It’s that simple.

    You’re not obligated to take every gig offered to you.

    That is exactly the way I feel and since Djing is not the main source of my income I can live with my decision.

    #5503
    Phil Morse
    Keymaster

    I’ll only play if I feel it’s going to be fun and that I can play my kind of music

    #5507
    Arthol Gibson
    Participant

    I think gut instinct plays a big role in the ‘yay or ‘nay’, especially if you’re building a brand/style around your DJ persona.
    I think, like stated, if you feel like the gig wont do you any good – be it the fun aspect or the experience – you should say no.

    #5546
    DJ Max D.
    Member

    Well, I turn down most “this evening” gigs.. club owners here have a bad habit of phoning you around, say four in the afternoon and asking you if you can appear at the club around nine and maybe “invite a few people”.. That’s a no-no (unless I know there is a situation like when someone bigger cancelled and similar).
    Second, a gig where I don’t feel safe. No booth? No me. Fights in the past? No me. Simple as that.
    Third, club owners with a not-so-reputation when it comes to paying and respecting DJs.

    Almost all gigs that don’t fall into these categories are okay for me..

    #5870
    DJ Stone Crazy
    Participant

    With five years behind you, I think you have a right to be picky. Here’s what I would go. Would you have fun doing it? What about the money? After five years, it’s time for folks to pay you cash. The days of doing stuff free is over. Also, how’s the owner of the place? If the person gives you bad vibes, trust what you feel and walk away.

    #1001474
    Kyle_G
    Participant

    As someone who is making the transition from DJ to producer I’ve found myself taking fewer and fewer gigs, and the gigs I take have to meet certain criteria for me to consider them, I mean do I really want to drive out to play a gig that I won’t get paid for and only play in front of a handful of people? Or do I want to stay in and work on tunes that may eventually lead me to getting paid a decent amount in front of a bunch of people who are there to see me?

    Easy decision for me.

Viewing 9 posts - 1 through 9 (of 9 total)
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