First gig at a local pub

[Addi]

Hey guys

So on Friday night I had my first gig at a local pub. The pub has just started up a summer party night every Friday and im the 'resident' dj. This is the first time this pub has tried any DJ type thing. Now I must emphasise, its primarily a 'pub' not a club haha, so I bring my own gear, speakers etc, set up in a corner and play tunes from 9-12.

I honestly couldnt think of a more diverse and tough crowd to play for. The pub had no idea what they wanted me to play either. I had no trouble getting 20-30 of my mates there on Friday (all 20-25 year olds), but there were also older people in their 50's and over sitting around having a bet on the dogs etc. So I found it pretty tough to strike a balance of who to impress.

Basically started out playing disco/house from 9-10. From 10-11 more progressive/commercial tunes and 11-12 more heavier electro remixes of top 40 type tunes. The response I have had was great and everyone my age loved it, but not sure if the oldies were all that into it. So I wanna see what you guys reckon. Any tips? Should I play some more laidback tunes as the place isn't really a club, more pub classics to please the oldies perhaps? The pub was stoked with how the night turned out as they made about $6000 more then ever on for a Friday, but I still want to play shit that is gonna get everyone on their feet dancing, nothing too hectic and heavy....

[Robsta]

As a DJ you want people to dance

Old pub heads who are trying to get away from their wives aren't gonna dance regardless of what you play

That being said you want to play music that appeals to the largest audience in the pub

You can't be expected to please everyone

[Cupe]

If it's a pub with oldies you gotta throw in some bullshit like sweet home alabama and that one about playing card games

but maybe you should split up your times and add a golden oldies/pub rock section

or ask the people who run the place cause even if they're wrong as fuck they're your boss

[andyman]

If it's a pub with oldies you gotta throw in some bullshit like sweet home alabama and that one about playing card games

The gambler?

Also, I lol'd when reading that.

[JonnyB]

a while ago a leagues club got us to do this.

its impossible, would get asked for rap music, then metalica, then skrillex. and that was just to keep the young crowd happy, to be honest fuck the older people.

some lady came up to me and said 'can you play some proper music, your making the older people move area's' to which i responded 'no i wont, because if i do that, the young people sit down and or leave, and the young people greately out number the old people.' and as a dj, a venue's main reason for hiring you is to get people to dance so they buy drinks to make money for venue. I quit the next day purely because it was a leagues club, i dont want to drive them old people away, its their place to drink at. you cant turn a pub into a club. these idea's never work.

Thats my personal opinion

[Gandy]

you cant turn a pub into a club. these idea's never work.

[Cupe]

The gambler?

thats the one, cheers fella

[andyman]

you cant turn a hoe into a house wife. these idea's never work.

[Addi]

Yeah might have to chuck in an old school pub classic every now and then, even the younger people would probably sing a long too if they are wasted enough. There would of been close to 100 people there, at least 70% were young so I guess I did the right thing playing music to please them!

Yeah Jonny same thing happened to me, requests for completely different genres. Can only do so much! Oh well It's only gonna go over the next 2-3 months, so Ill probably stick around. Pretty good coin and bit of experience for me.

Another quick question. I am bringing my own gear, so basically 4 hours work once you include setting up/packing up and mixing. For the first night I charged $200 for the night, purely because it was my first night and a bit of a trial. But i've been told that was pretty cheap and they were stoked they only had to pay me that much. They are pretty easy going and flexible, so thinking of pushing the price up a bit next time. Especially if they pull in heaps of money again! What do you think I should be charging? Would $350 be fair? Basically $100/hour for mixing with my own shit and an extra $50 for setting up/packing up

[Cupe]

$350 is a good price for 4 hours i reckon

[Mitch]

Yea, if your playing at a venue and bringing all your own equip $350 sounds decent.

In comparison, im getting paid $200 to play at a place for a similar amount of time, they supply speakers, i supply decks. so you should be charging a decent bit more than that to cover the extra equip you have to take, and the extra time you spend setting up/packing up.

[SolDios]

At my oldies gigs I always play the gambler as I start to packup the lights

It usually goes down fantastic.

Edit: Wow, I only charged $25 an hour + $25 setup free for the pub I played at.

[Addi]

Yeah sweet, well one of my mates works there (wasn't working on the night) told me they were expecting to have to pay me $350 or there abouts, so $200 was a bargain.

How long do you play for Sol? And did you get a decent turnout? If you are bringing in heaps of friends who are spending heaps of money you could get more surely

[Cupe]

Edit: Wow, I only charged $25 an hour + $25 setup free for the pub I played at.

yea but you always undersell yourself despite peoples advice

[andyman]

Edit: Wow, I only charged $25 an hour + $25 setup free for the pub I played at.

yea but you always undersell yourself despite peoples advice

I get paid more than that to take a shit at work.

You need to up your prices Sol, cause at the moment, you're letting people take advantage of you.

Up your prices, demand deposits, and run it like a business.

[Mitch]

^What the above two said - you have to be professional about the way you approach the clients.

If your prices are too cheap they will think you aren't very good, so you can't undersell yourself.

Also be professional: the way you speak on the phone, take bookings, take deposits etc. as people will take you more seriously that way.

If you approach it like this, people will pay you more and be happier with the whole experience.

[Cupe]

Edit: Wow, I only charged $25 an hour + $25 setup free for the pub I played at.

yea but you always undersell yourself despite peoples advice

I get paid more than that to take a shit at work.

You need to up your prices Sol, cause at the moment, you're letting people take advantage of you.

Up your prices, demand deposits, and run it like a business.

Can also look at it another way.

You're undercutting the rest of the industry with the possibility of bringing quality downwards too cause any cunt will mix for 10 bucks

[crundyy]

Your there to make money, not for charity, 350 for 4 hours work is nearly as much as i make in a week lad so good on ya!

[pundaddy]

old people dont like shit

[eggssell]

piss off