For a DJ, finding shows to mix at is one of the main ways of becoming known, but it can also be a huge challenge. Without a booking agency, you have to canvass venues yourself to find opportunities. However, it is entirely possible. DJs are actually indispensable to many venues and events! Read on to discover several strategies for finding gigs as a DJ and performing regularly in front of an audience.

1. Rely on your network

As in all aspects of your career, relying on your professional network is one of the best strategies. To get people thinking about you, let them know you’re looking for gigs as a DJ: talk about it to the music professionals and artists around you, and mention it on your social networks.

This way, you can naturally find opportunities to play in the coming months. For artists you know well, don’t hesitate to be proactive and offer to collaborate on a set. You could, for example, open for a live artist, or create a joint event with several DJs.

Don’t hesitate to talk about it as much as possible to people around you, including those who are not in the music business. A friend or family member may ask you to DJ at an event they’re organizing, or recommend you to someone looking for a DJ. With networking, you can trigger a virtuous cycle: once you play for someone in your network, you’ll be recommended or spotted by people who attended your set.

2. Take part in springboards

Music springboards are a great way to find dates as a DJ. Thanks to this system, you can identify opportunities to play and gain access to prestigious stages.

For example, Groover often organizes music springboards with festivals such as Delta Festival and Elektrik Park. Springboards can also lead to other opportunities, such as a residency at Club Med Live.

To take part in the musical springboards, it’s important to keep a close eye on the registration dates and conditions. As a DJ, you’ll typically have to send in a mix. If you don’t already have one, you’ll need to set aside enough time to record your set according to the required criteria (duration, musical style). You’ll then need to keep an eye on the various stages, and publicize your participation on your networks if the competition includes public voting.

By allowing you to be part of the music festival line-up, springboards help you to be spotted and land other date opportunities. So be sure to check Groover regularly for springboard opportunities.

3. Canvass nearby locations

This strategy is particularly effective if you’re just starting out as a DJ. You can start by performing at venues you already frequent, that you may have a relationship with.

Rather than canvassing venues remotely, you can travel and talk face-to-face with the managers of venues near you. This is the ideal way to gain confidence and perform in venues you already know.

There are plenty of places you can approach: bars, restaurants, stores, etc. Try to spot those that already offer DJ sets or play electronic music. Many bars are open to hosting DJs, especially for special events like the Fête de la Musique. Summer also opens up new opportunities, with the possibility of playing on bar terraces in ephemeral venues.

Stores may also be interested in your services for one-off events, such as inaugurations or annual customer parties. This type of opportunity is a great way to get your name out there, and could lead to other DJ set opportunities. Be ready to share your contact details with customers who will appreciate your set!

4. Contact event organizers

Event organizers are often on the lookout for DJs at various stages of development: yes, artists known for headlining, but also beginner or intermediate DJs. Organizers can be varied:

• Event promoters: the mission of an event promoter is to organize concerts and musical events, so they’re ideal contacts for finding dates as a DJ! Target promoters who are open to new independent artists. You can find them by looking at DJ promoters in a style close to your own. This can lead to opportunities to join a line-up or support a band, just for example.
• Bookers and booking agencies: they help artists find gigs, and sometimes organize their own events. On occasion, bookers may invite artists from outside their catalog. This can be a good way of finding a gig and possibly building a relationship to secure a booking contract later on.
• Music labels: many music labels organize regular events, for which they need DJs. They usually play their own artists, but may also be open to receiving guest artists. For example, French labels Roche Musique and Cookie Records often organize events in Paris and other cities.
• Associations: you can target music associations, but you can also broaden your target. For example, associations organizing fashion and art events generally need DJs. Events such as fashion shows or art auctions can be opportunities for DJ sets.
• Event agencies: here too, you can target music agencies, or find a field that interests you. Target agencies that organize events where your musical style could fit in well.

For ideas on who to contact, look at organizations and agencies organizing events near you, or with artists in your field. To easily contact professionals such as music labels and booking agencies and get feedback, you can use the Groover music promotion platform.

5. Use booking platforms

Several online services help you find gigs by acting as intermediaries between DJs and people looking for performers for their events. You’ll generally need to register to create your artist page with certain information: musical style, availability, location, rate, etc.

Organizers looking for DJs can contact you or post an ad you can apply to.

The advantage of these platforms is that they give you access to opportunities and facilitate communication. They also help you agree on terms and secure payment.

You can use the following platforms, for example:

• Linkaband: this service is one of the leading intermediaries for organizing concerts and DJ sets. 30,000 artists are registered on the platform, and all musical genres are covered, including electronic music. You can be contacted, or apply for jobs online. You can use filters such as location and musical style to find the right opportunities.

• Djaayz: this application was co-founded by Cathy Guetta and Raphaël Aflalo. The service specializes in DJ sets, and relies on electronic music professionals. To access it, you’ll need a referral code from a DJ already registered on the platform.

• LiveTonight: another service for finding artists and DJs. One of its advantages is that companies use this platform, so you may find opportunities that aren’t available elsewhere.

Before applying for opportunities or booking a gig, take the time to review the details of the event and talk to the organizer. This will help you understand their expectations and give you a good basis for collaboration.

6. Promote your music

This last method is less directly linked to finding gigs as a DJ, but is still essential. If you produce music, you probably already have a strategy for promoting it on social networks, through your own channels and in the media.

Promoting your music will give you something to put in your press kit when you’re looking for shows. Similarly, by contacting music professionals such as record labels, you can gain access to DJ opportunities.

If you don’t produce your own tracks, don’t panic: you can also promote your project by recording mixtapes. This is a great way to showcase your musical tastes and DJ skills. Most event organizers will ask you to do this, and it’s even a prerequisite for taking part in a springboard competition. So, anticipate this demand by recording a set before you start looking for dates.

To find dates as a DJ, you can use a combination of strategies. By contacting both people you know and others outside your network, you maximize your chances of getting dates. Talk to as many people as you can and get the ball rolling early enough, so that people think of you for opportunities. To facilitate your contacts with professionals such as labels and booking agencies, consider using the Groover platform.

– Translated by Kole Wright –

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