DJ boxes are important places and there is a bunch of rules and DJ etiquette that apply solely to them! Of course, venues have VIP rooms, VIP areas, artist green rooms, and backstage areas but the most sacred place of any venue is the DJ booth or DJ box.
Obviously, it’s a DJ’s goal to carve out a successful DJ career and perform within some of these famous (or infamous) DJ zones. But as well as DJs all wanting to perform in them, industry people, hangers-on, and big egos all want to network in them, or rather, be seen in them. Combine that with everyone else in the venue being intrigued and just wanting to get into them to see what the VIP fuss is all about you soon get a lot of drama congregating around this one hot spot!
So there are rules and DJ booth etiquette that must be adhered to whilst you’re there. In this article, we discuss how best to fit in, behave, and, more importantly, not make a complete fool out of yourself. Especially if you are an up-and-coming DJ trying to make a name for yourself.
DJ Etiquette 101
As a DJ
If you’re in the DJ box as a DJ, you have a lot more freedom and wiggle room while you’re in there. You won’t need to worry about outstaying your welcome but that doesn’t mean DJ etiquette is forgotten about and you can do whatever you want. Don’t be a pillock. If you act the fool then you may never be invited back to play there again.
If you’re about to begin your DJ set and you’re following another DJ, you’re going to need to get yourself organized. Most artists have a small amount of gear to set up. However, that can vary. Some just have a USB to plug in whereas others will bring a DJ controller or a laptop with them. Make sure you do your utmost best to set up your gear without causing disruption to the DJ playing before you.
Before you go plugging out any RCA cables, check with the DJ if there’s a specific channel on the mixer you can use. Once you have that confirmed you can begin setting up your own gear, but only then though! Do the minimum needed while they’re still playing as you’ll be able to complete your own setup once they’ve moved on between tracks.
As a Guest
So you have unexpectedly been asked behind the decks. How do you behave? What is the DJ etiquette here?
Depending on the venue, some DJ boxes have oodles of space for people to hang out in but you also have plenty of DJ boxes that are super small. Trust on this one, no matter what the size people will always try and hang around in the box. Even though it’s smaller than Grandma’s downstairs toilet.
DJ etiquette tip number one, if the booth is obviously not big enough to hang around in then don’t stay in there for too long. Do not overstay your welcome, say hello to whoever invited you in and the crew, have a quick look around, and then leave. If it’s a super small space you are almost definitely going to be in the way at some point and the last thing a DJ wants is to have people bumping into him while they’re playing.
On the other hand, If there’s space in the DJ box you can get a little bit more settled in there. There will be a lot of different industry folk in and around DJ boxes so this is another ideal opportunity for you to get your networking head-on.
Definitely keep your distance from the equipment and give the DJ plenty of space – that goes without saying really. We’ve all seen Boiler Room videos where something goes wrong due to a booth hanger-on acting the fool. Just make sure you’re not “that person” by keeping a safe distance at all times.
Do not put a drink down anywhere near the DJ equipment, this is a guaranteed way to destroy the atmosphere in a venue, and your reputation simultaneously.
Please avoid talking to the DJ. If they talk to you, by all means, chat back to them but, nine times out of ten, they’re going to be concentrating way too much on Djing. Remember, they’re professionals and they’re in there doing a job. Resist the temptation.
Do not help yourself to the artist’s drink fridge. That is their pre-arranged drinks rider and not for you unless you’re offered a drink. Go to the bar if you want a drink.
Do Not Mistreat The Equipment
Once you get on the decks you must still behave and show a high level of respect always maintaining DJ etiquette. Always treat the equipment with complete respect and as if it were your own. Decks, mixers, and other DJ equipment are extremely expensive. If you’re playing a gig and you mistreat the gear, you’ll be very lucky to get another gig no matter how good you are. Always have in the back of your mind that it’s a very small industry so you won’t be doing yourself any favors by being an idiot with any of the equipment. Each club and DJ box you play in will have its own sound engineers and lighting jocks on hand. They too will have their own set of house rules and you don’t want to get on the bad side of a sound engineer. Nope, that is a bad move! Best make sure you do exactly as they say.
Redlining
You can be very sure that one of these DJ etiquette rules will be about redlining your levels. Not only is redlining exceptionally bad for the sound system, but it’s also bad for your ears and sounds pretty dreadful to the crowd as well. It’s a big no-no in any club. Again, don’t be that guy!
Play Appropriately
If you’ve been booked to play at a deep house night, then it’s really not appropriate to show up and play a garage set. While developing your own sound is important, this won’t always work with every crowd and you need to be flexible enough to be able to change things up if you feel the level of energy dropping inside the venue.
We’re not saying that DJ etiquette extends to playing requests from the crowd, but definitely learn to read the dancefloor and if a promoter or the club owner asks you to change things up a little you should try and oblige them, they’ll like the fact that you are flexible and easy to work with.
Don’t Get Messed Up
One way of totally making an utter disgrace of yourself is by simply drinking way too much. Enjoy yourself, but don’t take it too far. Sure, you’ll be given free drinks or even a rider, but that’s not a green light to be drinking yourself into oblivion before you get on the decks.
We have seen this golden rule of DJ etiquette broken so many times, an artist turns up so drunk (or under the influence of something) that, by the time they get to the DJ box they are not in the right state to play a decent professional set. It really isn’t a good look and everyone these days has a smartphone with a camera to record all. It’s disrespectful to the club owner, the promoter, and, most of all, to the audience who have spent their hard-earned money to come and watch you play. Plus your antics could end up posted all over social media!
We’re not saying you should or need to play all of your gigs stone-cold sober, a few drinks may even settle your nerves, but know your limits and don’t overdo it. If you think you have had enough, do the wise thing and switch to water.
In a nutshell, it’s much better to be a sober DJ than a wonky, drunken messed-up DJ. Who would you book?
Leave the Ego at Home
The last bit of DJ etiquette advice we’ll leave you on is probably the simplest, but most important. Just be nice, be authentic. Nobody wants to work with a narcissistic DJ whose ego spills over in the DJ booth over the slightest of things. That type of behavior just stresses people out in the booth and takes away from what should be a really positive and enjoyable environment.
It’s simple. DON’T BE A DIVA!
Smile, chat, be cool, approachable, and always be nice to the staff, they will remember that I assure you.
DJ Etiquette in the Box: Takeaway
DJing is a highly rewarding profession but first and foremost it is a job. You are in a privileged position so act accordingly and respect the DJ etiquette that goes along with the trade. There’ll be plenty of wild afters, festivals, and party times ahead that you can really let loose at but just make sure to pick your moments wisely.
The times you spend in the DJ box are the times you’ll be working, supporting friends, or networking so the more professionalism you show, the more your career will benefit.
