DJ Work and Disco Work - We welcome your comments

Hi everyone.

Please feel free to add your comments about mobile disco or DJ work to this blog, or indeed and thoughts relating to karaoke or PA hire and sound engineering. Unfortunately we aren't able to accept links to any disco, karaoke or sound hire websites, but we welcome links to your personal pages or "day jobs". Or just any site you may find relevant.

Have you ever been to a gig where you weren't paid and how did you deal with it? MantraSound has a structure in place to avoid this unpleasant eventuality, but we'd like to hear your stories as every situation can be learnt from.

Submit to this blog about your experiences.

Disco work from MantraSound

Disco Agency Work

As a disco agency, MantraSound liaises with the customer in the first instance in order to select a DJ who is well equipped to serve their requirements. We have a number of parameters. All of our DJs are contracted to carry PLI and to PAT test their equipment adequately. In addition, DJs are requested to accept a playlist of up to 30 tracks from the customer which can be used to build a set. We do not generally expect DJs to play every track in a set order as is occasionally requested, since we believe some faith must be shown in the abilities of the DJ to keep things moving in his own style. We do however ask customers to state if they have a preference for genre or era, so that the DJ comes well prepared.

Another requirement is that the DJ contact the customer a minimum of two weeks before the event to review music styles and payment preferences. According to our system, the DJ fee is paid to the DJ on the night, and this has rarely been a source of dispute. Becasue of the nature of events covered, we have never known of an issue with cheques. although we leave this matter to the discretion of the DJ.

Underpinning our whole ethos and expectation of the DJ is a contract which is signed between the DJ and the customer after we have received our disco agency fee. This contract is there for the protection of the DJ and the customer and outlines what we consider to be the minimum good conditions under which DJs should work, what their commitments are, and where responsibilities lie with regard to security and other insurable matters. Therefore it is of the utmost importance that the DJ signs his contract and send it to the customer, and receives one in return.

Public Liability Insurance

All MantraSound DJs are expected to carry their own Public Liability Insurance. A very economical way of fulfilling this criterion is to become a member of the Musician's Union. Other ways are through your ordinary insurance supplier, through Pavilion or MusicGuard MusicGuard or through E & L Insurance. PLI protects the DJ in the possible situation when his equipment injures a member of the public and he is construed to be at fault. If you do not have PLI MantraSound will not offer you contracts, so this is a sensible admin item to sort out before coming onto our books. We also ask DJs to PAT test their equipment regularly, and be prepared to show evidence of this to venues.

MantraSound Disco Agency

MantraSound Blog is a focus for the activities of MantraSound Disco Agency and is available to our current DJs and entertainers to contribute and exchange information on the UK disco scene.

MantraSound has around 60 DJs currently on its books across the UK. The terms under which we offer contracts to DJs are as follows:

CONDITIONS
1. It is agreed that MantraSound (The Booking Agent) shall book the DJ to perform disco music at various Engagements of varying durations for various fees. The duration and the fee is to be agreed between the Booking Agent and the DJ by email or writing in advance of the Engagement.

2. The Booking Agent is in no way the employer of the DJ and undertakes to offer him/her Bookings only as and when they arise. The Booking Agent makes no guarantee of any Bookings by this contract.

3. The DJ is not the employee of the Booking Agent, and need only accept Bookings which he/she wishes to accept.

4. A contract for bookings is made between the customer and the DJ which is prepared by MantraSound, but to which MantraSound is not a signatory. The DJ should complete this and send it to the customer, and ensure he receives a signed copy from the customer. In the event that the contracts are not exchanged, the DJ should consult with the athe Booking Agent.

5. In the event of a cancellation, the Booking Agent shall not be responsible for the payment of the DJ’s fee. A clause within the contract between the customer and DJ covers this eventuality.

6. It is the responsibility of the DJ to arrive punctually at the venue, and to provide a professional service.

7. It is the responsibility of the DJ to ensure that his equipment is regularly tested and safe electrically and otherwise, and causes no hazard to the general public. The Booking Agent shall bear no responsibility for situations or injuries caused by unsafe or incorrectly used equipment.

8. The DJ agrees to cover himself/herself for every Booking carried out for the Booking Agent by current and adequate Public Liability Insurance, and to PAT test his equipment regularly.

9. It is agreed by both parties to this contract that the equipment of the DJ performing for the Engagement is not available for use by other performers or persons present at the venue.

10.The Booking Agent shall, by means of an Confirmation Slip with the Customer, urge the Customer to provide a safe supply of electricity at the venue, a safe area for the DJ to work in, and reasonable working conditions. The Booking Agent does not, however, accept liability for any of these items.

11.Once a Booking is made, the DJ may communicate with the Customer regarding playlists, special music to be played, or other features of the event. The DJ should keep a record of such correspondence in case a dispute should arise

12. The DJ should contact the customer a mimimum of a month before any booking, where this is possible, to discuss the customer's requirements, and should be willing to accept a playlist of up to 30 tracks on which to base his set, and to concede to the Customer's wishes with regards to music styles and so forth.

13. Payment is made to the DJ on the night of the event, or as arranged between the DJ and the customer.

14.The DJ shall not be party to any nefarious acts, illegal behaviour or actions or words which may bring the name of the Booking Agent into ill repute, or may cause damage to the good name and development of the Booking Agents businesses and business concerns.

15.This contract may be terminated unilaterally by either the Booking Agent or the DJ giving to the other not less than two weeks' notice in writing.