Hi! I’m Cristian Abrudan, or as many people know me, DJ DA’CRISS. The idea for this article came after a message from Andrei, who suggested I write a few thoughts about the things worth paying attention to when choosing a DJ for a party.

Cristi, since we’ve known each other for about 12 years now, would you like to write a few lines for my website about how people can choose a good DJ for their event?
Andrei Ionescu

For approximately 18 years I’ve been present at private events, and for over 15 years in clubs or at public events.

In the lines below, I’d like to clarify a question I hear very often: “How do you choose the right professional to handle the music at an event?”

The budget is important, but it shouldn’t be the only criterion

Most of the time, when someone is organizing a party, the first thing they start with is the budget. This isn’t necessarily a wrong approach, but it shouldn’t be the only criterion.

My advice would be that when you request 3–4 offers from different DJs, you carefully analyze what each package includes.

Very often, the differences are not only about price, but also about the services provided:

  • the equipment included
  • the DJ’s experience
  • how the atmosphere of the event is managed
  • the team they bring to the event

The experience and “portfolio” of a DJ

This may include:

  • photo or video materials from previous events
  • social media pages
  • recordings from clubs or parties
  • feedback from clients

All of these can offer a fairly clear idea about the DJ’s experience, style, and level of professionalism.

The quality and use of equipment

Another important aspect is the quality of the equipment and the way it is used.

Many times I’ve noticed a tendency toward “overkill”, meaning too much equipment compared to the actual needs of the event. Sometimes these systems are even operated incorrectly.

For example:

  • sound systems that are far too powerful for the space
  • sound that isn’t properly adjusted to create a pleasant atmosphere
  • lighting rigs left on automatic mode, which can become distracting for guests and especially for photographers or videographers

An experienced DJ knows how to adapt everything depending on the space and on the moment of the party.

The role of the DJ during the event

A good DJ means more than just music.

Very often, the DJ is the one managing the flow of the event. If experienced, they can smoothly guide guests to the dance floor when the atmosphere calls for it and, just as naturally, lead them back to their tables when it’s time for a meal or for a surprise prepared by the organizers.

The importance of the technical team

In many situations, the DJ comes together with a team or collaborators for certain technical services.

A good example is the lighting operator. An experienced professional will know how to adapt the lighting depending on the moment of the party and will communicate easily with the photo-video team.

Good collaboration between the DJ, the lighting technician, the photographer, and the videographer helps enormously with the overall quality of the event.

The music and the way it’s mixed

Another very important element is the music chosen for the party.

The atmosphere on the dance floor can be completely different depending on who is in charge of the music. Someone who constantly prepares, stays up to date with new tracks, and knows how to adapt different styles to the audience will find it much easier to keep the energy of the party going.

At the same time, the way the music is mixed also matters. When songs are blended naturally into one another, people can keep dancing without interruptions, awkward pauses, or sudden changes in rhythm.

Recommendations can say a lot

Just like with any event vendor, it’s worth taking other people’s recommendations into account.

Some of the most objective recommendations come from other professionals in the HoReCa industry, who have direct experience working with different DJs.

At the same time, feedback from previous clients can be very valuable. From them you can learn important things such as:

  • whether the DJ adapted to the audience
  • whether they were open to requests
  • whether the atmosphere was well managed
  • or whether the playlist felt too repetitive

An important celebration in someone’s life, whether we’re talking about a wedding, an anniversary, or an 18th birthday, is a unique moment.

That’s why it’s important for the vendors involved to be professional, well prepared, and open to collaboration.

When everyone does their job in their own field, and the whole team works together toward the same goal, the chances of the event being truly successful increase significantly.

If you’d like to collaborate

feel free to message me, if I’m not available, I can help you with recommendations for other suitable DJs.

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