What Is “Being A Resident DJ” ?

 

 

Definition of employment status for a DJ.

Let me explain what residency means for DJs. If you perform at a venue on a regular basis or permanently, then it means you are ” resident ” at that bar, lounge or club.

Do you have to be there everyday ? Absolutely no. It depends on what terms you agree with the establishment.

Some DJs play at bars or clubs on certain days of the week. The point is that they are there on that given day and customers know it.

Let’s say you’re a DJ and sign a contract with the corner bar to play music there every Friday and Saturday. You are considered as a resident DJ of this venue.

This doesn’t mean it’ll be only you that night. A lot of bars and clubs bring guest DJs on the same night as well. Then you share the booth with him or her.

Basically, if you, as a DJ, make a steady income from the venue, you naturally become a resident DJ.

There are variations of DJ residency like club, resort, cruise ship DJ’ing etc. If you work at a holiday village or on a ship, you probably end up spending most, maybe all of your time, even sleep there. This is also DJ’ing residency.

Resident DJs are no different from any other club or bar employee. Just like bartenders or security.

One hardship of being resident at a club is that you happen to see steady audience, most of the time. Thus, you need to refresh you music routine regularly in order to please both customers and the boss. You simply can not play the same tracks in the same order every time you get in the booth.

If you can, try being a resident DJ at a venue. It helps you establish your personal brand and get your name out there quickly. Also a very good reference especially for beginners.

 

 

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Last updated by Murat Celikbas on November 29, 2017.