Questions

Please see below some questions you should consider asking any DJ/Disco/Entertainment you may be contacting. 

All following information taken from https://www.findamobiledisco.co.uk/mobile-disco-prices/

Will I get a contract?

Of all questions you might ask, this is probably the most important!

The DJ you choose could be amazing, but if he’s not contracted to you and doesn’t turn up, his amazing talents might be enjoyed somewhere else that night

Insist on a contract, that states the DJs full name, event date, times, venue, any special requests like set up arrangements, the DJs requirement in terms of power or access in case you need to make special arrangements. Make sure it states who your DJ is and that the person you speak to is the person who is DJing for you, not a casual friend of his third cousin’s father in law (unless this is what you’ve arranged).

This should all be in the contract, along with any deposit required, when full payment is due and what the cancellation and compensation details are.

If your DJ refuses to issue a contract, even though he may be happy to take a deposit, look for a different DJ!!

How much music do you have?

Your Mobile Disco should have something over 8000 songs, this should give enough scope to fill the dancefloor with a wide variety of music for the various age groups, but also satisfy requests on the night.

What music do you have?

If you have international guests, or you like styles which are perhaps not general commercial chart, you will need to ask about this. Your Mobile Disco should fill you with confidence that not only do they carry these styles, but are happy to use them to fill your dancefloor. Many professional Discos will carry at least a small amount of just about every style you might need, right across the various era’s of music, including many nationalities such as French, Serbian, German, Latin, Scottish, Irish, African, Israeli and much more. Perhaps just as important, is the fact that they will be happy to play it!

What music will you play?

If you have chosen the styles and any particular songs, these should be your Mobile Discos priority. Around this brief your Mobile Disco will guage the audience, and using their experience, will choose songs that will get people on the floor. This is hopefully the kind of response you’re looking for when chatting with a prospective DJ

Can I choose songs for you to avoid playing?

Either giving them a list, or using an online music request system you can select songs for your Mobile Disco not to play, and they should discuss general styles you like and dont like so the evening goes the way you want it to

Can I choose the music?

If you want to choose every song for them to play, and even the order, they should advise against it, but be happy to accomodate your wishes.
When booking a professional Disco, they ought to know better than you what will fill the dancefloor, that’s what you’re paying for! However they should be equally keen to incorporate your favourite songs and styles. They should offer advice, but be open to your suggestions.
Many Discos offer a free online music database where you can choose as many songs as you like (bear in mind around 19 songs per hour is the most they can play!). You also get a further login for your guests, so they can choose 2 songs each, and of course your DJ should be happy to take requests on the night.

Do you have 'clean' versions of songs?

Your Disco should have a large amount of ‘radio edit’ and cleaned versions of songs, so if you need them to make sure they plays these instead of the originals, just let them know and they should be happy to accomodate your wishes.

How big are your speakers?

Unless you are in the business, most brand names will be meaningless, you may have heard of JBL and JAMO, but do you know which is far better than the other? (it’s JBL by the way). There are Music Power Watts and RMS Watts, only RMS gives the true indication of actual volume achieved. SPL is a more accurate way to define sound levels, but let’s not bore with that!
Size often isn’t a good indicator of quality (how many times have you heard that!) If you are booking for an 18th birthday, then high volume may be something you are looking for, but if it’s a Wedding, then more discreet speakers would perhaps be more appropriate. Your Disco should help guide you through which systems they have, and which they recommend, you may not understand half of what they says, but you should get a feeling that they know what they’re talking about. Your DJ should point out that it will be loud enough to encourage dancing, but they will monitor the volume so that those guests who would rather talk than dance, get to enjoy their evening as well.

What if your system breaks down?

You need to kn ow that in case on any equipment breakdown, the show can go on. Your DJ should reassure you that they carry extra equipment with them, both sound and lighting, so in the unlikely event of a problem, it can be up and running again very quickly.

What if you get ill?

You need assurance that if they get ill, you will still have a Disco. Most DJ will know other Discos who may be able to cover your gig at short notice. Have a chat with your DJ, they should reassure you how they would cope in this emergency.

How long does it take to set up?

For a party where there is a break while dining tables are maybe moved, to allow a reset of the room for the evening, this might be important. Or perhaps where you’ve hired a hall from let’s say 7, but of course the party can’t start until the Disco is set up

For a normal amount of equipment with reasonable access to the room/ marquee, allow an hour. Should you book extra’s such as uplighting, this takes longer but your Disco would discuss this so you are fully aware.

How long does it take to break down?

For a normal amount of equipment it’s usually around 45 minutes. You may need to bear this in mind when planning your timings, in case the venue insists both guests AND equipment are out of the venue by a certain time.

What will you wear?

For a Wedding, most professional Discos would normally wear black tie (dinner suit) or at least smart shirt, jacket and trousers as we think you and your guests have made an effort, therefore so should we. However if you would prefer him in casual, fancy dress, very loud Hawaiian shirt, then just let him know ! He should be flexible to your requests, as with all other arrangements.

Will you get drunk?

“Absolutely not !” should be the answer, hopefully followed up with “I don’t drink alcohol while working”. You wouldn’t expect a plumber to be sipping a Bud while sorting your central heating, or a doctor with a hip flask. The waiters & bar staff are unlikely to be drinking, so why should your Disco?

My venue has asked for PLI (Public Liability Insurance)

Many venues now ask for this in case of claims by guests following an accident. Your Disco should have cover, but do check the level in case it’s below that required for the venue. Some ask for £2million, some for £10 million just in case of any accidents with their equipment or set up. Your Disco should be happy to email either you or your venue with the policy.

My venue has asked for PAT

This is Portable Appliance Testing, all electrical equipment taken into a venue should be annually tested by a qualified Electrician, with each item having a sticker as well as having a test certificate. Some venues will insist on seeing this, either before the event, or on the day. Your Disco should be happy to email either you or your venue with the Certificate.

Can you set up earlier?

You may wish to have everything set up early, perhaps before a Wedding Breakfast or conference, although it’s not always appropriate. In a marquee this is the preferred option as guests will rarely go somewhere else after the Wedding Breakfast, so bringing a lot of equipment through your crowd of guests is not really what you want. If however you have chosen a beautiful venue with nice architecture, do you really want 21st century equipment in your photo’s… probably not.
It’s something you should discuss, your DJ should be flexible to your arrangements, although if this increases the time for your booking, they may increase their price to compensate.