30/04/2026
After over a decade of bookings, we’ve seen a tonne of DMs and emails from newer DJs asking for a shot at playing at the parties. There is nothing wrong with the hustle, but there is definitely a better way to go about it. Yes, the music is always the first thing we listen for, but being a great DJ alone often isn’t enough to get you on a lineup.
Before social media took over, DJs had to earn their stripes by turning up to parties and handing out physical mixtapes or CDs. We’ve been through that grind ourselves, and we wanted to share what we’ve learned transitioning from being behind the decks to being the ones doing the booking.
We put this list together to show what bookers actually look for and why you might be getting overlooked. We aren’t claiming this is a surefire way to get booked, but it will give you some perspective on what goes through a booker’s mind when they are planning a local lineup.
Hopefully this helps some of you on your journey. Don’t get bitter, get better. =)
