Got questions about how to hire a DJ?  Don’t know what to expect?

I probably have answers.  Email me.  How can I help?

How much do you charge for DJ services?
Every event is different, and there’s a range of factors that can affect the final quote.  I’m happy to meet with you to discuss your plans then give you an accurate quote based on your specific requirements, or you can email me with more details and we can talk further.

The price varies depending on what’s involved, however if you’re just looking for a cheap DJ I’m probably not the right one for you.

Who will be the DJ at our event?
I am the only DJ who will be at your event. I do not hire DJ staff, so I’ll never send along a trainee or a sub-contracted company in my place, guaranteed.

From our first contact to your last dance, you’ll deal with Nick Logan, the sole DJ and owner of this service.

Do you travel outside of Auckland?
The majority of my work is in the greater Auckland area, but I travel to the Waikato or Northland regularly for weddings. I’ve even entertained at weddings as far away as Gisborne (Bushmere Arms), Lanarch Castle in Dunedin, and Queenstown.
What time should we plan for the DJ to start?
I place a lot of value on the earlier parts of the evening, such as during dinner. I prefer to be ready to play music from the moment your first guest arrives as it really helps build the atmosphere for the rest of the night.  The earlier I’m there, the more I can help.
How can we play music at a remote, outdoor event with no power access?
I have a few options available, but the most efficient and reliable solution is a compact and virtually silent power generator which are nearly silent.  I offer one as part of the service.
How long do you play for?
While we’ll define contracted times in our agreement, essentially my role is to entertain when and as required. I can start when you start, finish when you finish, or anywhere in between. Contact me to discuss your specific requirements.
Our venue is quite small - will there be room for your gear?
Many years ago I worked a rural pub event for 9 people, including staff. I certainly had a lot more fun at a wedding for 35 guests.  That was a truly intimate occasion, and we all had a great night.

I use a very compact system including the Bose L1 speaker (yes, just one) and can fit into small corners leaving more room for dancing. Venue staff often comment on my tidy and minimal presentation – quite different to what they’re used to seeing.

Auckland-DJ

Do you do many weddings?
Weddings are the main focus of my business making up around 75% of my events. The rest are generally “parties for grown ups” with corporate events or birthdays and similar celebrations.

Click to visit my dedicated wedding entertainment page for wedding DJs in Auckland, Northland, Waikato, or anywhere in the world.

Can we meet with you before we book?
Certainly – in fact I actively encourage it. While I’ve been involved with hundreds of weddings and events, there’s never been one exactly like yours before.  I believe enthusiasm and commitment isn’t something that can truly be demonstrated via email or even over the phone which is why I encourage an in person meeting before you make any decisions.

Even if you were to decide I’m not the right Dj for you, consider this meeting an opportunity to discuss your wedding day or event plans and take away some valuable tips that may help bring things together for you.  Get in touch and arrange a time to meet.

Can we choose the music?
When it comes to the first dance or other special dances at your wedding, such as a father daughter dance for example, it’s entirely your choice. You might even want to pick out a few must play tracks for the night too. However, make that list too big and it defeats the purpose of hiring someone to look after the music for you.

Rather than putting too much emphasis on choosing music, I encourage you to think about the songs or artists they definitely do not want to hear (“do not play” list).  Trust me – I’ll never play anything that will embarrass you, your guests, or myself.

Our Master of Ceremonies is part of the wedding party – can you make some announcements?
I regularly provide full Master of Ceremonies services, and making any announcements or introductions is just part of the service.
We have a large range of age groups, so can you play music that’s across the board?
Of course! I carry over 16,000 thousands of songs to every event because there’s no way to predict what your guests will want to hear until they’re headed for the dance floor. What does work is variety, so I play a little bit of everything, old and new, and change things around all night.
What songs do you have?
Over 20,000 tracks at last count.  However, having a huge music collection doesn’t necessarily make a great DJ.  Knowing what to play, what to follow it up with, and what NOT to play is where the skill and experience comes in.

I’ll never play anything that will embarrass you, your guests, or myself, be it just too cheesy, or offensive inappropriate lyrics or theme.

Have you worked at our venue before?

Chances are yes, but there are new venues starting up all the time, or it may have been some time since I was at yours.

Get in touch to talk about your plans!

Have you worked at our venue before?
Chances are yes, but there are new venues starting up all the time. Click here for a sample of venues I’ve worked with.
Will you play requests?
Unless my you specify otherwise then normally yes, but that’s if anyone makes a request. If I am playing the right songs, often guests don’t need to make requests. Of course, I use discretion and consider the appropriateness of any request before playing it.
Should we have a meal prepared for the DJ?
As a matter of personal preference, I choose not to eat when I’m working. I also don’t drink alcohol or smoke.
Our venue has no dance floor. Do we need to hire one?
No.  Your guests will usually just dance in front of wherever the DJ or band is set up, right on the carpet or whatever is on the floor.   Keep this in mind when organising your floor plan and try to have your entertainment as possible close to where you envisage the dancing will happen.

Also try to avoid putting tables between the dance floor and your DJ or band, if possible.

Can we see you working at another event or wedding?
I would never invite strangers or potential clients to your wedding.  It wouldn’t be appropriate for you to visit theirs.

I’d prefer to keep the focus on your event – nothing else is as important as the party happening in front of me.

What happens if you get sick?
This is surprisingly not a common question, but it’s an important one all the same and it’s covered in my contract. It’s never happened in over 20 years, but I do have a system in place should the unthinkable occur.
Our venue has a sound system - can you reduce your price and use theirs?

In a word, no.

In more words — yes and no.

Most venues don’t have backup sound equipment. Which means I need to have my own gear on site regardless — and if it’s there anyway, I’d rather use equipment I know, trust, and have tested a hundred times.

It’s also rare to find a truly outstanding sound system at a venue. Audio isn’t their core business, just like catering isn’t mine.

If you’re considering relying on a venue’s built-in system, ask them these questions first:

  • What happens if the system fails mid-reception?
  • What backup do they have, and how quickly can they get it running?
  • Who controls the volume — and will they interfere during speeches?

Some venues do invest seriously in their audio setup. Settlers Country Manor in Waimauku is a good example — their system is professional-grade and covers the whole venue, which matters given the size of the Banquet Hall. Markovina just up the road in Kumeu is another, with permanent speakers across multiple indoor and outdoor ceremony locations.

Even at well-equipped venues like these, I still bring my own equipment. Better to have it and not need it.

Got questions about how to hire a DJ?  Don’t know what to expect?

I probably have answers.  Email me.  How can I help?