If you're not from the market & you're not a producer or celeb DJ
Good manager...Good Agent.... they'll get you on.
or just research which venues do latin rooms or music...(99% don't) and approach them yourself..and sell yourself... but all of my vegas bookings have come from relationships..mgmt and agents.

funny story, a friend of mine was in town. can't remember what club it was, but the waitress spilled a drink all over his 200 dollar sweater. he made friends with the manager who came out to apologize, got his business card, and said if he wanted to dj sometime he was welcome. so uhh...give that a try.

sup yosh when u droppin the next yosh experience? throw link up on here

lol

you gotta suck a lot of D#%* to get in them club gigs, and kiss a lot of ass and know the right people you cant just walk in and say heres my demo can i spin at your club.

word to burger!

Get on with 9group ...........

n9ne group is looking from what I heard...
Angel is restructuring everything since they took over Pure Group.
Light Group is hiring too from what I've heard.

Just send them your demo's, media kits & an intro letter.... but yeah over the years it's gotten really political out there.. I used to play there monthly... now I'm there MAYBE 3 times a year...for big holiday's...that's the easiest time b/c they'll budget that out to spend the $ to fly people in..

NBA ALL STAR WEEKEND! DJ YOSHI IN THE MIX!

Las Vegas is all about who you know. Networking Hardcore. The best spots are run by entertainment groups (such as the one listed above, N9ne, Angel, Light). If you are lucky and have a good rapport with a few DJ's out there, They can probably get you into a spot with them for a guest set. Headlining status: Its all on you. Unless if you are an in-demand producer or entertainer, Its not likely. Definitely bring you 100% business game when pitching a night to a venue. Numbers are all that matter there.

shoot trying to lock that weekend in IF there's a season!



100 on this one! Get up with the homie Cyber Kid... that's good people forreal! he got into Vegas at the right time and rocks 6 days a week with Angel Mgmt.

There aint gonna be a season. The knicks are cursed. Finally got a shot........ no season. lolz

Yeah. He's the dude out there. Hella good dudes putting in 9pm-5am work out there. (No Stripper)

Just get your hustle on...

That's it...it's the same as everywhere else...it's probably a little harder in Vegas....

isn't that pretty much the case for more cities these days?

You have a better and fighting change in your own city. Vegas is real cut-throat, like literally, Someone will cut your throat for a paid position, specially with one of the agencies that runs entertainment at the casinos and hotels.

Hell, SF is real cut-throat. I aint the greatest DJ out here and certainly not the most popular but I stay gigged all the time. Hustle nonstop.

errryday I'm hustling?

yea, it's the same here in Van - hard to get gigs, even harder to truly get paid for the gigs...

Gigs have been literally falling into my lap here for the last 5 years. Don't advertise or try to get gigs one bit, and I'm busier than I need to be. Although lots more DJs on the scene here then back in the day, but it's still busy. I don't think I'd want to play in Vegas. I wouldn't turn it down but I wouldn't seek it out either. Vegas sucks mayne.

Vegas is extremely competitive. They have some really awesome DJ's and some truly horrific ones. The horrific ones probably got real good hustling business skills or like Yoshi mentioned, A manager or agent who can get them into places.

Some good advice/knowledge being dropped.

+1 to Audio 1 & Yoshi

Where did you hear this? Light Group is probably hiring promoters and hosts which are both huge turnaround jobs. Everybody wants to dj in this city therefore they do not need to "look"'because they have hundreds of dj's begging to get in. The presskit and cd thing is a good idea,but unfortunately it won't work. You have to build a good relationship with the music directors who are constantly getting bombarded from dj's. Or sometimes DJ's will put you on..like Me,but I rarely do that anymore because people are unappreciative.

I'm 16 and I'm holding down a residency in Vegas....
You guys make it sound hard! HA! Common man!

good for you Lewshis, hold it down!

(a little Freudian slip you typed)

how is the video scene out there.

good catch.

A while back you posted that your dad had the hook up, and could get you in if you learned to DJ. Now you act like you went out and got it on your own. #CommonMan

lol.

bwahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

Just goes to show how much of a waste of effort it is to try to get in Vegas.... Bust your ass to get to open for a 16 y/o who has daddy get them work.

Spair I hear what you're saying brother... just from speaking to some people... they told me during the changes..some mgmt companies are looking for DJ's... and 100 on the music directors....
completely different game now than when I first started playing in Vegas...it's like trying to get onto radio or tv

Duh....



















Date Nicole Ritchie....

I just found out the other day. That The Light Group has eliminated their music director. The marketing directors are the guys you need to chum up with because they book all the dj's now. Kind of a risky idea if you ask me. On another note a lot has changed in this town since I've moved here over 3 years ago. A few clubs have shut their doors and the resident (local) dj's are not of as much value as they once were. Check this article out.
www.lvbusinesspress.com

Another trend Garcia has observed in his recent years is the hiring of DJs who may not be skilled behind the booth, but who may provide a consistent guest list, making them more promoter than DJ. yup that pretty much sums it up!

I miss spinning in vegas... i wasn't headlining large clubs or even opening up at those spots... but i had a steady thurs-sun for about a year. (Foundation Room - Mandalay, Cathouse - Luxor, Rum Jungle - Mandalay RIP, Gold Diggers - Golden Nugget Cougar Bar lol)... But i had a great time and it stepped up my portfolio, and when i came home i had to put the hustle back in but im able to be steady in my local scene.

I just had a Vegas DJ reach out to me tonight for a few Saturday night spots out that way in November/December and possibly more, if you know how to network, stay humble, and know how to grind down to the business point, i think you will have a good chance if you get in the right hands (no homo). But just remember... even if you get the spot, there will be plenty of bs for others that are fighting to get your spot....

Shouts out to A1 as always for the straight forward points and views/opinions, he is on the money.

Thanks. I've only DJ'ed in Las Vegas 2 times. Both venues off the strip and it was DRUM&BASS. The same promoters who brought me out are now doing bigger EDM shows on the strip. Its real dope seeing them still pushing the underground sounds.

love hearing that just as much as i love going over to the dime, its just a feel good, here for the music type of thing :)

I'm just starting out here... Good discussion going on. I'm definitely experiencing the highs and lows. Kind of just observing in the background. Do my thing. Introduce myself to as many people as possible. Burn no bridges. Learn the politics. And try to book out every week.

Its definitely been a hustle. I came on a clean slate. Didnt know anyone. Made a few good connections, stayed professional and "got in". All and all, good experience. Club/bar Mgmt does make me follow a "Top 40" format, "No Hiphop" deal... And I have to suck it up and play for them. Not exactly where I want to be right now but thats how it goes. Insert [Patience]. To anyone curious, Ive been gettin by thru agencies. No N9ne, AMG, Light yet. Gotta build yourself. Build those relationships and that rep. Small city. Everyone knows everything about everyone.

S/O to @djSpair! He's man of his word... he has "been the DJ to put me on" a few times. All love. I owe you one or two or three... give me time ;D

Hey guys, interesting discussion you have got going on in here. I see that most of you are discussing using management companies etc, based in America. What do you think a possible route would be if I was based in Australia and wish to come over to America for basically a tour to dj at some of the clubs in America, In particular Vegas! Any help would be appreciated.

Cheers
Zealousy

exactly what I was thinking you had a hook up. Im still working for my big DJing break a lot gigs with a lot of dead ends and shitty promoters and othe Djs messing up the game but still I rise...

im wondering how he;s even in a club at 16 djing

Got my first regular club gig on a wednesday at 16...oppening

Unlike the military, I've got my own "Don't ask, don't tell" method. (No homo)

lewshis... where you at on the strip and what nights?

The Sands on wednesday nights

where is that? all i know about "sands" is the convention center and the old blown up hotel lol.

lol blown up is right!

hahaha, I was like wait didnt Sands get the demo... Maybe he is rocking the world famous Sahara

lmao yup and he's at The Dunes next friday!

haha and then special guest spot at the Frontier

haha... love it!

@DJLewshis, Not even trying to diss, but these were your posts not to long ago. If you can use a connect to your advantage, by all means, do your thing! But don't act like you went out and got the gigs yourself, then come on here bragging about something you didn't earn. #RealTalk

Past:
June 2010 - My first performance (Tips?)
serato.com

July 2010 - Am I moving too slow?
serato.com

more like Lieshis

Spair...you gonna be in town for NYE? Finalizing contracts this month to rock there for that weekend....need to get away from NY for the beginning of 2012... I just got Cyberkid a few bookings out here...sh** you should come out too

Hey guys, where's the best buffet in Las Vegas nowadays? I went to the Rio Around The World buffet last trip there and it was pretty damn good. And is prostitution legal or illegal there? 'Cuz there were all these dudes handing me those flyers on the strip, pretty interesting.

bellagio buffet pretty legit

wicked spoon at cosmopolitan.

I Just got back from Vegas yesterday and there were djs at just some of the lounges and thru out the casino. i was at planet hollywood and they had a dj spinnin at aound 9:00 in the casino and then over at paris just up on a little stage area was a dj and over at aria there was a dj spinnin at one of the little lounge areas. im not quite a 10,000 person club dj but just those little spots would be cool with me. is that still something you would need a promoter/agent for? would it even be worth it to fly in to spin for a couple days or is the pay garbage for those kinda gigs?

pay is good if you don't get undercut, which I'm assuming 50% of the residents there don't get paid doodoo.
Fly in spin, get paid fly out.

Speaking of Vegas

soundcloud.com

^ Downloaded, I'll take a listen on the drive home

+1

''"It's not so much focused on the music itself anymore, it's more focused on people who buy bottles," Garcia said. "At the end of the day, of course they're out to make money."

DJs still are charged with building the club's energy throughout the evening and keeping a packed dance floor so people don't leave.

"A good DJ can keep a room longer," Garcia said. "The longer they stay, the longer they drink."

Don't plan on seeing any DJ magic at Vegas clubs any time soon, either.

For his birthday one year, Garcia and a friend performed a two-by-four set in which they played mostly drum and bass music, mixed in with hip-hop. A two-by-four is when two DJs spin using four turntables.

"There's not a club in Vegas now that would ever let you do that without pulling you," Garcia said.

The reason? Clubs are worried about keeping the paying customers at the VIP tables happy, regardless of their good or bad taste in music.

"I'm not ragging on all of Las Vegas," Garcia said. "There are people who want to listen to good music."

Another trend Garcia has observed in his recent years is the hiring of DJs who may not be skilled behind the booth, but who may provide a consistent guest list, making them more promoter than DJ.''

i dont know why i would need to go to shiz hole in the desert, when i can just do that at home. If you are good and people are booking you to play there, great. but to want to go have to deal with that in the crappiest city in the U.S., i just don't know why you would want to do that. I guess you are geographically close to some better places, LA, SD, Palm Springs, various mountain ranges, which is pretty cool.

^^^ the "other" DJ OB One... lol

that Spair I tell you... beastiality mode he is

^^^LOL
-he was just helping that sheep over the fence...

My Friend Dj Fatbox Moved to vegas from Cali. He said vegas ain't cut throat as La is. and the promoters there dont bs you. he's suppose to be on djing power 88 the drive at 5 with DJ Remix.

I would suggest. Let Vegas come to you. Work hard, work smart, make your own path & Vegas will come looking for you. Don't just try to go be a "Vegas DJ". However, it doesn't hurt to get to know people who are making the decisions (Entertainment directors, music directors, DJ's who can put you on, etc.) Just don't be asking people for gigs. People don't like that. Just be available & be kind. Also as previously mentioned, Vegas is cut throat, unlike any other city, vain & unforgiving ran my extremely money motivated people. Just always keep that in mind and know what to expect.

this^

Most cut-throat cities are always the best party cities.....
Vegas, Miami NYC, LA

I agree with the big homie Alex Dreams. All the times I've been booked in Vegas or anywhere else is because of my buzz here at home (Chicago) or the right person seeing/hearing me mix live. I don't rock clubs 6-7 nights a week like I did years ago, but when I did I made sure I gave 100% every gig and didn't burn any bridges. There were plenty of times I showed up super early at my residences and did little things like sound check, change burned out light bulbs in the lights, help program new light shows in the controllers etc.
Yes it is very cut throat out there now (Chicago promoters and clubs have been "copying" Vegas & Miami clubs the last 5-6 years or so) but hard work will pay off eventually.

For you DJ's out there in small towns/Cities: I think you guys have to hustle extra hard. Your market isn't as big as a NY, Vegas, or Miami. Working out of a city such as Chicago I constantly look for new ways to evolve and make myself stand apart from the hundreds (perhaps thousands) of DJ's in my market.

WISE WORDS.

RISK ONE and I had a talk about this before and he put it real simple to me...

"Be the best DJ in your area and make sure everyone knows your name. No sense in hyping yourself if no one knows who you are in your city!"

very wise words.

i live by those words (risk one quote)

Yezzzir. Great topic & great tips guys.

Thanx everyone for the great info!! I guess i'll stick with my mobile gigs for now too much bs competition out there. Anyways I was in Vegas this past weekend from the 4th to the 6th and I just wanted make shout to(friday night) The Dj at the Vbar at the Venetian dude good job. Also Dj L1 (sat. night ) at The Blue Martini gril you was off the hook!!!!

IM NOT UNAPPRECIATIVE SPAIR YOU KNOW HOW MUCH KLAW HAS LOVE.......

Dj Garr comin thru!

This is a very tough task in itself!

word to mr shmizzle!

I don;t know $#!T about that type of music you said you play but I know DJ Decipha was playing out there not too long ago. He plays on The Beat in Phoenix on the regular and he's hella good. Look him up on Facebook or something and maybe he can throw you some tips. I've never played Vegas but EVERY club gig I ever got I got through networking so I'll tell you play EVERY gig you can get your hands on and get to know EVERYBODY you can. Can't have too many friends.

Great thread..........I been living in Vegas for a while, started in the 80's, then the 90's here doing the 'Rave' scene, some clubs, venues...............got out of the scene after I had my son, but now digital and working my way up again, and damn its tough. There were no management groups really back then.......but Im trying!

I never played in Vegas but I've been club dj'ing over 12 yrs now and give mad props to any DJ rockin Vegas...even Pauly D! I'll rock some Madonna & Boy George. Vegas is all about the hollywood style and I'm drunk.....

Haha....drunk posting is fun!

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Yay, reviving year old threads to advertise yourself is Fun!

Which one, i think they all claim this

Just made the move out here in Vegas. I have been successful over the years in California and I wanted to live the Vegas scene. Why not right? Been here for a month now and I am learning.... At first I hit up all the top DJ's and honestly no one replied. I was honest and real about networking but hey its all about who you know. Looking into the whole management thing. I have my press kit done by a professional and my demo is in the process. I just booked a weekly residency at a local bar for now and hope I can make more connections in the near future. For those of you who are still looking for opportunities hit me up and maybe in a year from now I might be able to help you out. I know it's gonna take some time but I believe in helping other DJ's because we should all team up to make this work. Good luck guys!

-DJSANTOS

Who did your press kit

www.facebook.com

DJ Santos...

Whats your email so I can send you a promo pack on myself?

Oh I thought I recognized you, I watched one of your youtube blogs about when you were DJing on a cruise ship. Needless to say, kind of scared me from the idea of it lol. Good luck to you man.

That may be against forum rules

What's up world?
I am DJ Limestonez I am new
to Vegas and starting up with
Hakkasan and a few other
nightclub and strip clubs
I am going to get a budget
for a little over a million
bucks for my birthday coming up and
film 100 music videos in a day at the
Penthouse with 100 girl orgies $100
to all bitches yo everyone is invited to my
sloppy seconds I am sure
you will have a good time!

What's the point of this?

It's not even funny.

WOW! Four years later, and this dude has carved out a nice slice of the Vegas Strip!!!! Spinning most nights at Excaliber and MGM, not to mention other places around LV. Glad this brotha was able to prosper even though it seemed like the local DJs he reached out to for help turned their back on him when he first arrived in town and asked for help. He's a good dude and really pushes the positivity-vibe on Periscope while he spins during his cocktail/dance shows. Pretty damn unique skillset too, and trust me, it takes a lot to impress me when it comes to live/pary DJs. Check him out on the scope. DJSANTOSLIVE

OOPS. I guess it's just DJSANTOS on Periscope. It's pretty entertaining checking this dude spin his live shows on the Vegas strip. I'm not a big Vegas guy. I've only been a couple of times and didn't really enjoy it, not a big gambler. But as far as this topic, I'd bet on him helping you out if you have the skills and need some info on getting your foot in the door in LV. Again, be real with yourself and be sure you've got the skills first and foremost.