DJ Charging For Requests Is That A Thing?

This vidoe is about a DJ in Colchester in Essex that has decided to start charging for requests because he is fed up with playing popular tunes!
DJ PressPlay who DJ's at a bar called Coda in Colchester has hit the news sites accross the world with this storey, i think he is playing it off as a joke now but the first interviews seemed like he was genuine.
#mobiledj #DJ #ukdj

[@DJCoolThing2018]

Hey JP Great to see you back.
I Think it’s a stupid idea to charge for requests that will get a DJ less bookings every DJ should be Happy to play any request that comes his or her way that is what makes a good DJ. When we DJ we are not Playing music that we like but what the Client wants played

[@RealLifeDJ]

Well said

[@jochenschmidt303]

Hello J.P.,
it is a delight, to see you again in good health.
I won't take money for playing music wishes, even some guests offered me a bank note in the past.
Music wishes can be very helpful for a Dj, but if they don't fit, I say it honestly.
I wish you all the best and especially health.
Kind regards from Germany
Jochen 🍀🐞🍀

[@RealLifeDJ]

Thanks and appreciate your comments

[@MikkelJuelHansen]

Good to see you back - you look like you're in good shape :-) I can see the idea of charging for request as a way to deal with types that keep coming up with request all night as if they know what works better than the DJ - how ever it is probably meant as an ironic gag. The way would probably be to communicate that requests are welcome but the DJ is not required to fulfill them - and if choosing to do so it will be when the DJ sees the best time to do it...

[@RealLifeDJ]

Systems are always good

[@jackboggis270]

Good to see you back JP, this guy is fairly local to me... think it's absolutely ridiculous 🤣

[@RealLifeDJ]

Absolutely

[@kpmaxx68]

Welcome back to the thinking mans DJ-JP ... Looks like the venue are up for any promotion , Good or Bad.

[@RealLifeDJ]

Very kind of you 😎👍🏻

[@theogee02]

Great to see you back. You always make great content.

[@RealLifeDJ]

Thank you

[@djdavet7278]

Good to see you JP.
Someone coming up to you for a request I believe is great. Gives you a good reputation and people are more likely to recommend you as being approachable.
Charging for it. That is just plain wrong for me. Only thing I've Charged extra 4 is staying longer if asked to do so

[@RealLifeDJ]

Building a sustainable business model works well 😎👍🏻

[@jaycrucialofficial]

He should not be charging full stop, you are right in what your saying, you need to play what people know in order to hold the floor (unless you are doing a Rave then crowd reading works slightly different). I play a commercial venue in a town centre, would never charge for requests, I even feel bad when people give me money, I put it under the Decks until the end of the night in case they ask for it back. But it is all about vibe as well, some requests I get are not neccesarily right at the time but I do play them still, I have a certain working order as I like to mix heavily as well as having good tune selection. Stop start all the time does not feel like DJing to me but that's my view.
I think in the DJ's defence where this may have come about is venues are still paying the same rates they did 10 years ago, with what is going on in the world etc, and diminishing Footfalls getting more money is going to be hard. (before the mobile guys pop up I ain't talking about you lot I am talking about Plug and Plays). So he is trying to make more money, all be it not a good way of doing it. I think he needs to be more open, I play some stuff that I cannot stand, but the customers love it and that's what it is all about, they are your bread and butter, keeping money in the tills and keeping you in that gig :).
Nice to see you back by the way :). also Colchester is a git to park in, I did Proper Fest at Trilogy and OMG, after a 2 hour drive from Kent it was pony. Nice venue though Trilogy.

[@RealLifeDJ]

Very well said, thanks for the contribution. 😎👍🏻

[@keithchegwin1222]

Great to see you back

[@RealLifeDJ]

Thanks

[@jimmyhill7477]

Good to see you back

[@RealLifeDJ]

Thanks

[@Fletrasen]

Nice to se You back 🙌👍

[@RealLifeDJ]

Thanks 😎👍🏻

[@lovedrumandbass]

Welcome back.

[@RealLifeDJ]

Thanks

[@TheMobileDJ]

i always tell people that ask for Sex on fire or Mr Brightside "that's an end of the night kind of song, is it OK if i do it then" and they usually agree with me. Good talking point good video hope your on the mend JP RESPECT Tony

[@RealLifeDJ]

Thanks Tony

[@DJDynablend]

Good to see you back mate! Colin your a Plonker 😂

[@RealLifeDJ]

You know it

[@djcalvin681]

YASS. Thank U sir.

[@RealLifeDJ]

👍🏻

[@djpaulthompson]

GR8 to see a back JP

[@RealLifeDJ]

Thanks

[@robmulliner1204]

I have been guilty of charging for requests!! (during Charity events where the money goes to the charity) However I once charged for requests once at C21 then I was getting a barrage or ridiculous requests and decided to tell them they were £20 each... i was joking... they then paid.... I played them!!!! 🙂

[@RealLifeDJ]

Love it 😎👍🏻

[@swanseaweddingdj]

Welcome back. How are you feeling these days? All good I hope 🙏

[@RealLifeDJ]

Plodding along

[@stuartpaul9211]

have a special time of night where people can pay to have requests. so punters know that's the spot where the shit is played.
fortune to be made out of Sweet Caroline and anything by Arctic Monkeys (in Yorkshire).

[@RealLifeDJ]

Absolutely 😎👍🏻

[@djme-123]

Hey JP we miss you!

[@RealLifeDJ]

Thanks

[@jimmyhill7477]

I've done it before for charity but only 20p a request

[@RealLifeDJ]

Like the charity concept 😎👍🏻

[@djpaulthompson]

This so called "DJ" (DJ PRESS PLAY) is an absolute flog.
pro tip Col, change ya name to DJ PRESS PAUSE

[@RealLifeDJ]

😂 it’s a name change