The most flexible UK entertainment format
Hire DJs
DJs for weddings, parties, corporate nights and clubs - hear their mixes, agree the playlist in the chat and sign one contract.
Updated 21 October 2026
Where to Book DJs
A DJ plays recorded music to read and fill a dancefloor - an open-format wedding or party DJ moves across decades, a club DJ sticks to house, techno or drum and bass. Many bring their own sound and lights. A DJ often pairs with a band - see wedding bands and function bands.
Booking Playbook
Weddings · Corporate · Pubs · Clubs · Private parties · NYE. Here’s the practical version, not the marketing one. Each card covers one decision: when to book, what format works and the mistakes that cost bookers money.
| When to BookWedding Saturdays and December go first - 6 to 12 months for a peak wedding, 2 to 3 months for most parties. See how far ahead to book. |
| What Format WorksTypical shape: an evening of 3 to 5 hours with the DJ playing continuously, or the breaks between a band’s sets. Agree the do-not-play list, the first dance, the sound and lights, the power and the finish time. |
| Mistakes to Avoid1. No do-not-play list. Send the songs you never want to hear. 2. Booking from a playlist alone. Ask for a recorded mix. 3. Kit and space. Agree what the DJ brings and the space needed. 4. Venue limits. Check sound limiters and the finish. 5. No contract. Every GigXchange booking has one. |
Pick Your DJ Set-up
What each kind of DJ booking is, and what it suits. Fees for each line-up are in the live table below, so you can match the size of the act to your budget and your room.
| Open-format DJOne DJ playing across decades and genres - Motown, 80s, 90s and today’s chart - reading the room and taking requests. Suits: Weddings, birthdays and corporate parties. |
| Club DJA specialist mixing one scene - house, techno, drum and bass or garage - beat-matched for a dancefloor. Suits: Clubs, bars and late events. |
| DJ plus live musicianA DJ set with a live sax player, percussionist or singer playing over the top. Suits: Drinks receptions, launches and a standout party. |
| Band plus DJThe band plays its live sets and the DJ covers the breaks and the end of the night. Suits: Weddings and parties that never go quiet. |
Not sure which to pick?
Tell the act the room, the guest numbers and what the music is for - drinks, dinner or dancing - and they will suggest a line-up. Post your date free on GIGXCHANGE and DJs and electronic acts of every size can apply.
DJs by Occasion
A set plan for each kind of booking, and what to agree with the act before the day. Use it as the checklist for your first call with the act.
| WeddingsThe first dance, then the evening, or the band’s breaks. Agree: The first dance and the do-not-play list. |
| Parties and birthdaysAn evening set built around the guests’ decades. Agree: Requests and the finish. |
| Corporate eventsBackground through dinner, then a dance set. Agree: Volume and timings. |
| New Year’s EveA set that builds to midnight. Agree: The countdown - see New Year’s Eve bands and DJs. |
Put it in writing
Whatever the occasion, agree the times, the sets and the fee in the chat - every booking on GIGXCHANGE comes with a contract you both sign.
What Do UK Gigs Actually Pay?
Real UK fee ranges from 4,647 recorded fees in the GX Index
| Pub / barFull band · Solo £162–£330 · Duo £250–£500 | £275–£1,003 |
| WeddingFull band · Solo £271–£500 · Duo £463–£810 | £812–£2,206 |
| CorporateFull band · Solo £281–£474 · Duo £446–£1,275 | £669–£1,708 |
| Private partyFull band · Solo £250–£542 · Duo £250–£500 | £583–£1,353 |
| Festival (30–45 min)Full band · Solo TBC · Duo TBC | £200–£1,783 |
Repertoire & Format
What this performer type actually delivers — by category, with real examples. Use it to check the act covers the moments that matter to you before you ask for a quote.
Wedding / open-format anchors
| Marry You — Bruno Mars |
| Uptown Funk — Bruno Mars |
| I Wanna Dance with Somebody — Whitney Houston |
| Don't Stop Me Now — Queen |
| September — Earth, Wind & Fire |
| Hey Ya — OutKast |
| Mr Brightside — The Killers |
| Dancing Queen — ABBA |
House / club / EDM
| One More Time — Daft Punk |
| Levels — Avicii |
| Titanium — David Guetta & Sia |
| Animals — Martin Garrix |
| Don't You Worry Child — Swedish House Mafia |
Hip-hop / R&B
| In Da Club — 50 Cent |
| Hot in Herre — Nelly |
| Crazy in Love — Beyoncé |
| Empire State of Mind — Jay-Z & Alicia Keys |
| Yeah! — Usher |
Soul / funk / disco classics
| I Wish — Stevie Wonder |
| Le Freak — Chic |
| Boogie Wonderland — Earth, Wind & Fire |
| Brick House — Commodores |
| Get Down on It — Kool & the Gang |
Closers / final-track moments
| Mr Brightside — The Killers |
| Wonderwall — Oasis |
| Don't Stop Believin' — Journey |
| Bohemian Rhapsody — Queen |
| Sweet Caroline — Neil Diamond |
Requests, first dances and setlists
Most acts will learn a request or two if you ask early - a first dance, a family favourite or a walk-on song. Ask in the chat on GIGXCHANGE before you book, so the act confirms it in writing, and listen to the tracks and setlists many acts publish on their profile first.
Where DJs Get Booked
UK venues, events, and occasions where this format consistently works, and what each kind of room tends to put on. Use it to see where your kind of booking fits.
Wedding venues
| Country house hotels (Cliveden, Hedsor, Babington House) — full-evening DJ |
| Barn weddings (Cripps, Stone Barn, Owen House) — DJ + acoustic combo |
| Hotel ballrooms — dance-floor DJ post-dinner |
Corporate / awards
| Hotel ballrooms (Hilton, Park Plaza, Grosvenor House) — late-night DJ post-awards |
| Members' clubs (Soho House, The Ned, Annabel's) — themed DJ nights |
| ICC Birmingham, Manchester Central, EICC Edinburgh — large corporate DJ slots |
Themed / specialty events
| The Vaults (Waterloo), Camden Roundhouse — immersive DJ |
| Tobacco Dock — themed warehouse DJ events |
| Cellar Door, Phoenix Arts Club — cabaret-DJ crossover |
Club circuit
| Fabric (London), Printworks, Phonox — house/techno |
| Warehouse Project Manchester — themed clubs nights |
| The Liquid Room Edinburgh, Sub Club Glasgow — Scottish club tier |
Private parties
| Marquee weddings — mobile DJ setup |
| Country house private parties — DJ-only or band+DJ packages |
| Corporate Christmas parties — hotel ballroom DJ slots |
Booking for one of these rooms?
Every room is different. Tell the act the venue, the room size, the power and the load-in time, and agree the finish - then put it all in the contract you both sign on GIGXCHANGE.
How to Book on GIGXCHANGE
Three steps, about five minutes from signup to your first booking: post the date and budget, compare the acts who reply or invite one you like, then confirm with a contract and a held deposit.
| 01 | FindFind acts or post your gigBrowse acts by sound, line-up and area, or post your date free - date, venue, genre, budget and set length - and acts apply. The listing is live immediately, visible to every artist in the GigXchange network. |
| 02 | ShortlistReview applicationsArtists apply with profile, tracks, reviews and availability all visible. Start a direct chat with shortlisted acts to confirm details before committing. |
| 03 | BookingBook and pay securelyOnce the fee's signed off, a digital contract is auto-generated for both parties. Funds are held securely via Stripe until the gig is complete. |
Booking for a private party rather than a venue? Start with GigXchange for organisers. Planning a birthday party? See live music for a birthday party.
11 — Questions9 answersFrequently asked questions
Browse ActsUK-wide
Find and hire DJs direct. Browse, compare and hire DJs direct.
Filter by genre, budget, location and availability
Compare styles, set lengths and fees
Message and book direct — no middlemen
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Free to browse — 5% only on protected payments
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Costs & RatesLive
What DJs cost in 2026. Realistic 2026 fees before you book.
Entry, mid and premium tier pricing
Live medians on the GigXchange Index
What drives peak-date premiums
Free to cite, updated nightly
| What it costs | |
| GX Rate Index | |
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The Booking PlaybookFree
When to book, what works, what to avoid. The practical version — timing, formats and mistakes to avoid.
When to book (and when prices spike)
What lineup and format works
Repertoire and format guidance
Mistakes that cost real money
| Overview | |
| Costs & timing | |
| FAQs | |
| Find out more | |
| Post a gig |
All Booking GuidesFree
Performer, seasonal and city guides — all free. Every GigXchange booking guide in one place.
Performer-hire guides like this one
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Artist-side guides — see both sides
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Find acts and venues near your event. Every UK scene, city by city.
City-by-city booking guides
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More booking guides and resources: what acts are paid across the UK, how to book by city or performer type, and the seasonal guides for the dates that sell out first.
| Every Performer TypeEvery kind of act, what each suits and how many are on GigXchange. | |
| All Booking GuidesBrowse Find a Band, How to Get Gigs, and Seasonal Booking Guides. | |
| UK Rate BenchmarkSee what UK bands actually charge by city, gig type, and band size. | |
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Ready to Book a DJ?
Post a gig for free, no card on file. Membership is free, and we are keeping it free permanently for the first 250 sign-ups.
Hire DJs
DJs for weddings, parties, corporate nights and clubs - hear their mixes, agree the playlist in the chat and sign one contract.
Last updated: 21 October 2026
Where to Book DJs
GIGXCHANGE is where you book djs direct in the UK. 73 DJs and electronic acts are on the platform - 9 of them trios and bands, the rest solo and duo acts, booked for weddings, corporate, pubs, clubs, private parties and nye. Listen to each act on their profile, message them before you commit, and every booking comes with a contract you both sign. GigXchange takes 0% of the artist's booking fee, and the booking fee is 5% on top only when you pay through GigXchange – 0% when you settle privately.
A DJ plays recorded music to read and fill a dancefloor - an open-format wedding or party DJ moves across decades, a club DJ sticks to house, techno or drum and bass. Many bring their own sound and lights. A DJ often pairs with a band - see wedding bands and function bands.
Meet the Acts
Real member profiles you can listen to, message and book direct - 9 trios and bands, the rest solo and duo acts. Each card shows the act's line-up, where they are based and how to start a conversation.
Browse DJs and Electronic Acts
All 73 DJs and electronic acts on GigXchange. Filter by line-up and region, then open a profile to listen and message. Every profile has a message button, and most carry music to play and a fee range.
Pick Your DJ Set-up
What each kind of DJ booking is, and what it suits. Fees for each line-up are in the live table below, so you can match the size of the act to your budget and your room.
- Open-format DJOne DJ playing across decades and genres - Motown, 80s, 90s and today’s chart - reading the room and taking requests.Suits: Weddings, birthdays and corporate parties.
- Club DJA specialist mixing one scene - house, techno, drum and bass or garage - beat-matched for a dancefloor.Suits: Clubs, bars and late events.
- DJ plus live musicianA DJ set with a live sax player, percussionist or singer playing over the top.Suits: Drinks receptions, launches and a standout party.
- Band plus DJThe band plays its live sets and the DJ covers the breaks and the end of the night.Suits: Weddings and parties that never go quiet.
Not sure which to pick?
Tell the act the room, the guest numbers and what the music is for - drinks, dinner or dancing - and they will suggest a line-up. Post your date free on GIGXCHANGE and DJs and electronic acts of every size can apply.
DJs by Occasion
A set plan for each kind of booking, and what to agree with the act before the day. Use it as the checklist for your first call with the act.
- WeddingsThe first dance, then the evening, or the band’s breaks.Agree: The first dance and the do-not-play list.
- Parties and birthdaysAn evening set built around the guests’ decades.Agree: Requests and the finish.
- Corporate eventsBackground through dinner, then a dance set.Agree: Volume and timings.
- New Year’s EveA set that builds to midnight.Agree: The countdown - see New Year’s Eve bands and DJs.
Put it in writing
Whatever the occasion, agree the times, the sets and the fee in the chat - every booking on GIGXCHANGE comes with a contract you both sign.
Booking Playbook
Weddings · Corporate · Pubs · Clubs · Private parties · NYE. Here’s the practical version, not the marketing one. Each card covers one decision: when to book, what format works and the mistakes that cost bookers money.
When to Book
Wedding Saturdays and December go first - 6 to 12 months for a peak wedding, 2 to 3 months for most parties. See how far ahead to book.
What Format Works
Typical shape: an evening of 3 to 5 hours with the DJ playing continuously, or the breaks between a band’s sets. Agree the do-not-play list, the first dance, the sound and lights, the power and the finish time.
Mistakes to Avoid
1. No do-not-play list. Send the songs you never want to hear. 2. Booking from a playlist alone. Ask for a recorded mix. 3. Kit and space. Agree what the DJ brings and the space needed. 4. Venue limits. Check sound limiters and the finish. 5. No contract. Every GigXchange booking has one.
What Do UK Gigs Actually Pay?
Real UK fee ranges from 4,647 recorded fees in the GX Index
| Solo | Duo | Full Band | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pub / bar | £162–£330 | £250–£500 | £275–£1,003 |
| Wedding | £271–£500 | £463–£810 | £812–£2,206 |
| Corporate | £281–£474 | £446–£1,275 | £669–£1,708 |
| Private party | £250–£542 | £250–£500 | £583–£1,353 |
| Festival (30–45 min) | TBC | TBC | £200–£1,783 |
Repertoire & Format
What this performer type actually delivers — by category, with real examples. Use it to check the act covers the moments that matter to you before you ask for a quote.
Wedding / open-format anchors
- Marry YouBruno Mars
- Uptown FunkBruno Mars
- I Wanna Dance with SomebodyWhitney Houston
- Don't Stop Me NowQueen
- SeptemberEarth, Wind & Fire
- Hey YaOutKast
- Mr BrightsideThe Killers
- Dancing QueenABBA
House / club / EDM
- One More TimeDaft Punk
- LevelsAvicii
- TitaniumDavid Guetta & Sia
- AnimalsMartin Garrix
- Don't You Worry ChildSwedish House Mafia
Hip-hop / R&B
- In Da Club50 Cent
- Hot in HerreNelly
- Crazy in LoveBeyoncé
- Empire State of MindJay-Z & Alicia Keys
- Yeah!Usher
Soul / funk / disco classics
- I WishStevie Wonder
- Le FreakChic
- Boogie WonderlandEarth, Wind & Fire
- Brick HouseCommodores
- Get Down on ItKool & the Gang
Closers / final-track moments
- Mr BrightsideThe Killers
- WonderwallOasis
- Don't Stop Believin'Journey
- Bohemian RhapsodyQueen
- Sweet CarolineNeil Diamond
Requests, first dances and setlists
Most acts will learn a request or two if you ask early - a first dance, a family favourite or a walk-on song. Ask in the chat on GIGXCHANGE before you book, so the act confirms it in writing, and listen to the tracks and setlists many acts publish on their profile first.
Where DJs Get Booked
UK venues, events, and occasions where this format consistently works, and what each kind of room tends to put on. Use it to see where your kind of booking fits.
Wedding venues
- Country house hotels (Cliveden, Hedsor, Babington House)full-evening DJ
- Barn weddings (Cripps, Stone Barn, Owen House)DJ + acoustic combo
- Hotel ballroomsdance-floor DJ post-dinner
Corporate / awards
- Hotel ballrooms (Hilton, Park Plaza, Grosvenor House)late-night DJ post-awards
- Members' clubs (Soho House, The Ned, Annabel's)themed DJ nights
- ICC Birmingham, Manchester Central, EICC Edinburghlarge corporate DJ slots
Themed / specialty events
- The Vaults (Waterloo), Camden Roundhouseimmersive DJ
- Tobacco Dockthemed warehouse DJ events
- Cellar Door, Phoenix Arts Clubcabaret-DJ crossover
Club circuit
- Fabric (London), Printworks, Phonoxhouse/techno
- Warehouse Project Manchesterthemed clubs nights
- The Liquid Room Edinburgh, Sub Club GlasgowScottish club tier
Private parties
- Marquee weddingsmobile DJ setup
- Country house private partiesDJ-only or band+DJ packages
- Corporate Christmas partieshotel ballroom DJ slots
Booking for one of these rooms?
Every room is different. Tell the act the venue, the room size, the power and the load-in time, and agree the finish - then put it all in the contract you both sign on GIGXCHANGE.
How to Book on GIGXCHANGE
Three steps, about five minutes from signup to your first booking: post the date and budget, compare the acts who reply or invite one you like, then confirm with a contract and a held deposit.
Find acts or post your gig
Browse acts by sound, line-up and area, or post your date free - date, venue, genre, budget and set length - and acts apply. The listing is live immediately, visible to every artist in the GigXchange network.
Review applications
Artists apply with profile, tracks, reviews and availability all visible. Start a direct chat with shortlisted acts to confirm details before committing.
Book and pay securely
Once the fee's signed off, a digital contract is auto-generated for both parties. Funds are held securely via Stripe until the gig is complete.
Booking for a private party rather than a venue? Start with GigXchange for organisers. Planning a birthday party? See live music for a birthday party.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Book a DJ?
Post a gig for free, no card on file. Membership is free, and we are keeping it free permanently for the first 250 sign-ups. Acts reply in the app, and you choose who to book.