ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 25 ธ.ค. 2024
- In this vlog I am getting real with you about cashflow when you're a DJ, from fees to what you actually earn at the bottom line. Did you know about this and are there things you didn't expect? Let me know in the comments! 💰
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Takeaways:
- Don't quit your day job just yet
- If you're playing abroad, try to book multiple shows within that same trip
- Live on a budget
- Try to be as independent as you can so you don't have to split your earnings as much
Luke is Always breaking down the real stuff.
Yeah. Nobody else will talk about money. We want to know.
Some additional details: I like to plan a vacation in another continent and pay those costs up front then have my booker look for shows. A recent month long trip to Europe to include ADE ended up netting me a few bucks despite paying flights, Uber, train, and hotels myself over 9 bookings in 6 cities over 3 weeks, ending the tour back home at the Formula 1 Mexican Grand Prix.
Another way I handle residencies is finding the base amount the club usually makes per weekend. Since my style of playing leads to a lot of singing and thus, a lot of drinking, my shows tend to make quite a bit more than the other DJs in my city. So after a couple of weekends we go through the books and I take 10-15% of the additional income, which tends to justify why my residencies pay considerably more than other local DJs.
This is a pretty awesome set up, thank you for sharing that and way to go man wow!
Love this Luke, thanks for sharing!
(Small tip for any DJs with a LLC in the US starting to make significant fees; file as an S Corp to save on FICA )
😎
Yes sir! Thank you for mentioning this!
If I wanted the easy life as DJ I would of became a local wedding DJ. This life ain’t for everyone only the real ones make it work. Your consistency and long lasting career is the inspiration anyone needs.
Thank you for the awesome comment, Preston!
Local wedding DJ - that one is horror from start to the end. Yes you get paid pretty well and lot of fun gigs but If you really want easy life then lounge/terrace dj would be it.
Hahahaha! Making everyone from 6 year old grandchildren to 80 year old grand parents dance for 6 hours is not easy!
Who the hell wants to be a “Local wedding DJ? Shit sounds horrifying
Good things to note Luke for the young players. When i started out in Reading / Newbury back in 95/96 i was just getting cash in hand and was loving it. Until 10 months in and a brown letter arrived in the mail from Mr Tax Man, yeh that hurt. They find out!, so always put aside taxes. For an international DJ such as yourself i know thats an absolute nightmare.
In Spain, what a national dj charges is with all expenses paid by the club that hires him: flights, dinner & hotel for 2 . If he charges €500, this is with taxes apart, that is, 500+ 21% VAT = €605. Right now they are charging from 500 to 2k euros , and above that are the most famous ones who obviously charge much more .
Thank you Luke for keeping it real and explaining the reality of the situation that those in the business are not aware of- It can be even worse for promoters that may up making a loss!
Thanks for this Luke!
So good to get a video notification from one of my favourite channels!
Get ready for your year of the dragon next year, Luke. You're going to ROAR! 🔥
Oh wow I didn't even realize that! I'm getting ready for sure!
Yes it all makes sense same here! Also for mobile DJs it's minus taxes, transport, food, assistant and speakers, mic, lights rent costs. Or better could be an investment where u buy all the equipment and use ur own, and the coats splits on all the events you work.
Man I didn't even think about Mobile DJs, good call!
very interesting video Luke! so good that you start from getting the first ever gigs to getting national and international shows and how it all comes together when you having a Team around you.
Thank you! Love the advice. I've been making a living Djing dance music since 92 but I still learn something new in every one of your vlogs!!
Yoo thanks so much Luke for this video! I'm a DJ/Producer out here in Vancouver Canada and I do want to get big some day and this video opens my eyes on what you have to prepare for/budget for. Keep them videos coming! Hootie Hoo!
ufff what a good video! props luke!
This is hands down one of the most helpful videos for a DJ on TH-cam right now. Also, I’m a sucker for numbers!
good thing i went into accounting instead of DJ'ing. You're awesome!!
Really enjoyed the breakdown. At 31 a lot of the calculations make a lot of sense to me, which wouldn’t have been the case when I was 20, say 😂 Really valuable video for younger ages especially
Good break down of the Artist/DJ specific processes and related “line items”. Everyone interested in how to manage this should read a book on small business management and finance. That will give a structure for any business, and then these line items will fit nice into that framework and pay off on spades when growing and working with all those people, income, expenses, that you will pay. Rave on ya freaks.
Hello, how are things? Sorry for the inconvenience, I wanted to ask you a question about those extra dollars you have to spend on travel and food. What do you have left over of what you need for your day to day at home. Obviously, for an artist like you, I don't think he has that much time to be at home, he spends it more than anything traveling. When you don't do your dj role, do you have enough to live comfortably or not? What I mean. It's you who come home after playing your dj role. And you have to come home with your earnings that allow you to live.
This was an amazing and extremely insightful Video Luke! I'd be interested in more videos discussing the business and economics side of the touring/DJ-ing industry as an up and coming Producer/DJ to help know how to manage/set expectations. It seems as though that is something extremely hard to find especially in the edm/dance music space.🙏
Loved this one Luke 👌
I'm tired of explaining to people that a $500 DJ gets less than the woman who cleans the toilet at the club... Think about what's left of an 8 hour stay at the club - Transportation - Taxes - Invest in material and music - insurance and finally food are still an issue for local gigs - when it starts "starting in your own country" and you need more than 3 hours drive - then the costs explode to another level... taxes - Taxes Taxes - here in Germany partly double and triple. At the end you have 15 dollars an hour... Teulette women makes 25 an hour - thank you
Laidback Luke the legend! Thank you!
Great insight into this! and makes sense how much some of these big artists earn then consdering the huge team they bring with them.
Very Realistic Luke. I applaud you. CHEERS! Great Video!
Can't wait for the Philippines vlog. Basstrip Bohol was on 🔥🙌💯
Only pay taxes on what is left of the fee after deducting all your business expenses (travel, lodging, meals, business entertainment (drinks with Afrojack etc.)). Hope to see you soon at a festival in Texas!
I'm not a producer but love making EDM mixes :)
Really good insight Luke. Thanks for sharing brotha
Thanks for sharing your experiences!
I love the breakdown, got to see you in Denver way back. Salud
For the first time in my life I can actually write "First"! 🙌
Keep doing you Luke ❤️
Luke, just wanted to tell you i loved your Ultra Miami set 🔥 straight banger!
Wow you're also Filipino? Cheers bro!!! How I wish to see u in person 😊🙏🙏 You're music is awesome 👌👌👌
This would have been an interesting video if you used real life examples ie. I played this festival this year got paid X costs were Y & Z or I made this when I started it took me this long to justify an increase in my fee and so on. Subd either way though for all the good times I had seeing you dj. Nice to see you on TH-cam giving advice. Super good of you. Cheers Luke thanks again for the irl joy you brought me and my friends. Appreciate you
Always amazing stuff indeed 🎶🎵🎼
Very informative video Luke. Thank you for this!
Thank you for breaking it down for those who are starting out in the business.. Also about out to everyone that's ever driving to a set!😂
Can you make a video on situations of when its the right time to do this full time? Maybe with a few use cases - For eg - I’m a top producer on some big labels but not big on social (followers, fake followers etc) so hard time getting picked up. Is it strategic to hire an agent before im noticed so i can leverage his connections? Things like that would be helpful.
Ah that's an awesome subject for a new VLOG! I love it. But let me give you the short short answer in the meantime: If you can pay your rent, groceries, car and etc from your net income, that's the time to start considering being full time. But man, there's so much more to that. Stay tuned!
The highest I was ever payed in a rave was at a small local club for 100 bucks and before that I was doing bigger shows from $30 - 60 while everyone gets 100 and up
@Laidbackluke Great Video 👊🏼
Can you please make a Video about how much do Artist make when releasing a Track through a Label!!!
How to avoid labels keeping the Masters of your Music!!! Thanks ☝🏼
What a hustle! Easier to be a pusher hustling the streets. Would have like to see real DJ number examples. For example what does it cost to book LBL in Australia, what are the expenses and what is the end net.
Very interesting! I’m a hobby DJ so the ROI for me is always just having fun. Is this part of the reason we see so many big DJs (yourself, James hype, etc) move intro producing, starting labels, sponsorship, etc?
That's a great question! The higher you get on the ladder, the more opportunities around tbh. I personally was a producer first before I became a DJ so I had already been putting tracks out. But keeping it under your own umbrella (ie starting your own label) can be beneficial. But then again, can also work against you because other labels and organizations won't have as much incentive to sign your things. There's plenty of scenarios and options out there!
Thank you so much for this video
Would be awesome if you can do a video on the business aspect of the bookings. How do you negotiate the riders, including hospitality. How do you "feel out" what is a reasonable ask (Fee, riders, etc). With your experience, I would love to hear tips, tricks, advice, and more importantly...never ever do XYZ.
Hi Luke. What would you do if you'd have to start djing and producing nowadays? how to reach the crowd, how to get heard?
Always a pleasure watching your vlogs and more importantly occasionally party with you at a club or festival. As always, i will see you at Tomorrowland... for the 7th time.
Looking forward to seeing you live
Kuya Luke i miss you
This was really educational, Kuya Luke
What is the best way to switch from bedroom DJ to real DJ? :) Any good advices? I.e I am bedroom DJ for a year, but never played in front for the people (and it is not easy to start in my age as I am 30+, so "school parties", etc.. are out of hands for me)
Just play out as much as possible and get experience. That's the best teacher. Do it for the love..
Well sounds not that "clear" to me: Depending on the Agents it's mostly Artist Fee + 10-15% for the agent + travel cost (flights etc) (flights may not come on top if you book the artist "landed") then the promoter has to guarantee the forwarding to the event (ground transportation airport- hotel- venue- hotel - airport) adding a 5* hotel mostly, for the artist & his travel party (Agent, tourmanager, buddy...) then the promoter agrees on the rider which obviously defines the dj gear BUT also the catering (and other extras) then the SFX are defined in the contract too, an the promoter has to deliver them.... never seen an artist pay for sfx....;)
this is more realistic than the video .
🎉🎉🎉
I was hoping to hear if DJ’s get a cut of drink sales or how a venue can afford a DJ like Tiesto. Seems like the ticket sales couldn’t add up to his very high fee.
John, great question! From my experience it's very unusual for DJs to get a cut of drink sales. Unless it's a hard ticket show, I could imagine a set up like that, but again, it's not very common. How a venue could afford Tiesto is through sponsorships (big brands attaching to the night) and having a lot of bottle service going on. With the interstellar prices of bottle service, this would render the venue enough money to afford a top tier DJ like Tiesto.
Great video. I got the dj booking fees all wrong. So how does things like Miami Music week work as there are a lot of djs there. Also any UK shows planned? 😊
Still exactly the same, you are booked via your agent. If your mates with lots of other DJs then sometimes we all pool in and pay for a large hotel room as it works out cheaper. Been there done that. Luke should be back over here for Creamfields, DLDK, and possibly MoS again in October for his usual slot.
@@dj_paultuk7052 Thank you very much. He's not on the Creamfields lineup weirdly
@@mickharrison90 I dont think the list is complete, just checked. I know other DJs that are going and they are not on the website list yet.
This is some great info
Not the first time I've heard this exact same senerio with how the money is spent
I miss the Kung fu athlete in the intro🥲
Did you stop with kung fu? Are you going to do a video about it?
Thanks for your amazing videos all these years!!
And dedicated dad. I think he stopped being that too
Ha ha you guys, no I'm still a Dedicated Dad and a Kung Fu Athlete! I'm a Kung Fu teacher, I can't quit : ) I just needed to make the intro shorter that's all!
I think the most important question is: does Steve Aioki pay for his own cakes??
He might b able to afford it
😅😅😅😅 Good question
Marketing team bro 😂😂😂
😂😂😂
I think the team premakes the cakes before every set
Hey luke, i was wondering if shows like shared revenue with the promoter existsin industry.... Also is it artist alone who invests in free fan concerts like hardwell did in india?
Thanks
i like the ETH charts
Do you save for retirement?
you forgot healthcare + pension 😂 basically you need to be constantly on the road if you wanna survive. the only good thing out of this career is the social life & seeing the world. but its a life for solo people, there is often no room for a family life unless you got lucky. one taking care about things with their stable job, the other goes touring
You’re missing Insurance you’re going to need a liability insurance and also insurance for if you get sick or in an accident.
Ugh you're so right!
This is more "how much it costs to be a DJ". What we all want to know is what the gross is for playing a show like EDC. We know how much taxes, hotel, food, and travel are. We pay for those, too, obviously. I've heard numbers from $20,000 to over $50,000. If a DJ is losing money on that gig they're spending too much money.
Yea i thought same, would like to know how much they are getting paid for the bigger shows/festivals/club nights
@@sellingwhips Every "how much do DJs get paid" video I've ever seen focuses on the fact that there's a cost of doing business, while they never talk about the revenue. Chances are good they have signed nondisclosure agreements so they can't say.
They probably have a NDA
@@blaiswilliam yea prob. But ay if we get enough ppl asking maybe Luke can give us a hint/clue....or just say a range of pay for other djs
They should indicate that then because we know the cost. Does the NDA prevent to even mention there’s a NDA? 🤔
Cool video!
And you'll never make money from your music anymore. It's all touring now.
"Respect the artist, support the music."
I took me years to understand this.
Isn’t a Manager & Booking Agent the same thing? Or make them the same to save money
Booking agent is the person who helps you to get gigs as it has the connections with the club and festival promoters. Manager is the person who helps you to lead your career into a sucessful road, putting your music on labels with good deals, getting you remixes etc. Grosly talking It's like booking agent has the contacts for gigs and manager for put your music and career in the correct place. Ofc it depens on multiple factors
@@adreelb Thanks!
I argue with mobile/wedding DJ about this all the time! You might charge $2,000 for a wedding, but what are you really making? All your overhead sucks from that 2K. gREAT VIDEO!
So the most important lessons we're getting here:
1. Tax = THEFT ;)
2. Never ever play for free as long you will be making money from something else related to your gig (no, exposure won't pay your electricity bill)
Is proly the same Internationally as in U.S. however only pay taxes on what is left over after taking all the meal/travel/hotel deductions etc...
What are taxes 😅
One day I will make it like you.
👈👉
7:34 its Saint Petersburg lol! My hometown!
Wth i thought i was going to learn how much headliners make lol
$150 on room service for a one night gig? Bruh…
Even if was making some coin I would look for budget eats and drink outside the hotel. However if pressed for time and earning enough fee $150 may be warranted. Interesting the business side of DJing.
Time = $ so may be worth it to pay $150 for the time it affords you to get that gig and be near it!
$150 in Food!?? What are you eating? Caviar??
Is Calvin Harris still the highest paid dj?
Wonder what he got for Coachella and what was Ellie Goulding's cut 🤔 lol
Put it this way...Calvin appears to only play shows every few months or few times a year...I think he was paid $1million for a club opening in Las vegas. Probably millions for coachella headline this that happended this month.
$1000 for an international set doesn’t seem realistic
Helaas oké
Being paid under the table is nice, you don't have to pay taxes
Bad Bad and misleading title change it to where the dj spend their money on when they get paid
You didn't mention anything about how much some level of dj get paid and others or so on...all you talked about tax and hotel which not your business ...you said in the misleading title what do they make ...but your video all about hotels and flight tickets ..change your video title
The real question is.......what's your fee, Luke?
If you don't declare what you earn you don't need to pay taxes 👀👀
But it wont take long for that brown letter to arrive in the mail. And thats a bad day......
@@dj_paultuk7052In Germany I had been playing for more than three years and „they“ never send me a letter. On the other hand, my club paid cash and never told who they paid😂
Wat een onzin bekijk de willekeurige rider van de gehele dj mag en daar zit alles in je kosten zijn hoogstens een flesje water bij de pomp.
150 in food? and cheap hotel $150? try $80 hotel and $25 food = $105 not $250
GAZPROM ARENA LET’S GOOOO!!!