When you are looking for a DJ for your event, you will encounter three types of providers: solo DJs, DJ agencies and DJ collectives. Each has pros and cons. Here we explain the differences.
A solo DJ is exactly what it sounds like: one person who does everything. Booking, planning, setup, performing and teardown. The advantage is personal contact and often a competitive price. The downside is that everything rests on one pair of shoulders. If the DJ falls ill, you have a problem. And the DJ cannot simultaneously perform, control lighting and mix sound.
A DJ agency is an intermediary. You book through the agency and they assign an available DJ to your event. The advantage is high availability — they often have dozens of DJs on their roster. The downside is that you do not always know who you will get. The DJ you saw on the website may not be the one at your event. Communication runs through the agency, which sometimes comes at the expense of personal coordination.
A DJ collective — which is what we are — is a permanent team that works together. At Last Night Group, the DJ you speak to is also the DJ at your event. But they are not alone: there is a sound technician, a lighting technician and, for larger events, a stage manager. All in one team, with one run sheet and one point of contact. Learn more about our team.
What does that mean in practice?
With a solo DJ, you often have to arrange lighting yourself, or a simple light set comes along on automatic mode. With an agency, it depends on the DJ they send. With a collective, lighting and sound are part of the package — professionally calibrated and operated by dedicated crew members.
With a solo DJ, illness is a problem. With an agency, they send a replacement who does not know your run sheet. With a collective, a colleague takes over who follows the same methods and has access to the run sheet and music preferences.
The choice depends on what you are looking for. Want a DJ for a small party without much fuss? A solo DJ can work fine. Want a large event with professional lighting, sound and coordination? A collective is the safest choice. View our packages or our previous events to see what we deliver.