FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

What is "open decks"?

A night where the venue sets up the decks (CDJs, mixer, turntables or a controller) and anyone can put their name down to play, usually for 25-60 minutes. It's open mic, but for DJs.

It's the best way to play to a real crowd for the first time, meet other DJs, try club gear and get noticed by promoters.

Who can play?

Everyone. Whoever just bought their first controller, whoever has been mixing in their bedroom for years and never played out, whoever DJs for a living and wants to try new stuff. No CV, no follower count, no need to be "good". We list nights open to all levels.

How do I get a slot?

Every night does it differently. On each listing you'll find one of these:

• SIGN UP ON THE NIGHT turn up, put your name on the list, first come first served. Get there early!
• BOOK AHEAD message the venue or grab a (usually free) DJ ticket. Still open to everyone, just first-booked first-served.
• RAFFLE names go in a hat on the night and slots are drawn.
• LINE-UP PICKED you apply or send a mix and the promoter chooses. See below.

Arrive early, say hi to whoever runs the booth and listen to the DJ before you.

What do I bring?

Depends on the gear (it's on the listing). In general:

• CDJs: a USB stick formatted FAT32 or exFAT, ideally prepared in Rekordbox. Bring a spare!
• Turntables: your records (and maybe your own needles).
• A venue controller: your laptop and the USB cable.
• Always: your headphones and more music than you need!

The rules for venues

What about genres?

A night can say which genres it wants (house, techno, vinyl disco, jungle...). That's normal: a soul night in a pub isn't a techno rave. But the genre is a music preference, not a way to pick who plays: bring the right music for the night and your slot counts as much as anyone's.

😱 FAQ for nervous venues

Run a bar and the idea of handing the decks to strangers makes you sweat? Normal. Here's what everyone asks.

"Why does it work?"

1. Every DJ brings their mates. Nobody plays their first set in a real venue in secret: they bring flatmates, colleagues, the five-a-side team. Six DJs on the list easily means 30-40 extra people who stay, drink and cheer. The room fills up without spending a penny on promo: the DJs do it.
2. It's social. Nobody watches the DJ from across the room: people come up to the booth, ask "what was that track?", swap records and numbers. Come alone and you won't stay alone. Have a good time and you're back next week.
3. The crowd takes part. Whoever's dancing tonight could be on the decks next time, and they know it. Every night is different because the people there make it. That's why open decks are real, lively nights: no posing, no VIPs, just people who love music sharing it.

"What if the DJ is rubbish?"

• People who sign up have practised. Nobody plays in front of friends and strangers without weeks in the bedroom first. Fear of embarrassment is the best filter there is.
• Sets are short. 25-45 minutes. Worst case it's over before your pint, then it's the next one.
• The crowd is on their side. They're mostly other DJs and friends: they cheer, and they don't leave at the first trainwreck. They order another round.
• Keep a host. One trusted DJ opens, runs the list and the booth, and closes. If the floor drops, they bring it back in two minutes.

"What about my gear?"

Open decks regulars respect CDJs and turntables more than anyone, because they know what they cost. No drinks on the booth, lids on at the end, the host near the controls. A few rules on a sheet by the decks work.

"And the volume? The neighbours? The licence?"

You set the limiter, not the DJ. And if you already have music and late licences for DJ nights, an open decks night is just another DJ night.

"What if nobody comes to play?"

That's what we're for: your night goes on Open Decks London and DJs across the city see it. Keep the same day every week so people get used to it, and if there's a gap the host plays.

"What if too many DJs come?"

Great problem! Cap the list (e.g. 8 slots of 30 minutes) and give whoever missed out priority next time.

What does "LINE-UP PICKED" mean?

Some nights are called "open decks" but DJs are chosen in advance: the line-up is announced, or you apply and wait to be picked. That's not a true open decks, because you can't just turn up and play.

We list them anyway, because they're still a chance for new DJs, but with the LINE-UP PICKED tag so you know what to expect. They must still follow the rule: no discrimination.

How do I report a problem?

If a night has stopped, the info is wrong or it breaks the rules, e-mail [email protected] with the name of the night. We check every report.

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