DJ Contract Template

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Updated May 11, 2024
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A DJ contract is a legal agreement between a DJ and a client that outlines the terms and fees for engaging the DJ’s services. A DJ contract ensures that the DJ and the client mutually understand the terms and conditions of the DJ’s services at the event and the fee they charge. Create your DJ contract template online by answering simple questions and get a complete PDF document in minutes.

DJ CONTRACT

This DJ Contract (the "Contract") is entered into on   (the "Effective Date") by and between 

 , an individual having their usual place of living at   (hereinafter referred to as the "Client"), and 

 , an individual having their usual place of living at   (hereinafter referred to as the "DJ"), collectively referred to as the "Parties" and individually as the "Party".

 

WHEREAS the Client wishes to hire the DJ to perform at an event described herein;

WHEREAS the DJ possesses the necessary qualifications and experience to perform as a professional DJ at the event;

WHEREAS the Parties acknowledge that they have the legal capacity to enter into this Contract and that they have read and fully understood its terms and conditions;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and obligations set forth herein, and upon other valuable considerations, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties have agreed as follows:

SUBJECT OF THE CONTRACT. The DJ agrees to provide the DJ services (the "Services") for the Client according to the fixed schedule outlined in the Annex.

The Services shall be provided at   (the "Location").


PERFORMANCE OF THE SERVICES. The DJ is obligated to provide the Services in a professional and timely manner, use reasonable care and skill in selecting and playing music and in handling any equipment used during the performance. The DJ shall comply with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations related to the performance, including noise levels, licensing, and copyright. The DJ shall not engage in offensive, inappropriate, or unprofessional behavior during the performance. 

The Services shall be fully completed at the Service Date as agreed by the Parties and specified in the Contract (the "Completion of the Services").

Sound equipment: The   shall provide all required equipment to ensure a high-quality performance of the Services and ensure that all equipment is in good working condition and free from defects. The sound equipment must be appropriate for the size of the Location and the anticipated number of guests.

The DJ shall provide the Services as follows:

• Genre or style of music: The DJ will play a mix of  . The exact playlist will be at the discretion of the DJ, but it should be appropriate for the audience and the Event.

• Exceptions: The DJ should not play music with explicit or offensive content.

The DJ should be prepared to accept song requests from guests during the performance and make every effort to satisfy these requests.

The Client shall provide an adequate power supply and access to electrical outlets, including any necessary extension cords or power strips. The Client shall provide a stage and an area for the DJ to prepare and store equipment. 

The Client agrees to provide the DJ with the following:

Food and drinks: The Client agrees to provide catering for the DJ and the DJ's crew, including  , as well as  .

Lighting: The   agrees to supply the necessary lighting equipment, including  .

Backline equipment: The   agrees to provide the following backline equipment:  .

PAYMENT TERMS. The Client agrees to pay the DJ a fixed amount of   (the "Compensation") for the Services provided under this Contract. The Compensation must be paid in full within   days after Completion of the Services (the "Due Date"). 

The Client undertakes to pay the DJ a deposit of   (the "Deposit") within   days after the Effective Date. The Deposit is non-refundable, except in case of termination of the Contract by the DJ without cause or by either Party due to force majeure circumstances or in case of termination of the Contract with cause if the DJ fails to perform obligations under the terms of this Contract. In the specified termination type, the DJ shall return the Deposit to the Client within   days after the Termination Date. 

If the Services require the DJ to work overtime, the Client shall compensate the DJ with an overtime rate of   per hour.

The Compensation is paid as a lump sum and covers all expenses related to the Services provided by the DJ. The Client is exclusively responsible for covering any costs related to the provision of the Services, including travel, accommodation, and meals, unless otherwise agreed upon in writing by both Parties.

All payments shall be made on or before the Due Date by cash.

The DJ is responsible for covering all taxes and other fees imposed by federal, state, and local governments on the Compensation paid to the DJ under this Contract.

The Client is responsible for covering all taxes and other fees imposed by federal, state, and local governments on the Client's activity under this Contract.

CANCELLATION POLICY. Any cancellation made by the Client after a period of   days before the agreed-upon Service date will result in full payment for the canceled Services. 

If the cancellation is initiated by the DJ, all payments made to the DJ, including the Deposit if it has been paid, shall be fully refunded, and the DJ shall pay the Client a penalty of  . All refunds shall be paid out within   days before cancellation by the payment method specified in the Payment Terms clause. 

In case of cancellation of this Contract, neither Party shall be liable to the other Party for any indirect, incidental, or punitive damages, and each Party shall be responsible for covering all costs associated with the cancellation of the Contract.

TERM AND TERMINATION. This Contract shall commence on the Effective Date and shall terminate on   unless terminated earlier under the terms of this Contract. The date of termination of the Contract is the "Termination Date".

Either Party may terminate this Contract without cause upon   days prior by providing written notice to the other Party. Either Party may immediately terminate this Contract for cause if either Party fails to perform under the terms of this Contract. In addition, either Party may terminate this Contract immediately upon written notice to the other Party if the other Party becomes insolvent or files for bankruptcy.

 .

Upon termination of this Contract, the Client shall compensate the DJ for all Services performed by the DJ up to the Termination Date. 

 

NOTICE. Any notice or communication required or permitted under this Contract shall be sufficiently given if delivered personally or by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the address set forth in the opening paragraph or to such other address as one Party may have furnished to the other Party in writing or to emails set forth below:

If to the Client:  

If to the DJ:  

Either Party may change its registered mail or email address for receipt of notices by giving written notice to the other Party. Notices shall be deemed received on the day of delivery if sent by hand or courier service or after a period of   business days from the date of posting if sent by registered mail or email.


RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE PARTIES. Nothing in this Contract or the course of its performance shall be interpreted to create an employment, agency, joint venture, or partnership relationship between the DJ and the Client. 

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY. The Parties have agreed that the regulation of intellectual property rights used during the performance of this Contract will be as follows:

  • Ownership: The DJ retains all ownership rights to the DJ's original compositions and recordings. The Client acknowledges and agrees that the compositions of the DJ are protected by copyright law and that the DJ retains all rights to the intellectual property of the DJ.
  • Use of third party's intellectual property: If the DJ intends to use the intellectual property of the third party during the performance, the DJ guarantees that all necessary licenses and permissions from the copyright owners or their authorized representatives have been obtained and that such performance does not infringe the intellectual property rights of third parties. The DJ shall be solely responsible for covering any royalties or fees owed to the copyright owners or their authorized representatives for the performance and recording of any cover versions.
  • Advertising and promotional materials: The DJ grants the Client a non-exclusive, limited license to use the name, image, and likeness of the DJ in promotional materials related to the performance. The Client agrees to obtain written consent from the DJ before using the name, image, or likeness of the DJ in any other context.
  • Recordings: The DJ retains all ownership rights to any live or video recordings of the performance. The Client agrees not to make any unauthorized recordings or copies of the performance, including but not limited to audio and video recordings.
  • Royalties: The Compensation covers all royalties and payments related to the public performance or broadcast of the DJ's compositions. The Client agrees to provide the necessary information and documentation to ensure that the DJ receives all royalties entitled to the DJ under applicable law.

GOVERNING LAW AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION. This Contract shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of  , and any disputes arising out of or in connection with this Contract shall be exclusively resolved by the courts of the State of  .


INDEMNIFICATION. Either Party shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the other Party, the Party's affiliates, agents, and employees from any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees, arising out of or in connection with such Party's obligations fulfilling under this Contract, except for claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, or expenses caused by the Parties' negligence or willful misconduct.

CONFIDENTIALITY. The Parties agree to keep all information, including but not limited to sensitive information, disclosed during this Contract confidential and not to share such information with any third party unless required by law. The Parties agree not to use the confidential information for any purpose other than what is necessary to fulfill their obligations under this Contract.

This confidentiality clause shall remain in effect after the termination or expiration of this Contract.

FORCE MAJEURE. Neither Party shall be liable for any failure to perform or delay in performing the obligations under this Contract if such failure or delay is caused by events of force majeure, including but not limited to acts of God, war, terrorism, strikes, lockouts, labor disputes, pandemics, governmental regulations, or any other similar causes beyond the reasonable control of the affected Party.

In the case of force majeure, the affected Party shall immediately notify the other Party in writing and provide reasonable proof of the cause of the delay or inability to perform the obligations. The Party affected by force majeure shall endeavor to mitigate the consequences of such circumstances and resume the performance of obligations as soon as possible after the circumstances cease to exist.

If the force majeure circumstances last more than   days, either Party may terminate this Contract by giving written notice to the other Party. In this case, neither Party shall be liable to the other Party for any damages arising from the termination of this Contract.

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. The Client agrees to indemnify and hold the DJ harmless from any claims or damages resulting from unauthorized use of the DJ's intellectual property or any breach of the Contract concerning the DJ's intellectual property.

The DJ agrees to indemnify and hold the Client harmless from any claims or damages arising from the DJ's unauthorized use of third-party intellectual property.

SEVERABILITY. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Contract shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Contract.

ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Contract represents the entire agreement between the Parties and supersedes any prior oral or written agreements.

WAIVER. The failure of any Party to enforce a particular provision of this Contract shall not constitute a waiver of their right to enforce that provision in the future.

 

AMENDMENTS. This Contract may be amended or modified only by a written agreement signed by both Parties. Any amendments to this Contract shall be binding only if they are in writing and signed by both Parties.

BINDING EFFECT. This Contract shall be binding upon the Parties and their respective successors and assigns. Neither Party may assign this Contract or any of its rights or obligations hereunder without obtaining prior written consent from the other Party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

ANNEX. DJ's Schedule.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Contract as of the Effective Date.

THE CLIENT

THE DJ

 

 

 , USA
 , USA

 

 

__________________________________

(Place for signature)

__________________________________

(Place for signature)

 

 

 

 

ANNEX

to the DJ Contract dated   DJ'S SCHEDULE

The DJ is obligated to provide the Services for the Client for the fixed schedule that sets out herein:

 

THE CLIENT

_________________________________

(Place for signature)

THE DJ

________________________________

(Place for signature)

Written by Karyna Pukaniuk - Reviewed by Jonathan McGill

Template Description

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Paper titled "DJ Contract"; pen, a DJ playing on a set

A simple DJ contract is an agreement be­tween a disc jockey and a client. The contract describes the professional relationship between the two parties, providing clear expectations for both. The document will spe­ll out what the DJ is expected to do, including setting up equipme­nt and selecting music. It will also state the location, date, and time of the­ event and payme­nt information, specifying the agree­d fee or hourly rate. With a contract in place, the­ DJ can expect to be paid fairly for the work, and the­ client can expect to get the­ desired professional services. Although it may seem like just another piece­ of paper, a DJ contract is for ensuring that both the client and the disc jockey know what’s expected in terms of duties, responsibilities, and rights.

What Is a DJ Contract?

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A DJ contract is a legal document that a professional disc jockey will use when booking an event. The contract will set out the terms of the services provided by the DJ and the fees for those services. It will form a booking relationship between the DJ and the client.

Each contract will be created specifically for the event that is being booked since the requirements can vary based on the type of event. Wedding bookings can differ from holiday bookings in terms of the length of time and the range of music or other services offered. However, the basic components of the contract are generally the same and cover where, what, and how much it will cost.

Parties of the DJ Contract

There are two parties to a DJ contract: the disc jockey and the client. The client might be more than one person, such as for a wedding or anniversary event, or a business entity, such as for a corporate party. 

The main party to any DJ contract is the disc jockey since the contract is the written agreement that includes exactly what the DJ is offering. This is then agreed to and paid for by the client who signs the contract. A business representative may be the party who signs on the client line when a venue, such as a club or bar, is booking the DJ. A professional disc jockey might have a standard contract or use a customizable contract template for specially agreed terms.

Key Terms

The following key terms are included in most contracts for booking a disc jockey:

  • Services: The services that the DJ is providing will include the length of time the DJ is expected to entertain, the type of music to be played, and any special playlist requests.

  • Purchase price: The total price for the services will be listed, including any tax if taxes are required.

  • Payment terms: The payment terms will note whether the DJ requires a partial deposit or full payment before the event. If partial payments are allowed, the terms will specify when and how the DJ expects to be paid the balance owed.

  • Expenses: Some expenses that a traveling entertainer might add to the total charges include transportation costs, accommodations if an overnight stay is needed, food and drink, etc.

  • Non-performance: The amount of money, if any, that will need to be paid to the DJ if the event is canceled or if the client cancels for any reason will be listed in the non-performance clause.

  • Limitation of liability: A DJ contract can help to make sure that the DJ is not held liable to pay for something that is not his or her fault. One DJ contract example would be if someone gets hurt when the DJ plays music that makes people feel like dancing. It could also include shorting out the electricity in the venue or other issues that can cause damages that are not the fault of the DJ.

  • Miscellaneous: In this contract, the miscellaneous category will include more specifics like how many breaks the disc jockey will take, how long to play before taking a break, and any music that the client does not want to be included for the event. These notes also include whether the DJ will be allowed to mingle with the crowd during breaks and any other factor that either the DJ or the client wants to include.

Why Is a DJ Contract Important?

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A DJ contract is critical for several reasons for both the client and the DJ. Having an agreement in place will help to ensure that the DJ arrives on the scheduled date and time, plays for the expected duration, and spins the music styles that the client desires. The venue address will be established in the contract, along with any other client or DJ stipulations. These factors are essential since failing to fulfill any one could mean that the event will not go as planned, leaving one or both parties dissatisfied.

Each party should outline its terms before signing the contract, as this will serve as evidence of the services and fees agreed to by the parties. Using DJ contract templates can help provide assurance that all basic aspects of the agreement are documented. The template can then be customized for each specific booking while enabling the DJ to consistently generate comprehensive professional contracts.

What Is Included in a DJ Contract?

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A standard DJ contract template contains several key components, including:

  1. Contact information for both the disc jockey and the client

  2. Event details (date, time, location, type of event)

  3. DJ services to be provided (equipment, music genres, emceeing, lighting, etc.)

  4. Fee amount and payment terms

  5. Overtime policy

  6. Cancellation policy

  7. Liability and insurance clauses

  8. Jurisdiction for legal disputes

  9. Signatures and date signed

A well-drafted DJ contract template should cover all the important details and be customizable for each event. It should include the event date, time, and location and describe what equipment and services the DJ will provide. The contract should state how much the client will pay the DJ and when. It should also clearly note which party is responsible for any damaged equipment and list acceptable reasons for the DJ or the client to cancel. Any special details about the DJ’s services should also be included.

How To Write a DJ Contract

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Before writing a DJ contract, the disc jockey will want to know the date and time of the event, the location, fees for the services, and any specific restrictions or miscellaneous issues. The professional disc jockey should also consider client preferences and include them in the DJ contract.

1. Fill Out All the Necessary Information

When using DJ contract templates, it is critical to fill in all pertinent details to make it complete and enforceable. Consider the following tips:

  • Provide full legal names and contact information (phone, email, addresses) for the DJ and the client.

  • Specify the event details, including the date, start and end times, full venue address, and type of event (e.g., wedding, corporate party, etc.).

  • Define the services that the DJ will provide, such as equipment, music genre/songs, emceeing, lighting effects, and other relevant offerings.

  • Include the total fee amount, deposits, payment schedule, and terms regarding late or missed payments.

  • State policies on overtime, travel fees, cancellation, and liability coverage.

  • Note the governing legal jurisdiction for resolving disputes.

  • Have the disc jockey and the client sign and date the final agreement.

With this Loio DJ contract template, the DJ and the client simply fill in the details for their event. This creates a complete personalized contract that is ready to use. Having every necessary piece of information covered ensures that the contract will be enforceable. With planning, the entertainment and experience can go well for everyone involved.

2. Discuss and Agree on the Terms

The parties need to agree to the terms contained in the DJ contract. Only after discussion and agreement should the party drafting the contract add information that is not agreed to by both parties. If any terms in the DJ contract do not fit well with either side, the parties need to discuss those issues and make a compromise.

3. Send the Contract to the Client for Consensus

After customizing the template to reflect the specific terms for the event booking, the DJ should send the contract draft to the client for consensus. This means that the client will have a chance to review all the details in the contract and confirm that it accurately represents what both parties discussed and agreed upon. 

Getting consensus is vital when entering into a contract. Without it, disputes are more likely to occur if expectations differ between the parties. The client may request changes or additions to the contract before signing. However, it is in the DJ’s best interest to get a written consensus to lock down the booking details and avoid potential issues. If the DJ fails to send the contract or rushes the client into signing without proper review, the client could refuse to honor the agreement later. The client may claim that terms were different from what was discussed or back out entirely, which can seriously impact the DJ’s business and reputation.

To prevent problems, the best practice is to draft the contract, send it to the client for consensus via email or DocuSign, be responsive to any concerns raised, and only proceed once the client confirms acceptance of all details in writing. This consensus process protects both parties, so the DJ booking contract template, with its standard language and clauses, can help to make the process go more smoothly and successfully.

4. Sign the Contract

Both parties must sign the DJ contract for it to be enforceable. Therefore, after the document has been drafted and all terms have been carefully reviewed by both parties, be sure that it is signed and dated properly by the professional disc jockey and the client.

When To Use a DJ Contract

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A DJ contract should be used any time a disc jockey is going to perform for an event. The reason for this is simple: when there is a DJ contract in place, the parties can refer back to the agreed terms that are in writing. Both parties to the contract will be expected to keep their agreement, which is beneficial for both the DJ and the client. 

The contract helps to ensure that payment will be made at the rate that the DJ expected and in the manner expected. The amount of time that the DJ will perform and any special requests relating to music will be recorded in the contract. The limited liability of the DJ and of the client will be clearly outlined, which is especially useful if something breaks or if there is an accident of some kind during the event. The contract will also allow the client to have recourse if the DJ does not perform the services as promised.

Common Use Cases

DJ contracts can be used for many different types of occasions. Common events for which a DJ contract might be used include:

  • A wedding party or anniversary party;
  • A graduation party;
  • Retirement parties;
  • Christmas or other holiday events, such as a 4th of July or Labor Day party; and
  • Any time a DJ is hired for money to perform at an event.

When Not To Use a DJ Contract

If there is a loose agreement between the disc jockey and the client, then an official DJ contract would not be necessary. If the DJ is a good friend of the client and sees the event as the friend’s party rather than a booked gig, then there is no need to use a professional DJ contract.

Also read

How To Create a DJ Equipment Rental Contract?
DJ Contract Preview