What matters most
Compare programme flexibility first: a DJ shifts genre and tempo instantly; a band delivers energy and spectacle within its repertoire.
Points to work through
- Check the footprint — a band needs more stage, power and load-in time than a DJ, which affects small venues.
- Plan changeovers: bands take breaks, so decide whether a DJ fills the gaps to keep the floor alive.
- Match musical character to your crowd: live sound and showmanship versus exact original recordings and deep back-catalogue.
- If you want both, define who owns the finale and how the stage, inputs and monitors are shared.
- Compare total scope — crew, equipment, space, hours — before comparing headline price.