What to put in a DJ rider
Tech, setup, hospitality and travel: a rider promoters can actually follow.
A rider is a list of what you need to do your job well. A good one is short, specific and realistic for the rooms you play. A promoter should be able to hand it to the venue and walk away.
Tech
This is the part that matters most. Name the gear, the model and how many.
| what | example |
|---|---|
| players | 3 × Pioneer CDJ-3000, linked |
| mixer | Pioneer DJM-V10 or Allen & Heath Xone:96 |
| turntables | 2 × Technics SL-1210 MK7 with cartridges |
| monitors | 2 × active booth monitors with their own volume |
| inputs | 2 × USB-C, 1 × XLR mic |
Give an alternative when you can live with one. "DJM-900NXS2 or DJM-V10" gets you a working booth more often than a single model.
Setup
How the booth should be and how the set runs.
- Set length: what you play by default, and for closing sets
- Booth: a sturdy table at a workable height. If you play vinyl, ask for the turntables to be isolated from the bass
- Power: how many grounded outlets you need at the booth
- Arrival: when you'll show up and whether you want a line check
Hospitality
Keep it reasonable for the size of the show. Drinks, a meal before the set, your guest list number and anything you're allergic to. Hospitality and travel usually go to the promoter only, not on your public page.
Travel
For shows out of town: flights (and whether you travel with records), hotel, ground transport from the airport and to the venue, and who travels with you.
Keep it current
Update the rider when your setup changes. An old rider asking for gear you no longer use is how you end up with the wrong mixer.
On presskit
The rider builder in your EPK has these four sections with starting points for CDJs, vinyl and live sets. Tech and setup show on your EPK; everything goes in your media kit and downloads as a one-page PDF you can send to any promoter.