When planning a party or special event, you might wonder why a DJ charges a few hundred pounds for “just playing music.” At Heard The Beat, we believe in total transparency — and this post breaks down exactly what goes into a typical £295 event fee for a 5-hour party (for example, 7 PM–12 AM).
💡 Looking for wedding pricing? Read our detailed breakdown here:
Why Weddings Cost More Than Parties
It’s Not Just 5 Hours — It’s a Full Evening of Work
You might see the DJ from 7 PM to midnight, but behind the scenes, it’s much more than that:
- Set-up time: DJs typically arrive 1 to 1.5 hours before the event to unload, set up equipment, and carry out sound and lighting checks.
- Pack-down: After the event ends, it usually takes an hour to pack everything away and load out.
- Travel: We often allow 30 minutes each way for local gigs — plus time to get ready beforehand.
All in, what looks like a 5-hour job can become a 9+ hour commitment — often ending in the early hours of the morning. And that’s before factoring in prep work.
Behind the Scenes: What You Don’t See
🎧 Pre-Event Work
Every event involves:
- Liaising with venues
- Preparing personalised playlists
- Handling song requests in advance
- Communicating with clients to understand their vision
This all takes time — and ensures the night runs smoothly and suits your crowd.
🎶 Music Libraries & Subscriptions
We invest in legal, high-quality music — with access to tens of thousands of tracks. Subscriptions and track purchases ensure we’re always ready with any genre, era, or vibe you request.
The Real Costs Behind the Decks
Being a DJ means running a small business. Here’s what’s covered in your fee:
- Professional sound & lighting equipment worth thousands of pounds
- Ongoing equipment maintenance and upgrades
- Spare gear brought to every gig to keep the party going, even if something fails
- PAT testing for safety compliance
- Public liability insurance
- Website hosting and marketing costs
- Van running costs – including fuel, maintenance, and insurance
- Regular content updates for social media and SEO
And of course, tax — around £50 from your £295 goes straight to HMRC.
Professionalism You Can Rely On
We take pride in being reliable, well-presented, and ready for anything:
- Smart dress – no scruffy jeans and t-shirts here
- No drinking on the job – 100% focused on the event
- Decades of experience reading the crowd and adapting on the fly
- Handling unexpected issues without letting the party stop
⭐ Client Review:
“Brilliant DJ, met all our expectations and more. Took everyone’s requests and the ones we requested previously. Perfect! Made our night. Thank you again!”
The Truth Behind “It’s Just Playing Music”
We’ve all heard this line, but the reality is very different. Great DJs don’t just press play — we create moments, read the room, and adjust live to make sure the dance floor stays full.
When you hire a DJ, you’re not just paying for music — you’re hiring a professional with the experience, gear, and commitment to deliver a flawless night.
All Lighting Included
We include all lighting, and where suitable, uplighting too — helping to transform your venue and match the mood. We don’t upsell basics — everything you need is part of the package.
Ready to Book?
If you’re planning a party, birthday, or special event, we’d love to hear from you. Use the form below to check availability and get a personalised quote: