Stephen Sluyter - Top Tips to Effectively Play as a Warm Up DJ

Warm-up DJs generally have different styles. If you have noticed that some DJs are able to kick off their gig right and you’re not, then this guide is perfect for you.

Usually, new DJs don’t get the limelight. If you’re new to the industry and you’re given the opportunity to play for the opening, make sure you’re able to use that chance to your advantage. It is your job to pump the crowd, set the mood for the rest of the party, and keep everyone occupied just before the headliner is ready to take over.

Texas-based wedding DJ Stephen Sluyter says a successful opening is achieved through a mix of careful song selection, thoughtful crowd reading, and a good amount of patients if something goes the way you don’t want it to. He has played for over a hundred wedding parties and has dealt with almost every type of crowd.

Stephen Sluyter gives tips to warm up a party like a pro DJ

• Learn the music policy 

Wherever you may be playing, it’s important to know the music policy. This allows you to stay connected with the overall theme of the event or the party. Do your research and look into what the venue usually plays. Make sure you also get to know who you’ll be opening for so your transition doesn’t seem abrupt from each other. Once you know what music policy you should be focusing on, go through your library and prepare accordingly. Check out Stephen Sluyter Facebook Page for more tips.

• Arrive early to check on the venue and equipment 

Go to the venue the night before the actual event to do a soundcheck and equipment tests. Also, show up at the venue about an hour before you start so you’ll have enough time to install everything you need and do another sound and equipment check. Make the task easier by creating a list of things you should bring. It always helps to be a lot early in order for you to thoroughly check on the technical.

• Settle the specifics 

Know how much you’ll be paid for before agreeing to play for their event. As a rookie, you need to establish how much you should be receiving. It’s important to set a price according to the services you’ll be able to offer.

It’s ok to set something negotiable, just make sure it doesn’t seem too low.

Stephen Sluyter highly recommends to dress up when you go to the venue. It helps to ask the host if there’s a particular dress code. Don’t arrive wearing anything less than required. No matter how much you like putting on a pair of shorts and a shirt in your last gigs, you need to improve your image by looking as professional as possible. 

• Establish a warm-up DJ mindset 

It’s important to remember that you are there to warm up the crowd for the headliner, which is the DJ that would take over after you. So stay in your lane and try not to outshine the main event. Although you may feel like you’re less important, you’re not. The overall vibe of the night depends on you. So you may not look the part, but you are actually the superhero of the party.



The biggest misconception others have for warm-up DJs is that whatever they do is a piece of cake. But that is entirely not true. Based on personal experience, Stephen Sluyter strongly believes that warming up a large audience has plenty of factors that need to be considered. It takes a refined set of skills to read a crowd and excessive practice to provide for their demands.

In other words, getting the crowd ready is as crucial as how the night ultimately ends. So if you get the warm-up slot, it simply means they trust you to set the mood for the rest of the party.