The Ultimate DJ Festival Production Guide
Get ready to make a statement at your next music festival! With the right preparation, you can create a captivating stage show that will leave your audience wanting more. In this step-by-step guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know to put on a memorable performance. Let's get started!
Pre-light and Prep
First things first, communicate with the festival production team to determine how much time is available for pre-lighting the night before. Pre-lighting allows your lighting director and VJ to review, tweak, and test the programming and content mapping on the unique features of the stage. This is an essential step to ensure your visuals and lighting look fantastic on the big day.
Rehearsal and Practice Rehearsing your show
before you arrive at the festival is crucial. Practice with your lighting and VJ to fine-tune every detail. If you're in the Los Angeles area, Nightlight Studios is an ideal location to dial in your performance with professional equipment and an isolated practice room. Learn More
Sound-check and Change-over Time
Confirm the time allotted for sound-check and change-over before and after your set. With back-to-back performances common at electronic dance music festivals, change-over time may be limited, making pre-lighting and sound-checks even more essential
Request Stage and Lighting Plots
A few weeks before the show, ask the festival production team for stage plots, lighting plots, pixel map PNG files of the LED screens, and a grandMA2 Showfile to jumpstart the pre-programming process for your lighting director.
Share Your Stage Plot
Send your finalized stage plot to the festival production team, allowing them to prepare for your performance and address any potential issues.
Advance Wireless Frequency Bands
If you're using wireless or RF technology, coordinate with the festival production team to determine which frequency bands are available. This applies to audio systems, wireless monitors, instruments, microphones, and wireless DMX lighting systems. Discuss these details with your lighting and audio team to avoid interference.
Sync Music to Lighting & Visuals
If you're using timecode to sync your lighting and visuals with your music (e.g., Pioneer Showkontrol with TCNet), advance a dedicated Ethernet network line from the stage to the Front of House (FOH) position. If using timecode from other programs, advance dedicated hard-line balanced XLR lines from the stage to FOH. Request two lines for backup in case of failure.
Conclusion
With these steps in mind, you'll be well on your way to delivering a spectacular DJ stage show at your next music festival. Remember, preparation is key to ensure a smooth, unforgettable performance that will leave a lasting impression on your audience. Good luck and happy performing!
