DJ Rider Example: Everything You Need For A Pro Setup In 2025

Preparation is the key to being a successful DJ, from ensuring the DJ booth covers the equipment required to perform to understanding where to access food and refreshments.

A DJ rider is commonly used in the music industry to guarantee that the promoter meets specific stipulations and that the DJ decks and other set-up elements are prepared for the gig.

In this guide, we’ll break down the elements featured in DJ riders and provide an example you can reference when writing a rider for your upcoming performances.

What Is A DJ Rider?

DJ riders are documents that outline a series of requests from DJs before they perform at an event, including technical specifications and hospitality requirements.

From a technical perspective, the rider outlines any requirements relating to the sound system, from the DJ mixer model that the DJ uses to other vital gear that the performance requires.

Some DJ riders also include a hospitality rider, which can cover aspects ranging from travel and accommodation to food and drinks during the gig.

Other sections, such as security and specific requirements for touring DJs and for music festivals, are also used as and when they are relevant.

While DJ riders differ from standard DJ contracts, some artists combine these documents when arranging and playing at a professional event.

Is A DJ Rider Necessary?

DJ riders’ importance varies from one DJ to another, based on the level of skills and experience and other factors related to the venue and equipment.

If you’re a newcomer to DJing with little experience performing at dedicated clubs and other venues, a basic DJ rider may suffice, if necessary.

However, other DJs with a professional background often find DJ riders indispensable, particularly if they need specialist equipment, such as turntables.

While most DJs bring their own USB sticks, others have expectations that venues don’t typically accommodate, such as transportation requirements.

If in doubt, you should include creating a rider in your DJ checklist and consult with other DJs and promoters to determine what is acceptable.

Unless you’re a famous DJ with a strong reputation, avoid making outlandish requests, as this may deter venues from booking you for an event.

Read more about what DJs think about ZIPDJ.

Different Types Of DJ Riders

Now that we’ve covered the definition and viability of DJ riders for different types of DJs let’s take a closer look at the types of riders that are typically used.

Most DJs use a technical rider, but some also include a separate section for a hospitality rider if traveling to an event outside their hometown.

1. Technical Rider

The most common type of rider is the technical rider, which outlines the equipment and accessories the artist needs to be available in the DJ booth.

This is particularly important if you’re a high-end DJ familiar with expensive DJ equipment that may be in short supply and cause issues for the event holder.

While some DJs don’t mind performing on old DJ equipment, others require hardware capable of stem separation, harmonic mixing, and other hardware-specific mixing techniques.

As such, the technical rider should be specific about the required make and model of DJ gear, with enough time for the promoter to fulfill requests before the gig.

2. Hospitality Rider

The next common type of DJ rider is the hospitality rider, which breaks down the artist’s requirements for travel and accommodation, as well as requirements at the venue.

This section can be vital for offsetting expenses and ensuring the DJ rate is commensurate with the time and effort the DJ needs to deliver an excellent performance.

Some of the common requests included on a hospitality rider are:

• A selection of beverages in the DJ booth, including water, juice, and sodas.
• Snacks, such as sandwiches, before the performance or a full meal if the DJ travels from out of town to the gig.
• A free guest list for a specified number of guests with access to the green room and DJ booth during the performance.
• Amenities for washing and refreshing before and after the performance, either in the venue or at a nearby hotel.

This section can be modified to include other relevant requests based on the DJ’s personal habits, such as instructions for dietary requirements.

3. Touring Rider

DJs traveling extensively to and from gigs in different cities or countries typically include a separate section in a rider to cover related aspects.

A touring rider includes specifications regarding travel requirements, such as the ticket class for flights and train travel, and sometimes specifies a preferred mode of travel.

This can be particularly important if you’ve landed a DJ residency out of your home city and must ensure ongoing arrangements, such as fuel costs, are covered.

It can also include information about the amount of luggage you’re bringing, any other people in your entourage, and taxi fees to your hotel.

4. Security Rider

For DJs who are well-known in the dance music scene and need to consider handling large groups of fans, a security rider is sometimes necessary.

This doesn’t have to be expensive drone private security, and can focus on providing a security team to keep the crowd at a respectable distance from the stage.

On the other hand, for mainstream famous DJs, the security rider may outline requirements for a complete security detail to accompany them throughout their visit to the city.

This can be a vital element of a contract and requirement for insurance purposes, as well as making the artist feel safe and secure before, during, and after the event.

Related reading: A complete guide to writing a DJ resume.

5. Environmental Rider

Some DJs blend their performances with social and environmental issues, so they can sometimes include an environmental rider section for promoters.

A relatively new phenomenon, these types of riders ensure the venue is operated along specific principles in line with their values.

Expectations can revolve around the types of equipment the venue makes available to artists, with an eye on monitoring overall carbon emissions and plastic use.

It can also stipulate that attendees aren’t served drinks in disposable plastic cups, instead using biodegradable receptacles for beverages.

6. Diversity Rider

Another recent addition to the concept of DJ riders is the diversity rider, which seeks to improve the relationship with artists from different backgrounds and event organizers.

A range of DJs and artists are working to influence DJ riders and bring about change to ensure that promoters and venues book performers from diverse backgrounds.

While this isn’t a requirement of a DJ rider, artists who hold these values closely can consider including it to address representation in the industry.

Checklist For Creating A DJ Rider

Before you begin writing your DJ riders to share with promoters, run through this checklist to ensure you’ve covered everything needed so it’s ready for submission:

• Double-check equipment requirements: A common pitfall DJs who lack experience encounter is missing gear when they’re ready to perform. This applies equally to creating a DJ rider, which should be finalized only once the listed equipment has been double-checked in case something has been overlooked.
• Attaching the rider to a gig proposal: If you’re sending out a DJ proposal in the hopes of landing a gig, you should attach the DJ rider to your email since the information covered here is relevant for the promoter to consider your proposal.
• Verify artwork has been approved: Some DJs expect the venue to include artwork and photographs as part of their event promotional material. If that’s the case, you should ensure the assets they’re using are up to date and approved before the event.
• Confirm any legal requirements: While legal issues aren’t typical for DJ riders, if you have a contract that handles such matters, this may need to be directly referenced in the relevant section of the document.
• Check if any contact information is current: If you’re DJing in an unfamiliar town or city, you should include a request for contact information, such as mobile phone numbers, allowing you to get in touch with the promoter in the event of an emergency.

If you have concerns about what you should and shouldn’t include, contact DJ booking agencies or speak to other DJs to seek clarification.

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DJ Rider Example

To help you get the ball rolling and write a DJ rider for your professional gigs, we’ve created this example, which you can use for reference and as a template:

DJ ZIP TECHNICAL AND HOSPITALITY RIDER

CONTACT INFORMATION

Updated [Date]

TECHNICAL RIDER:

• 2 x Pioneer CDJ-2000 connected CD players.
• Pioneer DJ DJM-A9 Professional DJ Mixer.
• 2 x booth monitors positioned at ear level, powered separately, and with volume adjustment controls.
• All equipment must be set up and thoroughly tested before the event, with no broken faders/buttons.
• Minimum of 3 power sockets with adapters for UK plugs.
• Table space in the DJ booth for bags and other accessories.
• Sufficient lighting in the DJ booth and enough space for three more people.
• DJ must be clearly visible to the audience.

NOTE: If the above DJ tech rider is not completed, the artist will NOT perform at the event, and the full fee agreed upon in the contract must be paid. Any limitations to the above requirements must be reported and verified with the artist one week prior to the event.

HOSPITALITY RIDER:

TRAVEL, HOTEL, & REFRESHMENTS:

• Sufficient accommodation and facilities must be available. Preferred hotels include the Grand Hyatt, Sheraton, and West Inn.
• Coverage of travel fees by airplane and taxi/Uber to and from the event for two people.
• Business class flights due to the artist’s height and required legroom.
• Confirmation from the hotel for late check-out on the day after the event.
• The organizer will provide at least one breakfast and lunch each day for the duration of the stay.
• The cars provided for transportation must meet a certain standard of comfort and room for the artist, e.g., a Range Rover or a large SUV.
• Information about local cultural hotspots, places to eat out, and other recommendations for passing the time while staying in the city are also appreciated.

ON THE NIGHT/AT THE VENUE

• 3 x clean towels.
• The organizer should provide one security professional to oversee the booth and surrounding area during the performance.
• The green room should include sufficient drinks and food, including a selection of fruit and sandwiches for the artist and guests.
• A free guest list of 10 invitations to join the artist in the stage area and green room before and after the performance.
• If possible, a private dressing room for the artist to dress/prepare for the event and change after the event has concluded.
• Five bottles of alcohol for the artist to share with guests, including Grey Goose Vodka, tequila, and two bottles of single malt whiskey from a reputable distillery.

CANCELLATIONS & REBOOKINGS:

If the organizer is unable to fulfill one or all of these obligations and fails to inform the artist one week before the event, the organizer will pay the full fee as agreed.

In the event that the organizer fails to fulfill these obligations due to destruction of damage of the venue by fire, acts or regulations from public authorities, or other unforeseen circumstances, the artist will not be held legally responsible.

Cancellations or date alternations for the event for reasons other than those outlined above shall render the contract null and void. The organizer agrees to notify the artist of any changes to the date within one week of the original performance date.

Summary

Whether you’re an international superstar DJ or a scratch DJ who requires dedicated gear to perform, creating a DJ rider is an essential element of pre-gig preparation.

Following the advice and reviewing the example in this article, you can compile DJ riders that cover all the crucial aspects before you arrive at an event.

As your career evolves, you can work on separate DJ riders tailored to specific venues, allowing you to focus on playing exceptional dance music and entertaining the crowd.