How much do touring DJs make? (Not the megastars, the lower tier)

[JackQuade]

HI all!
I've always wanted to know more about this topic, but don't know who to ask.
Obviously megastars like Avicii, Calvin Harris, etc. make millions... but how much do lower tier DJs make while touring?

To help you answer this question here is my intent:
If I can produce tracks that consistently get plays in the 100,000s on SoundCloud, and can amass a following measured in the 10,000s (also on SoundCloud), what type of money do you think I could make on tour? What factors (presumably several) are there to consider?

Some example names the come to mind are Gazzo and Fractal (because these are two DJs/producers that came from my immediate area that are now at this level of popularity and touring)... Maybe that will give some of you an idea of what I'm getting at, maybe not. Essentially, they're producers that can get a song to the top of HypeM (most likely a remix) but aren't hitting top 40 on billboard.

I've read the Nick Thayer article, but I'm skeptical...

Let me know your thoughts please!

Thanks,
Jack

[DavidrMack]

I would say maybe your best bet would be to try looking up the net worth of people you feel similar to in terms following size and genre of music.

I think the biggest factor would be how many shows you can do in a year. It seems to me the business model for making money in music is changing towards giving away songs for free (since people will torrent them anyway) and try to embrace that to build your fanbase and make your money from playing shows (and advertising if you are lucky).

If you are very serious about it, I suggest researching how much venues are willing to pay lower-tier artists to come and DJ/perform. Try to get a good idea of what you can expect per show on average, then look into how many someone you are similar to plays in a year, figure out how many you think you could do and then add up the totals. Then you just forecast expenditures, and just like mixing, leave a little headroom, and start a budget.

I looked at the Nick Thayer article and he seemed to have an awful lot of expenses. If I was only making $3600 for an album, I'd be mastering that myself. He also had alot of sample clearance fees, singer fees... So if you don't pay singers to sing and don't use samples/ try to make money off remixes, then you can clear those off the ledger as well.

Sorry if I made things worse lol.
You got a sc link I can peep?

[Kriminal]

Im not sure what you mean
..are you a DJ or a musician? Are you touring your songs or touring as a DJ (wasnt aware DJ's actually did tours)

[Deep Purple]

If I can produce tracks that consistently get plays in the 100,000s on SoundCloud, and can amass a following measured in the 10,000s

How many do you have right now?

If you're nowhere near that I wouldn't start trying to figure out how much you will earn *if* you get there.

[ere2learn]

€500-1000 incl expenses for normal club nights ,€1000-5000 incl expenses for Ibiza,Miami,festival type stuff,

too many variables though,worry about that when/if you get there

[ere2learn]

Im not sure what you mean
..are you a DJ or a musician? Are you touring your songs or touring as a DJ (wasnt aware DJ's actually did tours)

Usually Continent tours Europe,Asia,America,no point in playing once if your flying out there from your base

[tehlord]

I know a couple that tour the planet with 2-4 gigs a month and it's not massive money.

Anything between $20-50k per year heavily skewed to the lower end.

And for those still living in the 80s, DJ's these days often actually make their own music too. It's like an advert.

[penguinfromdeep]

€500-1000 incl expenses for normal club nights ,€1000-5000 incl expenses for Ibiza,Miami,festival type stuff,

This is right on. For some years I used to tour with gigs almost every weekend and it was around that amount.
I didn't dj but played "live" sets in clubs..

[BERFAB]

I didn't dj but played "live" sets in clubs..

Can you please explain what you mean by this? Are you a musician that used to perform live, or are you a DJ that did something called "live sets" in clubs? And, if so, what's the difference between a live set and just djing?

Sincere question, btw. Old guy here who really doesn't get the dj scene.

Thanks for the enlightenment.

Cheers
-B

[ere2learn]

Live set = play your own music

DJ set = play other peoples music

[Kriminal]

And for those still living in the 80s, DJ's these days often actually make their own music too. It's like an advert.

Like Calvin Harris...he did a song about the 80's didnt he?

Paris Hilton is a DJ apparently.... pretty sure she's recorded songs too. Guess it must work out well if you play your own stuff all night.

[BERFAB]

Live set = play your own music

DJ set = play other peoples music

Not to put too fine a point on it, but

1) does "play your own music" mean you show up with a guitar and sing, or do you play recordings of your own compositions as part of your dj set?

2) are remixes of other people's music considered to be in the category of "your own music"?

I know these probably sound like very basic questions to many (most) of you, but it's really not my demographic. Now while you formulate your responses, I'm going to go chase some neighborhood kids off my front lawn...

Cheers
-B

[ere2learn]

1)Turn up and trigger loops mostly with a controller,you could have a keyboard,drum machine or synth to play over the top so you can remix your own stuff on the fly,

2)Not really because you wont have the stems most of the time,the remixer will have those

best to see it it action