Most people see the lights, the packed dance floor, and the moment the perfect song drops. But what they don’t see is everything that happens before and after that magic moment — the hours of planning, prepping, driving through LA traffic with gear in the back, and working with other vendors to make the night run flawlessly.
Being a Los Angeles DJ isn’t just about playing music. It’s about being a producer, problem-solver, MC, tech crew, and hype master — all rolled into one. Here’s what a typical event day looks like from my side of the booth.
Morning: The Calm Before the Beats
Event days usually start early. Even if my gig isn’t until the evening, I’m up and checking emails, confirming timelines, and reviewing my music crates for the day’s crowd.
- Playlist Prep – Every event is different. For a wedding, I might finalize a mix of first dance songs, high-energy party hits, and cultural favorites. For a corporate event or store opening, I’ll focus on upbeat tracks that match the brand’s image without overpowering conversations.
- Gear Check – Testing every cable, backup drive, and microphone. I exclusively use QSC speakers, so I check for perfect sound clarity and pack extras just in case.
- Timeline Review – Double-check the event schedule with planners or coordinators. LA events often have multiple moving parts, so timing is key.
Midday: Loading Up & Hitting the Road
If you’ve ever tried hauling DJ gear through Los Angeles traffic, you know it’s not for the faint of heart.
- Load-In Prep – Packing controllers, turntables, speakers, lighting rigs, and sometimes photo booth gear.
- Traffic Reality – A Malibu wedding at 4 PM? I’m leaving hours early. A Downtown LA wrap party? I’ve got alternate routes ready in case the 110 becomes a parking lot.
- Arrival – Meeting venue staff to scout power sources, stage areas, and load-in points. Some venues have elevators, some have stairs… and some have you rolling cases across a courtyard.
Afternoon: Setup & Soundcheck
Once I’m on site, it’s go time.
- Staging the Booth – Every inch matters when you’ve got turntables, mixers, laptops, monitors, and lighting controllers.
- Soundcheck – Testing every mic, monitoring volume levels, and making sure the sound is even throughout the room.
- Lighting Design – Uplighting, dance floor effects, or brand-colored accents for corporate clients.
Pro tip: A lot of what makes a DJ sound great isn’t just the mix — it’s speaker placement and acoustics.
Evening: Showtime
Once guests arrive, the real fun begins.
- MC Duties – Welcoming guests, making announcements, and keeping the timeline moving.
- Reading the Crowd – The biggest difference between a playlist and a professional Los Angeles DJ is knowing when to pivot. If the dance floor thins, I’ll switch genres, drop a crowd favorite, or build the energy back up.
- Special Moments – First dances, product reveals, toast moments, and countdowns — all perfectly timed.
Late Night: Wrap-Up
When the last song plays and the lights come up, my night isn’t over.
- Tear Down – Carefully packing every piece of gear so it’s ready for the next gig.
- Load-Out – Sometimes this means navigating through crowds still chatting and saying goodbye.
- Drive Home – A chance to reflect on the night and make mental notes for the next event.
Why It’s Worth It
Every Los Angeles DJ has their own rhythm, but for me, the magic is in seeing people connect through music — whether it’s a newlywed couple, coworkers letting loose after a long conference, or friends celebrating a milestone birthday.
It’s more than just pressing play. It’s creating a soundtrack people will remember for years.
Want the soundtrack to your next Los Angeles event to be the best your guests have ever heard? Contact DJ Keelez & Associates and let’s make it happen!
