When you've finished the gig, what's usually the first most important thing on your mind?

Waiting for the room to clear.

I voted other because as soon as the track is finished, we go into pack down mode to get everything packed away as soon as possible and don't really think about much else.

i went for the kebab option although maybe a general takeaway option would of been better many an end of a night has been spent deciding whether to go for kebab indian or good old full english, maybe we should start a thread of best late night takeaways in the country and there top dish and get a publishing deal

I must live out in the sticks because everywhere apart from Mcdonalds is closed on the way home and its not very often I travel in the right direction to call into McDonalds. Other than that there is a Spar shop at a 24 hour garage, again only if I travel in the right direction but they only do sandwiches.

judging by some threads from the last few months, i'm surprised that 'When do I get paid?' hasn't appeared on the thread yet.

It has to be the Kebab/Food option...
Glad to see I was not alone! lol

A close 2nd place would be getting feedback from the client.

Getting paid never figures - always have payment up front, or worst-case - on arrival in cash.

Not the only one, I never pass a fast food outlet, most of my gigs are between 25 and 40 miles away, only one venue has a 24 hour petrol station on the way home, everything else is sweet nothing at all.

I put down giving out business cards which also generates feedback about the gig.

As for the kebab thing...up North you cant move for them...the chariity shop closes and WOLLOP kebab shop.

Mind u up north we have a right good cholesterol injector...a parmo....nice but pure fat.

What's a Parmo ?

about £5.50..........................about £4.50 short of your budget yer tight so n so andy lol


Seriously its a strictly North east dish

large escollope of chicken in breadcrumbs with bechemell saoce on top then 3 cheases grated on top of that .

baked in an oven then garlic sauce on top and served with salad and chips.

short for parmesan .

you can take a detour though the wife wont miss you next time your down this way give me a call and i will take you to goodbodys 30 different breakfasts on the menu or an indian.

Done Jim, am in your area this Saturday and Sunday, could be with you by 2am on either night.

I voted other.

Obviously I give a card to anyone who asks for one and pack up as quickly as possible. But whilst packing up, and also during the drive home I do a lot of thinking about what I could have done better and how I can improve my show/performance next time. Also I often record my set (on an MP3 player) and listen to parts of it in the car on the drive home, dissecting and analysing it.

Yum Yum! I need to come up and try one of those

Maybe more people have wised up and started getting payment before they set up

Packing up so I can get my hands round a pint if at my local venue. If further afield, packing up and getting out of there.

Getting paid has never been a problem for me, but most of my bookings are referrals and/or existing friends / contacts.

Always packing up - i like getting home and always have a self store place to go to first.

From the last couple of songs the non-LED lights are turned off to let them cool a bit.

I'm A DJ Get Me Out Of Here

All depends how the night went. It can be any of the options given, or where's the party? Or, time to make my move on the blind barmaid/guest. Or, just get out the door and collect the gear tomorrow.

on my mind while packing up while it is still fresh in my mind i go over

what i did well
what i could have done better
what i shouldn't have done

This is how i learn from each gig , i take each and every gig as a lesson to be try to be better and there is no better time imho than just after the event
i have a little note book diary (thanks came with DJ associates membership card as a free gift) and i write what requests that i wouldn't normally play that went down well or songs i didn't have etc in it

i opted for other because when i finish i try to get packed up as quickly as possible
i always have cards at hand so give them out regularly
as Robbie d said i also review my evening and try to see if i could have improved my performance and made the clients event a more enjoyable occasion (no that i don't think i've gave them a quality night )
payment is always up front so that is not a problem

all and none of the above?

Depends on the gig, you get parties where you wonder if the guests have actually noticed youve finished and you get ones where you stand chatting for 20 minutes afterwards

Payment always paid in advance or at start of the evening

I've thought about every option at some time, but like many, first thought - Quick get the gear packed down, before you get that 'just one more request', uhh no, which part of That's All Folks didn't you understand?

I don't wait for the room to clear, people get the message after you've bumped them more than once with an armful of speaker.

Second thought is the money if not already paid, I don't insist on it upfront, but most parties for strangers pay on arrival just to get it out the way.

Now I'm packed and flush, kebab IS the next stage.

Once home I can never go straight to bed, but need to wind down with a cuppa, this is the time I review how well I did and what I can improve.

There are no more stages I'm asleep now..