Pete Hayes, DJ Pete Hayes - DJ for Hire in Birmingham
(also covering West Midlands, West Midlands)

I started out as a bar/club DJ in 1999. I did this until 2003, when I got more involved in my day job.

Over the next few years, I would play sporadically for friends' parties, before taking the plunge and investing in my own full setup in 2009.

Since then, I have been playing extensively as both a mobile DJ and a bar DJ.

I mainly play pop music, but I always jump at the chance to go back to my first love, which is for rock music. I basically tailor my set to what the paying customer wants, so if they want me to alternate between cheesy party anthems and thrash metal, that's what I will do. In fact, I have done exactly that, for a booking I had through this very site!!

 

When mixing, I generally go with a straightforward fade in/out style, using effects sparingly.

My microphone is simply there for information services (the buffet is open, last orders at the bar, etc), as in my view, the last thing people want at their party is a motormouth DJ talking over every song. That said, I will do acknowledgements on request, usually tied in with a requested song.

Soundwise, I use a 4000w amp, with a pair of 2x12 1000w speakers, which I have found to be loud enough for most parties. When necessary, I do also break out a pair of 300W bass subs, and a pair of 200W 'tops', which give me a little extra kick.

I operate a basic lighting setup, with 2 sets of sequence lights and a pair of pattern lights. I also have a small smoke machine.