If you’re hiring a DJ in Toronto, Brampton, Mississauga, Etobicoke or Vaughan, the search can feel overwhelming. Dozens of DJs, dozens of websites, and they all say they’re the best. So how do you actually choose? I’m Al Andy — an open-format club, radio, special events and wedding DJ with 20 years of experience across the GTA — and here are the 7 questions I’d ask if I were booking a DJ for my own event.
1. Have you played for a crowd like ours?
Years matter, but the right years matter more. A DJ with 20 years of club nights might not know how to run a wedding. A wedding-only DJ might not know how to read a corporate crowd. Ask what kinds of events they’ve actually done — weddings, corporate events, parties, school dances — and whether they’ve played for a crowd like yours: mixed cultures, mixed ages, mixed tastes. A DJ in the GTA has to handle all of that, because GTA crowds are all of that.
2. Can you play for our cultures and our generations?
This is the big one in the GTA. Your guest list probably spans more than one culture and more than one generation. Ask the DJ how they handle that. Do they take must-play and do-not-play lists? Can they move between Bollywood and Top 40, soca and slow jams, Afrobeats and classic rock, without clearing the floor? A good answer is specific. A vague answer — “oh yeah, I play everything” — is a red flag.
For me, this is the heart of what I do. I’m an open-format DJ, and DJing has no musical boundaries for me. I genuinely like all music and its artistic expression, and I build custom playlists for every client. I play for the crowd who is present, listening with open ears and dancing feet.
3. What does your sound and setup actually look like?
Ask to see photos or video of their real setup — not stock images. A state-of-the-art sound system fills a big banquet hall properly: clear at the back, never harsh at the front. A clean, beautiful setup looks right in your wedding photos. If a DJ can’t show you what their setup looks like, that’s worth knowing before you book.
4. What do the reviews say?
Reviews are the easiest way to check a DJ before you hire them. Look at Google, WeddingWire and Bark — and read what people actually wrote, not just the star count. DJ Al Andy has 6 five-star reviews on Google, and my company Musically In Motion has almost 100 five-star reviews across Google and WeddingWire, plus 13 five-star reviews on Bark. That kind of record doesn’t happen by accident — it happens one event at a time.
5. Do you MC, and how do you run the night?
A DJ who only plays music leaves you managing the timeline yourself. Ask whether they MC — grand entrance, first dance, speeches, bouquet toss, last song — and how they keep the night moving. The best DJs run the room so you can enjoy your event instead of managing it.
6. What’s included in the quote — and what costs extra?
Get it in writing. Does the quote include the sound system? Lighting? MC work? Setup and teardown? How many hours? And what costs extra — a photo booth, dry ice, cold sparks, extra hours? A clear quote protects both sides. I don’t publish prices online because every event is different, so I quote each event on its merits — call 647-675-1933 and I’ll put together a quote for your date.
7. Are you insured, and what happens if something goes wrong?
Ask for a certificate of insurance — a professional DJ will have one available on request. And ask about backup plans: backup equipment, and what happens if the DJ is sick on your day. A professional has answers. An amateur has excuses.
The call that tells you everything
Before you sign anything, get the DJ on the phone. Ten minutes on a call will tell you more than any website can — and here’s what to listen for.
First, listen for specifics. When you describe your crowd — mixed cultures, mixed ages, a big family, a corporate team — does the DJ give you a real answer about how they’d handle it, or just say “yeah, I play everything”? A DJ who actually does this work will talk about must-play and do-not-play lists, about how they read a room, about the songs they’d open with for a crowd like yours. Vague answers are the biggest red flag in this business.
Second, ask to see the real setup. Not stock photos — photos and video of their actual booth, their actual sound system, at real events. A professional DJ is proud of their setup and happy to show it. If a DJ can’t show you what they bring, that’s worth knowing before you book.
Third, listen to how they talk about your night. Are they asking about you — your date, your venue, your guests, your music — or just talking about themselves? The best DJs are curious about your event, because the music has to fit your people. I take a real interest in every event I book, because the night sounds like your crowd, not like somebody else’s playlist.
And trust your gut. If the call feels easy, if the DJ sounds like someone you’d want in the room on your big day, that’s worth a lot. Your DJ is the person holding the whole night together — the music, the timeline, the announcements, the energy. You want someone you actually like talking to. So make the call. Ask the questions. And if the answers are real, book with confidence. If you’d like that call with me, I’m at 647-675-1933 — I’d love to hear about your event.
One more thing: one team or many vendors?
If you want a DJ, a photo booth, dry ice and cold sparks, booking them all from one company saves you vendors to manage — and everything works together. Through my companies, I can cover the DJ, the booth and the effects on a single booking, with one setup and one team running the night.
Frequently asked questions
How far in advance should I book a DJ in the GTA?
As soon as your date is set — popular Saturdays book up fast, especially in wedding season.
Should I meet the DJ before booking?
Yes, if you can. A call or a meeting tells you more in ten minutes than a website can. Call me at 647-675-1933 — I’d love to hear about your event.
Can I give the DJ a must-play and do-not-play list?
You should. Any good DJ will ask for one, and I’ll build your set around it.
Still looking for your DJ? I’d love to be the one. Call DJ Al Andy at 647-675-1933 or visit djalandy.com and let’s talk about your event.
