Why we started
Gigist was created by a working London DJ with over a decade of experience behind the decks — from intimate pub residencies and bar nights to packed clubs, rooftop events, and corporate shows across the city.
After hundreds of gigs and countless conversations with fellow DJs and venue managers, one frustration kept surfacing: the system was stacked against everyone except the agencies in the middle. DJs were losing substantial cuts of their earnings to middlemen who added little real value. Venues were paying over the odds for bookings they couldn't properly vet, with no transparency on pricing and no accountability on quality.
So the founder built the platform he always wished existed — one with first-hand knowledge of both sides of the booking table.
What we believe
- Verification should mean something. Identity checks, insurance, references, and a real listen to every mix — only premium talent makes the cut, not a tickbox.
- Pricing should be transparent. What you see is what you pay, set by the DJ, with a low and clearly stated commission.
- DJs deserve more of their own earnings. Agencies that add little value shouldn't take the biggest cut.
- Trust is earned, not assumed. Every badge on Gigist is backed by an actual check, not a self-declaration.
Where we're headed
Gigist is launching in Q1 2027, with verified DJs covering everything from house nights and drum & bass clubs to R&B sets at weddings and corporate events — and everything in between. From there, our plan is to expand city by city across the UK, bringing the same standard of trust, transparency, and premium talent to every booking.
Founder-led
Run by someone who has actually played the gigs, chased the late payments, and felt the agency cut firsthand.
Verification-first
No DJ goes live without ID, insurance, references, and a genuine mix quality audit. Only premium talent makes it onto the platform.
London, then beyond
Launching in London in Q1 2027 with plans to expand across the UK's biggest cities.