Promoters: The Tastemakers and Educators of the the Music Industry
Over the years the word “promoter” became somewhat of a taboo in the electronic music industry. I remember working for a club back in my early days and being advised to stop referring to myself as a promoter but use the word “VIP Host” instead. I was confused.
Back when the job title first came to be, a promoter was an event organizer. They usually founded and owned the event brand and took care of everything from the planning to the execution of their events, including booking talent, securing and setting up venue, all logistics, etc. As the industry grew and changed so did the the classification of what a promoter is and does. These days there’s promoters who are paid a per/head or per/ticket amount to promote an event organized by a bigger promoter, oftentimes promoting several event a weekend at more than one venue. They usually have no say in the event’s planning and execution, including the acts set to play at the events he is bringing people to.
With that said, however, it remains important to underscore and understand the role of promoters within the realm of the music industry we find ourselves to. We all know and refer to DJs as tastemakers and educators of the crowd that is in front of them. A truly good DJ doesn’t play it safe, instead understanding the importance of bringing something new and unique to the table each and every time they step up behind the decks. A quality DJ is able to wow a crowd with tracks they have never heard, instead of resorting to known crowd-pleasers. A top-tier DJ educates, taking their “students” on a lesson of music throughout the duration of their set.
