The D-Joust is a DJ competition designed to give exposure to up and coming DJs.

With such a competitive market these days and everyone wanting to become 'the next big DJ', we offer the lesser known DJ a chance to raise their profile. Past entrants have gone on to secure major residencies and international gigs directly through participation.

If you're a clubber, music lover or DJ fan you get to see top quality DJs playing their hearts out in a fun, friendly and kicking environment.

If you're a DJ you get the chance to play live, in front of an audience of your peers and benefit from the unique networking experience that the D-Joust offers. The D-Joust is becoming a very well known event across the UK and beyond and a whole host of the right people will become aware of you as a result of the exposure we offer.

How does the competition work?

DJs are pitched against each other in a series of knock out events; heat winners are judged by a panel of experienced music professionals chosen by us; runners up are selected by a public vote; the finalists then face a showdown with the reigning D-Joust champion to decide on this year’s winner.

Dates for all competitions will be updated soon.

• London Heats - Plan B, Brixton
• Midlands Heats - Custard Factory, Birmingham
• Antwerp Heat - Magic Places

• Semi Finals and Final - Plan B, Brixton

House / Breaks and associated genres

There are 7 knockout rounds, 3 in London, 3 in The Midlands and 1 in Antwerp. There are then 2 London based Semi Finals and the Grand Finale.

The competition is open to single DJs and DJ groups.

Almost 400 DJs entered last year, this year we're expecting at least double. Competition DJs will be announced each week and posted in the news section..

Ultimately the winner is chosen by a panel of respected judges drawn from across the music industry. There is also a public voting element to the competition and YOU can vote for your favourite runner up to go through in each round.

DJs are marked out of 10 on each of the following criteria:

• Technical mixing ability
• Originality
• Overall Performance
• Tune Selection

We don't believe it's fair to include crowd reaction for a couple of reasons.

Firstly the running order is drawn from a hat so the DJs running later in the night have a distinct advantage (more people and generally more alcohol consumed ;-).

The other reason is that we don't want to make the competition about who's the most popular. It'd be very easy for a DJ to come down with 50 mates in support compared to someone who's travelled from Scotland who might only have a couple in tow.

DJs must register and pay a registration fee to enter the competition – click here to register

Each DJ then sends in a demo and a panel of independent judges decides who will appear in the heats. Entrants will be announced very soon so keep an eye on the site.

The prizes in 2007 were:

• Total of 500 free downloads courtesy of DJdownload.com
       (inclusive of those picked up in other rounds)
• Opportunity to mix a digital album to be released for sale on DJdownload.com
• Exclusive residency @ Origami
• 1 days FREE production course courtesy of 16 steps
• 40% off any Sony production software (Acid Pro 6/Soundforge/Vegas etc) through 16 steps
• Set at the DJdownload.com night at Ministry of Sound
• Guest mix on the DJdownload.com radio show on Ministry Radio
• Web space for 1 year for your profile, mp3 downloads and DJ’ing dates
• + You'll pick up the heat and semi prizes along the way!

Semi final winners

• 50 free downloads courtesy of DJdownload.com

Heat Winners

• 30 free downloads courtesy of DJdownload.com
• Signed vinyl and t-shirts courtesy of Berwick Street Records

The full set of rules can be downloaded by clicking here

The competition is now into its fourth year. The first competition spanned 2005/06.

Afraid not! Entrants are responsible for their own costs

Equipment available will be 3 * CDJ 1000 MkII’s, Pioneer DJM800, 2 * Technic 1210 MkII (Antwerp heat only has 2 CDJS). DJs are also permitted to bring laptops.

The D-Joust is organised and run by Fruityloopy Promotions in association with DJ RCaine in the Midlands and Twizters running the European leg of the competition.

Sponsors in 2007 were:

DJdownload.com - The world’s favourite digital dance music store - www.djdownload.com
The WhiteHouse , London - A social institution providing cutting edge music & excellent drinks - thewhitehouselondon.co.uk
16 Steps - Production courses, extremely experienced tutors - www.myspace.com/16steps
Berwick Street Records - Timo Garcia’s hot London based record label - www.berwickstreetrecords.com
Capsule01 - A small London based design agency with big ideas, helping our clients create and develop their brands across a wide range of digital media

Logos, posters and all resources can be found at http://www.djoust.com/resourceKit.

You MUST consult us before using any of our branding unless we have expressly given you permission to do so.