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June 11, 2026

Side Project For Events With Serious AV

Side Project For Events With Serious AV

Side Project: High-Energy DJ + Drummer Set for Events with Serious AV

You already invest in proper sound, lighting, and staging. The weak link is often a basic DJ that does not live up to that production. Side Project gives you a high-energy DJ and drummer performance that feels like a live show and plugs straight into the AV you already have.

Built by the same team behind FOCUS3D, Side Project merges the modern sound of a DJ with the explosive energy of live LED drums, and is designed for corporate events, premium private parties, and weddings that want serious energy without a full 3D-mapped footprint.

  • Premium DJ and live drums act for events with a strong AV foundation
  • Ideal when a full FOCUS3D build is more than you need, but “just a DJ” is not enough
  • Proven on stages around the world and trusted by brands, venues, and planners

What Side Project Actually Is

Side Project is a modern DJ and live drummer act, not a full band and not a generic DJ. The DJ drives the set, mixing current and classic tracks across genres, while the drummer plays a state-of-the-art LED drum set that lights and pulses with the music.

The result is a compact, high-impact performance that sounds like a club-level DJ and feels like a live show, and that can sit on top of the sound and lighting rig you already have in place.

For you, that means:

  • A clear step up from a DJ alone, with visual and live-performance elements that guests can see and feel
  • Less complexity, travel, and cost than a large band or full scenic build
  • A flexible format that can work for corporate nights, premium weddings, and private events in the same season

Why This Makes Sense For Events With Serious AV

Many programs already invest in upgraded PA, intelligent lighting, LED walls, and scenic elements. A basic DJ may keep the music going, but they rarely make that AV spend feel “worth it” to guests.

Side Project is designed for that gap:

  • The LED drums and performance style give lighting designers and AV techs something dynamic to work with, rather than a static DJ table.
  • The DJ is comfortable working in show environments with cues, timelines, and event runs, not just open-format club sets.
  • The act scales well inside ballrooms, clubs, and outdoor stages where the AV is already dialed in.

In practical terms, you get entertainment that matches the standard of the AV your stakeholders have paid for, without stepping up into a full FOCUS3D or large-band budget.

How It Feels In The Room

Guests see more than a DJ behind a table. They see a DJ moving with the room and a drummer on a glowing LED kit that responds to every track. The combination gives them something to watch as well as something to dance to.

As the set builds, the drummer adds fills, hits, and builds that sit on top of the tracks, and the lighting can be programmed to follow that energy. The performance feels like a live act, even though you still have the flexibility of a DJ set.

From a guest’s perspective:

  • They hear recognisable songs across pop, dance, hip hop, rock, and throwbacks, so different age groups feel included.
  • They feel the impact of live drums in the room, which makes drops and choruses hit harder than a playlist.
  • They see movement and light on stage, so it is easier to pull attention away from side conversations when you need the room to focus.

From your perspective, you get a night that feels more intentional and less like background music, without changing your entire production plan.

High-Energy, No-Filler Performance

Side Project is built around the idea that every minute on stage should count. This is not a background lounge set or a long list of requests on shuffle.

  • Sets are structured to build and release energy across the night, with clear peaks guests remember.
  • The DJ and drummer watch the room and adjust momentum, rather than sticking to a rigid pre-made playlist.
  • There is enough range to keep mixed corporate or wedding crowds engaged, without drifting into filler or songs that kill the floor.

This “no filler” approach makes Side Project a good fit for events where the entertainment slot is short, the stakes are high, and you need to make the most of the time you are given.

Where Side Project Fits Best

Side Project is a secondary offer in your universe, which makes it perfect for events that want energy and pedigree but do not need the full FOCUS3D build.

Typical uses:

  • Corporate and association events
    Awards afterparties, receptions, closing nights, and client appreciation events that already have proper sound and lighting in place.
  • Premium private events and weddings
    Weddings, milestone birthdays, and social events where the host or planner wants a DJ-led party that still feels like a live performance.
  • Support or late-night sets around other programming
    Opening or closing sets around other acts, or post-show dance sets that keep the energy high after formal content wraps.

If FOCUS3D is the show that transforms the room, Side Project is the act that sets it on fire once people are ready to move.

Format Options And Set Lengths

Side Project is flexible and can be programmed to match your agenda.

Common formats:

  • Straight party set
    We start at the beginning event and go to the end. Never loosing the audience and always building the energy. 
  • Segmented sets across an evening
    Short bursts around speeches, awards, or other content, with stronger runs later in the night.
  • Feature moments inside a longer DJ window
    The DJ can handle early background and transitions, with the drummer joining for defined “feature” sections when you want the room to lift.

We will ask early what kind of guest behaviour you want, then shape the set around that, not the other way around.

Technical Fit And Working With AV

Side Project is designed to sit comfortably on stages that already support a DJ and small band.

Basic needs:

  • A standard DJ position with space for a drum kit and any LED or riser elements.
  • Clear input list for DJ, drums, and any playback or monitoring requirements.
  • Reasonable sound and lighting capable of handling a live kit and DJ together.

Collaboration with AV:

  • We provide a simple tech overview for in-house AV and outside production teams, so they know what to expect.
  • The act can integrate with lighting cues, video looks, or other stage elements you already have planned.
  • If the room or rig is too limited to support the full visual impact, we will say so and talk through realistic options.

This lets your AV partners say “yes” more easily and keeps surprises off the show day.

Proof, Credits, And Reliability

Side Project has performed on stages all over the world and at thousands of high-profile events. They have opened or shared stages with artists such as T-Pain, Train, Backstreet Boys, Journey, and others, and they have appeared at major events including sports games and award-related afterparties.

Wedding and event reviews consistently mention energy, professionalism, and the way the DJ and drums combination stands out from typical music options.

For you, this proof means:

  • You are not taking a chance on an untested DJ act. The team is used to high-pressure environments and complex schedules.
  • They understand the difference between a club gig and a corporate or wedding show, and adjust style, language, and presentation accordingly.
  • You can show stakeholders real examples and footage that demonstrate how the act behaves in rooms like yours.

FAQs For Planners, Partners, And Hosts

How far in advance should we enquire?
Side Project tends to book dates several months out, especially around peak corporate and wedding seasons. As soon as you know your date and city, it is worth asking about availability.

What types of events are the best fit?
Events with a real AV setup and a clear desire for a live-feeling, high-energy performance. That includes corporate events, associations, premium weddings, and private parties where the budget for entertainment is at least in the band or hybrid-DJ range.

Can Side Project work with our existing AV company or venue AV?
Yes. We regularly plug into in-house AV and external production companies and share a straightforward tech overview so they can integrate the act into their design.

How flexible is the music style?
The core of the set is modern and high energy, and it can be adapted to the crowd. That means more chart and dance for some events, more throwbacks or rock for others, and a different shape again for weddings.

Where does pricing usually land?
Side Project sits in the premium DJ and live music category, not in the entry-level DJ tier. Investment reflects a high-energy, DJ and drummer performance with strong AV awareness, rather than a simple DJ booking. Once we know your date, location, and format, we can share a realistic range so you and your stakeholders can decide quickly.

Next Step: See If Side Project Fits Your Event

If you are planning an event with serious AV and you want entertainment that feels like more than a DJ and less than a full show build, Side Project is designed for that space.

Share your date, location, and a rough sense of format, and we will let you know quickly whether Side Project is available and how it can fit your program.

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