Entrant Handbook

Scoring Metrics

  • We’re looking for a set that is a performance in its own right. Does it flow together? Do selected songs complement one another? Is the energy consistent or does it rise and fall?

  • When we say ‘creativity’ we mean: show us a set we haven’t heard elsewhere. Keep us on our toes with your transitions and mixes. Show us a set that couldn’t be recreated by another DJ.

  • We’d like to see you do something fancy behind the decks. Don’t be afraid to explore all those different knobs and buttons that CDJ has to offer.

    Also, DJs are performers at the end of the day— sell your persona. Stage presence doesn’t always mean you’re thrashing and jamming out behind the decks (although bring that if it’s your flavor!)— sometimes stage presence is selling your empathetic and tuned-in side to the people.

  • It’s unrealistic to think that 3 judges are the end-all-be-all on how a set went— DJs are for the people after all. We’ll do our best to gauge how the crowd is reacting to your set as well. Don’t be afraid to bring few friends to help out!

  • Be mindful of your time. You will be deducted points for each minute you go over your allotted timeslot.

    Be respectful of your opponent. Unsportsmanlike conduct will deduct points from you in smaller instances, and will outright disqualify you in larger instances.

Official Rules

1. All participants must be 21 years of age or older.

2. All entrants must register at https://www.godspeedtalent.com/register. It is recommended you opt in for email updates for best updates on the event.

3. Participant residential address must reside within the state of Texas.

4. Artist must have a Soundcloud/Mixcloud account with a at least one sample mix uploaded and an Instagram account.

5. A "no-show" to a scheduled slot results in an immediate disqualification and a barring from the USB draw portion of the event.

6. Slot times may be announced as early as 4 days prior to the event. In the case that you are unable to make your slot, reach out to management@godspeedtalent.com to request a rescheduling.

7. The USB draw portion of the event is only available to (a) DJs who have not been placed in the bracket or (b) have only been eliminated once from the event prior, including any eliminations from a USB draw.

8. Artists are allowed one reschedule each. Unable to make your first re-scheduled event results in an immediate disqualification from the tournament. However, this does not result in a barring from the USB draw portion of the event if you give prior notice to management@godspeedtalent.com.

9. Set times will vary in length, with earlier rounds composed of 20-30 minutes and the final rounds composed of 1 hour.

10. DJs must stay strictly within their allotted timeslot. Your raw scoring will be directly affected for every minute you go over your timeslot.

11. Documentable examples of bigoted, hateful, or truly unsportsmanlike speech/behavior surrounding the event, either online or in-person, will result in immediate disqualification, a barring from the USB draw portion of the event, and an expulsion from all future GODSPEED events.

12. Winners of the gauntlet are subject to all legislation and taxes applicable within the state of Texas. Cash prizes will be taxed in accordance with Texas state law.

13. Participants will play on a Pioneer CDJ-3000 controller. Their USBs must be formatted to work on this controller. No headphones will be provided to participants.

14. All participants are subject to repayment of damages to venue equipment. By entering the competition, you are in agreeance to repaying any damages caused by yourself to venue-owned equipment.

15. DJs playing sets scheduled for longer than 30 minutes will be compensated for their time.

16. DJs cannot play a pre-recorded set during their sets, which is defined as any one track that is greater than 15 minutes in length.