Matthew DJPrivate event DJ · Florence
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DJ and saxophonist performing together outdoors in a garden, black and white photograph

Live line-ups

DJ set with live musicians

Sax, violin and percussion alongside the DJ set: the presence of a live performance without losing the continuity of a steered evening.

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Why live over a DJ set works

A band plays songs. A DJ builds a flow. Putting them together properly gives you the visual and emotional force of an instrument played in front of your guests, without the pauses, line-up changes and energy dips a concert brings with it.

I work with musicians I have collaborated with for years, used to improvising over an electronic set and reading my cues in real time. It is not an improvised pairing: it is a format tested across hundreds of nights.

The most requested line-ups

  • DJ + saxophone: the most versatile format. Perfect for the aperitivo and for the peak moments on the floor.
  • DJ + violin: more elegant and cinematic. Very effective for the ceremony, the couple's entrance and the first dance.
  • DJ + percussion: rhythmic drive for the closing hours, ideal for very active floors and after-parties.
  • Combined line-ups: sax and percussion together, or violin in the first half and sax in the second.

Where to place it

Three moments where live changes the night

01

Ceremony and entrance

Violin or sax over a backing track for the ceremony, the couple's entrance and the first dance. Recognisable emotion without changing the set-up.

02

Aperitivo

Live sax over a soft set: guests move, talk and take photos. This is where live delivers the most.

03

Peak of the floor

Live inserts at the highest points of the night: the energy jumps and it becomes the scene guests remember.

DJ and saxophonist performing at sunset at a sea-view venue

Technical

What's needed to add live music

A live musician needs a dedicated channel on the mixer, a wireless system for the instrument, a monitor and room to move. Not much, but it has to be planned — checks I handle with the venue during the site visit.

On cost: live is added to the DJ set quote according to the number of musicians and hours on site. The most efficient approach is to concentrate it on two or three chosen moments rather than keeping it running all night.

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FAQ

Live music: frequently asked questions

Can you perform with live musicians?
Yes. I regularly work with sax, violin and percussion players I have collaborated with for years. The most requested format is DJ set plus saxophone during the aperitivo and at the peak moments of the night. The line-up can be built to fit: from a duo to a larger ensemble.
Do you also cover the ceremony and the aperitivo?
Yes. The service can cover the whole day: ceremony music (with live musicians if you wish), aperitivo background, dinner accompaniment and the DJ set for the dance floor. Having one person responsible for the entire day avoids gaps and volume jumps between moments.
Are sound and lighting included in the DJ fee?
No — they are a separate line in the quote, and there is a reason. Every venue has different needs, and bundling a standard system would either make you pay for more than you need or bring you less than you need. I can however provide everything, from the ceremony to the party, through the sound and lighting company I have worked with for years and of which I am a founding partner: professional speakers, mixers and microphones sized for the spaces and the guest count, with backups on every critical component, so music and speeches are never interrupted. The lighting design we develop together — ambient light for dinner and dance-floor effects, matched to the mood of each moment — or I coordinate with the light designer already appointed by you, the planner or the venue. Either way you receive a single all-inclusive quote and deal with one point of contact.
How much does a wedding DJ in Tuscany cost?
I do not publish rate cards, because no two weddings call for the same service. The quote is built on four variables: how many hours you need, the size and acoustics of the spaces, whether you add live musicians, and the distance from Tuscany. Every engagement includes a pre-event music consultation, the DJ set for the whole evening, and either a site visit or a technical call with your suppliers; sound and lighting are a dedicated line, which I can supply through the service company of which I am a founding partner. Send me the date, venue and guest count and within 24 hours you will have a written, all-inclusive quote, itemised line by line: it covers travel, accommodation and, if you want it, sound and lighting. Nothing new appears after signature.

Let's build the right line-up

Tell me about the venue and the kind of night you want: I will propose the format that delivers most on your budget.

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