A moment with 'DJ Joe Barrs'

ABIA meets experienced Sydney wedding deejay and MC Joe Barrs

Birch & Wattle Photography

After more than 25 years as a deejay and Master of Ceremonies, Sydney entertainment specialist Joe Barrs — or DJ Joe Barrs as his couples know him — has learned a thing, or two, about weddings.

“Couples today are after a more personalised approach from their vendors. We’re living in a time where everything’s expensive, so value matters. They want someone who’s 100 percent dedicated, hands-on and committed to getting things as close to perfect as possible,” Joe explains.

He sees the value, professionalism and commitment that he provides his couples as his key point of difference, along with the photobooth hire, audio guestbook and lighting services he offers as add-ons.

To find out more, ABIA chatted with Joe about the importance of a good wedding emcee and deejay, his favourite wedding and the most surprising wedding song requests he’s had lately.

MK Pixels Wedding

Tell us about your business and wedding entertainment services.

I’m a wedding DJ and MC based in Sydney with 25 years of experience working weddings, clubs, bars and private events. I bring a polished setup, live mixing and a calm, professional presence that helps couples feel relaxed and confident on the day.
My services include deejaying, MC work, photobooth hire and lighting — tailored to suit each couple’s vibe — offered with no ego and no cheesy gimmicks.

How did you get started in the wedding industry?

After more than 15 years working hard in the corporate world — across sales, partnerships, account management and leadership — I hit a point where I wanted more purpose in my work. Deejaying had always been my side hustle, and post-COVID I decided to offer my services to a wider audience, especially in weddings. It took off fast. Now, I channel every skill I learned in business into my own brand — communication, preparation, professionalism — and my clients feel the difference. Every couple gets 110 percent from me because their day matters. I treat their wedding like I would if I was still managing a million-dollar account — because to them it’s just as valuable.

Amber Wynn Jones

Ashley Spagnolo Weddings

Where are you based and what locations do you service?

I’m based in Sydney and service the Greater Sydney region, Blue Mountains, Hunter Valley, Southern Highlands, Wollongong and surrounding areas. I’m also happy to travel interstate for the right couple.

What types of wedding entertainment do you offer?

I offer DJ and MC services, photobooth hire, an audio guest book, professional sound and lighting setups and tailored entertainment packages to suit each couple’s vibe. Whether it’s a relaxed ceremony or a full-on reception party, I bring the right energy, experience and gear to make it seamless.

How did you become interested in entertainment? Is it something you were into from childhood?

I’ve always been a creative — ever since I was a kid. I started with the recorder, then moved to trumpet, guitar, drums and vocals. Performing came naturally and I loved making people feel something — whether it was laughter, emotion or the urge to get up and dance.
I went to two selective performing arts schools, so being on stage and in front of people felt normal to me early on. I was never afraid to be the centre of attention — I thrived on it. Entertaining isn’t just something I do, it’s who I’ve always been.

Scott Surplice

At what point in their wedding planning should couples consider their deejay and Master of Ceremonies?

Couples should book their DJ and MC as soon as they’ve locked in the venue, because the music and the flow of the day shape the mood, the memories and the overall vibe.

What should couples look for in a good wedding emcee and deejay?

A good wedding DJ and MC isn’t just someone who plays music or makes announcements, they’re the person responsible for setting the tone, managing the flow and creating the energy of the entire wedding day.
Couples should look for someone with real experience. Someone who knows how to read a room, keep things on track and adapt on-the-fly when the unexpected happens. They should look for a professional who communicates clearly, presents well and genuinely cares about the day as much as they do.

What advice would you give couples when choosing their wedding entertainment?

I advise them to think smart about where and who they’re investing their money in. There might be a few hundred dollars difference between DJs, but I encourage them to look at what this difference might be getting them — someone with real experience, professionalism and proven results, potentially, rather than the gamble of booking someone cheaper with little to show for it.
Not all deejays are created equal and some of us offer more than just a table with a controller and a generic Spotify playlist. I bring more than 25 years of real DJ experience, live mixing, polished MC work and personal investment to every single couple I work with.

Moments Photography AU

What do you wish more couples knew during the enquiry process?

I wish couples knew just how important communication is, especially early on. Most vendors put a lot of time, money and energy into marketing, advertising and building a presence just to get an enquiry. So, when we reach out, it’s because we’re genuinely keen to help, not just chasing a sale.
I totally get that couples are shopping around, that’s expected, but when we hear nothing back it can be challenging. Even a quick message, letting us know they’re still deciding or were just after a quote, really helps. It shows respect and closes the loop. Ghosting vendors — especially those of us who are all-in on what we do — can feel pretty rough.
Plus, having a chat with me is chill, casual, and actually a good way to feel out the vibe. Weddings are all about energy — and going with your gut — so before they lock someone in just based on price, I’d encourage all couples to jump on a call and get a feel for who they’re working with.

Do you see certain trends in your industry? What’s popular with couple at the moment?

Definitely. Couples today are after a more personalised approach from their vendors. We’re living in a time where everything’s expensive, so value matters. They want someone who’s 100 percent dedicated, hands-on and committed to getting things as close to perfect as possible.
I’m seeing a trend where couples are cutting back on non-essentials — things like guest numbers and plus ones — just so they can prioritise what actually impacts the experience. And wedding entertainment is high on that list. A great DJ and MC can completely shape the vibe of the day, and couples are realising that’s where the magic really happens.

Images by Kevin

TwinFish

When it comes to entertainment, what are the most common music requests?

It’s way too easy to give the obvious answers here — most people could jot down five popular wedding songs, so I’d rather offer a few wedding song requests that have surprised me recently.

• ‘Pocketful of Sunshine’ by Natasha Bedingfield
• ‘Freestyler’ by Bomfunk MC’s
• ‘Don’t Be So Hard on Yourself’ by Jess Glynne

I love it when couples throw a curveball like these — it keeps things fresh and personal.

What are the benefits of booking a combined deejay and Master of Ceremonies?

There are plenty of obvious benefits to booking a combo DJ and MC — less coordination, one point of contact, a smoother run sheet — but what I always tell my couples is I’m an exceptionally good DJ, I’m an exceptionally good MC, and I combine those skills to deliver a seamless experience.
If a couple is thinking of asking a family member or friend to MC, I totally get that it seems like a nice personal touch, but the truth is it can put a lot of pressure on that person. Instead of relaxing, enjoying the night and being present with everyone else, they’re stuck checking schedules, making announcements and trying to keep things on track.
Emceeing is an important role and should be handled by someone unbiased, experienced and remunerated to do the job exceptionally well — so that loved ones can enjoy the celebration, and the couple can feel confident everything’s in good hands.

Gillian Keough Photography

What makes your service unique?

What makes my services different is that I’m not just a wedding DJ — I’m a real DJ with more than 25 years of experience, and I still play clubs, bars and pubs outside of weddings and corporate gigs. That means every single week I’m fine-tuning my skills, reading different crowds, staying sharp and constantly improving my craft. So, when their wedding day arrives, my couples are getting the best, most-practiced version of me behind the decks.
I’ve been collecting records for 25 years. Music runs deep for me — this isn’t a side hustle, and I’m definitely not a cookie-cutter wedding DJ with a recycled playlist. I live and breathe this.
Plus, I bring more than 15 years of corporate experience to the table, so my communication, planning and attention-to-detail are second to none. I handle the deejaying, emceeing, the run sheet and the vibe — all with care, precision and full commitment. Every client gets 110 percent.

What was your favourite wedding?

There have been so many amazing weddings, for different reasons, but one that really stands out was a backyard wedding with about 60 guests. It wasn’t flashy, but the vibe was unreal. Everyone was present, in the moment and up for a good time. The couple gave me just a couple of songs for the Do Not Playlist, and beyond that they told me to do my thing and curate the entire night from start to finish.
They knew the value of letting a DJ read the room. They even told their guests not to make requests, to let the DJ cook. And that’s exactly what I did. I played bangers from all the decades, flowing through different energies and moments as the night unfolded.
Was the dance floor packed the entire night? No, and that’s completely normal. People need to breathe, get drinks and catch up with loved ones, and a good wedding DJ knows how to read that and adjust. That night, it all landed just right. People weren’t glued to their phones, they were in it, and that’s what makes a wedding special.

Sparkle Eyes Weddings

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