This week’s DJ LIFE Mobile Monday spotlight shines on Matt Besemer’s BES Entertainment.
Holland, Mich. – When Matt Besemer finally started his own DJ business in 2020, he didn’t realize what further opportunities lay ahead of him. Not only would he be booking and playing his own gigs, he’d be hiring help – and eventually he’d be installing and renting pro-audio gear.
With its hybrid approach, BES Entertainment has created a unique space in the West Michigan market. Serving a metro area of more than a million, BES plays a variety of events, while also renting and installing lighting-and-sound systems statewide. An official dealer of BASSBOSS systems and more, BES has tapped into several revenue streams and foresees a bright future. We caught up with Besemer, 34, to discuss his business.
DJ LIFE: What got you started with music?
Besemer: I grew up in the small town of Greenville, Mich., and music has always been a significant part of my life; I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t fascinated by it. As a young teenager, my parents gifted me an iPod for Christmas. Whenever I heard a song I liked, I would dive deep into the artist’s discography, often downloading entire albums. Back then, platforms like LimeWire, which may or may not have been involved, made it possible for me to explore music affordably. In high school, I was that kid with the car stereo you could hear from a mile away.
DJ LIFE: What about clubs and that kind of music?
Besemer: At 18, a friend introduced me to the nightclub scene. While I wasn’t much into dancing, I was captivated by the loud music, the lights, and the overall atmosphere. I vividly remember being blown away when a DJ explained Serato Scratch Live to me – the concept of digital vinyl was mind-blowing at the time. After that conversation, I turned to my friend and said, “I could do that.” A few months later, I saved up enough to purchase an SL1 kit and some Stanton turntables, and that’s where my DJ journey began.
DJ LIFE: How did the gigs start?
Besemer: During my college years at Central Michigan University, a friend who worked at a hookah lounge called me one night – their DJ was a no-show. Knowing I dabbled in DJing, he asked if I could fill in. Initially, I declined because performing in front of strangers was a terrifying idea. But when he mentioned I’d be paid $50. I thought, “That’s a lot of beer money,” and decided to give it a shot.
DJ LIFE: How’d it go?
Besemer: To my surprise, the crowd was incredibly supportive. By the peak of the night, there was a line out the door. Hearing a crowd of strangers cheering for the music I was playing hooked me instantly. That one gig turned into a weekly residency, then another, and soon I was DJing three nights a week, making $450 cash every weekend – a significant amount for a college student.
DJ LIFE: How did that grow into what you’re doing now?
Besemer: One of the nightclubs I worked at hosted big-name DJ acts. The production company they hired also managed a team of mobile DJs and occasionally needed extra hands. I started helping them out and learned how to DJ and MC weddings. I stayed with that mobile DJ company part-time for over a decade, working 20 to 30 weddings per year. However, my nightclub background in beatmixing and quick transitions often set expectations that the other DJs within the company couldn’t consistently meet. After being asked several times to dial things back, I realized it was time to move on. In January 2020, I officially launched BES Entertainment LLC.
DJ LIFE: How did you get into the installation business?
Besemer: During the pandemic, a friend and club owner reached out for help renovating his nightclub’s lighting system. On a tight budget, I leveraged my DJ and project-management experience to design, procure, integrate, and program a new lighting rig. He was so pleased that he had me overhaul their sound system, as well. Word spread, and soon I was approached by other college bars for sound-and-lighting integrations. What began as a favor evolved into expanding BES Entertainment into, not just a mobile DJ service, but also an installation-and-integration company for production equipment.
DJ LIFE: How many events do you do each year?
Besemer: I spin just over 40 events per year and we average just over 100 events per year. I currently have one full-time DJ and two part-time DJs on staff.
DJ LIFE: What’s your percentage breakdown of events?
Besemer: Based on our 2024 calendar data: 59-percent weddings; 20-percent mobile productions; 10-percent bar/club performances; 4-percent corporate events; 4-percent school dances; and 3-percent wedding anniversaries.
DJ LIFE: What’s your market like now?
Besemer: Our local DJ market is evolving, with a noticeable decline in budget-DJ services and a higher demand for premium offerings. Clients are seeking DJs who can transform their events into personalized nightclub experiences. With music-streaming services making it easy for clients to handle background music themselves, there’s a growing demand for skilled DJs who bring genuine talent and energy to events. In the Holland area, we see a significant influx of weddings during the fall, as couples are drawn to the cooler weather and vibrant fall colors for their photos. Additionally, the Lake Michigan Lakeshore attracts destination weddings, with friends and families traveling to experience West Michigan’s beautiful outdoors.
DJ LIFE: What makes your company unique within the market?
Besemer: What sets us apart is our dedication to the DJ craft and providing an unparalleled experience. Every member of my team has extensive and notable backgrounds in the local bar and nightclub scene. When you hire us, you’re not just getting a DJ – you’re hiring an elite, professional, open-format DJ and career entertainer. Moreover, we’ve invested heavily in how we’re heard on the dancefloor. In 2023, we overhauled our entire operation with BASSBOSS sound equipment, enhancing that nightclub-esque experience for our clients.
DJ LIFE: For rentals, what’s that business like?
Besemer: Our most common rental clients are event promoters needing to fulfill touring artists’ technical rider and backline requirements. Our rental inventory includes approximately $100,000 worth of BASSBOSS equipment, as we are an official BASSBOSS dealer. Our most popular BASSBOSS rentals include AT212 tops, VS21 subs, BB15 subs, and CCM monitors. For DJs, it’s all Pioneer DJ gear. For digital and analog mixers, we have Allen & Heath, Behringer and Yamaha. For wireless, it’s Shure and Sennheiser.
DJ LIFE: When it comes to installations, how many do you do a year?
Besemer: This year, we’ve worked with 12 different venues of varying capacities – schools, coffee shops, event venues, bars, and nightclubs. Our primary clients tend to be college bars and nightclubs, which demand robust and reliable sound and lighting systems. Understanding their unique needs requires experience and strong industry connections.
DJ LIFE: How does your company market itself?
Besemer: For our integrations and rentals, most of our business comes through word-of-mouth referrals, due to our reputation for quality and reliability. For our entertainment services, we focus on Facebook bridal groups, local conventions, and website SEO to generate leads. Engaging directly with our target audience in these spaces has proven highly effective.
DJ LIFE: How has the business changed in the past few years?
Besemer: On the mobile-entertainment side, we’ve seen an increased demand for talent. Clients are seeking DJs who can provide unique and memorable experiences rather than just background music. In the realm of touring artists and event promotions, I’ve noticed a decline in technical proficiency among some headlining DJs compared to a decade ago. It’s not uncommon for a headliner to request high-end equipment like four CDJ-3000s, but be unfamiliar with basic settings. While this can be frustrating, if the audience and promoters are satisfied, it’s part of the business landscape.
DJ LIFE: What DJ gear setup do you usually use?
Besemer: As the owner of both a mobile-DJ company and a mobile-production company, my setup can vary. Here’s what typically fits in my GMC Terrain: Pioneer DJ CDJ-3000s, DJM-A9 mixer and HDJ-Z10C headphones – I use rekordbox software; also, Shure QLXD24/SM58 wireless mic system; Chauvet DJ lights controlled with ShowXpress software; and BASSBOSS sound with DV12 tops and either BB15 or VS21 subs.
DJ LIFE: Where do you see yourself in five years?
Besemer: I aim to scale back my personal involvement in day-to-day gigging to focus on 15 or fewer high-quality personal events. I plan to empower my staff to lead on the mobile-entertainment front, freeing up my time to continue growing the production and integration side of the business. I envision BES Entertainment expanding into a full-scale, one-stop-shop operation for production services, including sound, lights, lasers, visuals, cryo, pyro, and rigging. Securing a warehouse facility is part of this plan, allowing us to manage larger projects and offer comprehensive solutions to our clients.