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DJ Competition
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DJ Competition โ Katowice Zouk Meetup
๐ต DJ COMPETITION
Katowice Zouk Meetup
Official Rules & Judging Criteria
๐ The Basics
Set duration: 40 minutes
Theme: Love โ sets must consist exclusively of songs about love.
โ ๏ธ Disqualification: Any set containing non-love ๐ tracks will be immediately disqualified.
โค๏ธ What Counts as a Song About Love?
The theme requirement is about the lyrical and emotional content of each track โ not its tempo, genre, or language. A song qualifies as a โlove songโ if its central subject is a romantic or emotional experience between people. This covers a wide spectrum:
โ๏ธ Qualifies
falling in love, desire, longing, heartbreak, jealousy, reunion, devotion, obsession, loss โ the full emotional range of romantic experience.
โ Does not qualify
party anthems about dancing for its own sake, songs about money, fame, social commentary, or spirituality without a clear romantic dimension.
The practical test is simple: would a reasonable listener describe this track as โa love songโ? If yes, youโre good to go. The vast majority of Brazilian zouk repertoire naturally fits this theme โ the rule is not a trap, but a creative frame. If you are genuinely unsure about a borderline track, you may ask the organizers in advance.
๐ง Preliminary Round
Sets are evaluated by 3 technical judges using the criteria below. To qualify for the final, a set needs a score above 80% from at least 2 out of 3 judges.
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| # | Criterion | Weight | What judges look for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Energy Arc | 30% | Progressive build with peaks and breathing moments โ no flat sets or random spikes. |
| 2 | Style Variety | 30% | Moving between subgenres with coherence and a clear musical identity throughout. |
| 3 | Transitions & Mix | 20% | Clean beatmatch, correct phrase timing, balanced volumes, no clashing bass. |
| 4 | Creativity & Identity ย ย ย ย | 20% | Personal style, creative edits or mashups โ but technique must stay in control. |
| ย | TOTAL | 100% | ย |
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๐ Set Narrative
Think of your 40 minutes as a story: a clear opening that sets the mood, a developing middle that takes the floor on a journey, a well-timed climax, and a satisfying close.
A good DJ plays great tracks. An excellent DJ tells a story.
๐ Finals
Sets that qualify from the preliminary round go to a popular vote via the Katowice Zouk Meetup Instagram page. The community decides the winner!
๐ Awards & Benefits
- ๐ Winning set will be played at all KZM 2026 night parties.
- ๐ Winner will be featured in the DJ lineup of Katowice Zouk Meetup Festival 2027.
- ๐ Travel covered โ we cover transport to the event from anywhere in Europe.
- ๐จ Accommodation covered โ we take care of your stay during the event.
- ๐ฝ๏ธ Food covered โ all meals during the event are on us.
- ๐ฐ Performance fee โ the winning DJ will receive a fee for performing; the rate will be agreed individually with the organisers.
Good luck & dance hard! ๐บ