Howloween 2026 Project Chimera
Register
DJs and Dances

DJ & Dance Applications

Howloween 2026 DJ auditions are open until August 9, 2026. We encourage performers of all genres and experience levels to apply.

Scheduled performers receive same-year basic level registration for free, plus access to book a main hotel room in our reserved room block.

If you performed in 2025 and are selected again, you may apply your 2025 volunteer hours to upgrade to Supporter level registration or as Basic level registration for Howloween 2027.

Questions or concerns can be sent to [email protected].

Apply Now Audition Instructions
Applications

Audition Instructions

  • The application will ask you to submit an audition for review. Audition sets must have been recorded within the last year.
  • DJ auditions can be either a video or audio submission at least 30 minutes in length. Longer mixes are welcome, but only the first 60 minutes will be reviewed.
  • Private links or cloud upload URLs are allowed. Make sure the audition file remains online for the entire audition timeline.
  • Links that do not point to a specific audition may be substituted or disqualified.
  • Auditions will be reviewed by a judgement panel with diverse experience and genre preferences based on predetermined criteria.
Expectations

Performer Expectations

  • All performers must follow the Howloween Code of Conduct and the content guidelines on this page.
  • A sound check is required approximately one hour or more before your scheduled event. If you are running late or cannot attend, notify the DJ lead as soon as possible.
  • No-shows without communication may be replaced and may not be considered for future performances.
  • We cannot guarantee streaming or recording of performances, but we will make our best effort to provide this and let you know in advance.
  • Performer participation at Howloween is on a volunteer basis. No further compensation can be provided outside of the registration or hotel block provisions.
  • If you need to cancel your performance, let a lead know as soon as you are certain. Hotel booking and registration provisions must be forfeited if your performance is cancelled.
  • Howloween reserves the right to cancel a performance at any time if a performer engages in behavior the convention deems damaging or harmful to the community or organization.
Music Standards

Content Guidelines

  • Performances before 10pm: All music must be playable for an all-ages audience. These performances cannot contain profanity or offensive language.
  • Performances on or after 10pm: Music may include profanity, but performers should avoid excessively repetitive profanity, overly vulgar or obscene content, and lyrics that are derogatory, bigoted, racist, or otherwise go against the Code of Conduct.
  • As a general rule, music that could be considered PG-13 is a safe bet.
  • Music tracks, DJ sets, and promotional art using generative artificial intelligence are strictly prohibited.
  • Audio content guidelines can be subjective, and we want to preserve artistic liberty where possible. Please reach out to staff with any concerns.
Judgement

Judgement Criteria

Auditions to play a DJ set for Howloween will be scored based on the following categories.

  1. Technical Ability: How smooth are your transitions? Do you demonstrate understanding of beat matching and basic DJ principles? Is there variance in the techniques used? Are effects and filters used tastefully?
  2. Track Selection: Does the set have a good variety of songs? Do the songs mixed together make sense for the genre being played? Are there obvious audio quality or EQ issues? Do your tracks follow the content guidelines? Do you feature a unique sound or creative elements?
  3. Showmanship: Does the overall set demonstrate awareness of tone, emotion, and energy, or tell a story? Sets that understand the type of flow attendees can connect with in a convention setting are a plus.

Each category receives a whole number score from 0 to 10 points, with 30 points possible for the full audition from each judge. Further consideration may be based on genre fit, performer availability, and stage presence. Scores alone do not guarantee placement.

Judges who submit an audition are not allowed to evaluate their own sets. Howloween staff and volunteers must participate in the same judgement process. The judge's score is replaced with an average from all other evaluation scores.