Relentless Beats presents System Overload 2026 DJ Competition on Saturday, January 10, 2026 at Sunbar in Tempe, AZ. This show is 21+.
PLEASE READ AND UNDERSTAND ALL COMPETITION RULES! GOOD LUCK!
1. This competition is for all DJs who are 21 years or older.
2. Please record a demo set and upload to your SoundCloud or MixCloud account. The set needs to be at least 30 minutes long and feature the style of music that you want to play on the System Overload stage. The mix does not need to be exclusive for the competition, but the fresher the better! Name this set “System Overload DJ Competition 2026” so we can find it easily.
3. Please fill out this form with all relevant information: https://forms.gle/a5ckZ8DCUvqDUqd56
4. All submissions must be in by 11:59PM on Friday, December 19, 2025. 12 applicants will be selected by the System Overload team to compete.
5. To ensure equal crowds and fair time slots for everyone, slots will be drawn at random by the competitors at 7:30PM before the doors are open for the show. If you are not checked in by 7:50PM you will forfeit your slot. Check this page or the facebook event page for updates. We’ll also email your instructions. You will get a 15-minute timeslot. There are no timeslot changes allowed so if you do not show up for your slot once you draw it, you forfeit it. So make sure you are available on this date for the full show time before entering competition.
6. All DJs will need to arrive at Sunbar by 7:30PM to check in and are encouraged to support the other DJs throughout the competition.
7. Winners of the System Overload 2025 time slot will be announced at the end of the show.
COMPETITION FORMAT
You can perform on any equipment or software you want provided that it will work with the Sunbar’s DJ Booth limitations. The DJ Booth will have 2 PIONEER CDJ 2000 Nexus 2 and a DJM 900 NXS2 mixer ready to go. NO pulling equipment. There are two open lines on the mixer and approximately 16in of space for additional equipment on either side of the CDJs. You may use the CDJs or one open area of the booth & one open channel on the mixer. You cannot use both the open channels or both open areas. An RCA will be provided and hooked to the mixer. Your set time will be timed to the minute so make sure you prepare for a solid 15 minute set. We will cut you off if you run over. Don’t worry we will be there to give you notice on time. You must be 21 or older to compete. DJs of all genres may submit.
SUPPORT REQUIREMENT
You will be provided a promo code for 20% off and you must have at least 20 people redeem your code and actually show up to support your performance. This is the minimal requirement to qualify for the prizes. Our ticket system will keep track of the codes redeemed and the guests that show up. DJs, big and small, put a lot of effort into promoting themselves. If you take the System Overload stage, we want someone who pushes himself or herself as an artist.
JUDGING
Judging will be based on the following categories:
Technical Judging: Creativity, Phrasing, Musicality, Use Of Technology, and Ease of Setup
Interactive Judging: Track Selection, DJ Booth Presence, Crowd Interaction/Response.
If you bring a big crowd, it will help with the crowd response.
PROMOTIONAL MATERIAL
We will design a flyer for each competitor for your promotional use. Please promote your performance. Again, crowd interaction is a key factor.
WINNER SELECTION
There will be four winners selected to play at System Overload, with each slot awarded as follows:
First Place: Awarded a main stage slot, determined by the judges’ scores.
Second Place: Awarded a second stage slot, determined by the judges’ scores.
Wildcard Pick: Judges will verbally deliberate and select one additional contestant to play an opening slot on the main stage.
Audience Choice: Before the night concludes, each remaining contestant will receive one final applause round, and the slot will go to the contestant who earns the loudest applause from fans. This contestant will have an opening slot on stage 2.
