When you’re searching for a band for a corporate event, wedding or private party, there’s plenty to consider from a musical standpoint; whether they suit the style of the event, what kind of repertoire they can offer, and so on. But while it’s important to find the right musical match for your party, there are also a number of other details that are worth considering to make sure your gig goes off without a hitch.
Here are five things to consider when hiring a function band for your next event:
LINEUP
The standard function band lineup is usually some combination of vocals, guitar, bass, drums and keys, but there are plenty of bands who can add extra musicians for a bigger sound. A good quality function band is able to create a brilliant live atmosphere as a 4- or 5-piece, but if you’ve got the budget, there’s nothing quite like seeing a band with an expanded lineup; with a horn section, backing vocals, extra percussion and more. Be sure to ask whether your band can get bigger (or smaller) to suit your event.
TECH RIDER & PRODUCTION
As a rule of thumb, all of the function bands we book for events have fully PAT tested equipment suitable for up to around 250 people. For events with significantly more people, additional equipment may be required, as well lighting and a production team to mix the sound. Be clear on how many people are at your event, the size of the venue and any other production requirements you have, to ensure you get the right quote. You can also ask for a tech rider to see what equipment is required and make sure you’re not doubling up on any gear you already have at the event.
LOAD-IN & LOAD-OUT
As you might have guessed by now, function bands come with a decent amount of equipment, so they obviously need a little time to get everything in and out of the venue. Your venue’s events manager should be able to advise on how the band can get access to the building; parking, routes of entry, lifts etc. For big events, you’ll have plenty going on with lots of people coming and going, so it’s best to give your band an allotted time to arrive, set up and pack down, to keep things running smoothly.
SOUND CHECK
We work with some amazing musicians and it never ceases to amaze us how they can switch to “performing mode” at the drop of a hat. But even the most incredible performers need a bit of time to get ready before a big show; to check sound levels, tune up and make sure everything is in working order. When you’re plotting out your schedule for the event, make sure you allocate some time for a sound check well before the event starts. This will give you and your band the peace of mind in knowing everything is in ship shape before they go on stage.
FOOD & GREEN ROOM
Between loading in, setting up, sound checking and performing, band members can often end up on-site for quite a long time. Because of this, most bands request that they’re provided with food as well as a room where they can wait when they’re not needed on stage. Offering these things means your band don’t have to go off site, and you’ll know exactly where they are if you need them. If, however, you find yourself at 3 o’clock in the morning looking for 1,000 brown M&Ms to fill a brandy glass, you’ll know that your band’s rider has gotten a little out of hand and you maybe shouldn’t book them for your next event.