Evening Entertainment - iPod vs DJ

How bizarre! Try **.***@********.***

x

ETA: Just c&p'd it myself and got an error message because I'd included the comma at the end.

"Any band that turns up with it's own set just isn't worth the money"

"Wow, that's some sweeping generalism right there."

Howso? What's special about a performance from a band that trots out the same set at every wedding they go to? Played with the same total knowledge and feeling every time? A once-in-a-lifetime day to you, a dullsville job to them. Call me an old romantic. :-D

Yes, a library of thousands of songs; and quite willing to learn more. We love to do this as it keeps us on our toes, musically. Number in the band varies, sometimes just two, depending on price range. Normally instrumental so no need to learn lyrics.

Um, generalising again. I'm not sure why you can't see that.

The assumption that anything is 'trotted out' or 'dullsville'. Yes the same energy and feeling every week, I'm not sure why you feel it wouldn't be. And you don't actually learn the songs do you, you just pull out the appropriate sheet music and play by sight? With no vocals to take into acount.

It's a shame that you're basing your slightly mean spirited view of wedding bands around what you do, which isn't anything remotely like what a band who work together as one unit week in/week out do.

Two = an instrumental duo, not a band at all. Sounds like sour grapes to me.

And you don't actually learn the songs do you, you just pull out the appropriate sheet music and play by sight?

My personal view is that there is a part to be played throughout a wedding day by a variety of entertainers. It always surprises me that some professionals prefer to back bite than see equal value in what each other does.

x

Just totally off topic but is anyone jealous that BWC is my friend, coming to my wedding and then providing the entertainment at night?!!

?

p.s. can't contribute to the actual question as I got a bit lost in it all but just wanting to bounce! lol

Uhhhuuuuu!

I'm sorry we've allowed this interesting discussion to degenerate somewhat; and fair enough: I certainly should not denigrate the efforts of some wonderful wedding bands out there who do use a regular set list and filter that same inspiring energy and feeling into their performances each week. But as in all fields, there is a varying degree of quality, and I have come across some shockers at weddings I have been to. As Sandysounds says, a good bit of research should sort out the bands worth considering.

For my part, and to correct your own generalisations: the band I play in is only very occasionally restricted to two, and only for logistical reasons. Often we number seven. And our music is NEVER played at sight; planned and practised weeks before the event, with an additional library that we can turn to on the day.

Bws,

Simon

Don't apologise, I don't think the thread has degenerated. The heart of Hitched has always been lively debate and long may it stay that way.

There was no generalisation in my previous post, just a reiteration that 2 doesn't equal a band however often it is limited to 2. And the part about playing by sight was a question not a statement. Although I did ask whether you were referring to sheet music by the word library and you said yes. Maybe your answers were just a bit confusing if it isn't sheet music but is actually memorised, I don't understand this part of your post:

"A library of about 500 songs comes with me and many thousands more remain at home"

I am genuinely and pleasantly amazed and in awe that a seven/six/five/four piece band, who don't play in a set formation every week have a memorised library of thousands of songs. When you look at the average number of bookings (at peak times) being 3 per week, having the ability to not only know that many songs off bat but also be able to learn and rehearse a whole new set of 40+ songs for any given wedding (and hold a day job), without the aid of sheet music or even handwritten chords is truly, truly incredible. Well done to you guys.

x

Sorry I disappeared off to the Isle of Wight for a wedding. We are getting married on the Essex / Suffolk border! If anyone has any band / DJ recs for that area then feel free to post links or message me.

Thank you!

I can recommend the guys from WDJA (wedding DJ Association). All have jumped through hoops to be accepted and follow our code of conduct and constitution which is on the website. We have 6 members in Suffolk and 8 in Essex.....so good choice....and you can rest assured that they are professionals.

All you have to do is fill the enquiry form here https://www.weddingdja.co.uk/find_your_wedding_disco.php and the guys will reply to you with details of their service and their fee.

Shame I've moved to NI as I used to cover that area. If you want any further help ...send me an e-mail or give me a call (contact is on my own site).....I know our members in that area better than any as we used to support each other so I've gone out on jobs with most of them (or they with me) and I've passed my enquiries after I moved to these guys (so I've had plenty of feedback on them)

Just had a thought.....if anyone wants advice on DJs.... email me on *****@***********.**.** (can't understand why I didn't put it before....its not as if its top secret.....lol)

Even if you've booked you're DJ already and you're not sure about something....I'm quite happy to offer impartial advice.

I know I keep mentioning WDJA.... but I am very committed to raising the perception and quality of the wedding DJ...... and prevent the cowboys ruining someones day( sorry...but it does happen). Also there's some really useful advice on the WDJA site about booking a DJ. The association isn't about pushing our members ...but more about educating people on what to look out for, what to expect from a professional and what questions to ask.