How to find a band?

Hi Flutterbye,

There are loads of different styles, combinations and sizes of band to suit all budgets so first off decide what type of band you want. Then do more of what you've just done - ask. If it were me I'd want personal recommendations from trusted friends who have seen and heard bands either at weddings or other functions (like the office party or even in the pub).

Google of course is a good source if no-one comes up trumps with any recommendations. Most bands have videos (but please make sure its filmed at an actual event in front of real people!!), demos (again, make sure its them playing live) and their various options on their websites. You can ask the band if you can go and see them playing live. If they dont have any public gigs then you may have to make do with the videos.

Read their previous client testimonials and ask for references if you want to. Don't be afraid to do that. Most bands worth their salt will have a bunch of clients who have said in the past that they will give references if necessary.

Once you've made your decision please please please get yourself a contract from them. This will set out everything that you have agreed on for the price you have agreed and of course what day it is for. There was a poster on this board just the other day who'd lost their band because the band had written the incorrect day down and ended up being double booked. Of course - there was no contract. I can't stress it highly enough. Insist on a contract!!

I hope this helps. There is a page on our website which might offer more tips on how to book musicians if you've never done it before - a couple more things to look for. I hope it helps:

How to Hire Wedding Musicians, What to pay for and Contracts

All the best

Tony

Rubber Soul

We booked a band that our venue suggested - does your venue have any recs? We went for a swing band who will also DJ later on so provide all the entertainment from 7pm to midnight. We ummed and ahed over it for ages as they weren't cheap but glad we went for it now. Going to see them on the 30th so hopefully they will live up to their reputation!

Our venue also recommended an agency called Function Junction - they seem to cover all areas - www.functionjunction.co.uk/

Another agency in the SE is one called Essence www.essencemusicagency.com - we met the guy who runs it at a wedding fair and he seems really switched on. He is also in a wedding band called Essence Duo.

HTH!

Hi, thanks for the advice Amethyst and Tony! Our venue don't recommend any bands that are suitable, but I'll definitely take a look at the links you have posted ?

I am in a wedding band. I won't say which because I think im already in trouble for advertising before reading the rules.

We are on Bulldog Entertainment agency. There is plenty to choose from there and some good advise on the site.

There are a lot of function bands out there and most cost within the £**** area . For this you will find some horrific bands but also some really good and down to earth musicians who wont charge you more than their worth.

I suggest going through an agency because they wont have the bad ones on their site.

Good luck with your planning.?

No problem Flutterbye!

Regarding agencies, as a couple of people have mentioned them on here, there are upsides and downsides. The big plus about an agency is peace of mind. Assuming you've not booked entertainment before and paid for it yourself then I can totally see that going to an agent who can offer you a wide variety of acts and the comfort blanket of dealing with a company, is a good thing.

Bear in mind though, that agencies take their commission. We worked with one for a while and they let slip what they were actually charging our client. Of course I knew what we were getting for the gig and there was an extraordinary gulf between the two figures. We haven't worked through an agency since.

Also, make sure that you ask your agent to put you directly in touch with the band or at least someone who will actually be there on the night so that you can discuss the finer details. You don't want chinese whispers or total breakdown in communication when its your big day.

Pick the right agency though and you'll be on to a winner. Its a bit like any sales(wo)man from a company. If they are helpful and appear honest and open then you should be ok. Run a mile if they refuse to give you the band's number.

Tony

RS