Live band vs DJ

I would've loved a band but our budget didn't allow for that one. So we got a DJ. We're going to give him a playlist of songs to play.

Going to stay on the fence with the actual question ....but here's a few things to throw in the pot for you to think about...

A band needs more room than most DJs. I say most, because there are some discos that go out with a mobile night club! If you have a wedding DJ they tend to be more compact and set up quicker...which is an important consideration if you are having room turnaround between the meal and evening entertainment.

A DJ has all the different types of genres at their fingertips. A band is limited to their repertoire. Saying that, I have performed with some bands that have played an excellent range of music genres.

If you go for a band that specialises in a specific genre....it might not suit the majority of your guests. A good example is the one I worked with recently. They were brilliant and very talented musicians....if you liked waltzes and quicksteps. I kept getting asked when the disco was going to start as that was what the majority wanted.

Most bands play music.... wedding DJs often offer additional entertainment services so it gives you some variety.

Most people are used to hearing the original recorded version of a song. A bands interpretation doesn't always have the same effect. Example....yesterday the musician played Galway Girl....with no response from the guests....I played the well known version later on and the floor was packed and seated guests were clapping along.

I hope that didn't come over too biased. I have worked with some brilliant bands....but I've also been present when a bride has been hugely disappointed and asked me to take over earlier than scheduled.

I'm going with both. Having a live band was the most important thing to me so I compromised on lots of other things to get it. I'm lucky that H2B's brother & good friend are both Dj's.

A lot of people have asked this question & have had a mixture of responses. I think you need to prioritise what is important for you & if its something you really want & can afford go for it!

Good luck with your choice

This really is a personal choice and there are no rights or wrongs.

SandyS has some good points to make.

For me - I LOVE live music so there was no contest, it was always going to be a band all the way.....but thats just me.

Thanks for the opinions. obviously budget is an issue, but we could stretch to a band, but worried that if they are not very good, like you say, we would be disappointed and it could spoil it. thinking that a DJ might just be the safe and cheaper option?

Live band! I've finally given in to my h2b and agreed to let his band (which also has my 2 brothers in) play 5/6 songs before our booked band play. Then we've got a laptop with music on for rest of the night.

Witout a doubt I would go with a live band. The best parties or events I have been to have had live music - I just think you get a better atmosphere. We have the band Love Train booked for our wedding. I have seen them at an event before and the dance floor were rocking all night long. The band will play music in between their sets too.

One way to avoid this is to check the band out beforehand. Do you live near to where you're getting married? Most bands do showcases so that you can check them out and they'll provide a full list of their repertoire as well as a sample setlist to put your mind at ease. A bad DJ would have the same effect as a bad band to be honest (I went to one wedding where the DJ played all five of the songs that the bride had specifically requested he shouldn't and she was so angry but he continued to ignore what they had discussed beforehand). I'm all about the bands because I'm really into live music, so, like Gillsy, it was no contest really. But I know that everyone has their own taste - so it's probably worth checking both DJs and bands out to help you choose.

Hey Lucy,

Definitely check them out beforehand. Most bands nowadays have live demos up in either audio form or preferably video. Please make sure they are live, that is, you can clearly see an audience in the shot! I've seen a lot of bands who record their demos in a sterile and controllable environment and then call it live...you need to see what they are like in front of a real audience. You can, of course, ask to go and see them but bear in mind that if the mainstay of their work is private parties, you may find it difficult to gatecrash - but always worth a try.

Sandysounds has fair points, and we've been through all this before on this forum. I would say, though that I've worked with some really poor DJs who can't work the floor, pick real floor-killers at just the wrong moment and, for want of a better generalization (!!), talk too much and stray too far from the generally accepted bounds of a DJ performance. That said, i've worked with some brilliant DJs and the same applies - go and see them, go and meet them and see if you like them as a person, see if they are receptive to your requests.

Get client testimonials and above all, if you decide to go with them, get a contract. Get a contract. Get a contract. I can't stress it enough. It lays down how much you are going to pay, for what, and when. It also lists the "whys" and "What ifs". If the band or DJ you are looking at is not interested in this - run a mile.

Also - don't pay over the odds for things you don't need to pay for. We put together a little list here: How to Hire Wedding Musicians, What to pay for and Contracts

I hope it helps. Good luck and remember that its your day and your choice of music but you'd do well to try and cater for all tastes, like Sandysounds said, you don't want a load of waltzes or a big band if it'll only please the over 60s.

If you want any opinions on bands then post them on the forum and I'll sure we'll all have an opinion!!

Hope that helps a tiny bit

Tony

Tony is right....theres bad good and brilliant on both sides of this coin. He's very right about contract, meeting up with your provider and checking them out thoroughly re: testimonials.

it is easier for bands to demonstrate how good they are by having promo CDs, or inviting potential clients to view them at a public performance. If you're a wedding DJ like me you can't really supply a cd and its not proper to invite potential clients along to someone elses wedding....as i don't do any public performances, only weddings. Always ask to meet up with your DJ....you'll soon work out whether they are right for you.

As i've said on previous posts on this I am not a fan of live bands at all so it would be DJ all the way. But go with what you want love, you will never make everyone happy with decisions like this one..

Ok, the question is... do you like live bands??? Do you go off to pubs and listen to live bands specifically?

If not, I would say DJ every time. A band can only plays its repertoire, where as a DJ can carry thousands of songs, varying in style.

Make sure you get a good one, that's all

Pete x

We've got a friend who does Djing so we're going with him. He knows the type of music we like and will come round and plunder our CD's and playlists and make sure it caterers to what we like.

This is a tricky one and I must say me and my oh have been having the same conversation and we can't decide, I think our choice in the end will come down to cost and budget.

As other have said I think it is down to personal taste.

We had a DJ as we are not live band people at all and really don't like them so never even thought about one for our wedding.

If you do love a band then go for it. Some people probably won't like it but it is your day.

Hi

When it comes to wedding entertainment, there is a third way! If you're worried about space or budget then why not choose a wedding singer who performs with backing tracks. You still get a live entertainer to interact with your audience but pre-recorded instruments mean there is still plenty of room for your guests to dance and you can save hundreds!

There's a short article with some advice here: https://www.marqueehireguide.com/party-entertainmentthere-is-another-way-c702.html

The most important thing is to keep searching and meeting prospective entertainers. There'll be someone out there with a package to suit, no matter what you're after.

Good luck!

That's good advice. Keep a fairly open mind, get talking to bands, soloists and DJs.....and eventually one will strike a chord (excuse the pun).

The wedding I did the other week, the bride was originally looking for a band, but did just that....shopped around and spoke to different people, until someone ticked her boxes (so to speak). She ended up going with me as the anchor man (or woman in my case) and a soloist for an hour after the meal. It was a cracking night and worked brilliantly.

yes both me and OH love live bands, but we just cant decide whether to have one at our wedding or not... (thinking we love it, but we tend to go to gigs to watch, rather than dance if you know what i mean and obviously want people dancing at our wedding...., and also a lot of our guests are a lot older than us......)

but like everyone says... you cant please everyone!

i think in the end it'll probably come down to budget, and no doubt i'll be posting on here to see what you all think of some bands!!!

Will let you know what we decide!

in the meantime,

if you're bored.....opinions on these bands????

(not sure of links, but pretty easy to find in google(all based in the north east))

Hip Operation

Grooveline

DW Band

AaronBayley Band

Absolute Steve

Chameleon

thanks in advance!

It is really up to you. We weren't originally going to go for a live band because of the cost, but am really glad that we stretched our budget for one now! Our band is playing two sets, they're very flexible on the songs they play and will play our requested playlist in between sets! Can't wait because we're both big fans of live music! ?

Our daughter has booked a jazz trio which will play when the guests are arriving, signing the register etc and will also do a little stint somewhere else along the line. They are also having the resident DJ at the venue to start once the evening guests start arriving. They are marrying at 3pm and going straight through into the evening rather than having two separate do's.