Rock Function band - am I being tight/unrealistic?

It all depends on the band, but I don't think that's unreasoanble. Have an ask around, you might be surpirsed with the quotes you get. I will suggest you go and watch them first ideally in a gig setting not a "show case" type of thing.

Have you tried duo acoustic bands, that what I've and music more cheaper than a 5 piece band.

Professional musicians, travelling, insurance, equipment, rehearsal time. You want someone competent so not an amateur, but you are on a budget so we won't book anyone famous. Let's say they are only part time (rather than trying to make a living at it) so we'll only pay them £30 per hour. So, at £30 per hour, an hour travelling each way, an hour to set up equipment, half an hour to pack up, and 3.5 hours playing. That's 7 hours at £30 per head. For £600 you can probably afford a local three or 4 piece if you don't have to pay agency fees and their travelling is less than 30 mins each way. Oh, and they aren't VAT registered.

If you know someone local who is good then it's worth contacting them. But based on what you have to spend you aren't going to be able to look through the agency websites and find a function band.

My musician friends describe it like this: years of training, equipment, practice, antisocial hours. How many plumbers could you afford for 7 hours on a saturday night for £600 ?

Thank you all, that's all very helpful. Does anyone have any local suggestions for East Kent they could share?

That's a good insight MOMB, I must admit I hadn't really thought about the set up / pack up time

Where abouts are you? I would recommend my band, they did my wedding for £550

Thanks Elixia, we're getting married near Deal, Kent

I'd say the starting cost is likely to be £600.

The breakdown as written above is totally true. It made me rethink my budget back in the day. I think ours eventually came out as about £300 per musician in the band, which I thought was entirely reasonable per person for what will be 10 hours of their life including the travel time, set up time etc. Doesn't even take account of rehersal time etc.

You can defo pick up some local bands for around £600; guys who have day jobs Mon-Fri, and do this for extra cash in hand at weekends. More money for bigger bands and more professional set-ups.

I haven't heard of anyone paying more than 2k, if that helps, LOL.

I'd aim for a band with a smaller number of members, I think that's the only way you might get it into that budget as of course you are paying for multiple people's wages.

I'll throw in my thoughts, incase it is useful - but it may not be what you want to hear,

Really, it all depends on what kind of thing you are after. If i'm being completely honest, I would really advise against spending anything less than £1000 for a band. If you think that the cost should to include:

- equipment hire (both PA, and lighting)
- Sound Engineer fees (you really should be booking a sound engineer if you have a band bigger than 3 musicians)
- Insurances
- Travel to and from the venue
- Rehearsals and rehearsal materials
- Agents management/coordination fees (if you are booking via an agency)

It might seem that £600 is a lot of money, and it is, but when you break it down IMO you are unlikely to find a band that are that competent for £600... however you certainly would be able to get a very good DJ for that prices, and i would suggest a great DJ is better than a second-rate band. Alternativly you could book a wedding Singer with backing tracks - which would come in under £600. This way you would still be booking a very high quality experience, but without breaking the bank.

I hope that's useful, I'm more than happy to answer questions or give honest unbiased advice

Good luck planning!

Hi,

It's going to be tricky to get a pro/semi pro band for £600. Maybe a good duo? You will probably have an element of backing tracks though so if you want it really 'live' then might not be for you.

Find out your local bands from here on Hitched and see who's near you. Long travel time will only increase the price! If you want to do some hunting yourself check out local venues that put live bands on. HOWEVER....make sure everything is in writing and get a contract!!!!

You don't mention which day your wedding is on. If it's midweek then that could work in your favour for a local band.

Good luck!

James

I have no idea about prices of bands, but if you are looking for a band maybe you could try some of your local pubs? There is a pub down the road from us who has a live act at least once a week, if I were looking for someone good the landlord would be my first port of call. Plus, you could pop in when they have live music on and see for yourself if you like what they are playing. Just a thought.

We're having a band that play local pubs/clubs/festivals. They are four guys who just do it for the fun of it and all have regular jobs. We chose them because we love going to see them. They are most definitely not a wedding band. They are a punk/ska covers band. They are costing just £350 and will play for as long a we want (obviously will take breaks) but we also have another singer and the band will play cd's for us through their system.

Check out your local music scene. There are some fabulous bands out there. But be realistic, if you're looking for a professional band expect to pay professional prices.

I guess we're just lucky that our favourite band do it for the love not the money!

Well, the original post is from last April so there's a good chance the OP is married by now. I get that HIBs are looking for business, but it might be an idea to check before bumping 9 month old requests!

Hi Inked doll,

Only just spotted that. I have no idea why Ben from Earcandy would bump this message?

I'm only trying to help and find this forum addictive!

How do I delete posts??? Anyone help?

The band we got were an 8 piece, but you could have 4, 5, 6 or 8 of them, we opted for 6 and paid £1050. My friend is in a band and they charge £1000 plus expenses.

I actually don't think you can delete posts here. Don't worry about it, there is a chance someone else could find it useful!

Well spotted Inked Doll. It really annoys me when people do this. The rest of us are trying to help and some idiot is wasting our time.

Hi all,

Inked Doll hit the nail right on the head actually - we got married on Friday! yippee!

We did have a live band in the end and they we FANTASTIC. I thought about what everyone said at the time, and when we broke down the costs per person per hour including set up and travel we barely paid £35 an hour for their time, and obviously doesn't include either equipment or their travel costs. And they were worth every single penny!! If we had to choose again we would definately spend that amount again, because they were talented and experienced and most people we up dancing while they were playing, but hardly anyone in their breaks when the MP3 was playing - speaks volumes. We got loads of compliments about then, and my husband and I couldn't stop dancing most of the night, despite being hot and tired!

So while I don't think a budget of £600 was tight or unrealistic, it certainly wouldn't have bought the calibre of band we wanted, and I don't begrudge any single penny!

Hi Sparkidoodle

Good to hear you found a decent band, you do get what you pay for when it comes to entertainment. Who did you use out of interest?

Now, about this bumping old threads to generate business malarkey, shocking behaviour! Do stop it, it's extremely annoying.

oh by the way, if anyone needs a ba.....