Booking a band without hearing them

I'd sooner go without than take the risk tbh.

Just book a good DJ!

I was worried about this too and so asked the band we were interested in if we could come to a rehearsal. I was pretty sure we'd go with them but I liked having the reassurance of meeting them and hearing them in person. Maybe see if you could do that.

We haven't heard our band play but listened to what they had on their website. We also found a lot of bits on You Tube which had been uploaded by guests from weddings they had played at - we figured if we liked how they sounded on someone's mobile phone and they weren't bits the band had chosen themselves to upload, then they would be a safe bet. They also have a Facebook page and the amount of positive comments on there is ridiculous.

Would you and your other half be able to attend another function that the are playing at so you can hear them live, the band my cousin is having provided a list for her so she could go and hear them play before she confirmed her booking.

If you can't hear them before booking and don't know anyone else that has I'd be inclined not to book them personally.

Good Luck

L x

If you read my OP, you'll see that they don't do public gigs - only weddings etc. Otherwise that would of course have been ideal.

I need to have a band, or at least more than a DJ. Because it's our home reception after having our real wedding abroad, there's no sit down dinner or anything. There'll be mingling and background music from 5ish, then a hog roast at 7ish, with the plan for the band to do a couple of hours from 8ish and then a DJ afterwards. It's an awfully long time for just a DJ and I don't want our guests to get bored.

I would like to hear a CD at the very least from the band if not actaully see them in action 1st

Hi,

I completely understand wanting a band over a DJ - it creates a totally different atmosphere. We have booked a band based only on their demos, as we are planning our wedding 200 miles away, so even if they did do public gigs its unlikely we'd be able to go. It is a bit of a risk, so it just depends if you are happy to take that risk - we have, so I hope its okay! Have they got a list of previous gigs? If they are a seasoned wedding band who get plenty of bookings they should be fine.

I have booked the band my friend had as they were really good.

But when she booked them she had only heard stuff through Alive Network and their MySpace page. She also went on how good they were at responding to emails, the reviews they get and their music knowledge.

She gambled and it paid off. For me especially!

I REALLY wanted to have a band but wouldn't book one I'd not heard - I found one had great reviews and a great cd they sent me, then I went to hear them and my goodness I'm so glad I didn't just book they were so boring!! After then being disappointed by hearing a further 2 live decided a dj is a safer bet, able t oplease everyone hopefully! I'm having live music during the drinks and canepes tho so hopefully that'll make up for it a little bit.

Youtube them - see if someone has posted a vid of them playing - i looked at a uk wide company begining with W - i found them to be over priced and obv only their best songs on the website - youtube showed otherwise!

Failing that have you not got any reccommendations from friends? Go to local pubs when they have a band playing - youve still got some time to research

We booked the band, photographer and venue without hearing, meeting or seeing them. All working out just fine!

It was a bit silly but we booked our band before we actually put down the deposit for the venue (even though the date was pencilled for us) and we'd never heard them play live either. The band did have a great website with online demos, FAQs and a list of regular gigs in central London - 2 months afterwards, we actually went to one and they were amazing, which was a big relief!!!