Wedding Band Changed Singer - Can I Invalidate the Contract?

Mine did. I wasn't bothered in the slightest as they sent an email explaining the change and attached samples of the new singer. He was really good.

As I mentioned on the evening entertainment thread, my band were amazing so it worked out for the best.

Not sure where you stand if you don't like the new guy very much though.

As I wrote, the new guy is ok. He's not offensive in any way. But, had he been the singer at the time we booked the band we would have chosen a different band.

Maybe you should ring them up and explain this to them. You never know, the original singer might be in a new band who are taking bookings. I played in a band and we had loads and loads of gigs lined up but then I was in an accident and had to leave permanently due to not being able to bear weight (guitar) on my shoulders anymore. A few of the places who'd booked us cancelled as they knew the setlist and style would be different etc. It's perfectly reasonable (and normal) as long as you let them know asap and give a reason they can't really argue.

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You took that correctly.

'on occasion' is temporary. On occasion I eat a Mars Bar. It's not a regular thing.

I'd also argue that there is a very big difference between 'singer' and 'musician'.

This !

IMO If they have made a permanent change then they can't provide you what they have sold you.

what does this mean?

I think they mean that if you were to replace a musician they would still be playing the same music and sound the same. Whereas by replacing a singer you are guaranteed that the band will sound different because the voice is different

To be honest, based on your contract you've got a good arguement for a full refund.

The contract covers musicians not the singer and it doesn't relate to permanent changes only temporary ones.

I'd refund someone on request if I made such changes.

Exactly what I meant Purple Star - was on my way to work and didn't have time to write a full reply.

I agree. If the contract clearly states they can substitute musicians says 'on occasions' then this doesn't apply in this case

If you don't want the hassle of finding a new band and the new singer sounds ok, then you could just stick with them. However, i would do either of the following to make sure you know what you're getting

1) Watch a live video of them performing (don't judge the new vocals on simple MP3's on their site, unless you can hear autotune and other editing techniques)

2) See them live

Alternatively, find a new band and get that refund!

Sometimes bands use deps if members are ill at the last minute but a new singer permanently is a different matter. Contact them and explain your situation and that you are not happy!

Before you go cancelling though, make sure you can get another band.... if the new singer is "OK" and not offensive or utter tripe, you dont want to end up without a band when you have one that'll do the job adequately already booked.

Maybe you could haggle some kind of discount instead?