Another option is to have a wedding singer. There are many different wedding singers available including tribute acts from artists such as Frank Sinatra , Michal Buble and Robbie Williams. Often wedding singers perform to backing tracks or they may even perform with fully live bands. A wedding singer with a backing track will obviously be more affordable. There are many entertainment agent sites with a whole range of acts.
You may decide to go all out and have a fully live band. Whilst the most expensive option, good live bands will undoubtedly get your guests in the party mood. The problem though is finding a good one! The best place to start is entertainment agents. You should be able to listen to their music on the agent’s website giving you an idea of how good they are. There may be some good bands in your local area but professional wedding bands tend to be signed up with agents. On your big day you probably don’t want to take any chances to getting a band through an agent with a signed contract is a good idea.
The choice is yours and will probably depend on your budget. A live band can be £500 upwards whereas DJ’s can be less. Live music on the other hand will make your day even more special and even more memorable. The best advice is to go with your heart. If you have your heart set on a live band and make do with a DJ then you will always regret not saving that little extra for the live band (or vice versa). You can get professional advice from reputable entertainment agencies such as Music Live UK who represent a whole range of acts. Think about your options and get in touch for independent advice.
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Some good and some bad Elvis impersonators keep the dream alive and it’s happening across the board. There are now professional tribute bands for acts such as U2, Take That and more and the truth is they are pretty good! Lots or corporate business are booking tribute bands for their events and these acts are demanding huge fees, sometimes several thousand pounds.
Audiences can’t always get to or afford to go and see their favourite band so tribute bands are a great alternative. Plus for some music fans it is simply not possible to see their favourite act any more as they have sadly passed on so for them it is great to relive the experience all over again – all be it a tribute.
Many music agents have caught on the idea of tribute acts and some have a whole list of acts on their list. Tribute bands are proving to be big business! A contributing factor to their success is that many music lovers are not catered for by what the record labels are offering in 2011. Today’s music does not appeal to everyone so many are looking elsewhere. Many grew up with bands from previous decades and feel the modern music has let them down.
There is a whole debate about what good music is and what isn’t but what is important in the music industry is that there is something for everyone. There is a whole social element to tribute bands too such as dressing up for an 80’s themed party and dancing along to an 80’s tribute band. Other popular tributes include Pink Floyd and Queen. In fact the Queen tribute band ‘Killer Queen’ even have a dedicated stage show to accurately recreate the experience of being at a Queen concert.
It seems music fans are willing to pay for such show with these bands often selling hundreds if not thousands of tickets. Of course it is also much more affordable than the price you would pay for a ticket to see the real artist and often you can hardly tell the difference.
So – why not take a look at your local gig listings and find out where you nearest tribute act are performing. You might just be surprised at how good they actually are!
]]>For most corporate businesses though the entertainment industry is not too familiar. The best place to start is a reputable entertainment or music agent. A live band always goes down well at such event however you need to be sure of the quality of the act. Bands that perform at corporate events understand the attitude and planning needed to make sure everything runs smoothly. There are lots of great bands out there but not all have experience of working with corporate clients. If you can find an entertainment agent that specialises in corporate bands then even better.
If you are looking for everyone to have a great time and provide a true party atmosphere then live music is second to none. A great front man can work the crowd and get the whole audience involved. By booking through an entertainment agent you are usually assured a quality band. You should always talk to the agent though and be very precise about your requirements. Listen to demos usually available on the agent’s site and browse pictures and video footage.
If you are looking for quality entertainment then it is worth paying from professional corporate bands. They are not always cheap but you only get one chance to make an impression in front of that important client so can really afford not to? Of courses there are different types of acts available for different types of events. You may want a party band or perhaps if you are looking for some background music for a corporate dinner a solo singer may suffice. Think carefully about what would work best and take advice from the agent.
Another benefit of using an agent is that you will usually sign a performance contract clearly stating the times of the performance, duration and what is expected of both parties. For an important event you should always ensure a contract is in place. Whatever your needs using an entertainment agent can simply take the hassle out of planning corporate events. You have a much better chance of a successful event after taking professional advice and guidance. Planning a corporate event isn’t easy so contact a reputable music agent such as Music Live UK.
]]>You can find one simply by searching the internet. It’s important thought to have a look through the range of cover bands they supply. There are lots of very reputable music agents out there but as in any industry you have to be careful. You will get a feeling for how trustworthy the agent is so trust your instincts.
It’s important to speak to the agent and tell them your exact requirements. They will have a range of wedding singers and function bands that can perform in a variety of genres so have a think first about what style you want. Soul and funk bands are very popular for weddings. The agent will direct you to bands on their website where you can usually listen to demo recordings or watch videos. This is a hugely important step and you probably won’t get the opportunity to watch the band live. Listen carefully to how well the band play together and the quality of the recording. A band that has spent some time on their promotional material are often serious professionals. Bear in mind that the recording may sound very different to the band live so try and watch a video too.
If you can speak to past clients about the quality of the band then that is a good start. At least then you will have a bit more confidence in their abilities a wedding musician. You may also be able to find reviews of bands online. There are several good sites out there simply by searching the internet. Some entertainment agencies allow users to rate bands on their site which can be a good indication as well as user reviews. If possible always ask to speak to past clients and get an impartial opinion. The standard of bands through entertainment agents do tend to be high but a bit of extra research doesn’t do any harm.
By working with an entertainment agent you are sure to get professional advice and guidance and it will take the stress out of planning your entertainment needs. After all it’s your wedding days and you need it to be as stress free as possible! There are many really great bands out there to get your party going. For more information on professional wedding entertainment or to hire a band, then get in touch with Music Live who can offer impartial advice.
]]>The marketplace for gigging musicians has always been fierce but never more so than in 2011. A simple search on the internet will reveal hundreds if not thousands of wedding bands, function bands, tribute bands all looking for gigs. Therefore if you are serious about a career in music then finding an entertainment agency should be top of your list. But how do you stand out from the rest?
Entertainment agents have hundreds of requests each month from acts looking for work. These days agents will only work with the best – after all they have a reputation to uphold as an entertainment agent of quality. You will need to make sure your promotional materials are crisp, clear and of outstanding quality. The most important factor is your recorded demo or a live video of a performance. Spend some time and money in the studio recording until it is as good as it can be. First impressions count!
You need to look honestly at your abilities. Can you really compete with the level of other acts out there. If so be confident selling yourself to the agents. Many acts tend not to sell themselves very well. Be confident in your abilities and other people will believe in you. Be clear about the type of gigs you hope to get. You may be a live wedding band or you may want to target the corporate entertainment market. Agents will usually want to work with these types of bands as they can command a decent fee ( of which the agent will expect commission ). They may be less willing to work with pub bands as often the fees are lower and it may not be worth the time of the agent.
Once you are sure you have everything you need you should contact agent who work with bands in the field you wish to work in. All too often bands don’t research agents thoroughly enough and send rock demos to funk band managers who simply won’t be interested. Make sure after you have made contact you wait a couple of weeks before giving the agents a call. You don’t want to pester them but you do need to make contact.
If you put out the right impression from the start and you are musicians of a good quality you should be able to find a music agent to represent you. Good wedding bands, corporate bands and function bands in 2012 are highly sought after so the opportunity is out there if you want to grasp it.
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Function bands and tribute bands are also getting in on the act. There are a great many 80’s cover bands out there performing up and down the country on a smaller scale to audiences that simply love the 80’s. Visit any entertainment agents website and there are sure to be several 80’s tribute bands.
Let’s face it a lot of 80’s music had that feel good factor and that’s what we all love. Even in 2011 when Wham comes on most of the room is up on the floor doing their thing. That kind of nostalgia has a place in our hearts and so it should. While perhaps not some of the most challenging music ever written the catchy melodies and cheesy lyrics just work. They shouldn’t but they do.
Therefore many gigging bands have caught on to the new found interest in 80’s music and polished up a set of the biggest hits. Doing the rounds in pubs and clubs throughout the UKthey earn a good living. A lot of corporate parties book 80’s bands for their events too. Now in their 30’s the 80’s kids have grown up and are successful business people.
There are also a range of 80’s radio stations popping up on the internet with ever growing audiences. Commercial local radio still includes the hits of the 80’s in their playlists as they know what draws in audiences. Record labels are releasing 80’s albums for the second time or compilation 80’s albums.
You probably know of someone who has thrown a party with an 80’s theme. The eighties are everywhere! As well as the music at 80’s theme parties most of the fun is dressing up in mullet wigs and other 80’s gear.
As the huge stars of the 80’s are touring again perhaps you should grab a ticket and relive your youth. If you are from the younger generation the go along to see what you’re missing – you will probably find you know most of the songs! That’s what’s great about the 80’s. It crosses over from one generation to another. Whether you like it or not the 80’s are back!
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