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Party entertainment…there is another way
Party entertainment…there is another way
An article by Get Wed
You'd be forgiven for thinking that you have only two choices when considering music for your event;
1) A DJ, with a large pre-recorded music collection. Or
2) A live band who will usually only perform for ninety minutes
Of course, you can book both to ensure consistent music all night, but this is where the costs really start to rise. Be wary of bands who say that will also DJ, they often cannot rival the music collection or skill of a dedicated DJ. When their live set is finished, the evening can suffer a lull - ruining the atmosphere for everyone.
Finding the right DJ is also tricky, you need someone who not only has the tools but the personality to build a great night. Anyone can play songs back to back, but a real DJ will choose the right music and engage the audience. The golden rule when booking is to meet your prospective DJ. If you've seen them work, all the better but the key is to talk and let them know exactly what you want - after all, it’s your party. A DJ should ask for a list of songs in advance to ensure they have your favourites. Some even have the ability to download songs on the night, meaning they can play any request!
Now, to the third option. Why not hire a singer or duo who uses backing tracks as opposed to a live band? Not using musicians keeps their costs down and they can pass this onto you. You still get all the audience interaction of a live performer and, in many cases, these acts will have experience DJing. (Not relying on a band means becoming a jack of all trades)
Of course, the same booking pitfalls apply to all of the options. You might find a DJ who announces he can sing then murders his karaoke collection in front of your dumbstruck guests. If you are looking for a live singer, you should find answers to the following questions:
Have you performing experience? Where?
Do you use professional backing tracks?
What style of songs can you sing?
Do you take live requests?
A good performer will have a number of live sets they can tailor for any audience. They may even be able to learn the odd request to sing live. Again, watch for the one who says he can 'sing anything.' Good performers know their limitations - this man may well turn out to be a karaoke crooner.
One rule applies to booking any form of entertainment - Meet them face to face. Before booking, arrange to have a chat, tell them what you want and let them show you what they have to offer.
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