Function Bands
Looking for a Function Band for your upcoming corporate event? Choosing the right entertainment can be a confusing process with the sea of options available. Also, finding an act or artist that you have the confidence in to do a great job is equally difficult. Here are a few thoughts on choosing and booking corporate entertainment that I hope you will find useful.
What are my options?
Disco bands, swing bands, straight down the middle function bands, pop bands... the list seems endless and there is a never ending supply of options available. Popular choices include jazz bands or instrumental jazz groups, pianists or harpists for cocktail parties. Swing Bands, disco bands, funk/pop bands and big bands work great for larger events like an annual ball or company dinner. The challenge with larger events is finding something that will work with the audience you will be inviting to the event. A swing band is likely to appeal to a wider age range, particularly one that plays a cross section of music. An example of this would be Dominic Halpin and the Honey B’s - www.dominichalpin.com. Although largely thought of as a swing band, they also play a great selection of rock and roll and party tunes to get the audience up dancing. They also interact well with a mixed audience to connect with them.
Where do I start looking
A 5 minute google search for “swing band”, “Function Band”, “Wedding Reception Band,”will turn up hundreds of options for entertainment or function bands. Personally I think getting the right entertainment that matches the theme / atmosphere of your event is so crucial that there really is no substitute for seeing a band live first before committing to book. This is the best way to really measure them up and see if they will work not only musically, but will look right for your event and are easy to work with and accommodating. A good band will generally have some public shows where you can see them - you never know, they may even offer free tickets for you and a friend to come see them and have a chat in the break!
Should I use an agent?
Even better than wading through the myriad of options presented by a google search is to get the help of an entertainment agency. A good agency can offer a personal consultation to help you work through your options and find the best solution for your event. Although there are a number of “supermarket” agencies out there that offer hundreds of acts of every style, It is my experience that a small boutique agency can generally offer not only better service, but more consistent quality acts.
But I want something really memorable!
Of course you want people to remember your event and be talking about it for months to come. A good agency can recommend some really different options for your corporate event. You may consider a dance troupe, a burlesque show, an orchestra (yes there are a few available and no better way to make a great impression!), or even a full big band with a singer. Once again, it is always preferable to see the performer live before booking to ensure you really do know what you are getting. At the least, a good performer / artist / group should have a video sampler to show you what they do.
Contracts and booking
Once you have found the ultimate function band group or artist for your corporate event, you need to get an agreement in writing with them to secure their services. Once again, a good agency can make this process very easy. Make sure you have a cancellation option. Often you will have a right to cancel without penalty up to a certain time before the event. Also, be sure the contract lays out exactly what the fee includes, i.e. number of sets and duration, can they play recorded music between sets, travel, production, lighting and of course VAT if applicable. It is common to secure the booking with a deposit of 20% to 50% of the total fee with the balance paid before the show. Don’t be afraid to question any clauses in the contract that you are not happy with.
Final Thoughts...
The right function bands can really make the difference to a corporate event and be a great discussion point for weeks or months to come. Don’t be afraid to be bold and make a statement with your entertainment and get the help of a great agent to guide you through the booking process. Good luck!
One of the challenges when selecting entertainment for a wedding is finding something that will appeal to all of your guests. From children to Grand parents, your guests will probably have a wide range of ages and musical tastes. Jazz in its various forms can transcend ages and musical preferences and appeal to most people. Particularly in it's most listener-friendly forms. For a wedding reception, instrumental jazz can add a sense of class and sophistication, whilst classic vocal jazz presented in an easy-listening way can appeal to a wide audience and provide opportunity for dancing. It is for these reasons that Jazz has been and will continue to be a regular feature at wedding events for decades.
