Q Branch Archive for posts tagged ‘live bands’
How do you Choose a Party Band for your event?
It’s a minefield isn’t it?
You’ve been asked to arrange entertainment for the corporate awards, corporate party, works party, friends birthday party celebrations etc and you have to book a live band. Where on earth do you start?
Most people look to the internet first and will do a search for party bands, live bands, live music, wedding music, music for parties and so on, the list of search engines is endless. This then throws up a list of local party bands in the area to choose from as well as the sponsored adverts which often take top billing in the hope you will book the first band that you see.
Once you follow the link and go on the website each one will have information and links to performances as well as a set list of songs played. It’s easy to be overwhelmed and it’s easy to think that the video you just watched is how the band are live.
What you need to remember is that a lot of the videos you are waching have been recorded in a studio or in a “fake gig” situation so that the band look like they are playing in front of a live audience. The videos then look great and sound awesome – but that’s because the musicians have spent a couple of days in a recording studio, then a day on the video recording and a sound engineer has then mixed the whole lot together and created a promotional video for the band to use on their website.
So the video online looks great, it sounds great and you want to book them! But wait just for a minute…. have a think about this before you book and ask yourself “What do they sound like live?”. After all, they will be playing live at your event and they won’t have the advantages available that a recording studio presents – if they sing or play a wrong note they can’t go back and do it again and again until it’s right. They won’t have the same sound either – they will have their own PA system which may not be as high quality or as big as it needs to be for your event so the sound on the night may not be quite what you were expecting.
You should also be aware that a lot of bands still rely on backing tracks – so a 3-4 piece band may use a “click track with backing sounds” so there will be a computer version or keyboard version of a brass section playing to fill out the sound you hear – it’s not live at all but you get all the instruments playing. Basically the band are playing along to a backing track – some even use the original CD recordings and remove certain instruments and play along to that. Of course, if budget is a problem then this is the way forward for you. However, if you are looking for the wow factor then definitely book a band that only plays 100% live for your event.
So you think you’ve found your band and you are thinking about booking. Before you book ask to see live videos of the band playing in front of an audience, go and see them at an event or ask to come along to a rehearsal where you can see/listen to the band yourself first and ask lots of questions.
Entertainment is often overlooked – you need a band that is experienced and can adapt to the audience, that are professional and interactive, with a stonking set list guaranteed to get your guests up and dancing and entertained. Please don’t skimp on this part of the evening – it can make or break your event. At the end of the night you want your guests to have had an amazing night and one to remember – but for all the right reasons – and the entertainment and music on the night can add great value.
Doctor Chocolate are a 9 piece party / function band. Made up of 9 musicians that have one aim in mind and that is for your event to go brilliantly. Doctor Chocolate have a high quality PA system and stage lighting. In addition we have our own sound engineer that mixes our sound throughout the evening to ensure it fits with the venue, the audience and the sound is 100% clear. Doctor Chocolate only every play 100% live – there are no backing tracks or click tracks involved – just 9 musicians who are extremely good at what they do. The sets are non-stop and high-energy packed with songs that will appeal to all the guests attending and guaranteed to get feet tapping and bodies up on the dance floor having a great time.
All our videos are 100% live and recorded at events so the sound you hear is the sound and high performance standard that you expect and deserve! There are no squealing speakers that can’t cope with the sound, there’s no heavy bass or crackling as our system is high quality and suitable for venues with up to 500 guests. The sound engineer ensures that we fit within sound limiter levels and the sound on the dance floor is exactly right and balanced throughout the night. The performance is interactive and full of fun and a great sounding band.
So with our online videos there is no studio editing or chance to re record bits that go wrong – just snippets of songs that are performed 100% live. Doctor Chocolate don’t play for many pub gigs – we mainly focus on the wedding circuit and the corporate market where high standards are required and we deliver on that and ensure that those events are professionally managed. So we can’t invite you along to listen to us unless the event is ticketed and open to the public. However, we have regular rehearsals and you are more than welcome to come along and listen to the band and meet everyone to see if we suit your event.
So be careful when booking online – you need to ask questions like this:
Will the band be playing 100% live or using backing tracks?
Are there any live videos of the band playing that we can see?
Do the band members play together all the time or are they booked individually for the night?
Do they have a quality PA System that is suitable for our size venue and event?
Is there a member of the band we can talk to in advance of the booking to run through the requirements?
Will there be a band member available on the night to speak to if plans/timings change?
Do they have a sound engineer to ensure the sound is right all night?
Can we see the band before we book them?
Is there VAT to be added to the fee?
Be sure that when you book Doctor Chocolate you are receiving the highest quality care and attention throughout your booking and that a member of the team will guide you through the whole process. Also guaranteed is a 100% live professional and high quality performance – guaranteed to give you and your guests a really top night out!
DJ V Wedding Band
Should you hire a live band or should you book a DJ for your event?
Well it’s all down to personal taste.
But, as with everything in life, there are good and bad DJ’s and there are good and bad bands out there! Of course there are also BRILLIANT bands out there and Doctor Chocolate are one of them!
How do you choose what is right for your event?
BUDGET
Although hiring a live band can cost more – it is definitely worth the investment! A solo performer (usually playing/singing along to backing tracks) can cost anything from £300 plus – we’ve worked with some who charge £850! A live band can be anywhere between £500 – £4000. The cost of the band will depend on the size, how many band members they have, if they have their own equipment or need to hire it in, and how experienced they are. A band just starting out will be cheaper as they haven’t built a reputation and may not be reliable – their experience may be performing in pubs. Doctor Chocolate are not expensive by any means – we work really hard to keep our costs to the absolute minimum so we can pass the savings back to you – but we are not cheap either so you won’t be able to book the band for £500! There are 10 members of the band in Doctor Chocolate (9 musicians and 1 sound engineer). Remember – you may think it’s expensive to hire a professional – but wait until you hire an amateur! This may be the only time you have a spectacular event in your lifetime – make sure you book the right entertainment.
A Great DJ can cost between £500-£1200 for the evening – again depending on the quality of equipment they bring, lighting and how good they are! Other DJs can cost between £150-£300. Please go and see them in advance to make sure they suit your event – and remember you get what you pay for!
Contact Doctor Chocolate to find out how much we will cost you for your event. We will ask you some questions so that we can give you a full and inclusive quote: What date do you want? What time do you want the band to arrive and finish? Where are your having your event? Do you want an early set up or a late finish? From this we can give you a fully inclusive quote. We promise you will be pleasantly surprised as we are excellent value for a 9 piece band and sound engineer – making 10 people in total. Each and every member of the band are enthusiastic and experienced. Our only aim is to provide the best entertainment for your event. In addition we are fully self contained – with our own pa, lighting, pat tested equipment and public liability insurance as standard!
SONG CHOICE
If you want your guests to be able to request songs to be played all night long – then go for a DJ. They will have (hopefully) thousands of songs available on their laptop that they can play for you.
If however you want a live band that can appeal to every generation that attends your wedding, you want the WOW factor, want a band that has a set list that is tried and tested and updated regularly so only the best music from the 1960’s to present day chart numbers are played by a skilled and experienced live band – then go for a live band every time. You can’t beat it for atmosphere and interaction. Doctor Chocolate are the perfect party band for any occasion.
A band can perform any number of songs but be wary of bands that only have a playlist of about 30 numbers on their entire set list. They may not be able to adapt to different crowds and musical tastes. But also be very wary of bands who have list after list after list of songs on their website – can they really play them all? More importantly, can they really play them all well or will it sound like a rehearsal band on the night as they try to cram in as many songs as you’ve requested into the set?
Doctor Chocolate have an extensive list of songs in our set that work well for weddings, corporate events, charity fundraisers etc. Our sets are changed and rehearsed regularly to keep them fresh and new and to ensure that the songs are always played as close to the original – but with a Choccie twist! However, band members choose the numbers in the set. From experience we know what songs work well and what songs don’t work so well for mixed audiences and celebrations. Depending on the event and the type of crowd attending – we will change our sets accordingly. Be assured the sets will be rocking and the dance floor jammed!
ATMOSPHERE
There are some good DJs and we’ve come across some awful DJs. Your DJ should be able to get the crowd going and be interactive and clear when they speak – not mumble into the microphone or be really cheesey! They need to build the atmosphere for your event. Playing record after record is easy but you need them to be able to talk to your guests and encourage them if needed. In addition, make sure their equipment is good enough for the size of your venue.
Doctor Chocolate are excellent at interacting with any crowd and different generations. We know how important the atmosphere can be and our dance-floors are always jammed with guests from the moment we start until the moment we end! Doctor Chocolate bring along our PA system and lighting. Our sound is clear and full – our PA system is top of the range. If you have a larger venue – mention it at the time of booking as we can extend our PA system and hire in some more to ensure the equipment is exactly right for the venue.
Doctor Chocolate interact with your guests. It’s not us on stage and your guests on the dance floor. We have one common aim! We want your event to be THE BEST night! So we interact with your guests, we talk to them and involve them in what we are doing. That way, everyone has an amazing evening.
EXPERIENCED & RELIABLE
If you go for a DJ choose one who has experience! Try to avoid any that don’t bring along a PA system but require you to hire one in, and avoid any that don’t have their own lighting systems – you’ll have to hire these in addition. Get referrals if you can from previous clients.
The same applies to hiring a live band. Choose a band that is experienced in the type of event you are organising. Having the wrong type of band perform at your event can be disastrous. You may love to have a Michael Buble tribute or James Bond Tribute Band. This is great and can add atmosphere to your event but make sure that they also offer a party set as well as your guests will want some variety and want to party later in the evening! We can certainly recommend The Name Is Band – Bond Tribute Band – perfect for James Bond Themed parties and events – performing an hour set of Bond themes and a fantastic party set later in the evening.
Doctor Chocolate have over 25 years experience at performing for all types of events. In all that time we have NEVER let a client down – ever! Our reputation is excellent and over 80% of our work comes through recommendation or people who have seen/heard us before.
To be honest – NOTHING can compare to a live band that is experienced, fun, interactive, sound great, look great and appeal to every generation attending your event! LIVE MUSIC RULES!
Wedding Venues
Doctor Chocolate have been performing for 25 years. We are an experienced and entertaining live band and have performed at thousands of weddings, charity event, parties, school proms, college university balls, military events and celebrations over the years.
This means that we’ve played at some amazing venues all over the UK and the South West as well as internationally! From private houses, hotels, country houses, village halls and military establishments – you name it – we’ve probably played in something similar previously.
This experience gives us a real insight in what makes a good reception venue.
Having worked with private clients, corporate agents, agencies, wedding coordinators, Events Managers and venues the length and breadth of the country we also know what the client wants and what the venues expect and we work really hard to make sure everyone is happy!
Here are a few things to consider when you are looking at venues
ACCESS
How easy is the venue to access? Doctor Chocolate have arrived at venues and been able to park right outside the room we are due to perform in. This is lovely and speeds up the set up of all the equipment but it’s not always quite so easy! Other venues are not quite so easy and we’ve had to climb 3-4 flights of stairs, navigate narrow corridors or wade through 8″ of mud to set up in a marquee. This could delay the allocated time for setting up all the equipment and may mean a later start than planned in the evening. Thankfully with 10 people in Doctor Chocolate (9 band members and 1 sound engineer) we can set up super fast but please do consider the access for entertainment when you are looking at venues and advise the band if there are any difficulties.
WEDDING RECEPTION
Another point to consider when booking a live band is the amount of time they need to set up. Doctor Chocolate have this down to a fine art but we do have an awful lot of equipment so always recommend a minimum of 90 minutes in case of any problems at the venue. Our PA is top of the range and there are 9 of us in the band plus a sound engineer, lighting and instruments, so a fair bit of space is needed. If you are having your wedding breakfast/wedding reception in the same room as the band you may want to consider a couple of options: is there enough space for the band to set up and seat all your guests? Do you want the band to set up earlier in the daytime before anyone arrives? Can the band set up after the wedding breakfast/reception allowing your guests to move out of the room and allow the venue and the band time to crack on with the entertainment? Is there another room or outdoor space for your guests to move into whilst the set up is carried out? Any problems then please just ask – we’ve lots of experience and can help you with the schedule for the day/evening.
BAR
Parties work best if the bar is located in the same room as the entertainment. Although the band can still be heard, down the corridor and around the corner, down a flight of stairs etc, having everything in the same room or as near as possible makes for a better atmosphere! Don’t worry though – Doctor Chocolate are an interactive band and with most of the band members on wire-free microphones we will go and get guests and bring them back through to the dance floor if they spend too long at the bar! It’s not a problem for our band but can limit other bands who may not quite as flexible, confident or experienced as well as their being restricted to the stage space.
NOISE LIMITERS
Many venues have had a change of use to allow music and have had to install a sound limiter. Sometimes the sound limit set is really low so only suitable for acoustic performers (no speakers). We have, and we will continue to work at venues with a sound limiter installed but we would need to know the decibel level prior to confirming the event. Sometimes the noise limiter set at a venue is enough for us to be able to perform and still loud enough to create a great atmosphere for you. Our sound engineer keeps a close eye on the limit levels to make sure we don’t go over. Just check the decibel level allowed at the venue before you ring for a quote and we can advise you if it is within the limits we can work in. Sadly if we turn up on the night and a limiter is in place, if the band was not informed in advance, then we maybe unable to play. Find out more on our Frequently Asked Questions page on the website.
EVENING FOOD
If you are planning on feeding your guests in the evening then please do think about the timings and where they could fit well. Doctor Chocolate perform for two x one hour sets and we find guests are more likely to party a little later in the evening, especially when attending weddings as it gives guests time to catch up and have a natter with relatives and friends that they may not have seen for a while. A lot of venues insist on serving an evening buffet at 9:30pm – which is the ideal time for the band to get everyone going. If possible a better time to serve food is before the band start so at about 8:45pm or in the bands break at about 10:30pm. Doctor Chocolate would suggest sets starting at 9:30pm until 10:30pm and the buffet served at this time – bacon butties often go down really well at this time of the evening and keep the energy levels of your guests going – with our second set would start again at 11:00pm and finishing at midnight.
ROOM FOR THE BAND
The band need a bit of space to set up the equipment although Doctor Chocolate have squeezed into some really small spaces in the past. Ideally a 12′ x 15′ space is needed – with or without a stage – we’re not that fussy! Also, please consider where the band will go once everything has been set up – normally we require a room somewhere to get changed, leave our belongings whilst we are performing, and somewhere to sit before we go on and during the break. It doesn’t have to be fancy – a simple meeting room or a spare reception room would be great. With many marquee weddings a private room isn’t always available so we’ve had to change into stage outfits in the back of the van or mobile toilets – it’s not ideal – but we always adapt!
For more information on Doctor Chocolate please visit our website.
We’ve also got 25 videos that were recorded LIVE at a charity event in Weston. The videos are 100% live and give you the opportunity to see/hear the band before you book us if we haven’t got a public event where you can come along and heckle.
Follow us on Facebook to keep updated with our shenanigans and hear our latest news!
Contact us for a quote or more information on the band. We’d love to hear from you.
Unique Selling Points
Doctor Chocolate is a live 9-piece wedding and party band that specialises in playing for ANY event where a full-on party is needed.
We’ve performed at thousands of events all over the UK and we are a seasoned, highly professional live band guaranteed to make your event one to remember – and for all the right reasons!
The majority of the band use wireless microphones and have the freedom of movement. This means we have a unique USP (unique selling point) as we are not confined to the stage area. Our performance is lively, fun and interactive and we like to get involved with the guests at your event, including them in the evening from the moment we start performing to the very end of the evening. Guests have sent thank you notes through on our facebook page telling us that they were dancing and watching the bride dance with the band on stage only to find a trombone, trumpet or saxophone beside them.
So, if you want an experienced and lively band to perform for your event – get in contact! We’d love to hear from you!
Song List for Doctor Chocolate – Wedding & Party Band Bristol
Doctor Chocolate are often asked what songs we include in our sets. Well we have an extensive list of songs that we play and it’s hard to choose what we can cram into two hours so we only choose the best songs from the 1960’s through to current chart hits. Not all the songs we choose to play at weddings, charity events and corporate events have brass in the original recordings – but as we have an awesome brass section it would be criminal not to use them – so we adapt and change the songs to give them a big, round and full sound. You can be sure that we carefully pick our sets of floor filers and there is something for every generation in our sets. We always have a packed dance-floor – no matter what the occasion!
We are currently working on some new numbers for the sets to keep them fresh and funky and have a few rehearsals scheduled in for the month of February.
To give you an idea of some of the songs we do please see below. We have an extensive set available so not all the songs we perform are listed – just a selection. Where the song is highlighted please click on it to be taken to our website where you can see and hear the band perform the version of that song 100% live!
- Ain’t No Stopping Us Now -McFadden & Whitehead
- All Right Now – Christina Agueleria
- Baggy Trousers – Madness
- Beat It – Michael Jackson
- Believer– The Monkees
- Blame It On The Boogie – Michael Jackson
- CarWash – Rose Royce
- Celebration – Kool and the Gang
- Dancing in the Street – Martha and the Vandellas
- Dancing on the Ceiling – Lionel Richie
- Disco Inferno – The Trammps
- Does Your Mother Know– Abba
- Get Ready– The Temptations
- Gimmie Some Loving – Billy Ocean
- Higher and Higher – Jackie Wilson
- Hot Stuff – Donna Summer
- First My Last My Everything – Barry White
- I Don’t Feel Like Dancing – Scissor Sisters
- I Feel Good – James Brown
- I Wish – Stevie Wonder
- Inside Out – Imelda May
- It’s Not Unusual – Tom Jones
- La Vida Loca – Ricky Martin
- Last Train to Clarksville – Monkees
- Let Me Entertain You – Robbie Williams
- Lets Stick Together – Roxy Music
- Love Train – The O Jays
- Locked out of Heaven – Bruno Mars
- Mama Told Me Not To Come – Tom Jones
- Mercy – Duffy
- Mustang Sally – Wilson Pickett
- 9 to 5 – Dolly Parton
- Nutbush – Tina Turner
- One Step Beyond – Madness
- Pencil Full of Lead – Paulo Nutini
- Proud Mary – Tina Turner
- Rolling in the Deep – Adele
- September – Earth Wind & Fire
- Shake Your Tail Feather – Ray Charles
- Signed, Sealed, Delivered – Stevie Wonder
- Smooth – Santana
- Soul Man – Sam and Dave
- Superstition – Stevie Wonder
- Think – Aretha Franklin
- Tiger Feet – Mud
- Valerie – Amy Winehouse
- Wake Me Up Before You Go Go- Wham
- Walking on Sunshine – KC and the Sunshine Band
- We Are Family – Sister Sledge
- You’re the One That I want – Grease
And so many more from all the decades: 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and present day chart busters!
Book a Wedding Band
Doctor Chocolate are the ultimate in wedding bands. The band has an excellent reputation in the South West as a reliable, fun, professional band and the majority of our bookings come from recommendations by previous clients! Doctor Chocolate have been rocking out weddings in the South West and all over the UK for over 20 years.
It’s always a pleasure to be asked to be part of someone’s big day and we know that a lot of work has gone into each and every detail for weddings to make it a truly memorable occasion. The evening’s entertainment is an essential part of the day and is a time for the bridal couple and guests to really have a great time and dance the night away. Our sets are designed to keep everyone on the dance floor from the age of 2 up to 92! So if you are looking for a live band for your event then please get in contact for more information and a quote for the evening. Doctor Chocolate are a fantastic wedding band and will give your guests a night to remember!
Don’t take our word for it though – see our Facebook page to view pictures that our clients have sent through of their weddings, parties, celebrations, charity nights or visit our website for testimonials.
The picture is of a wedding “dance-off” between the ladies and the gentlemen! One of the guests thought Sarah’s hair could do with a bit of restyling – we think she looks like one of those dish-washing utensils! Needless to say the girls won the dance-off!