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!