Q Branch Archive for posts tagged ‘party band’
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!
Party Band
You’re having a parrrrtttaaaay? Well, there’s lots to think about and organise and one of the most important to organise is the entertainment and you need a party band!
Well look no further because you have found one of the best party bands around!
Doctor Chocolate are a 9 piece party band and we have been going for over 25 years. Yes, that’s a long time we know, and you may think that the band is made up of a lot of old farts, but it’s not! It’s full of very talented, experienced and professional musicians who know their craft and are exceptionally good at what they do. Especially when you think that many “party/function” bands have come and gone in that time! We’re still going strong so we must be doing something right, and we are!
What are we doing right? Well, let us tell you!! The sets are full of high-energy, non-stop party hits which are guaranteed to fill a dance floor for the entire evening. The music is stonkingly vibrant with the added energy and input from the brass section. The brass section play in harmony, which fattens out the sound and adds soul and funk to the songs and we ask them to multi-task and dance at the same time! If there isn’t any brass in a song then we add it into the song and “choccify it”. Doctor Chocolate has two high energy and interactive vocalists who have a great vocal range and can adapt to any style and they talk to your guests too! Songs are non-stop so there’s no awkward silence in between songs whilst the band decide what they are going to play next – songs flow from one to the other and the high-energy is maintained throughout.
Not only are we a fantastic party band with a great sound and performance we are professional too. By professional we mean that we are highly respectful of the guests, the venue, fellow entertainers and of course to all our clients. We won’t let you down with bad language, bad performances or by being rude and inconsiderate on or off stage. From the moment you enquire to the end of the event we are extremely well-behaved and polite as well as being great people to work with.
So yes, we’ve been going 25 years but it’s not the same people in the band now as at the start – we’ve evolved and expanded. The band is made up of 9 very talented musicians who all get along with no drama and no egos in sight! We are also extremely reliable and, in all the 25 years of performing, have NEVER let a client down!
Looking for a party band? Need a function band? Want to ensure your guests have the best band and entertainment as well as having music played throughout that will keep everyone happy and dancing? Check out our videos on our website or on the Facebook page – they are all 100% live with no studio editing or recording – just a simple camera in the corner of the room – but what you see is what you get and what you get is a fantastic party band guaranteed to get your guests on the dancefloor and having a great party!
Are you getting engaged this Christmas or New Year?
It’s Chrissssstmaaaassss!
That was written in my best Noddy Holder voice too!
Well, aside from all the Christmas shenanigans that are happening all over the UK this is the time of year, this is the time when we see lots of lovely people feeling the love and popping the all important question to their partners – the big “Will you?” question.
It’s easy to see why this is the perfect time for popping the question as there is lots of mistletoe hanging everywhere, corks are popping and bubbles overflowing, families get together to celebrate and the warm fuzzy feeling sets in meaning it’s a perfect time to ask!
Doctor Chocolate are a 9 piece party band and we have had the pleasure of playing for engagement parties and weddings all over the UK and abroad.
If you are looking for a long engagement but want to have a massive celebratory party then get in contact for a quote – Doctor Chocolate will bring the party and all the equipment so that you have a fantastic night of celebrating with your friends and family.
If you are planning a short engagement and are looking to book quality entertainment for your wedding day then we can certainly help there too!
Whatever your needs – we guarantee that you are booking one of the best bands in the South West and you will have non-stop, high-energy sets for your celebrations – we bring all the equipment, lighting, PA system and definitely bring along the party!
Who are Doctor Chocolate? Well, we are a 9 piece party band consisting of male and female lead vocals, drums, keys, bass guitar, lead guitar and 3 piece horn section of trumpet, saxophone and bass trombone.
We perform for two hours (2 x 1 hour sets) with a short break inbetween. The sets are full of non stop party hits – a really great mix of songs from the past 6 decades with a Doctor Chocolate twist to them. When the band are not playing we have recorded music to ensure you have music all night long. The band are interactive and fun with a front man who will guide your guests through the evening and get everyone involved.
So congratulations on the engagement!
Now we need to sort out the party! Contact us today by phone on 0796 7709018 or email sarah@doctorchocolate.co.uk or via our facebook page Doctor Chocolate.
Book a wedding band
Are you looking to book a wedding band for your evening celebrations?
You need to find an established, reliable and fun wedding band, a wedding band that has experience in engaging with all ages and personalities, a wedding band that can get everyone on the dance floor and having an excellent time!
Things to consider:
Guests. You have sat down and gone through all your friends and family list and have either managed to narrow the guest list down a bit or decided just to have a big party and invite everyone along. Whatever the size of your guest list there will be people there with different likes and dislikes on music, different ages, different backgrounds. You will have people that just want to sit and watch everything that is going on, and some guests who will want to throw themselves on the dance floor the minute the band start, and other guests who want to hang out around the bar and wait to dance until “a bit later on”. You need a band that understands the diversity of your guests. An experienced band that is used to ensuring that all your guests are involved from the start in the evening is paramount to the success of the evening. A disinterested band who just goes through the motions is NOT what you need. An experienced band who is lively, engaging, interactive, fun, plays all the right music and responds to your guests is what you need. You need Doctor Chocolate.
Music. You may love grunge. You may love swing. You may love classical. But your guests may not share that love of music. If you are certain that your passion for a certain style of music is played then consider having part of the afternoon/evening dedicated to that genre but then swap over to a party band who will appeal to everyone of your guests and get them involved in the evening too and having a great time. Unless all your guests have the same taste of music as you then you could end up with some making their excuses and leaving the venue early. The way to avoid this is to have a party band that knows and understands the evening format and how to engage with your guests and involve them all in the evening – someting in the sets for everyone – and ensuring that your guests stay for the duration and shout for more! You need an experienced party and wedding band like Doctor Chocolate.
Venue. The size and type of venue you have is important if you are considering live music. Many have installed sound limiters which will limit the volume that the live band/dj can perform. On occasions the limiter is set to a ridiculously low level which means anything more than a string quartet will set off the limiter. Others are set to a reasonable level but you may think that only a small band can perform there. That isn’t always the case. Doctor Chocolate are a 9 piece wedding and party band and we have played a large number of venues with sound limiters and small spaces. We have an excellent sound engineer who ensures we stay under the limit so we are often quieter than a 4 piece rock band as a result! Experienced and knowledgeable about our craft ensures Doctor Chocolate can cope without fuss.
Dance floor. Always ensure that there is enough space for your guests to dance and leave enough room for the band monitors so your guests don’t trip over. Also make sure that the dance floor is even and also free from drinks. Doctor Chocolate have played in many marquees where the floors are made up of hessian – which isn’t great for ladies heels when dancing unless they swap them for flip flops! It’s also a good idea to ask your guests to keep all drinks off the dance floor as this can make surfaces slippery but dangerous if drinks are served in glasses. Doctor Chocolate are an experienced wedding band and will always stay in contact with the marquee hire company to ensure that space is left between the stage monitors and the dance floor.
Doctor Chocolate spend hours sorting and compiling a set list. This experienced wedding band know what music works, where and when. Sometimes couples ask if they can choose the entire set list and format of songs but this isn’t a good idea – and we know some bands offer this. The reason it’s not a great idea is that you are only choosing the songs that you like, or you think your guests will like and the band you are booking are so desperate for the booking they will let you do this. But an experienced wedding band knows this isn’t the best way to plan for the evening celebrations as the songs chosen could be under rehearsed, badly performed and not appeal to all your guests attending. You are investing in a wedding band that know their craft, know their music, know their instruments, know their fellow musicians, know what songs work and where in the evening it’s best to play those songs. So use your investment – use the knowledge and experience that your wedding band has and trust them to make the right decision on the evening and you will have an incredible time. Doctor Chocolate know you are investing in them to provide you with the best evening’s entertainment and have the musicianship, experience and knowledge to ensure that the music played in the evening will be the best of the past 5 decades.
Wedding Music
Wedding music is such a personal choice and many couples don’t know where to start.
Working in the wedding industry we are often asked by couples What music do we choose for the wedding ceremony? Do we need a wedding music playlist? I want music for my wedding but need some wedding entertainment ideas? I want to choose the best wedding music but don’t know where to start?
Well, music is a personal choice but its also an extremely important part of any celebration.
The Wedding Ceremony – Church or Civil
If you are having a Church wedding ceremony then you’ll need to choose entrance music for the bride, hymns to sing during the service, music for signing the register and exit music.
ENTRY MUSIC
You can choose classical wedding music for your entry/exit or pick a song that means something to you – perhaps a song that was playing when you first met – as long as it’s also suitable for playing in a church!
You’ll need an organist to play the hymns for your service but the rest of the music can be played by a small band, solo vocalist with backing tracks, harpist or why not opt for an acoustic guitarist who would sound fantastic in a church acoustic.
You will need to choose hymns though – so pick hymns that are popular if you can. There’s nothing worse than choosing a hymn with a melody that nobody knows – they won’t sing along and the Vicar may feel a little vulnerable singing on their own!
Choose a entrance song that is beautiful, serene and gentle – this is the arrival of the bride after all. Be clear in your choice when you relay the song to the organist – if you want the theme tune for Robin Hood – stress that you want “Everything I do” by Bryan Adams not THE theme tune for the 50’s TV show – believe us – we’ve heard this one played before! You don’t want the bride galloping down the aisle to the wrong song!
If you are having a civil reception – then you have a wider choice of songs to play for your entrance, recessional and exit music – but you can’t have anything played that has a religious side to it – so no hymns or similar.
Here are a few suggestions for entrance music – a few classical and a few modern:
They Long To Be Close To You – Carpenters
Songbird – Eva Cassidy
Make You Feel My Love – Adele
Bella’s Lullaby – Twilight
Arrival of the Queen of Sheba
Bridal Chorus (Here Comes The Bride) – Wagner
Clare de Lune – Claude Debussy
Canon in D
Nocturne – Chopin
You’ll need music for signing of the Register too. Something classical, emotive, wonderful lyrics and reflective music. If you are in a church then perhaps choose something classical or have a vocalist singing Ave Maria. If you are having a civil ceremony then you are likely to remain in the same room whilst you sign the register – so choose something romantic that sums the pair of you up.
After signing of the register it’s time to leave the venue as a married couple. This will be your first song you hear after the official side of the ceremony so pick something that is lively, fun and has amazing lyrics.
Here are a few exit suggestions:
Signed, Sealed Delivered I’m Yours – Stevie Wonder
Now That We’ve Found Love – Heavy D & The Boys
Better Together – Jack Johnson
Somewhere Over The Rainbow – Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
From This Moment On – Shania Twaine
Can You Feel The Love Tonight – Lion King
After the formalities are over it’s time for the Wedding Reception.
Lots of wedding entertainment ideas here! Perhaps a steel band in the garden for a drinks reception, or a jazz trio, easy listening band? A harpist is always popular or for something a little different a brass quintet! There’s also singing waiters which seem to be a popular addition these days – choose wisely though – there are some that should really stick to waiting on tables rather than singing! Go by recommendation or ask to see videos of them in action to make sure you hire the best ones!
Although Doctor Chocolate are a 9piece band we can also provide music for your wedding reception earlier in the day if required by scaling down to a 3/4 piece playing easy listening and soft jazz classics such as Fly Me To The Moon, Zing Went the Strings, Autumn Leaves, My Funny Valentine, Besame Mucho, Dream a Little Dream and lots of other hits by Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Andy Williams and all the other great crooners!Lots of ideas here for reception music.
The Evening Party
This is where your imagination can run and run! You need to pick your evening entertainment based on your guests! You may both absolutely love hard core Jazz, House Music, A Michael Buble tribute etc. These are great for adding atmosphere to the evening and be exactly what you as a couple are totally into and you’ll love it! Remember however that you are inviting guests along to the evening to celebrate with you and they will be of mixed age groups. Remember also that not all your guests will also love extreme jazz – not everyone will be into hard house music – and a Michael Buble tribute may be excellent but you can’t dance along to it! If your guests are not entertained or if they have their ears bashed with hard core jazz or house music – you’ll find they will start to leave the wedding venue early. If budget is no option then book a tribute for part of the evening and get a live band in playing covers for the remainder of the evening.
If budget is a problem and you can’t afford to have lots of different entertainment – then we would recommend going for a party covers band who will play music that your whole wedding party will enjoy, dance and get involved with. They will know the songs played, they can sing and dance along, they will have a great night dancing no matter what age group they are and most importantly everyone will have a brilliant evening.
Doctor Chocolate are a fantastic party covers band and we are experienced at celebrations where there is a mix in age groups and musical tastes. The key is bringing everyone together to have a great night and help you celebrate one of the biggest nights of your lives!
The First Dance
This is definitely one that is super-personal. It needs to be a song that you both love, that means something to you both. Perhaps the song that was playing when you first met, had your first date, came on the radio when you had a special evening, was your holiday song or is just something a little different or it has lyrics in that just touch the very heart of you and sums up your relationship perfectly. Remember you also have to dance to it in front of your guests so pick a song that you are comfortable with. If you can’t dance – pick a song where you just have to shuffle together and hold each other, encourage your guests to join you on the dance floor after the first 20 bars of the song. If you can dance – pick something where you can bust out some moves and impress everyone with your dance prowess!
Moon River – Frank Sinatra
The Way You Look Tonight – Tony Bennett
All Of Me Loves All Of You – John Legend
Use Somebody – Kings Of Leon
Just the Way You Are – Bruno Mars
1000 years – Christina Perry
Falling In Love with You Again – Imelda May
Better Together – Jack Johnson
For Once In My Life – Stevie Wonder
Read more articles on Wedding entertainment here:
Wedding Entrance Music
Wedding Recessional Music
Wedding Exit Music
Wedding Receptions – Music
Wedding Music – First Dance
Wedding Evening Celebrations
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!
Clevedon Hall
Doctor Chocolate played for a lovely wedding in June 2014 at Clevedon Hall. This is a beautiful venue in the South West of England and perfectly suited to wedding celebrations.
Doctor Chocolate have performed in this venue on many occasions for weddings, dinner dances, corporate events and celebrations of all kinds. Playing in the main hall at Clevedon Hall means the band van can just pull up directly outside and access is easy – we were set up and sound checked in no time at all! Normally Doctor Chocolate set up for a wedding reception/evening party at the bottom of the stairs in the main hall. With two rooms at the rear of the stage area it means the band have somewhere to store empty boxes from the equipment as well as have somewhere to change and wait before we go on for the first set.
In February 2010 the magnificent Clevedon Hall was, for the first time in its 150-year history, opened for private events. It is considered among the top venues in the south west region. It is constructed in Mendip and other local stones with some impressive carvings and pierced-stone ballustrading. It has Dutch gables, a very large orangery and conservatory. It also has a 19th Century French tower. The grounds are luscious with many different varieties of shrubs and trees and some (often playful) wildlife, including red deer, pheasants, foxes, squirrels and ducks. There’s also a resident heron which spends much of its time gazing into the lake hoping to catch lunch. Charles Hill, who owned the Albion Shipyard in Bristol, bought the Hall in 1877 as a family home, and promptly changed its name to Clevedon Hall.
Contact the band for more information
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Reliable Wedding Band
Doctor Chocolate have been on the professional circuit of function, wedding, covers, party bands in the Bristol and South West area for over 20 years. We are experienced, interactive, reliable, fun, sound great, look great and, more importantly, in all that time not once have we let a venue or a client down.
Sadly, this isn’t the case with all bands. In 2014 we’ve received over 8 last minute telephone calls from couples who are desperately looking for a band for their wedding as the band they booked emailed or telephoned them to say they couldn’t make it! This is dreadful and, after all the hard work that goes into organising your day and evening – the absolute last thing you want to hear.
Your evening entertainment for your wedding can be just as important as the daytime celebrations and ceremony. It is the part of the day when you need to ensure your guests are fed, watered and looked after and have a great evening!
Sadly, Doctor Chocolate haven’t always been able to help out as we have a packed diary of bookings ourselves. For a 9-piece band this is fantastic and we are one of the most hard-working bands on the circuit. But this doesn’t help you when you’ve been let down by a band that isn’t professional and won’t think twice about the implications of letting you down at the last minute!
Please always check out a band before you book them – not all bands are as experienced and reliable as Doctor Chocolate. Nearly every band now have a series of videos and recordings on their website for you to view before booking – please remember that the vast majority of videos have been recorded in a studio with the band having been tweaked to within an inch of their lives by a talented studio sound engineer! Go and see them live! Ask for recommendations and references from other clients! Ask to talk to previous clients if you need to!
Doctor Chocolate have uploaded 22 videos to our main website – each and every one of these videos has been recorded whilst we have been performing live in front of an audience! Not in a studio! they sound great – they look great – and this is what you can expect for your event!
We won’t let you down on our performance and will guarantee you a fabulous night of music and dancing that all your guests will enjoy and talk about for years after! Don’t take our word for it – check out the testimonials on our main website page.
Stage Set Up and Lighting
Doctor Chocolate have an excellent PA system. Many bands say that – but actually turn up with an alright PA system – not a great PA system! Doctor Chocolate invest heavily in our equipment – we have the latest QSC PA system and it sounds amazing! Our sound is clear – you can hear every instrument playing, crisp – it’s not muffled or muddy in sound and it’s compact too so doesn’t take up too much room. Visit our main website here!
We’ve turned up at events where the DJ hasn’t wanted to go on after we’ve played as their PA system (which is HUGE in size) just isn’t up to the job for the night. Recently the DJ cranked his volume up so much he blew one of the speakers! Doctor Chocolate can increase the volume as needed – but always within the levels set by the venue and we always sound great! No sub-standard equipment for the Choccies!
In addition we also provide lighting for the stage so that you can see us and it adds ambiance! You’d be surprised how many bands don’t have any lighting at all and turn up at a venue where they also don’t have any ambiant lighting! The result? No atmosphere as the main lights have to remain on all night – have you tried “Dad Dancing” with the lights full on? Not a great look or atmosphere!
Other bands will charge you an extra fee for providing lighting for the stage and dance-floor! All these little extras can soon add up and take your budget over what you wanted to spend.
Doctor Chocolate – wedding, covers, party and function band quote you for your event and we include the PA system, stage lighting, 9 musicians, 1 sound engineer and include two hours of live music performed by an awesome band with songs that are guaranteed to get your toes tapping and your guests on the dance floor!
All our equipment is pat tested yearly and we have public liability insurance so your venue can be assured that they are protected too! Find out more on our main website, facebook page or contact us for more information on how we can give your event the WOW factor.
Come and see Doctor Chocolate
Looking for a wedding, covers, party, function band for your event? Doctor Chocolate have many years experience at playing for all events all over the UK.
We are often asked if it’s possible to come and see/hear us perform live. And – the answer is: Yes of course you can!
This may be the only time you have to book a live band for your event and you want to be sure you book wisely! If you haven’t been recommended a band then you MUST go and see/hear them! So we try and book in open/public events throughout the year and there’s a few in 2014 that you are more than welcome to come along to.
21st June – Burtle Village Hall for their Midsummer Ball – Tickets £10 and include a ploughmans
25th July – The Thunderbolt Public House, Bath Road, Bristol – tickets £5 on the door
31st October – Royal Hotel, WSM, Halloween Ball
1st November – Charity Fundraiser for Weston Hospicecare – £35 to include 3 course meal.
All our other fabulous events are private events such as weddings and corporate so it won’t be possible to come along to any of those and heckle the band. However you can be assured that if you book us for your private event we won’t bring anyone along to your event either!
If you can’t make any of these dates then check our website – we’ve 22 videos on there that are 100% Fully LIVE! They were recorded at a charity event in 2013 – this is how we look/sound for each event. These videos were not recorded in a studio – they were fully live.
So, get in contact and find out more about how you can book Doctor Chocolate! We’d love to hear from you!
All quotes are fully inclusive, with no hidden charges or extras to pay!
All our other events throughout the year are private: weddings, corporate, charity events and it’s not possible to invite you along to these events. However, you can be assured that, when you book Doctor Chocolate for your event – we won’t be inviting anyone along to listen on that night either. We only bring along band members!