Music Entertainment Agency

Why use one?

Why use a music entertainment agency ? A better question might be “why use a good music entertainment agency”. The difference between the two questions is enormous. A bad music entertainment agency wants you contracted, committed and then moves onto the next client. A good music entertainment agency is with you all every step of the way until the end of the event. How do you judge the difference between a good and bad music entertainment agency? By asking the right questions. Here's what you do.

Information giving.

The more information you can give the music entertainment agency the more they should be able to show you how competent or otherwise they are. Do you want music to listen to? Is it for dancing? Is it for a combination of the both? How many types of music do you think you would like? What age group is the party for? How many guests are you having? What is the occasion? Where is the party?

From this information a good music entertainment agency should be able to put together a package of either a specific band or a certain group of musicians who can deliver as much of your requirements as is possible with one band. The band will be the right size for the room the event is taking place in and be neither too loud nor too soft. They will arrive in good time to assess the best way in to the room with their equipment is and to do it with the minimum of disruption (if they haven't already played there which is highly likely) They will start on time, they will read the room and change the pace of the music entertainment as the evening progresses. They will most likely be asked for an encore and will happily oblige. They will end up handing out a great number of business cards.

Asking.

This is where and when you find out if you are dealing with a good or bad music entertainment agency that will make your party as much of a success as you hope it to be.

Questions.

Are the band professionals? Are they doing this week in week out and do they earn their living from music? You do not want to pay good money for your wedding, anniversary or birthday, in other words “not to be repeated events” and end up with amateurs or semi professionals. There is an enormous difference in the standard. You will not hear it because you will not have two bands (pro and amateur) to compare it! Ask yourself this: would you drive a cheap banger? Would you eat the cheapest cut of meat you could find? Would you get in an enthusiastic amateur in to rewire your home? No of course not.

Ask the music entertainment agency to see references from satisfied clients, ask who the members of the band have played with, ask for a cd and set list to hear and see what they do. One thing. Don't expect to be able to see them perform. If they do private parties such as yours they will not be in a position to invite you! If they spend their Saturday nights playing in pubs, chances are they are not doing the kind of party you are planning on having. Ask how many parties like yours do they do. Do ask where have they played and for who. Tell them if you would like a particular song sung. Can they do it? What is their reaction to this request? In most cases a good professional band can do this with the minimum of fuss. What will they be dressed in? Professionals will have tuxedos, band outfits and lounge suits. Semi pros and Amateurs turn up in coloured shirts and questionable dickie bows!

Now ask the music entertainment agency about their experience. Are they musicians? Do they go out and see the reaction of the clients and guests to their recommended bands? Do they know the difference between different styles of jazz? And pop music? Do they know if the band has a suitable sound system for a particular hotel? Have they been to the hotel? Do they know how big/small the room is? Do they know to tell the band how to get in a particular venue and how easy or difficult the “get in” is. Will they be there on the night? Are they, the music entertainment agency, contactable on the day?

I cannot stress enough the importance of filtering out the semi pro and amateur musicians from the dedicated, trained and experienced professional. There are people who have retired or been made redundant and have turned their hobby into their new way of earning money. Don't let them do it at your expense. They are a menace. I have seen some of them turning up with wives in tow, out for a night out and drinking you and your guests drinks! Make it clear to your music entertainment agency the standard of music you want. Let them know how important the music is to you and your guests and above all, don`t go for the cheapest option. Expect to pay between £1200 and £1600 for a wedding party band. Any less and something is wrong. Employ them and you will find out when it is too late!

And finally, the music is probably the most important part of the night. As the director of a successful music entertainment agency you would probably expect me to say that wouldn't you? Well, not only do I run a successful music entertainment agency supplying top bands all over England to hundreds of satisfied clients, I also play and perform in some of these bands. This gives me and the team a unique insight into what works and why. From my position I see the reactions to a good band and they are this:

Setting the mood. The right band sets the mood for your guests from the outset. Happy and joyful, sophisticated, playful. Whatever you require. Table napkins, students part-timing as waiters and flower decorations just don't do this!

Through a combination of their personalities, their “look” the style of the music they play and their well judged interaction with your guests they set the tone. When you are ready for energetic dancing the top quality band is there to lead you through the evening, dealing with any problems with a certain élan, using experience picked up over years of playing. Being charming to the brides mother, tactful with a drunk who wants to sing and polite but firm with enthusiastic revellers bumping into musical equipment.

Human beings have danced around the camp fire to celebrate from the earliest of times. It is no different to a good bop at a celebratory party! It is what people remember as they go home. Get the right band and you know that you will have a great party. Choose the right music entertainment agency.