So you’ve decided to hire a live band for your wedding - congratulations! Now comes the tough part…how to choose your band. You could go through the thousands of entries on Google and try to find reviews, setlists and videos online but, frankly, who has the time? You have a wedding to plan! Quality music agencies will not only have all of the information you need to know readily available, the exceptional ones will have invested in extras like HD videos of the live bands in action as well as the piece de resistance - the showcase. Showcases are a great opportunity to see a number of bands perform in a live environment so you can get an idea of what they’ll sound like were they to play at your wedding. They’re also a good way to understand whether the sound, set and personality of the band matches up to your expectations and the tone you’re trying to set for your big day. The showcases should be free and there should be no pressure on you to book a band there and then. All in all, they’re an important event that could help you make a decision on who to hire to entertain guests during your wedding.
But how do you get the most out of the showcase? Read on to find out.
1. Bring a Judging Panel
You’re going out to watch live music and have a good time - as well as make an important decision - so why not make a night of it and bring a few people whose opinions you value? When faced with a number of high-quality bands and entertainers it may get a bit overwhelming and a second, third, fourth opinion may actually be useful. After all, these opinions will come from wedding guests who will ultimately be expected to get up and boogie along with everyone else so if they’re not feeling a particular band it’s perhaps wise to take that into account. This will help you narrow your choices and eventually make the right one.
2. Have your Questions Ready
As with any financial investment, you should be able to articulate what you’re looking for for your money. If you’re buying a house, for example, it’s essential that you have a checklist of must-haves / would like to haves and definitely don’t wants. Same with cars. And same for any decision you’ll need to make about your wedding day. If you come to a showcase prepped and ready to go with a list of your questions you’re far more likely to get the most out of the event and not get sidetracked when you get caught up in the excitement and fun of it all (and trust me showcases are fun!)
3. Be Realistic
The bands are live, they’re giving it their all but the atmosphere isn’t quite what you were expecting for your wedding? That’s fair but keep in mind a showcase is a completely different environment to your big day. A showcase is designed specifically to let you hear the band live - that’s it. The best bands will get wedding guests up on their feet and dancing the night away - they can’t show that in an environment where they’re being judged by hundreds of people who are sitting down and weighing up the pros and cons of the music. Just relax, imagine your wedding day and try to consider whether the band you’re listening to will suit the type of wedding day you’re planning. Everything else will click into place and you’ll know when you’ve made the right decision.
4. Talk to The Band
This isn’t Glastonbury, you don’t need VIP tickets to chat to the band - they’re fully approachable. So take the opportunity to ask them any questions you may have before taking the plunge with the booking. Will they play a specific song for you on the day? Will they be using the same equipment? Can the bridesmaids perform a rendition of “We Are Family” during the evening? The band will be able to clarify all of this for you. Breaking the ice with the musicians who will be integral to making your big day unforgettable is also no bad thing!
5. Act Fast
If you see a band that you like, don’t dither - there are likely to be loads of like-minded couples at the showcase, all looking for that perfect live band, so if you liked someone, go for it! Otherwise, another bride might be dancing that first dance to the perfect band instead of you!
Music For Scotland’s next showcase is on the 4th of June @ 7.30 - 10.30 at The Voodoo Rooms in Edinburgh. Admission is FREE and you can register your interest here. See you there!