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The entertainment at your function will probably live long in the memories of of your guests, and will be the single biggest factor influencing the success of your party.
However, there are some very important considerations when picking a venue too. Over the years, we have played in pubs, clubs, social rooms, function rooms, marquees, tents, country houses, hotels, stately homes, outdoors, and even on boats. We have seen and heard almost everything, so we thought we would provide you with some helpful thoughts and considerations....... |
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Make sure the venue has an entertainment license that covers music and dancing. Consider the size of the room and the dance floor. Bands need space, (Undercurrent need about 6m by 4m minimum to set-up and play), and your guests will also always need a good-sized, non-carpeted dance-floor to groove on. Also consider whether guests will be using the same room before the band arrives, particularly for wedding breakfasts which are notorious for over-running. (Neither the hosts or the guests will want the band to be crashing around and setting-up in the corner as the best man makes jokes about that 50 year-old stripper on the stag do.) Most bands need between 60-90 minutes to set-up. Check for decibel metres and noise restrictions. Undercurrent will always keep music at a pleasant level, however some venues (in residential areas particularly) may have very-low tolerance metres and cut-off switches which staff do not have power to over-ride, that could wreck the evening. Check the power supply - the more sockets, the better for the band. Most bands can manage on four sockets, however bigger bands using larger equipment and lighting shows and may need more. Check the alcohol license, the times that the bar closes and the time that the venue shuts. Bands generally need around an hour to pack up and leave, so if bar staff are only paid to 1am, bands have to stop at 12 to avoid their wrath !! We recommend that you don't start the main party entertainment too early. For evening functions, mosts guests arrive and want to catch up with family members and friends first over a few drinks. It is almost always better to allow guests to have a few drinks and relax with some sensible volume background music playing. Guests very rarely dance with any energy, if at all, until after the buffet or food, so save the band until everyone is ready for a good boogie (with a few beers inside them!!) Whilst it may be nice to have jazz bands and easy-listening artists playing in the background during the early evening, never have a dance/party band playing whilst the sausage rolls are being fought over, as it will be nothing but an annoyance or loud distraction. It's always best to designate around 30-60 minutes for food/buffet, as early in the evening as possible after you would have expected all your guests to have arrived. (The food will nearly always be left out too, for those that want it a bit later. You have paid for it after all!). Ask bands and DJs to play background music whilst this goes on, and maybe to have a bit of banter with the guests about the format of the evening so everyone knows what's happening. |
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Bands will expect free parking, and also changing area (ideally with mirrors, running water, chairs, tables and hangers etc). It is best to confirm with the venue that a room or area is available. Also, bands will normally be on site for 6-8 hours, and will want to eat at some point. It is customary to invite them to partake in the food/buffet, along with your guests. Some bands may also want to bring along other guests, such as family, friends, agents, or potential new clients who have asked to see the band live before booking them. In our experience, one or two guests never causes a problem, and can even be used cleverly by the band to hit the dance floor first and encourage your guests to join in. However, it is your night, so if you would prefer the band to turn up entirely on their own, you should indicate this in advance. |
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 If you're stuck for ideas or need some assistance with your party arrangements, try these websites: |
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