Booking Live Music for your Event
Booking Live Music for your Event
Top Three Tips
I recently attended an annual sports dinner. 5000 people had flown in from across the country to celebrate the end of year season. The entertainment was a locally known 80s tribute band. They charged the organiser $3000.00 for a four hour call. They brought with them a tiny PA and four light cans. As the evening wore on, it was hard to see them and the tiny PA unfortunately made them sound like a frightened fart in a jar.
Thanks for reading Cutting Through The Noise! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.
Subscribe
We had quoted the same organiser double that for a band that played pretty much the same repertoire however with more experienced and higher profile players who specialised in producing their shows at a very high standard by bringing in a big show lighting rig and sound equipment that could navigate all volume restrictions and requirements without losing quality. Between the sets, we offered a curated and integrated DJ service. The installation, delivery and production management was streamlined and stress free. The quality of the production and lighting would have given the organiser more options in managing the sound and show quality. However, they chose the cheaper option not understanding the difference it would make to their event.
Guests started walking out in the first set. The band couldn’t turn it up without feeding back. Complaints flowed thick and fast. The vocalist lost his voice trying to overcompensate. They lost their connection to the audience. Applause was thin and the dance floor empty. The event managers were stressed. The band was angry. It was a nightmare for all concerned.
The organiser walked over to me mid show and threw his hands up in the air admitting that he should have booked the more expensive band through us. He didn’t realise the impact that a cheaper band, less experienced and qualified performers plus a cheaper production would have on his event.
Hiring the right entertainment package for your event is key.
Mini Festivals, Corporate Events, Parties, Weddings or even a show at the Local Club and Pub – the success of each will be determined by the good time that your guests have. And that is dependent on them singing and dancing and connecting with the performer creating the magic of entertainment – energy exchange.
Three things to consider are:
1. WHO
2. WHAT
3. VALUE
1. WHO
Before you start contacting agents, have a clear plan for your event. What is the demographic of your audience? What is the theme of your event? How will the songs being played by the band add the magic touch to the theme? In the case of a wedding, what is the personality of your bridal party? Mini Festival – your die hard patrons? Party – your guests? Corporate Event – your Teams?
When you have a profile for the WHO, it will be much easier to match your WHO with the right entertainment product. And don’t book it through an app. If you are investing in your event, work with people who have the network, experience and skill to deliver the best possible entertainment package that will meet your needs.
2. WHAT
So you know who, do your research. Songs, decades of music, styles, genres. Narrow your list down before you begin digging. Check artists out on Facebook, Instagram, You Tube and Tik Tok. Be Aware that reviews are not an authentic source of feedback so you need to work with credible Agents to do the research and offer you the best options available for that date and in your budget. Be open to creative alternatives. 😊
3. VALUE
Value is not about what you spend. It is about what your spend actually costs you. We recommend that you allocate a significant portion of your budget to your entertainment to maximise your value. This has the potential to make or break the event. So make sure you book an act that can deliver to your audience while catering to all your specific event logistic needs. If you allow the budget to dictate your choice, read the first few paragraphs again and let it sink in. Invest in quality to give your guests a night to remember!
Enjoy your event. We are here!
Nichola Burton is the CEO for The Pushworth Group, the Creative Director for A Little Pitchy, Designer UX for BEATbooks™ The Integrated Solution For The Music Industry.
Nichola Burton Copyright 2023