An Essex Wedding - Jan/Feb 2018 (Issue 84)

The evening reception can be the longest part of your wedding day and it’s easy to underestimate the huge responsibility of keeping your guests entertained. Here are some helpful tips from Tim Thorogood of Essence Music whose advice will help you find what you’re looking for... ❤ Don’t rely solely on a demo CD Modern studios can make anyone sound good. Some bands when making their demos add their vocals to a bought karaoke track, which is not representative of their live sound. You can check this when you hear your chosen band play by using the app Shazam on a section of the track with no vocals. If it’s truly the band playing the ‘artist’ will be displayed as ‘unidentified’. ❤ Make a short list and go and see them perform Some acts may only have private bookings, in which case ask to see video recordings instead. With so many people having a smart phone nowadays it’s very likely that they would have been filmed, otherwise ask to drop into a rehearsal. Do beware if they don’t have a video sometimes bands might not want to show you a raw video but I believe unedited footage is the best indicator of quality, presentation and the atmosphere they create. ESSENCE MUSIC ❤ Ask to see recent testimonials and seek recommendations from venues Nothing speaks higher of a service than previous delighted brides or wedding coordinators who’ve seen lots of different acts. If they’re recommended by a venue then it’s also a good indication of their professionalism. ❤ Double check the photos on their social media Nothing says amateur more than a singer reading the lyrics as they perform. Relying on a songbook shows a lack of effort to take their profession seriously. You don’t see it on TV and you can’t engage with an audience if glued to the spot reading. ❤ Be sure the performers on the demo tracks are who actually turns up There is a widespread practise where some acts operate in ‘name-only’ format and are put together from a pool of freelance musicians based on availability. The same band can therefore play several weddings simultaneously, so you may get musicians who’ve never played together which will affect the performance. A band that regularly plays together as a ’unit‘ results in a much more slick and polished performance. ❤ Fully-professional bands have a much higher level of quality Pros will have back-up musicians, insurance, spare equipment and contingency plans should anything go awry. ❤ Quotation questions If you receive a price which is considerably cheaper than others, think about how they’ve managed to achieve this. Ask about the quality of there speakers and lights, if they’re insured, if their equipment is PAT-certified and if the act is done as a sideline to a regular job. ❤ Don’t assume fully professional acts are more expensive By the time a semi-pro takes time off work they can actually end up more expensive, especially mid-week. ❤ Keeping the dancefloor busy Your friends and family have different tastes and it’s a professional skill to know when to play each song so as to attract people to the dancefloor without losing those already on it. A band or disco that plays multiple nights a week will be practiced at reading guests. ❤ In the know Bands and DJs are a paid service and shouldn’t expect any special treatment like dinner, unless they have been working all day. Of course, it’s always appreciated if they are allowed something from the buffet. At Essence Music, we’ve done the hard work as all of our acts have been carefully vetted and passed the incredibly strict criteria regarding quality and professionalism. For more information, call 01621 744 388, or visit weddingmusic.expert MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT 87