Having a live band is a great way to get everyone up and dancing at any event. The sound is authentic, and the personal touch adds a healthy dose of excitement which your guests are sure to enjoy. Whether you’re planning a hen do, stag do, birthday party or any other event which requires a splash of pzazz – booking a live band is the way forward.

Here we share three top tips for hiring a live band to help make the process as easy as possible.

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Check the venue

Not all venues allow live musicians, due to sound level or space restrictions. It’s vital to check any restrictions your venue has before you go ahead with your plans to hire a live band. Some may have a noise restrictor, or may require only certain genres of music that don’t include a heavy drum kit.

Ideally, look for venues with enough floor space to accommodate a band, as the drums and speakers can require up to 5×3 metres, depending on the number of musicians. You don’t want to lose out on valuable dancefloor space because your band is too big for the room. Be sure to also check for any timing restrictions, as your venue may not allow live music past a certain time of night.

Decide on your budget

Before you begin looking for potential bands to hire, set yourself a firm budget. This will mean you only consider those performers that fall within your price range, and help you avoid disappointment if you get your heart set on a band which you can’t afford.

Depending on their popularity, availability and even the season, prices of live bands can differ greatly. You may want to consider a number of different bands who play similar styles, and ask if they’re able to provide covers of your favourite bands rather than trying to book the original artists directly.

Don’t go in blind

There’s nothing worse than discovering, on the night of your party, that your hired band is less perfect than you expected. Be sure to attend at least one of their gigs before you book them, to ensure you thoroughly enjoy their performance, quality and energy.

Watch how they interact with their audience. Do they get everyone up on their feet? Do they seem disinterested or lively? It’s always worth speaking to them in person at one of these events, if possible, to ensure they will be the right fit for your event. Be sure to also check their reviews online, to see how their previous customers have rated them on professionalism, reliability and performance.

If you follow these three simple steps when hiring a live band, your party is sure to be a hit. No matter the occasion, there is an ancient art to live music that is impossible to replace with pre-recorded audio. With good research, a little planning and by working together with the band to create a set list that is unique to you, you’ll have the time of your life at your upcoming event.