You might have recently concluded that you need a band instead of a disc jockey (DJ) or a solo singer for your event. However, you know that this choice can come with a few challenges. After all, hiring a live band is a big decision. Read more on what to know when it comes to music band hire.
Genre
Australia has a diverse and rich music. It has indigenous, folk, bush, country, world, roots, and contemporary. And the continent even has dedicated music festivals for each genre and type of music it has. So, it makes sense that you choose a band that can play the music genre you want to be played on your event. (1)
Bands that often offer their services for hire are “variety” or “cover bands”–they’re sometimes referred to as party pleasers. Most live bands in Perth are of this type, and they can play most music you’ll need for your event. They are often willing to learn and play any song you have in mind and can even entertain your guests and accept song requests.
However, there will be times when you have a crowd that prefers a particular genre. Put this into mind as sometimes you should have a metal band to cover metal songs or ska bands to cover ska.
Samples
When hiring a band, especially from a pool of the best live bands Penrith has, the fastest way to gauge whether or not they’re good is to hear a sample of their music. Thankfully, it’s easy to get a sample of a band’s performance or music nowadays. You can ask them for their videos from video-sharing sites. You can also ask them if they have uploaded their music on an audio-sharing site.
If the band is traditional and doesn’t upload their stuff online, you can ask for their sample compact disc (CD) or even mixtape–yes, some bands still use these media. They are often willing to share their long plays (LPs or full albums) or extended plays (EPs or partial albums) with clients. Note that before, most LPs and EPs exclusively referred to vinyl records. However, both LPs and EPs are acceptable in music CDs, DVDs (digital optical discs), and even digital downloads nowadays. (2)
Aside from knowing the genre they play and their skill level, their live band singles can tell you what the band thinks is good music. Most of the time, it’s good to hire a band that matches your taste in sound.
Gigs
While samples can let you know a band’s taste and genre, their gigs can let you know how they perform live. Ask the band if they have a gig scheduled that you can watch, and see if they play in popular events like the 9 Lives Festival Melbourne. For those unfamiliar, the 9 Lives Festival is a music event that happens on a single day with three stages for music lovers. (3)
Aside from seeing them perform in live bands events, knowing your prospective band’s gig schedule allows you to have an insight into how much people love them. The more gigs they have, the higher the chance they’re a crowd favourite.
Setup and equipment
You shouldn’t forget about the equipment. It’s a fact that the best live bands in the world will always have and prefer using their own equipment. However, not all of them are willing to bring all their stuff to a gig or job. If they do, they will ask for extra.
In some cases, you may have already hired an organiser or an events place with all the audio rigs for your event. If you’re in that situation, you wouldn’t want the band to waste the money you already spent for equipment available on the site.
Space
You should also consider how much space they need. After all, some bands may have a lot of members and may require a large platform to perform. And again, you should consider how much equipment they would need.
For instance, you wouldn’t want a band with an ensemble to play inside a small function hall. Aside from the place being cramped, the amount of music they could generate might be too loud.
Miscellaneous needs
To make sure nothing goes awry in the event, you should make sure you know if they have any special needs or demands. Note that some bands may require some additional electrical outlets, food, and other equipment to perform to their fullest during an event.
Where do bands play worst live performance ever? Try to find out the answer to this question. After all, if you’re in a place known for having a lousy sound profile, be sure to ask the band you’ll hire if they need specific equipment and setup to prevent the venue from ruining the event or their performance.
Price
Of course, you shouldn’t forget the price. Some bands may demand a flat rate or an hourly rate. Know about this as early as possible, as this can easily make you decide if you want the band.
Also, know if they charge extra–like having to pay additional for every song request they play on stage. Aside from that, they may also charge more if they need to travel far, bring their equipment, hire sound persons, get additional members, and do other things outside their expected band duties.
Conclusion
Those are the things you need to know before you hire a band. Learning about these topics can help you determine if the band is the right group for your event and prevent any potential drama or technical problems during the performance you’re asking for.
References:
- “Music In Australia”, Source: https://musicaustralia.org.au/discover/the-professional-music-industry/music-in-australia/
- “What Is The Difference Between LP And EP In Music?”, Source: https://drummingreview.com/difference-between-lp-and-ep/
- “FAQ: What Is Nine Lives?”, Source: https://www.ninelivesfestival.com/faq
