You love your chart hits and the classic rock and pop right back to the 50s and 60s, you know it will go down well with your friends and family right through from the kids to the aunties who fell in love with the Beatles when they sang “Love Me Do!”
So which band are you going to trust to sing and play it right on the night for your once-in-a-lifetime wedding reception? How are you going to choose?
Is Price an Issue?
With so many people talking about recession and the need to economise in the back of your mind you may be looking at the price tag first when choosing your covers band but be careful! There are a lot of bands out there, many cobbled together to make a fast buck or quick quid for singing a few rough covers of songs that they like.
But don’t let that worry you because there are still enough dedicated musicians who’ve made their mission to give you the music you want with style, showmanship and professionalism.
You get what you pay for
How to tell the difference? Well, one thing is: you get what you pay for. Obvious and old hat, I know, but still true. While most musicians are ready to give you a very good deal, especially if you book well ahead, the well-rehearsed cover bands with a long term commitment to their customers (you) and quality music will charge according to the value and respect they’ve earned over the years.
What if my budget is limited?
If your budget really is limited you could consider a “high-tech covers duo.” This can be superb when you have two talented singer/musicians who work well together and have put in the time to perfect their performances with high quality backing tracks. The sound is big since they “bring in” perhaps twelve virtual musicians all playing their parts at studio quality while the duo add their live dynamism and human presence to generate the party atmosphere. Jumpstart and Switch show how different skills reflect in different styles. A good duo will charge between £500 and about £700 depending upon how far they have to travel.
A full live band
The ideal for most people is a fully live band which means at least four musicians/singers on stage. For sheer spectacle and excitement there’s nothing like the energy of a live act who work with the crowd and read the mood as your evening gets going. Each band has its own sound characterised by the individuals who make it up, Obsession features cool Sax solos and that rich brass sound while Copycats have female and male vocals plus hot guitar riffs. Prices vary here between £750 and £1500, the more popular your band the more they can afford to charge!
Have a bigger budget?
When neither space nor budget are an issue why not consider a big band? These bands offer a brass section on top of their usual lineup: Camus Tootra and Groove Station.
The sounds and styles that a band goes for should bring our the musicians/singers strong points. Listen to their MP3s on line, if they don’t have any ask them to send a CD to you. Check the reviews they’ve had and get a feel for whether each band can offer the reception that you’re going to love.
