What’s so classic about a live band you might be thinking. We get them every week down at the local. And professional D J’s? What exactly is so professional about the modern equipment set-up? Anyone can programme a laptop to play the best of the 80′s, Lady Gaga and The Beatles on a loop, so why pay for the privilege?
Measuring Professionalism and Quality
Yes, technology may have given way for an alternative format of DJ coverage, however it doesn’t mean you are just hiring someone who knows how to use a computer. In most cases, you are hiring someone who is additionally an entertainer, Master of Ceremonies and sound technician to boot. In the case for wedding bands, you’ll find that the quality of performance compared to your mediocre pub-rockers is measurable – plus they have experience of events coverage. The best wedding bands are those in demand, so you’ll soon know if they’re any good, just from a peek at the on-line booking schedule!
Myth: A DJ Can Cater For Any Crowd, A Band Cannot.
Sure, a DJ might have anywhere between 15-30,000 tracks in his repertoire – ideal for the eclectic tastes of a diverse party crowd, but you can’t always guarantee they’ll all be popular. A great DJ is experienced in the art of music continuity, gradually evolving the track queue-list to meet the demands of his audience. He can also read the audience and determine whether the choice of track is going to gel with the dance-floor crowd, or send them scuttling back to their seats.
When looking for wedding entertainment, you’ll almost certainly have checked out the listings under wedding entertainment provision first. There’s a reason why certain providers list this as their primary niche, and it’s mostly to do with experience. It’s a common misconception that covers bands only have a 50-track capability. Most catering for the wedding entertainment niche have been in the industry for years, refining their repertoire and ability to cover everything from the 40′s to present day.
Myth: A DJ Is More Entertaining Than A Band.
Great wedding entertainment is the kind of thing you remember for months afterward, and often what people will rave about as your sister prepares to organise her own wedding two years down the line. DJ’s are usually cheaper than bands, however this does reflect the fact that he/ she is a single entity, and doesn’t have a back-up of singers, sound technicians or dancers to spice up the entertainment. It’s just your DJ and hopefully, one with sense of humour enough to involve, joke with and cajole the crowd. Singers and bands do so in nearly every song they play, changing the words to include the bride or groom, asking the older members to get up for a Sammy Davis Junior special or delivering a short quip here and there between songs. Entertainment factor depends upon the personality of the people/ person you choose to hire, not what they play.
Possibility: DJ’s Are Cheaper Than Bands
While sifting through the reams of wedding entertainment acts in your area, you’ve probably noticed what’s known in the industry as the great “price divide”. This noticeable division is usually between the advertised costs of bands and DJ’s, however sometimes also extends to soloist singers offering their expertise.
There’s no escaping that a band can be the more costly option, however there are an ever increasing number of ex-club and general event DJ’s crossing over into the wedding entertainment industry, whose inflated prices often match or exceed those of wedding bands. At the opposite end of the scale, are the prices so low you should really question the experience of the professional himself.
When it comes to choosing your entertainment, it’s you and you alone who will know what will be best for your day. While you can take the guests into consideration, you can’t always please everyone – so choose an entertainer most likely to appeal to both yourself, and the majority of your guests!
Tags: art of music, best of the 80, booking schedule, eclectic tastes, events coverage, lady gaga, party crowd, professional dj, track capability, wedding entertainment