Music can make or break an event, whether that be your wedding or bar mitzvah. Consider music the heart and soul of your event. Start by asking yourself exactly what you want. Specifically, the kind of entertainment that fits your taste, space, budget, and guest demographics. If you cannot decide who should provide the soundtrack for your special day, consider these pointers.
Band
A live band can get a crowd excited like no other. They can interact with guests on the dancefloor and adjust their music to the vibe of the room. Your guests will experience the thrill of a live performance. A band can play just as diverse of a selection of music as a DJ can. They can also play songs in a different genre or tempo, surprising your guests and giving them a truly unique entertainment experience.
DJ
Most people choose a DJ over a band because they can find people to play music for a much lower cost. Like with most things, you get what you pay for. A cheap DJ will likely hit play on a playlist of standard songs for your event type. This service could easily be done by most people without a musical background and should not be something you spend any amount of money on. Also, a DJ with a dull personality can be a party downer and hamper the mood of the party. It can be tough for DJs to improvise if say your dad is behind tempo during the father-daughter dance. A band can adjust the music seamlessly if anything falls out of schedule during your special day.
Other things to consider
Variety
Be sure that whoever you pick can play both fast and slow songs as well as both old and new songs so that all guests are encouraged to hit the dance floor.
Space
Enquire about whether the venue has noise limitations and if it can accommodate the space needed for a band. Depending on how strict your venue is, most musicians should be able to adapt to the space provided.
Budget
DJ and band prices vary depending on the day of the week they are requested, amount of equipment needed, and the number of people performing. Bands typically cost more than a DJ since they require more equipment and comprise more people. Although, some well-known DJs can cost as much as an entire band so be sure find out how much of your budget your choices will take up.
Tell them your preferences
Professional musicians should be open to your likes and dislikes. Give them your list of songs that must be played and, more importantly, songs that cannot be performed. Use your first dance song as a test to see if they are willing to play it. If they do not know the song, see if they are eager to learn it, otherwise move on to someone else.
See them live
Whoever you decide to choose, you should make it a priority to see them live. That way you know exactly what to expect before you commit. Doing this can be trickier with a DJ since they usually play at invite-only events. For a band, you could check out a public show or watch past performances online.
While cost is an important consideration for any part of a party, do not let it dominate your decision. People will likely not remember the details of your decor, but they are sure to remember the music that was played that night. Make it a memorable experience with Groove & Tonic. We have performers from all musical backgrounds that can accommodate for any event.