Dumb Band Question...

Ok, for those of you who have booked a band - did you just call and ask for a demo tape? Other than going to showcases, how do you evaluate the different bands? How many did you evaluate before you chose your band? What is an average amount to budget for the band? I am so lost!!!

Re: Dumb Band Question...

Personal opinion--- I would only go see the band live. You can't really tell from a video

Re: Dumb Band Question...

there are ALOT of things to consider..

what their specialty is, how many piece band? how long? will they play continuously, or take breaks.. is there a keyboardist included?

I was lucky enough to know the band we're using..

I would go see showcases and def call them up to see where they are either showcasing or if they can send you a demo.. I've also seen some guys with their own website where you can listen to clips.

It's great to go by what everyone else tells you is good or not.. but everyone likes dif things and music.. so what I may think is fab you can be like "***?" lol

Re: Dumb Band Question...

Ok we looked at about 10 bands. We tried to go to showcases but because it was over the holidays(that was when FH was home) we saw a number of tapes and listened to a number of cd's.

Most of the bands we looked at quoted us 5500 for the cocktail hour and the reception.

Some places refused to send us a tape or a cd even though we explained we were on a very tight schedule (since christmas and new years fell during the week we only have about 2 maybe 3 days those weeks to look at our band, photographer and video vendors.

I would definetely GO and hear the LIVE - the tapes and cd's often sound nothing like the band does live.

We evaulated the bands we looked at - by whether they looked professional (some we felt were not), obviously their overall sound, then we also looked at whether they had a great repetoire, and finally - whether they had any energy - my family felt some of the bands that were very popular we look at did not have any energy (dad who is ultra conservative felt that they were more appropriate for a 60th anniversary rather than a wedding)

We had a great time looking for our band.
Good Luck!