Bands at weddings....

Do you think they go through the same stuff we do as DJs? I mean, I bet they get DNP lists and must play lists, but I'm guessing nowhere near the same amount as we do...

And, actually, I can't even remember the last time I saw a band at a wedding.... must be over 10 years ago, except for one wedding I went to where they had both.... but I KNOW that that reception was over 100K.

Hope they don't get a request for the Cha Cha Slide... I don't know many bands that could pull that off... hahahahaha

A very good band, basically yes. A mediocre one....nope. More often, a band will state their terms. Sometimes they will agree to (delivery optional) certain criteria issued by the client. We have worked with some very talented bands who could tow the line. Of course, turn the tables. Generally, a group hiring a band WANTS WHAT THE BAND OFFERS; DOES NOT EXPECT THEM TO CONFORM TO THEIR EXPECTATIONS. The same *can* be true of DJs. We rarely get the -zillas of planning because the clients hire us for our specialty; not for some oddball idea they came up with.

Papa,
Over here the Band playing at weddings 80%.Im trying more and more to get my pice of cake.Anyway,I play on the card that the Band cant play all requests and what the guests want, well i can!

Do you think they go through the same stuff we do as DJs? I mean, I bet they get DNP lists and must play lists, but I'm guessing nowhere near the same amount as we do...

And, actually, I can't even remember the last time I saw a band at a wedding.... must be over 10 years ago, except for one wedding I went to where they had both.... but I KNOW that that reception was over 100K.

I don't think the majority of bands can stand up to us. We can play a ton more music than any band and play almost any request. We never take breaks. We usually don't cost over $5000. We can set up in almost any space or area unlike a band. And....we're just plain freakin' cool!!

Good one Trafficgoo!

I prefer a band myself :)

Probably doesn't hurt that lots of them use my software too -- when they are on breaks ;)

As he runs and ducks for cover...

Bands are not DJ's.

People hire a band to have live music. Of course they can't beat a DJ in terms of tracks, but live music is live music. Nothing better, unless the band sucks.

Around here a "decent" band starts at $10,000.00, good bands $15 - $25,000. So you can imagine why the DJ industry by us is booming. I agree with Trafficgoo, they can not compete with us and the only ones hiring bands now a days are people doing 100K weddings.
As far as them going thru what we do for reqests, probably not. Most people hire bands because of how good they are and what they already play. They do not get a list like we do, I know, I used to be in one.

Around here a "decent" band starts at $10,000.00, good bands $15 - $25,000. So you can imagine why the DJ industry by us is booming. I agree with Trafficgoo, they can not compete with us and the only ones hiring bands now a days are people doing 100K weddings.
As far as them going thru what we do for reqests, probably not. Most people hire bands because of how good they are and what they already play. They do not get a list like we do, I know, I used to be in one.

Around here not quite that high, but neither are DJ's.
Most wedding bands around here have a minimum of 5 members. Some have a horn section.

Also, the band is also absorbing the cost of a multitude more speakers, mics, inputs, amps, and other assorted rack gear.
So a 6000 dollar band may have 2000 in support and 1000 in its agent and another 1000 in whateva....

As I tell my prospective clients. You can hire a band anywhere from $2500 to $10,000. They will sound absolutely great for 6 or 7 songs.

After that, every song sounds the same, since it's the same group playing and singing. They generate their own sound.

But with a DJ, you get incredible variety, and every song sounds like you remember it, because you are getting the originals.

In other words, I can offer you the exact sound of between 40 and 60 different bands and groups at your wedding reception. Played on a great professional sound system, and introduced and arranged by a great DJ personality.

There really is no comparison in entertainment at a function such as a wedding reception. A DJ will outshine and outlast any band. (and we don't take breaks).

I look at it like this....if it weren't for bands, I wouldn't be a Dj.

Any client that wishes to consider booking one, I don't try to compete with it.

I'm just partial to keeping live music alive. Its in my best interest that these groups find work.

DJ's are a dime a dozen if you look at the numbers.

Bands are not DJ's.

People hire a band to have live music. Of course they can't beat a DJ in terms of tracks, but live music is live music. Nothing better, unless the band sucks.

Which a lot of them does!:sqwink:

I prefer a band myself :)

Probably doesn't hurt that lots of them use my software too -- when they are on breaks ;)

As he runs and ducks for cover...

Boo Hiss Get Off the Stage.... You Hack.......:sqlaugh:

I was just thinking about this yesterday,LOL. I was watching the Sopranos episode where Johnny Sac got out of jail to go to his daughters wedding, and I was studying the band and emcee. I cringed a couple of times at how hokey it seemed. I couldnt imagine being subjected to THAT for 5 hours or more.

Music is a great reason to use a dj over a band, but running a wedding is another GREAT reason to use us. We actually RUN the reception, most bands have no idea how to. Also, unless you put out the big $$$ (in So Cal it can be in the $10k area, too) for a wedding band that knows what it is doing, you get the kind of band that takes long breaks, has lame segues (Sp?) and only plays 30 songs.

For the person who wants great professionalism, constant energy and a very well run reception, bands are out of the price range.

Enter the professional DJ.....

I did a few wedding receptions while in a band, we would also take requests and play if we knew them. We also ran a tape while on break. The cost was the big factor cause we all got a piece of it and we all wanted a good share, now that I am starting to DJ/MC it is all mine!

Bands in my area still manage to get a good number of gigs. I played side by side with a band at a couple of weddings. I find that bride and grooms that have a need to stick to a culture at their weddings would hire a band. For example a couple from Ireland had an Irish band come in for 4 hours and I played for 2. Latino's will have a salsa or merengue band come in for a couple of hours and the DJ will fill in the gaps as they take breaks.
Heck if they have it the budget to afford a band and me, I'll take it. Less work at the normal rate.

In the SF Bay Area I worked with quite a lot of bands - most of which were really good. I usually hit it off with the bands by being a nice guy and having a bit of a laugh.

My own weddings I had live bands and they used cassette tapes (it was before Rick and SoftJock)

Muso's can be a great addition to any event if you (the Jock) makes an effort to get have a blast and don't get pissy with each other.

:)

Bands, just like DJs, there are good bands, bad bands, and in-between bands.

And, just like DJs, the 'team' may consist of one person that has the passion, and does the client meetings, while the rest of the band just shows up to do a gig.