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Q1: What should
someone look for when choosing a band for their wedding reception?
A: Versatility is an important consideration. Not only should a good
wedding band be able to cover a large variety of styles in their repertoire ---
they should also be able to perform songs in a believable and convincing manner.
When performing a rock and roll song, a band should sound like a rock band.
When performing a jazz standard, the band should sound like a jazz band, and not
like a rock band performing a jazz standard! A versatile band needs to be able to
perform at varying volume levels, as are appropriate for different phases during the course of
the reception.
Other factors to consider are reliability and stability. It is always good to find a band that has been together for a reasonable amount of
time, without a lot of personnel changes. Hiring a band that has a history
of frequently changing band members can sometimes lead to difficulties.
Q2:
What is the main advantage of a live band instead of a DJ?
A: I believe that there is no substitute for the excitement of a quality
live performance. Ask people if they would prefer to listen to their
favorite artist's CD, or to see their favorite artist perform live. Many
people choose a DJ over a live band because of the cost .... and because not all
bands are flexible enough to
adequately play the variety of music needed for a successful wedding reception.
Most bands that play regularly for wedding receptions are equipped with their own DJ equipment, which allows them to
accommodate specially requested original recordings.
Q3:
Can certain songs generally be requested for the band to play / avoid playing /
learn?
A: It has always been our
band's policy to encourage brides and grooms to provide us with a list of their
special requests, as well as a list of songs they would like us to avoid
playing. We will typically combine the bride's request list with
our own expertise, in determining which songs would be the most effective
to use at any given time during the course of a wedding reception.
Many wedding bands (including our own) are always willing to learn new
songs as special requests to be used for any of the special wedding dances.
Q4:
What sort of experience should a wedding band have?
A: An experienced wedding band
is usually well-versed in the flow of events at a wedding reception.
It is the band's job to work with the function director and other
professionals involved, in coordinating the different events that take
place. For example, the band needs to make sure the photographer and videographer are ready before beginning
any of the formalities or special dances. The band will typically provide the bride and groom with a
sheet to fill out indicating all of the announcements, special dance
selections and order of events that will
take place during the reception. The band's MC should oversee the
affair to ensure a smooth transition from one event to another, allowing
the bride and groom to relax and enjoy their special day.
Q5:
What size band should I consider hiring?
A: It is sometimes believed that a nine or ten-piece band will produce a "larger" sound than a
five or six-piece band. This is not necessarily the case. Musicians
and vocalists who work well together can frequently create a "fuller" and
cleaner sound than bands using a larger number of musicians. What will determine whether or not a band
will have a "large enough sound" to adequately fill a venue is the
quality and power of the band’s sound system, and not the number of musicians in
the band.
Q6:
What should a bride ask the reception site with regard to the setup of the band?
A: That is a good question. Frequently a bride-to-be will coordinate
matters separately with the reception site and the band. This can
sometimes lead to unforeseen difficulties on the date of the wedding. We often
recommend that brides and grooms consult with both the reception site and the band
in determining matters pertaining to the setup of the band. Where
the band would optimally set up at the site is often a variable that can
best be determined by consulting with both the band and function
facility.
Q7: How many breaks
does a band normally take?
A: During a four-hour wedding reception, most bands typically play three
sets, with two breaks in between. The first break usually takes place
after the main course is served, and the band will generally play recorded background music.
Between the two dance sets, the band will usually take a short break, while
keeping the party's energy level in tact with recorded up-tempo
dance music.
Q8:
Any other tips or suggestions about choosing a wedding band?
A: One word of advise I would offer to prospective brides and grooms is to
be careful attempting to judge the quality of a band on the basis of a video
recording.
For a video to be relevant it needs to be a recording of a live performance
before an audience. To properly record the music requires audio equipment that
one would utilize for a concert, not a wedding reception.
Many bands have produced "music video" pieces that use pre-recorded music which
is then matched to lip-synching and simulated movement. These are fun, but not
an accurate depiction of a live performance. The best way to measure a band's
skill, energy, and crowd interaction, other than seeing and listening to them
live, is to read real testimonials.
I suggest that you place a great deal of importance on feedback
that you hear from people who have actually "experienced"
the band, by having attended a wedding reception where the band had actually
performed. In this regard, their experience is likely to depict the band's
capabilities more accurately than any experience you may have of seeing a band
under "non-ideal viewing conditions". The conditions I am referring
to would include situations such as "sneaking a peak" at the band during a
limited (and sometimes non-ideal) portion of a wedding reception.
Oftentimes, your vantage point as a viewer can be limited to a remote
corner in the back of the room, or a foyer or hallway from where you could
look into the room from the outside. In addition, your vantage point
can often be a location where you are standing behind the band, or
otherwise not in the path of the band's sound system. This will, of
course, lead to a distorted and inaccurate perception of how the band
actually sounds from within the reception. The dance floor is always the
best location to hear a band. This is where the sound of the band is
optimal for maximizing the feel of the musical experience.
Q9:
What factors influence the cost of a wedding band in New England?
A: Date, time and location of the event are the three main factors.
There are generally certain times during the year that bands consider to be "off-peak",
which usually will include the months of
January through mid-April, and the month of November.
Q10:
Is it customary for a band to “hold” a date for a customer?
A: It is difficult for a band to actually “hold” a date for any length of
time. Inquiries for different dates happen continually and randomly
throughout the year, and bands will sometimes wind up with several simultaneous inquiries for the same
date. It is possible to ask a band to give you the “right of first
refusal” for a specific date. The band would then notify you if they
received another serious inquiry for the date,
giving you the first opportunity to reserve their services.
Q11: How is Tuxedo Junction unique among Boston
/ New England wedding bands?
A:
Our five talented and complementary lead singers make us unique among
wedding bands from the Boston area and New England. Even among the larger
bands, it is rare to find one that has this many accomplished singers. Our five
versatile vocalists allow us to cover the widest range of musical styles
convincingly well! Listen
to a variety of samples to hear for yourself!
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