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The professionals reading this will know that without a decent suit, good hair and an ability to talk the talk, you may catch your peers whispering by the photocopier or leaving a fashion magazine on your desk whilst you’re at lunch. The same applies to those working in the entertainments industry. Clients are looking to hire status symbols and, like the darts world, beer bellies and bald heads are on their way out.
1311 Events has definitely experienced a north – south divide over the years. Clients from 'oop north' seem to want to really let their hair down and artists that bring a real energy to their performance such as tribute artists, seventies wigs-and-flares bands and northern soul acts definitely do well in that environment. However, in London and the South East we’ve found clients to be a bit more…well…erm…”discerning”. Typically, sophisticated swing and Hollywood bands seem to be most popular. By Hollywood, we mean pretty bands aged around 32 with good dress sense. It’s wonderfully Hello really.
Some of the finest musicians in the country are the ones with the most experience and, as we all know, experience comes with age. Take a Sinatra tribute for example. Our most requested Sinatra in the South East has 20 years on our most requested artist in the North. We don’t believe it has anything to do with price – it’s an age thing - “Not quite what we are looking for.” No problemo! Our theory is further reinforced when people make enquiries for a fabulous sixties band. 5 professional guys in good suits, sensational musicianship and a hugely impressive corporate client list don’t quite secure a booking for that wedding in (perhaps) Richmond Upon Thames because the Grecian 2000 wasn’t applied prior to the press photos.
As a professional booking agent, 1311 Events has brought together a comprehensive collection of superb artists throughout the UK and, whilst we’re not allowed to exclude performers with bad skin or an extra love handle, we are very careful about who we do include in our portfolio. We believe we have an excellent blend of youthful talent and experienced artists that we can suggest based on individual clients requirements. If you’re looking for something in particular, don’t be afraid to ask your supplier. Your event is important. You can still say words like black, young, sexy. Just don’t type them all into Google at once – you might find more than you bargained for!!
Well, quite possibly. There are times when a DJ will be great and there simply isn't room for a band. (See Top 10 mistakes when hiring a band). Let's face it, if all of the guests are going to be completely sozzled by half past eight and wouldn't be seen dead on a dance floor anyway, don't hire a band. It may look and sound great but bands don't want drunken bums falling all over the place and having a dance floor littered with casualties is never great to perform for. Have a DJ - give the band a break!
There may be occasions when having a band is just par-for-the-course. Your guests will expect one and as long as there are a few musicians tootling or plucking about in the corner they will be happy. Well, maybe, but choosing a band on that basis is like having a dinner party and serving your guests 'something out of the freezer'. Most people find out what their guests do and don't like before putting a menu together that suits the occasion. I've been fortunate to attend some fantastic suppers in the past and, having stuffed myself to the gills with fabulous food have asked for the recipe - and actually meant it!! There is no doubt that spending a little more time thinking about our musical menu will add to the success of your event.
For the majority of us, our memories are interspersed with some seriously great musical experiences. I don't confess to being at Woodstock in '69, seeing Sinatra at Caesars Palace in the 80s or Michael Jackson at Wembley in '97. However, I'm sure many of you will recall the uncontrollable excitement when hearing some of your most loved artists perform at gigs you've been to. It's not just the music is it? It's the sound, the buzz, that incredible sensation when a collective group of music lovers gets together and 'worships' something that is great.
Don't get me wrong - hiring a bad band is awful. Usually, aside from a few exceptions, you get what you pay for. But, let's face it, how many times in our lives will we have an occasion to hire a band? A wedding, a 21st or 40th birthday party? It's worth pushing the boat out for these events. (Flashback to mother - "If you're going to do something - do it properly"). Remember - the music is a treat for you and your guests so stretch the purse string that little bit more and mark the occasion with something everyone will talk about for a long time to come? That is the real reason to hire a good live band. It's about making memories. You'll never get that time back.
Over the last 5 years, we've found, time and again, that the music of yesteryear is still the most requested for all events whether for weddings, private parties or corporate entertainments. Surprisingly, it seems that the 1920's - 1950's is the most popular era of music by quite a long stretch. We're talking about artists such as Gershwin, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Ella and of course, the inimitable Sinatra. (See A brief history of jazz)
Before working in the industry, I thought popular music was party music - the stuff in the charts. I hadn't appreciated just how timeless the Golden Age of jazz was - is. Yet, three times more enquiries are made for live jazz or swing bands than any other music genre and it is getting even more popular. This is partly because pop Icons like Robbie Williams have released albums like "Swing when you're winning" and also because artists like Jamie Cullum and Amy Whinehouse have made jazz hip and trendy to the younger audience. However, if we look deeper, we can soon see why rock and pop is becoming old fashioned when considering what live music to have at your next event.
MTV, ipods, CD players, the internet equal music, music, music. It's everywhere and our exposure to the most recent bands and their music is ever increasing. It's possible that we tire of it a lot quicker because we hear chart music more now than we have ever done in the past. If you're looking to hire a live band for your forthcoming event, you might want to book something fresh, something different? A swing or jive band may well be the answer!
Unsurprisingly, many of us think of Sinatra when we mention jazz. He is a legend and as one of the most popular artists of all time, it is likely that every one of us can list at least half a dozen of his songs. His music is ideal as a musical backdrop and for real enthusiasts there are several sensational tribute artists and tribute bands that deliver an authentic Sinatra experience in the UK.
We would recommend bands like:
One More For The Road >>>
Sinatra LA >>>
Simply Swing >>>
However, it may not be ideal for a whole night of dancing due to the tempo of many of his songs. (See Top 10 mistakes when hiring a band) If you want something that will guarantee to make your younger guests dance (in quite a different way to how they do these days) look for a band that can perform a range of jazz to include classics such as The Charleston, Anything Goes, Puttin' on the Ritz, or even some Glen Miller.
We would recommend bands like:
78RPM >>>
Five Star Swing >>>
If you are really adventurous and know that your guests are looking for something truly energetic, consider a jazz jive, be bop style band. These are not bands that play that crazy acid jazz that some people think of - these are high-energy bands that put a massive dose of Red Bull into their music.
We recommend bands like:
The Bootleg Jools Holland Orchestra >>>
The Jive Aces >>>
Blue Harlem >>>
Of course, these are only a few thoughts about bringing in a taste of yesteryear for your forthcoming event. When you consider the great music of Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, standard Latin jazz songs like Moondance and Sway and 'the sounds of summer' from a Dixie or trad jazz band, it's hardly surprising that this music is still in such demand. Little wonder then, that jazz may be romantically considered as the new pop and probably will be for a long time to come.
White trash wedding - Dixie chicks
You give love a bad name - Bad Medicine / Bon Jovi
Road to Hell - Chris Rea
She's no Lady - she's my wife - Lyle Lovett
I want to break free - Queen
Beat it - Michael Jackson
Dude looks like a lady - Aerosmith
Fifty ways to leave your lover - Paul Simon
Tainted love - Soft Cell
worstweddingsongs@1311events.net
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