Function Central UK: The Cortinas

Profile

The Cortinas are a 4-piece guitar covers band residing in London. If it’s a small tea room orchestra you’re looking for then they ain’t the boys for you! The Cortinas play a high octane variety of covers ranging from The Beatles through Stevie Wonder and The Police, on to Duran Duran and landing somewhere near Franz Ferdinand. All of the members of the band have studied music at college and lead singer Dan has a background in stage musicals having performed from an early age in provincial theatres in his native Newcastle.

Over the last year and a half they have played many club gigs, weddings, showcases and functions around the country and abroad. They have also recorded for EMI and recently made their TV debut on Sky in a docu-soap.

Testimonials

I’ve been meaning to e-mail for weeks just to say how fantastic the Cortinas were at our wedding in January! All the guests thought they were great and everyone was up dancing from start to finish. I know when I was looking into booking them you put me in touch with a previous client who gave them an excellent recommendation and I just wanted to say that if anyone else wanted to use them and wanted some feedback I’d be more than willing to give them a glowing report!
Deirdre Wrench, Wedding, April 2008

I had The Cortinas play for my daughter Myer's evening wedding reception on Saturday, March 22nd. What a band! I was worried because the space seemed a little limited with also having the dico. No problem for them. Dan never gets flustered and was quite happy. Once they came on for the first of two one hour sets the floor was quickly filled with dancers - most functions are quiet until refreshments have been served. Fantastic musicians and great choice of songs. There was even an overspill onto the carpeted area.

I love live music and wanted a mix of disco and live band. It made the evening go with a bang. The Cortinas certainly pushed things along superbly and the comments have been fantastic. Even the very few non-dancers stood around the floor listening and watching a very professional set up. The mix of live and superb disco was brilliant. By the time the final hour came along the place was rocking. Well done to Dan and his gang! You will certainly be recommended to all. Myer and Kevin were delighted.
John Garner, Wedding reception, 22nd March 2008

Just a quickie to say what a fantastic party we had on our wedding night, and I have to give huge credit to The Cortina's for it...they were amazing. They delivered exactly what I wanted - fab tunes to jump around to all night long. Dan is a legend - he has a really cool delivery and the band around him are so tight.....I didnt stop dancing all night and my wedding dress was ruined as my heels kept getting stuck in the net as I jumped around and danced myself silly. Their version of "Teenage Kicks" made my night, I had to leave a family group mid way through a conversation to leg it off to the dance floor and dance. Everyone commented on what a great band they are, I think there will definately be a few more bookings coming their way..... and I am trying desperately to think of an excuse to get them to play for us again soon. Many of our friends are seriously into their music, and everyone was blown away - I lost count of the amount of times I was told "best band at a wedding I've ever heard".

Thank you so much, and please pass on our thanks to Dan and the gang again, I cannot tell you how much I loved them.
Jo Cater, Wedding, November 2007

These guys were fantastic, brilliant. Many, many guests said to me how good they thought the band were and asked how I had found them. So hopefully I’ll be able to put some referrals your way in the future. Thanks again, Dan and the boys helped make my 40th a great night.
Giles Hosking, 40th Birthday Party, September 2007

We thought The Cortina's were fantastic!!!! They made our night a night to remember and our guests loved them! They can play pretty much anything and what a lovely bunch of lads they are. We had some technical issues on the night with the venue equipment and the lads were so patient and had everyone rocking on the dance floor in no time! We couldn't recommend them highly enough and have since heard them being played on Radio 1 with Jo Whiley backing them. A few of our guests even asked for their autographs on the night, wish we had too! Great music, great lads, would highly recommend!
Mark Sephton, Wedding, July 2007

We hired the band to play a set at my husband's 50th birthday party. We looked at their large play list before the party and chose songs which would appeal to all the guests.

We had about 100 people aged from late fifties to teenagers. They managed to get all ages on to the dance floor. They gave a very polished performance and many guests asked us afterwards where we had found the band. One relative took their contact details as she intended to hire them for her wedding party.

They were very friendly and professional and I would have not hesitation in hiring them again for future parties.
Mrs. L. Weir, Party, July 2007

“Wow Wow Wow ! Where do we start! The Cortina’s played at our wedding and the dance floor was full all night! Every song was spot on and they were just AMAZING!! I would recommend them to any type of event without hesitation. Thank guys you professionalism and fantastic music exceeded all of our expectations. You rocked…!”
Sareeta Sabharwal, April 2007

When you see the lads thank them again from me. We had a fab night and everyone thought they were fantastic... the house was shaking!!!!....will be in touch when i do next party later in the year as we all want them back...
Linda Crook, Chester, February 2007

The Cortinas were fantastic - all our guests loved them! The band even learnt a track we requested prior to the wedding and played it brilliantly.
Sophie Neville, Wedding, Essex, December 2006

They were brilliant. Even had the oldies on the dance floor! Really good sports and very talented. Shame we had to pack up so early. Thanks so much for a great night.
Sarah Turner, Wedding, October 2006

Band were absolutely fantastic, got everyone on the dance floor, huge numbers of positive comments from all our guests. They didn't even bat an eyelid when my cousin knocked over not only a speaker but the bass player aswell - just laughed and carried on playing - a class act! My brother-in-law is already planning to book them for his wedding next year!
Jim Crawford, Wedding, October 2006

"The Cortinas played at our wedding in September and we and our guests thought they were fantastic. Having been asked in advance they went out of their way to learn to play our first dance which was a really good way to set the evening off. They played two sessions of covers from the last few decades. Taking the stage for a couple of hours in total the dance floor was never empty."
Earl Sibley, Wedding, September 2006

The Cortinas were absolutely fantastic at our wedding and so many of our guests raved about them. Their song list and the brilliant atmosphere they created simply made the evening. Thanks very much. I would really recommend them to any friends, family or work colleagues!
Charlie Annis, Wedding, July 2006

The band went down a storm. Everything was perfect - the set list, the performance, their attire and their attitude. The Cortinas are very nice boys and excellent at what they do.
Matthew Himsworth, Wedding, July 2006

The band were truly brilliant and were a big part in making our wedding day the best day of our lives. So many of the guests commented on how great the band were - among them professional musicians who are not easily pleased. The constantly packed dance floor spoke for itself. Fantastic performance - thank you.
Clodagh Bradley, Wedding, June 2006

So many people who were there have commented on how good the band were and how much they enjoyed their performance.
Clare McVittie, Wedding, June 2006

I can't tell you how fantastic The Cortinas were. The sound quality was superb, they played everything requested and more! Everyone commented on how brilliant they were. They made our night! The dance floor was packed all night! Thank You!
Annell Buffery, Oxford, May 2006

"Brilliant - exactly as we expected, everyone thought they were great. Thanks"
Ben Sweeney - Wedding Reception - Saturday 11 March 2006 - The Old Place, Hatfield House

"Excellent performance. Real talented bunch"
James Williams, Harper Adams University Students Union, 15 February 2006

"The Cortinas came to France to play for one week in June 2005. Facing a difficult first few days as we had international football in town, and they are not the most agreeable clientel to put a live band in front of, The Cortinas played with skill and conviction turning the crowd and entertaining with a rare blend of youthfulness and professionalism. The rest of the week they entertained a full house everynight and were a big hit on Ladies Night.

I have offered them carte Blanche on dates here at Wayne's for next year and cannot recommend them more highly than that...my business depends on it!"
Justin Jamieson, Waynes, June 2005

Repertoire

1. Rebel Rebel – David Bowie
2. Billie Jean – Michael Jackson
3. Superstition – Stevie Wonder
4. Standing in the Way of Control – The Gossip
5. Disco 2000 - Pulp
6. Brown Sugar – The Rolling Stones
7. Just Like Heaven – The Cure
8. Take Me Out - Franz Ferdinand
9. Sunny Afternoon – The Kinks
10. Take On Me - A-Ha
11. I’m a Believer - Monkees
12. Girls & Boys - Blur
13. Easy - Commodores
14. Going Underground – The Jam
15. Tainted Love - Soft Cell
16. Ticket To Ride - The Beatles
17. All Right Now - Free
18. Somebody Told Me - The Killers
19. Do You Remember The 1st Time - Pulp
20. Video Killed The Radio Star - Buggles
21. Born To Be Wild - Steppin’ Wolf
22. Pinball Wizard – The Who
23. Message In A Bottle – The Police
24. Mustang Sally – The Commitments
25. There’s No Other Way - Blur
26. I Predict A Riot – Kaiser Chiefs
27. Rocks – Primal Scream
28. Johnny B. Goode – Chuck Berry
29. You Really Got Me – The Kinks
30. Molly’s Chambers - Kings Of Leon
31. Stand By Me – Ben E King
32. White Wedding – Billy Idol
33. Last Nite – The Strokes
34. Somewhere In My Heart - Aztec Camera
35. Purple Haze - Hendrix
36. Day Tripper - The Beatles
37. Teenage Kicks - The Undertones
38. Ever Fallen In Love - The Buzzcocks
39. Walking On The Moon - The Police
40. Should I Stay . . . - The Clash
41. Another Bites The Dust - Queen
42. Sweet Child Of Mine - Guns N Roses
43. Dreadlock Holiday - 10cc
44. 7 Nation Army - The White Stripes
45. Baggy Trousers - Madness
46. Rio - Duran Duran
47. The One I Love - REM
48. One Way Or Another – Blondie
49. Suspicious Minds – Elvis
50. Mr Brightside – The Killers
51. Look Good On The Dancefloor – Arctic Monkeys
52. Could You Be Loved – Bob Marley
53. Lola – The Kinks
54. Surfin’ USA – The Beach Boys
55. Dock of the Bay – Otis Redding
56. Break On Through – The Doors
57. Dreaming of You - Coral
58. Chelsea Dagger – Fratellis
59. Something – The Beatles
60. Devil in Disguise – Elvis
61. Boys Will Be Boys – Ordinary Boys
62. All Day & All The Night – Kinks
63. China Girl – Bowie
64. Under The Bridge – Chilli’s
65. Jumpin’ Jack Flash – Stones
66. Charming Man – The Smiths
67. Blister in the Sun – Violent Femmes
68. Delivery – Babyshambles
69. Call Me Al – Paul Simon
70. Sledgehammer – Peter Gabriel