Here are some of the most common questions that we get asked.
Choosing an act
There’s so much choice – I don’t know where to start!
To help you get an idea of what kind of music you’d like, we've written some guides:
Can I see the act perform live before I book?
You might be able to see an act perform live in a pub or club before hiring them, but this can be difficult because our acts usually perform at private weddings, student parties and corporate events with no public access. We’ll let you know if any public events or showcases become available for your preferred act(s).
Why have you quoted me a price which is higher than the price on the Function Central website?
The ‘from’ prices on the site reflect the lowest prices available for travel to the regions indicated. Other factors, such as day of week, time of year, parking and congestion charge may affect the final quote.
What is included in the quoted price?
The price we quote for an act includes all extra costs such as travel and VAT, unless stated otherwise.
Booking an act
How do I confirm a booking and pay?
Once you've decided on an act, we'll draw up a booking contract between you and the act, which you will need to sign and return to us. You will need to pay a deposit (usually 20%) by cheque, credit card or bank transfer, which will secure the act for your event. You can then pay the remaining balance to the act on the day, by cheque or cash. For more information, see ‘how to book’.
I’m booking a band for my event. Will I also need to book a DJ?
All our bands can provide recorded music through an mp3 player (eg. an iPod) during their interval(s). Some bands also offer a basic DJ service for an extra fee. This service would usually be provided by one of the band members and would include mixed music, requests, announcements, and basic lighting.
We usually find that both the above two options are sufficient for evening gigs finishing at midnight, because you will probably only need recorded music for short periods before, between and after the band plays. However, for larger events or events that continue beyond midnight, you may want to consider a professional DJ. Professional DJs will provide more sophisticated lighting, and will be able to 'read' the crowd and adapt their song selection accordingly. You can also submit your own playlist to a professional DJ in advance. For more information, see DJs.
What if an act member - or even the entire act - can't make it on the day?
In the unlikely event that an act member is ill or can’t attend on the day, the act will find another musician to take his or her place. In the highly unlikely event that an entire act can’t attend, we’ll find a suitable replacement act in a similar style, within the same price range.
Can we speak directly to the act once we’ve booked?
Yes. We can put you in touch with the act before your event, to discuss the music, and to run over details for the day.
Act & venue requirements
Our venue uses a sound limiter - is this a problem?
Sound limiters or meters are designed to restrict the amount of noise a band can create during their performance, and more and more venues are using them. Most acts will be happy to work within the limits of a sound limiter set at approximately 92db or higher, but would always prefer these to be switched off during the performance. This is because most sound limiters work by cutting off the power to the band once the band or the crowd’s applause exceeds a certain volume, which can cause damage to band equipment. If your venue uses a sound limiter, let us know the decibel limit, and we’ll suggest bands that work best at that volume level. For example, smaller acts playing to recorded backing tracks can adjust their volume easily and still produce a great sound.
How much space will the act need?
This depends on the size of the band (see our stage size guide).
Does the act need a raised stage?
It’s up to you – but a raised stage can help an act make a bigger impact! As long as you can provide a level performance area and this is large enough for the act, this is enough.
Will we need to provide any sound equipment?
No. All our acts provide all the equipment they need.
How much power will the act need?
The total power required by most acts (including lighting) is unlikely to exceed 5 kilowatts (5000 watts), and is usually a lot less. Most acts will require three independent, domestic-style 13 amp plug sockets (one or two sockets is usually enough for soloists, duos and trios). Ideally the sockets should be either side of the performance area.
My venue needs to see Public Liability Insurance (PLI) and/or PAT certificates – can the act provide these?
All our acts have, or can obtain, PLI and PAT certificates, but please make sure you ask for these at least 3 months prior to the event, in case the act’s PLI/PAT cover needs to be renewed.
Will the act need feeding?
Acts booked for evening events are often away from home for 12 hours or more. To help sustain them during this long period, we ask you to provide a hot meal for each act member. Wherever possible, this should be provided in the period between setting up and the act’s performance. You don’t need to give them the same meal as your guests, but they will need something more substantial than sandwiches! If you’re having a buffet and would like the act to help themselves to this instead, this is fine, as long as you can set aside enough time for them to eat. If your venue can’t provide a meal for the act, tell us in advance, and we will arrange a meal allowance of £10 per act member, so that they can buy a round of meals at a nearby pub.
The performance
How long will the act play for?
Most cover bands will play for up to 2 hours, which would usually be divided into either two 60-minute or three 40-minute sets. In our experience, this is usually enough time for evening receptions finishing at midnight. However, if you’d prefer a longer performance, some cover bands can perform for another half hour or hour, for an extra charge.
Tribute acts usually perform for less time; either 1 x 60 minute or 2 x 45 minute sets. Classical acts can be booked for either 1 hour (eg. for wedding ceremonies), 2 hours (eg. ceremony + reception) or 3 hours (eg. ceremony, reception and wedding breakfast).
How long will the act’s interval(s) be?
Cover bands and tribute acts would usually take one or two interval(s) lasting 10-20 minutes. In our experience, intervals lasting longer than half an hour can interrupt the general ‘flow’ of the night, and some acts may not have enough recorded music to cover longer intervals. Let us know if you’d like a longer interval, so we can arrange this with the act in advance.
What will the act wear?
Acts will wear similar clothing to that shown in their photographs (usually smart, or smart-casual). If you have a specific dress code (such as black tie) that you would like the act to follow, let us know and we’ll arrange this.
Can the act play outdoors?
Yes, but bear in mind that most acts will need a power supply (with the exception of classical acts and acoustic jazz bands). All acts need adequate shelter to protect their equipment from the sun and rain (such as a gazebo with a roof and three sides). Even if it doesn’t rain, high moisture levels in the air can be damaging for stringed instruments, and direct sunlight can put a stringed instrument or steel pan out of tune!
How many songs will the act play?
Cover bands and tribute acts will play up to 30 songs in 2 hours, and up to 20 songs in 90 minutes.
Can we choose the songs?
You’re welcome to send through a list of your favourite songs from the act’s repertoire and the act will do their best to include these in their performance. However, bear in mind that the act may not be able to play all of your requests as they will need to consider dynamics, set pacing and segues between songs when compiling their set-list prior to the performance. They might also need to make ad hoc changes to the set during the performance itself, depending on the audience reaction.
Can we choose a song that isn’t on the act's repertoire list?
Most of our cover bands and tribute acts are happy to learn one new song (eg. your first dance) for no extra charge, provided they’re able to arrange it for their line-up and instruments.
Acts are usually happy to learn more than one request but would need to charge an additional fee to cover the extra rehearsal time.
Can we borrow the act’s microphone on the night?
Most of our acts are happy to lend you a microphone for your speeches or announcements.
Interval music
Will the act play recorded music during their interval(s)?
All acts except acoustic acts (eg. classical acts and acoustic steel pan acts) can play recorded music through their PA system using an mp3 player (such as an iPod) or a laptop, for no extra charge.
What sort of music will the act put on during their interval(s)?
Acts would put on a selection of upbeat songs in a similar style to their live repertoire.
Can we choose the songs played in the interval?
Most acts won’t be able to take requests, as they don’t carry enough recorded music with them. If you’d like to hear certain songs during the interval(s), we recommend giving the act an iPod with a pre-prepared playlist at the start of the night. Alternatively, hire a DJ.
Arriving and setting up
When will the act arrive?
Acts performing in the evening (eg. for evening wedding receptions), will arrive and set up from 6pm onwards. Extra charges usually apply for set-ups earlier than 6pm.
Acts performing the afternoon (eg. for ceremonies and drinks receptions) will usually arrive an hour and a half before the performance is due to start.
How long will the act take to set up their equipment?
Most cover bands and tribute acts will need between an hour and an hour and a half to set up their equipment and do a sound-check (which means playing through a couple of songs to check the volume is right for each instrument).
Acoustic acts that don’t need amplification (such as acoustic steel pan bands and classical acts) will only need 20 minutes to set up.
How loud will the sound check be?
Most acts can set up quietly and discreetly until their sound-check, which is usually during the last 10-15 minutes of their setting up time. They will always be quiet during speeches and can break and re-convene after these, to finish the sound-check.
If you would like to avoid the noise of a sound check, the act might be able to do a ‘line-check’, which is a simple test to make sure all equipment is powered up and 'live'. However, for the best possible sound, we would always recommend a full sound-check; if you’d like to avoid the noise, you can arrange for the act to set up earlier in the day.
Any other questions?
We’re always happy to chat – call us on 0845 643 2160. For emergency out-of-hours support, call us on 07816 311 398.