From the moment you first sit down to learn an instrument, most musicians have the same goal: to be in a band. That band on TV. A "Top of the Pops" band with a record deal, who play their own tunes and generally look cool. A life of hotels, arenas and smashed guitars. Not a covers band. Not a function band. Playing other people's songs? Playing the tunes our parents were grooving away to? Not a chance.
Over the last couple of decades opinions and tastes have changed. Maybe the arrival of Spotify let us have our guilty pleasures without anyone else knowing? It’s now far easier to sneak a bit of 1970s disco or 80s synth pop into your ears without the ignominy of having to change a CD. Now, you can navigate through the history of popular music by typing in an era or artist. It’s never been easier to check out an Elvis track, followed by a Celine Dion ballad and a bit of Africa by Toto.
These days everyone loves the fun and surprise of a golden oldie followed by a current chart topper, all arranged expertly and played live by professional musicians. And it’s not just the guests that are enjoying the music, it turns out it’s also a pretty fun way to make a living.
But it’s not all dazzling performances and admiring audiences, there’s a lot of the less fun stuff to think about if you want to be successful and it’s important not to overstep the mark when it comes to enjoying the night with guests. Read through the below to find out my ultimate dos and don’ts of being in a function band.
1. Remember you're at work
Just because everyone else is getting drunk, having a dance and flirting with bridesmaids doesn't mean the band can do the same. Of course I've enjoyed many drinks with grooms, brides and best men, but only on their invite. The band should stay out of the way, there’s plenty of football and music chat to be had in the van when you're not playing your sets.
2. You're only as good as your weakest link
This is a tough one but obviously true, and it goes for people as well as equipment. I saw a great band once with a particularly great guitarist who had constant problems with his sound. Top end guitar, excellent amp, but the dodgy guitar lead was the constant fault. Likewise, if your drummer starts off a track at a canter and ends the song in a gallop it's time for a rethink.
3. Don't annoy people
Whether it's a big venue or a tiny one, the same rules exist: the people at the front want a boogie and the people at the back at the bar want a chat. It can be tricky with a live drum kit, but don’t think you can crank your amps up to 11 all the time. Many venues have sound limiters now too, so you've got to be used to playing at a civilized volume.
4. Be flexible
Set times nearly always go out of the window, guests will shout requests out or better still want to join the band for a number or two. It's all good fun so roll with it; it would be boring if every gig didn't have a story attached to it. Over two gigs last weekend, not only did we get asked to do a song we'd never played before because the ushers wanted to hear it, but we also played with the groom's brother as he stormed through some Johnny Cash songs.
5. Contracts, Insurance and Being Professionally Prepared
Don’t assume verbal agreements or handshakes will cover you. Always get anything essential in writing (set times, payment, breaks, access, load‑in times etc.). It protects you if something goes wrong. Venues often require you to show proof of Public Liability Insurance (PLI) or equipment insurance before they’ll hire you. Make sure your gear, your van, your instruments are insured. A dropped mic, a damaged speaker or a tripped‑over cable can lead to big bills if you don’t have cover. Many high‑end venues simply won’t let you on stage without it.
6. Keep Your Promo Sharp and Client‑Friendly
Your promotional material is the first thing clients see—and often the last before they decide to book. Use good photos, videos, perhaps a live clip that gives a genuine flavour of your performance. If you film outside of a gig, try to recreate the atmosphere—lighting, setup, posture—don’t just stand in a bland rehearsal room. Make sure your online presence (website, social media) looks clean, up to date, and shows you as capable and reliable.
7. Always Have a Backup Plan
Gear can fail, venues can throw surprises, and plans change mid‑gig. Always bring spare cables, extra strings, backup drums sticks etc. Think about contingency in bigger ways too: what if the power fails, or you need to do an acoustic/instrumental version because equipment doesn’t arrive? Being adaptable and having a “Plan B” makes you look and behave like professionals rather than just people hoping nothing goes wrong.
8. Reading the Crowd and Adapting On The Fly
Even the best‐prepared set list sometimes needs adjusting. Be attentive to what works: If people are sat chatting at the back, bring forward more energetic songs. If requests come, and you know the tune, toss it in. Mix fast and slow tracks with breaks so guests (and band) don’t tire. It’s about pacing the night, so guests stay engaged, happy, and dancing. Your set list should breathe.
9. Have fun
If you're not, you can't expect the audience to. There are worse things to be doing than doing what you love.
None of this is gospel of course, but I've done enough gigs now to kind of know how they generally go. It's always different, always interesting and always good fun. Whether it's the pub down the road or The Royal Albert Hall they're all pretty much the same: never miss a beat, make sure your gear works and enjoy yourself. Be versatile too – in my next blog I'll explain how I was in a pub after a gig one minute and on stage playing with Sir Paul McCartney the next!
