How To Keep Your Function Band Happy Function Bands For Hire

When you see your function band up on stage, with the lights, the PA system, the costumes, you may think we're really living the rock & roll lifestyle! However, the reality is more about early starts to pack the gear, long drives home late at night, endless service stations, and no legroom in the van.

But you can help change all that! There are a few simple things that you can do to inspire your band, keep spirits high, and ensure an excellent evening party or amazing wedding entertainment. Just like any professional that's part of your event, we do have a few basic requirements that help us do a good job for you. Here are our top five: they may not look much, but they can make all the difference between a great evening and a 'never again' one!

 * Provide food and soft drinks
 * Provide a suitable changing facility
 * Ensure your band has enough space to set up and perform in
 * Ensure there is a clear separation between the band and dance floor
 * Meet and greet the band prior to the first set

Food and Drink

The expression ‘An army marches on its stomach’ really is true. Your function band will often drive a long way to your venue, which of course means they also have to drive a long way home. This leaves a large portion of our setup and 'waiting to perform' time at your event where the band will have no access to food and no opportunity to 'pop out and find something'. A proper meal during the evening makes such a difference, and quite literally fuels our performance. We're not talking 5 courses of gourmet cuisine, just a hot meal that you yourself would be happy to eat. Please also ensure that bottled 'still' water and soft drinks are available free of charge throughout the evening, and that all the bar staff know the function band don't have to pay. Singing and playing is thirsty work for us, just like dancing is for you and your guests!

Providing A Proper Changing Room

Try to provide a private space for the band to change in. Ideally, this should be a lockable room to keep our clothes and possessions safe, and not be shared with any other performers. This doesn't necessarily need to be a bedroom in a hotel; it can be a meeting or conference room, or a secure part of a marquee, but changing in the toilets is simply not an option!

Enough Performance Space For Your Band

Space is a huge factor on how brilliantly function bands can perform at your event. We need enough space for us, and our gear, to be able to move about and present a proper show for you and your guests. Nothing cramps our style quicker than a tiny stage area where we're packed in like sardines with no room to swing a guitar!

A Clear Space Between The Band Area and The Dance Floor

Keeping a clear space between the band and the dance floor is absolutely essential! This is for the safety of your guests, the performers and their equipment, and ensures we can play properly even if the whole dance floor is literally jumping about. A stage may not always be required, and if you have any questions, call Alive Network with your room dimensions and the team will advise the best layout for your band.

Meeting and Greeting Your Band

We always love to meet clients in person if possible. When your band arrives, it's always great if you come over and introduce yourself, even for a moment, so we know who is ultimately in charge! Do appoint someone to explain the setup and show us around your venue, so we know where the changing room is, when we'll be fed, where the toilets are, etc, and won’t have to bother you or your party.

As you can see, it doesn't take much to keep your function band happy, and then we can do what we do best, making you and your guests really happy with a fabulous show!

Written by Jamie Oram from The Unique - A young, energetic, professional & friendly band. Fronted by a fantastic female vocalist & a unique male vocalist/rapper, with a repertoire ranging from popular hits in the 60' to modern day chart toppers!