TOP 10 TIPS FOR A GREAT PARTY
Fresh from performing several shows in a busy December, I was motivated to write a top tips article for our latest newsletter on how to make sure any event you plan in the future goes with a swing!
Over the last 25 years performing I’ve probably been to more of other peoples parties & events than I’d care to mention and picked up a few tips on the way – here are my top ones:
DON’T PICK A VENUE WITH A BAR IN A SEPARATE ROOM
The death knell to any event as most bands would agree … how to split your crowd into 2 and be left with little atmosphere in the main room!
TRY TO AVOID VENUES WITH SOUND LIMITERS
Sound limiters … usually set at a measly 95db – so low you can hear the crowd talking over the band / music – never a good way to get a party going! But if you really can’t find another venue at least if you avoid booking a band with live drums it’s get-roundable.
USE A STAGE FOR THE BAND TO PERFORM ON
The main benefit of having a stage is once people start dancing, the rest of the audience will still be able to see the band. Much more entertaining than having them lost behind a wall of dancers – allow 4m x 2m min for a 4 piece band, more if you are feeling generous!
LEAVE ROOM FOR THE BAND / DJ
If not using a stage, it’s important not to put the dance floor right up against the wall (and believe me we have had this at a hotel recently!) – do leave at least 2m for the band to set up to fit their monitors / PA speakers into. Similarly if you have a DJ coming too, if they get there earlier than the band, make sure they know what space to leave as they get a bit disgruntled having to move it!
MAKE IT A FANCY DRESS PARTY
There’s something about being in costumes that immediately makes people relax and get into the party spirit – it seems to bring people together in some indefinable way – the best parties we perform at always seem to be fancy dress parties! Our Abba Tribute Bands and Decade Tribute Bands are great for fancy dress events with lots of costumes available online for these eras.
GET THE FOOD OUT OF THE WAY BEFORE THE BAND COME ON
Having your guests eating & watching a band at the same time just doesn’t seem to fit right and just gets everyone out of kilter! Time the buffet etc to finish before you plan to start the live music. If the waiter service meal is delayed, put the band back too – we’re more than flexible around you.
CONSIDER YOUR AUDIENCE
For example when hiring an Abba Tribute Band for parties & events marketed as Abba Tribute nights then the 2 x 45’s Abba is the best set option but for things like company Christmas parties or maybe private events like weddings & birthdays, unless you know you have a lot of die hard Abba fans in your circle we often recommend a combination of one set Abba with one set something else ( our Abba Tributes can offer a range of add on sets from 60s/70s/80s sets to a general party set (dance floor fillers) That way you still get all the most upbeat well known Abba songs plus some variety to keep everyone happy!
AVOID ODD SHAPED / L SHAPED ROOMS
Similar to having the bar in a separate room, tucking the band away around the corner of an oddly shaped room can also be an atmosphere killer best avoided! Regularly shaped rectangular rooms work best with plenty of room for stage / dance floor / tables etc.
SWITCH OFF ANY HEARING LOOPS
For some reason hearing loops have a reputation for interfering with radio mics – if you are hiring a venue like a village hall that may have a hearing loop it’s worth checking if it does have one and if so where is the off switch – intermittent squelching noises are never a good way to amuse your guests!
HIRE A DJ IF IT’S A TICKETED EVENT
We do offer to play music when not on stage for a small extra fee and this works great for smaller venues where a DJ just wouldn’t fit as well as a band or for private parties – but it does have its limitations – as the band are on and off stage getting changed etc the music can’t be supervised at all times, plus it doesn’t really allow for requests as its using a playlist of dance floor fillers as opposed to having access to a huge selection of possible songs like a DJ would. We have found audiences at ticketed events (eg hotel tribute nights) do expect to be able to ask for requests so would highly recommend getting a separate DJ for those sort of evenings.
I hope you enjoyed reading my top tips for a great party!