A band or DJ can make or break an event. Nothing is worse than going to a wedding or fundraiser and getting slammed with jarring DJ transitions or a singer that can’t stay on key to save their life. It’s worth convincing your client to invest in a proper music act, especially if there’s a dance floor. After all, a singer’s voice or personality can be the talk of the party!

For an evening affair with more of an adult crowd, consider hiring a band that plays R&B or Funk. Depending on the size of the event, the band should grow or shrink accordingly. It doesn’t make sense to have a 10-piece band for a 100-person wedding. Likewise, it might look out of place having a singer/guitar duo playing for 300 people. Be sure to also take the size of the space into account when selecting the right form of entertainment for the event!  

As a general rule of thumb, a local band that plays covers and original music will run between $3-10k. If anyone is willing to play for less, that should be a red flag.

If you are looking to save money, we’d recommend finding a DJ as an alternative. And they shouldn’t just be spinning top 40’s. Make sure they have a lot of experience with parties, are comfortable on the mic with announcements and have a distinct style that guests will appreciate. A great DJ will be about $1-2k without sound or lighting equipment.

If the band or DJ is not providing their own sound & lighting equipment, they will send you a technical rider, which should be forwarded to the venue or company doing audio & visual. A lot of the items on technical riders won’t come with the standard venue rental. If something seems ridiculously expensive or out of place, put the AV Company or Venue and the Band in touch to discuss alternative production options.

Additionally, the band/DJ will most likely have a request for a tray of food, a few alcoholic beverages, water, and some clean towels. Anything listed beyond that on the rider should be supplied if it seems reasonable. Unless it’s a very well-known band with a famous singer, they typically won’t fuss if you leave out the “soccer ball” or “Gucci flip flops”… (We’ve seen some pretty wild requests).

Your client will most likely have an idea for what type of music they want, but it’s important to steer them in the right direction. If they are asking you for recommendations, make sure you’ve seen the band or DJ play a similar type of event before listing them as an option.