When planning for your big day, choosing the right music to entertain your guests is key to setting the tone for a great event. Having a live band play your favorite songs is very different than pressing play on a Spotify playlist. Both are effective, but the live band experience interacting with your guests gives a more personal and exciting vibe that your guests will remember for a long time. 

So, when choosing a live band to entertain, the next question is - who should you choose? For some events, a large band is necessary to entertain the crowd. There are countless groups you'll find online that offer such services with amazing performers. Having experience playing in some of these bands in the past, I can personally tell you the pros and cons of hiring this type of entertainment. On the pros side, you'll find these bands play all the hits with high energy - bringing a concert-like experience that your guests are sure to enjoy! 

On the flip-side, there are several things to take into consideration when hiring a large band for your special day. 

First and foremost - the cost. In a perfect world where a budget isn't a factor, hiring a big band is a great option. You can research online and you'll find most larger bands range from $7,500 - $25,000 in cost. This, of course, comes with all the bells and whistles - costume changes, lighting, multiple members, a handler (someone who manages setting up for the event) - everything needed for a great show. If you have a big budget - then this option is great! But what if you don't have a “blank check” for your entertainment budget? Do you need to resort to pressing “Play” on the set list on your phone? (the answer is “No!”- read on)

Another factor in hiring large bands is availability on your selected date. Most of these groups involve multiple members and all likely from different areas - and if you're lucky, they are local to you. As a member of several groups over the years, I can tell you that not only reliable transportation, travel time and travel delays due to accidents or traffic are a major factor. The further someone is away from the event location, the more chances there are for issues to come up. 

In addition, large bands come with large equipment - so your venue will need to be large enough to have space for that type of entertainment. There is usually an engineer with these types of groups to handle the set-up and the handler will then take care of scheduling sound checks and making sure all the members are ready for showtime. 

All in all - having a large band play for your event is a great option - but like in everything - the bigger it is, the more room there will be for issues to come up - and if you're paying a large ticket price for it - you want it to come without hassles. 

The Benefits of Hiring a Smaller Band

Compared to big bands, hiring a small band to entertain has several benefits. ALL TALENT has focused on these types of performances to avoid any hassles a larger group could potentially have. 

First - they can be more flexible with songs. When you get ten members to a group, it requires more rehearsal time. This is why you will most likely find that these groups have a great set-list to choose from - but it rarely changes. You can't ask these groups to play a song in the middle of their set - because their show cannot be flexible. Once it's set, that's what you get. If your grandmother wants them to play her favorite song as a request - you're likely to find they can't accommodate, whereas a smaller band can.

Two - Smaller bands can interact with your guests easier. Big bands are usually on a stage and put on a big performance. Smaller bands are usually set up in a corner and are accessible to communicate with on requests - or impromptu speeches or announcements. 

Three - Smaller bands take up less space and set up time. ALL TALENT equips all members with sleek, stream-lined sound and lighting to maximize space and be discreet. There's no need for bulky speakers and sound equipment taking up space in your venue, leaving more space for your guests to enjoy. ALL TALENT also carries backups to all equipment to ensure there are no issues when your event takes place. 

Four - smaller bands are usually found locally. When you have three to five members that play in a band, you'll likely find that they are all local. This avoids “travel costs” and putting anyone up in a hotel because they live far away. 

And lastly, smaller bands just cost less. You want to be sure your chosen entertainment sounds great and are professional and that the amount they charge should reflect that. There's nothing worse than hiring a band because they were cheaper - and ruin your event because they aren't professional. ALL TALENT's performers aren't the most expensive - but they also aren't the cheapest. However, you will find that all pricing includes all sound a lighting, whereas some large bands will require you to also pay for additional lighting and sound - and may also have a “rider” to fill (list of items they require you to have for them to perform). As in everything - you get what you pay for - so you'll want to do your research.  

Inevitably, the choice is up to you. Whether it be a big stage act to WOW your guests - or a smaller band - taking these factors into consideration long before your big day will be key in making sure you and your guests have an amazing time without any issues!