Selecting the right sort of live music for an event is just as crucial a decision as the venue, catering style and the time of day. Live music creates an ambience and memorable atmosphere if correctly chosen. We all want events to be a success, so here are my top tips for ensuring you choose the right music for your event.
• Type of event: If you are organising a reception with a 'networking' element to it, or a dinner where people wish to speak to each other, loud music isn't going to work. On the other hand, after dinner entertainment where guests want to dance will require a band playing louder music.
• Venue: The size of the venue is crucial. A harpist playing in a huge hall with high ceilings is likely to be lost. Likewise a large band playing in a small room is going to be overpowering, with the music sound being 'muddied'. Choose the size of your musical ensemble and instruments based on the size of your room. Also, if you have a space with two or more rooms, you will need to consider where to locate the musicians, so that they can be heard.
• Size of the event: A small event where there are 20 guests is unlikely to require as loud background music as at a larger event. However, it is down to personal taste as to whether a large band is required later on!
• Theme of the event: There are plenty of musical styles that theme an event just as much as dressing a venue or servicing specific food. A steel band playing as guests arrive or a Scottish Piper serenading guests creates an impact as people arrive. Flamenco musicians and dancers for after dinner entertainment or a jazz band playing will enhance an event creating a memorable ambience. When you are researching a themed event, include music as well as the food; it makes a huge difference to the event.
• Time of day: During the day, most events involve guests wishing to speak to each other and to meet new people. Loud music doesn't work in those situations. As the evening progresses, guests relax and they might consider dancing. They have spoken to their friends and associates and want to let their hair down. As a rule, as the evening progresses, the volume and energy of the music should increase.
• Acoustic of the venue: Some venues are 'louder' than others. Rooms with plenty of fabric and wood absorb sound better than venues with hard or metal surfaces - where the sound tends to echo more. The latter is a challenge generally because people's voices will also echo!
• Location: Is the event taking place inside or outside? If it is outside, you will need to consider where to place the musicians. Many musicians that play valuable instruments will need to be out of direct sunlight and rain. Electrical equipment also needs to be kept out of the rain. Acoustic instruments such as string quartets and harps will need to be located next to a wall, so that the sound will carry.
• Volume of music and restrictions: A number of venues have restrictions on the level of volume. It is worthwhile checking this when you choose the venue. Some venues allow recorded music but not live music; however I would argue that acoustic instruments such as guitar, harp or string quartet could be a lower decibel reading than a CD!
• Space available: If there is limited space, you will be restricted in the size of ensemble you choose. As a rule, instruments that take up most space are grand pianos. Other instruments can be relatively close to each other and they take up less space than you expect. My advice would be to calculate the area available and ask the musicians if they can perform within that area.
• Instruments available: If there is a Steinway Grand piano available at the venue, it seems a shame not to use it! Pianists could play classical/crossover music, or a jazz pianist would be thrilled to perform on it!
• Age groups: As a rule of thumb, as we get older, we appreciate loud music less. Also, different age groups have varied tastes. We always recommend discussing the music with the musicians and to agree a range of musical styles before the event to suit different tastes. A dance band would offer music "From the 60s to the noughties" to cover every taste.
Live Music at an event, and more crucially, choosing the right music, makes a huge difference to the success of an event. Ask the right questions of your music suppliers; ask yourself what role you wish the musicians to play at the event, and choose wisely! Good luck!!
• Type of event: If you are organising a reception with a 'networking' element to it, or a dinner where people wish to speak to each other, loud music isn't going to work. On the other hand, after dinner entertainment where guests want to dance will require a band playing louder music.
• Venue: The size of the venue is crucial. A harpist playing in a huge hall with high ceilings is likely to be lost. Likewise a large band playing in a small room is going to be overpowering, with the music sound being 'muddied'. Choose the size of your musical ensemble and instruments based on the size of your room. Also, if you have a space with two or more rooms, you will need to consider where to locate the musicians, so that they can be heard.
• Size of the event: A small event where there are 20 guests is unlikely to require as loud background music as at a larger event. However, it is down to personal taste as to whether a large band is required later on!
• Theme of the event: There are plenty of musical styles that theme an event just as much as dressing a venue or servicing specific food. A steel band playing as guests arrive or a Scottish Piper serenading guests creates an impact as people arrive. Flamenco musicians and dancers for after dinner entertainment or a jazz band playing will enhance an event creating a memorable ambience. When you are researching a themed event, include music as well as the food; it makes a huge difference to the event.
• Time of day: During the day, most events involve guests wishing to speak to each other and to meet new people. Loud music doesn't work in those situations. As the evening progresses, guests relax and they might consider dancing. They have spoken to their friends and associates and want to let their hair down. As a rule, as the evening progresses, the volume and energy of the music should increase.
• Acoustic of the venue: Some venues are 'louder' than others. Rooms with plenty of fabric and wood absorb sound better than venues with hard or metal surfaces - where the sound tends to echo more. The latter is a challenge generally because people's voices will also echo!
• Location: Is the event taking place inside or outside? If it is outside, you will need to consider where to place the musicians. Many musicians that play valuable instruments will need to be out of direct sunlight and rain. Electrical equipment also needs to be kept out of the rain. Acoustic instruments such as string quartets and harps will need to be located next to a wall, so that the sound will carry.
• Volume of music and restrictions: A number of venues have restrictions on the level of volume. It is worthwhile checking this when you choose the venue. Some venues allow recorded music but not live music; however I would argue that acoustic instruments such as guitar, harp or string quartet could be a lower decibel reading than a CD!
• Space available: If there is limited space, you will be restricted in the size of ensemble you choose. As a rule, instruments that take up most space are grand pianos. Other instruments can be relatively close to each other and they take up less space than you expect. My advice would be to calculate the area available and ask the musicians if they can perform within that area.
• Instruments available: If there is a Steinway Grand piano available at the venue, it seems a shame not to use it! Pianists could play classical/crossover music, or a jazz pianist would be thrilled to perform on it!
• Age groups: As a rule of thumb, as we get older, we appreciate loud music less. Also, different age groups have varied tastes. We always recommend discussing the music with the musicians and to agree a range of musical styles before the event to suit different tastes. A dance band would offer music "From the 60s to the noughties" to cover every taste.
Live Music at an event, and more crucially, choosing the right music, makes a huge difference to the success of an event. Ask the right questions of your music suppliers; ask yourself what role you wish the musicians to play at the event, and choose wisely! Good luck!!
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