Category Archives: Articles

Percussion DJ Service

September 23, 2023ArticlesMitch Cockman

🎵 Introducing Our Dynamic New Music Service: DJ with Percussion! 🎶

Are you ready to take your event to the next level? We are thrilled to introduce our latest innovation in live entertainment: DJ with Percussion! Combining the electrifying beats of a DJ with the rhythmic magic of live percussion, our service promises an unforgettable experience for any occasion.

Picture this: pulsating rhythms, infectious energy, and a vibrant atmosphere that keeps the crowd on their feet all night long. Our talented DJ seamlessly blends a diverse range of genres including house, pop, dance, funk, and more, ensuring there’s something for everyone to groove to.

But what sets us apart is the live percussion, adding an extra dimension of excitement and flair to every beat. From the hypnotic beats of bongos to the mesmerizing sounds of electronic pads, our percussionist brings a dynamic element to the music that simply can’t be replicated.

Expect nothing less than high energy and friendly service from our team. Whether it’s a wedding, corporate event, private party, or any other special occasion, we are dedicated to providing an experience that exceeds your expectations.

So why settle for ordinary when you can have extraordinary? Elevate your event with the perfect blend of DJ and percussion, guaranteed to create memories that last a lifetime. Contact us today to book our DJ with Percussion service and get ready to dance the night away! 🎉🥁

Getting The Most From Your Wedding Band in 2019

February 26, 2018Articlestips, wedding bandMitch Cockman

Getting married next year? Read our handy guide on how to get the most from your wedding band!

1. First! Make sure you have an EXPERIENCED band. They will likely have encountered just about everything that might happen at a wedding before. They should know how to take care of most things which takes much of the pressure away from you!

2. Save 25% on your wedding band! Agencies will always add a large booking fee so find the band you want on the agency site or google, and then approach them directly. Saving is nice!

3. SONG CHOICES – It sounds obvious, but pick a band that plays the type of music that you like. At an early stage ask to see their setlist and check that their music is the type of thing you want. Bear in mind that the band will not sound the same as the original. Songs that you like from your ipod might not work that well with a live band but conversely, songs that you wouldn’t normally listen to might sound amazing!

4. THINK ABOUT YOUR GUESTS. What type of music do your guests prefer? Other people might not share your music tastes so ask the band to play things that would appeal to everyone over the course of the evening. If you manage to hit something that everyone enjoys then you are on to a winner.

5. FIRST DANCE OR NOT?! Would you like the band to play your first dance? This is a super special moment and having a live band play your special song is something you will remember forever. Be sure to give them plenty of notice so they can have a think about the best way to play it.

6. Finally – An experienced wedding band will know which songs to play and in which order. Use their knowledge of what works and then suggest some songs that you like too. That way you have the best of both worlds. Use their experience to make sure you get what you want – all your guests having a great time!

Wedding Music Ideas For Your Big Day

November 21, 2016Articleswedding musicMitch Cockman

Music will probably play a big part in your wedding day. The right music will set the tone, provide a classy backdrop to conversations and probably bring a tear to an eye or two. There are lots of different choices of wedding music for different parts of your day. Don’t worry if you have no clue what to have on, we have some great wedding music ideas for you!

Pre-Ceremony

Guests will be arriving, talking and generally mingling so you should have music which is a nice backdrop to conversations. Nothing too intrusive but that will create a nice mood without taking over.

Ave Maria, Schubert

Ariso, Bach

Air on a G String, Bach

Processional

Here are some good wedding music ideas for the processional part of the day. You don’t have to stick to the traditional here, you can pick something that fits right with your taste. It needs to be long enough for your brisdesmaids, flower girls and the bride with her father to walk down to aisle. Apart from that you can choose anything you want, something traditional or a more contemporary piece.

Sigur Rós, Ára bátur

Saint-Saens, The Swan

Clair De Lune, Debussy

Bridal Chorus, Wagner

A Thousand Years, The Piano Guys (Originally Christina Perri)

First Dance

This is probably the music you will have deliberated over for the most time as it’s a very special moment for the new bride and groom. Luckily there are lots of great songs that reflect the right sentiment. Just choose something that you both love as it will become a special song for you for the rest of your lives. Here are some great first dance wedding music ideas.

At Last, Etta James

Lets Stay Together, Al Green

Thinking Out Loud, Ed Sheeran

All Of Me, John Legend

Songbird, Eva Cassidy

The Reason, Hoobastank

You’re Beautiful, James Blunt

Conclusion

We hope that we have helped you with some handy wedding music ideas! Remember, it’s your days so choose something that’s special to you. Take advice from other people but make sure you come up with your own ideas for your wedding music. These songs choices will become special for you for years to come so make sure you take a good look through all of your wedding music ideas before hand and choose pieces that you love!

How to find a great wedding band in Leeds or Manchester

October 6, 2016ArticlesLeeds, manchester, wedding bandMitch Cockman

Live bands certainly add something to your wedding day that no dj can come close to. The right band will make sure that you and your guests have a great time and will get everyone out of their seats for the whole night. It’s also much harder to find the right band for you than it is to find a dj.

There are lots of choices and the differences can be subtle but important. Do you want a 4 or 5 piece? Brass section or not? Male or female singer? Don’t worry, we are here to guide you to finding the right band for you!

Q. How would I start finding a band?

A. There are a few different approaches you could take here. The most obvious is to ask people that you know for recommendations. Does anyone know a band who they rated highly who they can recommend to you? You may have seen a band you liked the sound of at an event or local gig. Send them a message to see if you can book them! One of the most common methods however is to search online for wedding bands in your area. A search for ‘wedding band in Leeds and Manchester’ will give you a list of likely results and you will be able to review the websites of them all to see who you like.

Q. How can a bride and groom be sure they are getting the right band?

A. Take a good look through the website of the band you are interested in. They should have photos, video and recordings for you to get a good idea of what they do. You could give them a call to check their current line up as things like this do change from time to time. Take a look at the band’s testimonials section to see if past clients have been happy with the service they received.

Q. What questions should I ask the band that I am interested in?

A. You should start by checking that the band will be playing the music that you want. Do they have the right kind of look and sound that you would like for you big day? You also need to know that they will be able to fit in with the general arrangements of the day, load in times and compliance with insurance demands of the venue. Will the band provide a ‘dj service’ on the day in between their sets? Will they be able to learn a first dance or other songs of your choice? See our full guide of ways to make the most of your wedding band

Wedding at Kings Hall and Winter Gardens, Ilkley

Q. How much should I expect to pay?

A. Bands vary in price and it depends how you book them. If you go direct through the band’s website and contact them directly then the price should be as low as it can be. If you book through an online agency then you will typically pay a fee to the agency too, bumping the price up by several hundred pounds. Direct, wedding bands in Leeds and Manchester would typically cost between £800 and £3000.

Q. Is there any thing else I need to know about wedding bands?

A. If your wedding or event is being held at a regular venue (hotel or restaurant) then the band will typically need to be covered with public liability insurance and their equipment should be PAT tested for safety. If the event is outside (marquee or something like that) then there may be issues to consider regarding a generator for power.

In Conclusion

Most bands will have everything you need to see on their own website. Take a look and then contact them to check any details that you need. Speaking on the phone is a good idea as you will be able to get straight to the salient points and make sure that you are booking a great band that you will be happy with!

Make Your Wedding Budget Go Further in 2017

July 7, 2016ArticlesweddingMitch Cockman

Weddings can be stressful. You have to deal with family, friends and organising everything as well as worrying about how much everything costs. According to experts the average cost of a wedding in the Uk in 2016/2017 is £20,500.

Luckily if you are organised there are many things that you can do to bring this cost down without sacrificing quality or affecting how good a time everybody will have on your big day. If you are less worried about how you are going to afford your wedding then you are more likely to have an enjoyable day where you can focus on your partner and family.

1. Save 20-25% on the cost of your wedding band by booking them directly. If you book through an online agent, a big extra fee is typically added. You can use the agency websites to find bands you like and then google search them to ask for a direct price. You will be very happy at the cost after receiving some quotes from agencies!

2. Haggle when you by your wedding rings. Specialist dealers buy in bulk and it is a very competitive market for them. Instead of using a high street jeweller, go to Hatton Garden in London or the Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham. You should be able to find better quality at a better price.

3. Trim your guest list. Have you or your parents spoken to this person in the last year? Are they a colleague or business acquaintance who wont mind? Exes?! Does this person know about the wedding and would their presence make it any more fun? Consider dropping some of these to make room for the people that make you truly happy.

4. Haggle some more! Wedding suppliers want your business so get quotes from multiple companies and then ask the ones you prefer to do you a deal. This applies to cake makers, photographers, bridal car and hair stylists.

5. Consider a DIY approach. A wedding venue can be expensive when you add up everything that goes with it. Why not do some of it yourself? If you know someone with land, hire companies can provide an inside area (tipis?!), food and drinks without the price tag of a stately home.

8 ways to make the most of your wedding band

July 7, 2015Articlesadvice, band, weddingMitch Cockman

Booking a band for your wedding, party or event

Choosing a wedding band can be tough – there are so many options! Take a look at our guide on how to choose a wedding band for some handy tips: http://groovemanuva.co.uk/blog/8-things-to-consider-when-hiring-a-band-for-your-wedding-party-or-event/

Once you have a band booked, there are things which you need to do to make sure that the band can provide the best service to you. Bands WANT to be able to give you a great service and the more you can do to help them out, the easier it will be for them to ensure that you and your guests have the time of your lives!

1. Your band should take the lead

A good party band will have done an event like yours many times before. They know what works and they know what needs to be arranged to make sure they can give you the best service possible. Let them know exactly what you want and then listen to them to work out how best to achieve it. Your band should give you very clear details about the service they provide along with their quote. They should communicate with you as the booking firms up – this is the mark of professionals!

2. Ideal arrival/set up times

Bands need time to set up. They will have lots of equipment to bring in to the venue, connect everything up, troubleshoot any issues with the venue and spend time getting the sound system sounding its best.

Speak to your wedding organiser at the earliest opportunity to make sure that they are aware that a band is booked.

Usually the wedding band will be more than happy to discuss logistics with the venue leaving you free to focus on other things.

If you do get involved in the logistics, the ideal situation is that the band will be playing in a separate room to where your guests will be in the afternoon. This allows them time to set up without getting in your way or interrupting other things that you have going on at that time. Normally a band will need 1-2 hours to get set up depending on the number of members.

Here is an example of a typical set-up schedule:

Band arrival – 5.30pm
Finish setting up – 7.30pm
Guests arrive – 8pm
First dance – 8.30pm

3. Less than ideal set-up arrangements

Often the band will be playing in the same room that you and your guests will be occupying in the afternoon. If this is the case then again, it would be a good idea to speak to your wedding planner about how this will work. Maybe it’s possible to arrange for people to move outside for a period of time? If that is not possible then the band will be able to set up with your guests around. However, this is not ideal and may be distracting for people trying to have conversations whilst a drummer keeps hitting his snare drum!

4. Song Lists

The band should have given you a list of the songs that they play – that is how you decided you wanted to book them! Some will have given you a list as long as the function you have booked them for (maybe 2 hours) and some will give you a list containing maybe 4 hours of music. This is the music they will be able to play for you.

Let the band run the night – they know how to work the crowd and re-order songs on the fly depending on what is happening.

You will probably be able to make requests for songs (see the next point) but generally you should feel that you can trust the band to deliver the entertainment you will have experienced when you saw their promo.

5. Requesting songs

Most function bands will have no problem learning a first dance or an extra song of your choice. Just let them know in plenty of time so they have chance to rehearse it! It’s also worth thinking about the type of song you want them to play. For example, you will probably get a better result choosing a commitments song than one by lady gaga..

6. Noise Limiters

These things are literally an event organiser’s worst nightmare! When sound goes above a certain level, the power to the room cuts out and the music stops. Do you want something like this spoiling your wedding?!

If the venue has a noise limiter then it needs to be disabled.

If it can’t then most (if not all) bands will not be able to play there. It will wreck your evening as well as the band’s equipment. You have been warned!

7. Food and Drink

Your musicians will have likely travelled for up to 3 hours to get to you. They will have shifted heavy speakers and been worrying if the logistics of the venue will allow them to a put on a good show for you. Normally there will be food available at your event so you need to make sure there is a little extra available for the band.

You don’t need to provide alcoholic drinks but soft drinks and tea/coffee should be available also.

8. Speak to your band!

These people don’t have this job because the income is lucrative (it’s not!). They do it because they genuinely love to entertain people. They WANT you to have a great time so why not harness this enthusiasm? They will want to speak to you and make sure things are going well for you.

Go and speak to your band on the night (they will love it), and discuss how things are going.

At weddings and events the real magic happens when your guests and the band really get on and the sparks fly! They just want to be treated well. Do that and you have a recipe for the best night of your life!

Summary

• Give your wedding organiser the details of your band nice and early (a few months before at least).
• Get the logistics sorted out in terms of arrival times and times you want certain things to happen during your event.
• Tell the band in plenty of time about any specific things you want them to do and make sure they have all the details about the venue where they will be playing.
• On the day make sure there is some food and chat with them about the event so they know what to expect.

Do all that and your band should be able to make sure you all have a cracking time!

8 Things to Consider When Hiring a Band For Your Wedding, Party or Event

June 21, 2015Articlesband, hire, weddingMitch Cockman

One of the best ways to make sure your wedding day is really memorable is to have really great entertainment that guests will not be able to stop talking about. Depending on what you read, the average cost of a wedding in the UK is something like £12,000 – £25,000. It is entirely possible to spend much more or less than this but we have found this to be a realistic average. It makes sense to allocate a reasonable amount of this to entertainment – the phrase ‘you get what you pay for’ is especially relevant to bands!

1. Will a band be able to play at my wedding venue?

This is really the most important question you will have to ask when booking your wedding entertainment! Speak to you wedding organiser or the venue to find out if they allow bands to play at their premises. Sometimes it will not be possible but most venues these days will allow this. They will often require the band to be covered with public liability insurance and play with equipment that is PAT tested. You should ask the venue if they have an installed sound limiter. This will severely affect the band’s ability to perform for you and many bands will not be able to take the booking if that is the case.

2. Which band should I pick?

You may have seen a band that you like play at a friend or relative’s wedding. This is a great way to find a band as you have first hand experience of their sound and what they look like! However, you should still shop around as there are lots of wedding bands out there who play music in different styles. If you want something specific you can always contact a band to see if they can help you out? Use Google and agency websites to find a range of bands to check out.

3. How much should I pay for my band?

Popular wedding bands have lots of outgoings – equipment, rehearsal time, insurance, fuel costs and maintenance to name a few. As professionals they will take care of their business and won’t settle for using second rate gear or performing without the correct insurance. They will reflect this in the price and the band you want may charge anywhere between £1000 and £5000. Bands will perform for less than this but you may find that they cut corners in many of the areas above. It comes down to whether or not you want to risk paying less for a band who may let you down or will not fulfil their contractual obligations to you.

4. Am I safer booking the band through an entertainment agency?

Many party bands will be available to book either directly or through an agency. Be aware that most agencies ask bands to change their name whilst working for them. You may have to do a little digging to find the contact details of a band you originally discovered on an agency site. Once you approach them directly they should deal with you in the same professional way that an agent would. Agents often want to get the bookings made with minimal discussion, leaving you unsure about certain aspects of the booking. Dealing directly with a band may give you more opportunity to discuss the finer details. The added bonus is that direct, the band will usually cost much less. Agents typically add on a 20% fee for which you don’t actually receive any improvement of service.

5. What kind of music will the band play at my party?

You should be able to see a list of songs the band can play on their website. They should have recordings and hopefully video allowing you to hear them live. You should pick a band whose music you and your guests will enjoy. Bands may focus on a particular style of music or they may play a range of different styles. There are so many bands out there that you have a great selection to choose from!

6. How long will the band perform for?

You should check the length of time the band can perform for. Bands usually play a standard total of about 2 hours which will be split into two sets of music which last for an hour each. Often the band will be able to play longer than this but may have to charge an extra fee for the additional work.

7. Will I have to fill out contracts and pay a deposit for my band?

Often wedding bands will ask you to complete a contract to secure them to play at your event. Good bands will receive many inquiries to play at weddings and parties – especially during the summer months where the majority will take place. A contract will protect both parties against cancellation. A band should certainly not cancel with you once they have been booked. It is often worth checking online to see if they have been mentioned positively or negatively on any forums. You should expect a short notice cancellation fee to apply with most of the good wedding bands. They will have had to turn down other work to keep your date free and they may struggle to fill that date if you cancel, especially if it is at short notice.

8. What other services will the band provide?
Often bands will provide a number of ‘free’ extras. Examples may be:

Playlist music from a laptop at the breaks in their set and at the end
A free live first dance
Learn an extra song of your choice

The band should specify in their literature as to what extras they can provide. They should be able to talk through all of these options with you.

Summary

You should make sure you do your research before booking your perfect wedding band. Look at their repertoire and feedback, listen to videos and recording and speak to them to make sure you are happy with what they can provide and the fees. If you put this time in then you will end up with a professional band who will be able to put on a great show for you and your guests!

Groove Manuva Blog

Wedding, function, party band based in Manchester & Leeds, Yorkshire