FD Entertainments
Providing Professional Function Bands for All Events
Frequently Asked Questions
There are many questions that come up when you are looking to hire music for your event. Click on one of the links below for a breakdown of the most regularly asked questions.
Wedding Day Music | DJ/Discos | FAQs for all our acts
Wedding Day Music
- Q: I’m not sure which style of band to choose to create the right atmosphere?
- A: Below is a guide to the general styles you can expect from our different bands:
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- Fun & Dancy: Rock & pop covers band, soul & R&B band, rock n' roll or swing jive band, tribute band, 70's disco or funk band, Latin & salsa bands.
- Smooth & Sophisticated: Jazz band, swing jive band, latin & salsa band, classical ensemble, piano and violin/sax
- Light background music: Jazz band, classical ensemble, solo or duo guitar, vocal guitar/piano duo
- Something different: Steel band, Irish band, Latin & salsa band, swing jive band, world music ensemble, interesting tribute artist, barber shop quartet
- Formal: Jazz band, string quartet, classical ensemble, solo or duo guitar, singer or choir, piper
- Traditional: Irish band, ceilidh band, bag pipes, classical ensemble, singers or choir
- Q: Would the band be able to play our first dance?
- A: As long as we are notified well in advance, the bands we use will do all they can to arrange the performance of your first dance.
- Q: Would I be able to influence which particular songs are played by the band?
- A: Assuming the songs you have chosen are shown in the repertoire on their profile page, there should be no problem in getting the act to perform the songs you wish. However it is worth keeping in mind that the bands are experienced and select the best of their songs and choose particular running orders that have proved themselves in their previous performances.
DJ/Discos
- Q: Is it necessary to book a DJ as the band are providing background music between their sets?
- A: A DJ can be the perfect partner to a band for a number reasons:
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- They have the ability to take requests for songs from large databases of music.
- They are more interactive than a playlist and can gauge what your guests are enjoying the most.
- They can line-up perfect segues so there are no awkward silences after the band has finished.
- They provide extra lighting so your dancefloor is more inviting to your guests.
- A band may often be genre specific so a DJ is a good way of mixing up the styles.
- Q: I am concerned I may not be able to afford a band but still want lively music. Will a DJ be as good?
- A: Although our bands will always be preferred among the majority of our return clients, they are not always to everyone’s tastes and a good DJ can often be exactly what your party needs. There are a number of reasons why a DJ can fill your requirements:
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- Your budget is limited. A band can often be a lot more expensive than a DJ because of the amount of gear and people involved. If money is tight then a DJ can often be your solution.
- The space at the venue is very minimal. A DJ will take up much less room than a live band, so you may find that a band would not work with what you have.
- There are noise restrictions at the venue. DJ’s have the ability to be a quiet as you need them so are much more controllable if noise is a big concern. Although all our bands can and will do their utmost to keep to the noise restrictions in place, you will often find that the ‘liveliness’ of a band is dramatically reduced by the pressure of keeping the noise level down.
- Q: I have a very particular theme for my event that none of your bands seem to cover. Would a DJ be able to help?
- A: Certainly. All of our DJs have access to thousands of tunes and with enough notice they can arrange a set to ensure your ideas are fulfilled.
FAQs for all our acts
- Q: How do I enquire about booking a band or DJ?
- A: Please click on the links at the top or bottom of the acts profile page or click here to fill out our contact form.
- Q: Where are the acts based and how far will they travel?
- A: Each acts profile page shows the their location and whether or not they are prepared to travel around the UK and internationally. Most do, but those who do not will travel a minimum of 50 miles from their home location.
- Q: What time will the acts arrive to set up?
- A: A standard band or DJ will arrive 1 – 2 hrs before their first performance time to begin their set up. Changes can be made to these arrival times, but extra costs may apply.
- Q: How much time do the acts require to set up?
- A: A standard 5 piece band will need at least 1hr to set up. A DJ will need at least 45mins. In some cases the acts will require more or less time and if so, this is shown on their profile page.
- Q: How much space do the acts require for their performance?
- A: A standard 5 piece band will need at least 4m x 4m of floor space. A DJ will need at least 2m x 2m. In some cases the acts will require more or less space and if so, this is shown on their profile page.
- Q: What else should be provided for the acts?
- A: An adequate and free of charge electrical supply i.e. a minimum of 2 standard 3pin, 13amp power sockets near the performance area, independent i.e. NOT shared with catering, other lighting, etc...
- A: Refreshments. It is customary to provide food/drinks for the acts.
- A: A room to change in.
- Q: How long do the acts play for?
- A: The performance duration for each act is shown on their profile page. If you require something different to that shown, please enquire as most acts can accommodate changes but extra costs may apply.
- Q: Is the quality of the act reflected in their fee?
- A: The price an act charges can represent their experience; the longer established acts are often more expensive. However, all acts on our books are vetted to ensure a high standard throughout. Prices will also vary according to the number of people in an act.