FAQs                                

This first question was asked by a lady who wanted to book us. Unfortunately we were not available on the requested date, but prompted us to try and help.


Q"How do I know if  bands are any good? They all say they are good."

A. When looking at websites it can be very confusing. You should always trust your first impressions. Listed below are some pointers.


  • Listen to the music or better still; the Music Video on the web site. Play it via good quality speakers or head phones not the general little speakers that come with your PC. Play it at a high enough volume that you would expect at your event.        Get a real feel for the music.
              Do you feel like dancing to it?   Does it sound exciting or dull?
  • Ask about the experience of the caller. How would they deal with for example: Young children, teenagers and older people?
  • What strategies do they have if guests are reluctant to get up and dance?
  • If you are having a fund raiser does the band  get involved with fund raising           games or just do nothing?
  • Does the website look like care has been taken? This may indicate a sloppy attitude.




Q.Will it always be the same caller as advertised?
A. In our case YES  ALWAYS
Other bands use different Callers depending on availability. You contact the band  and they will see which callers are available.

Q.What is the difference between a Ceilidh/Ceili, Barn Dance and Hoe Down?

A.The music at a Ceilidh or Ceili would be more Celtic and the dancers may have some knowledge of the dances, a Hoe Down should have an American style and a Barn Dance may have a traditional or mixed styles. If you have any other questions please ask.

Q. How do I know if the band is what I'm looking for?

A.You can always ask to see them perform. A good band will be pleased to arrange a time for you to see them play.

           However, be prepared to travel to a venue that is not close to home. Bands often travel 
           considerable distances, even if they live in the same town as you, they may not have
           a booking near that town for months.

Q. What if the equipment breaks down?

A.Our band only use high quality equipment, but for peace of mind we also carry spares including PA. amps and mixers, mics, and cables etc.

Q. I'm having an outdoor event, is there anything I need to know?

A.If using a generator. Is it supplied by a company or an old one that has been in the garage for years? Small generators can send too much voltage to the user when not working correctly or overloaded. For power tools this is not always a problem but for sensitive electronic equipment it can cause major damage.

Events in a Marquee: Professional wedding marquees normally  create no problems for bands unless the sides are open near the band.

If the event is in the open air the band would require shelter from sun, rain and wind.


PARKING
Q. Do we have to notify the band if there are parking cost or restrictions ?

A. Yes. To avoid any misunderstandings you must give us correct information
when requesting  a quote. Parking in major cities can be very expensive.


MUSIC

Q. "The sound of the band so full, do we use pre-recorded backing tracks"?

A.  Never, the music is 100% live.

Q. Will the music be very loud?

A. Our band's instruments go into a central mixer, the volume can be turned up or down instantly from a master control without the need of  any other adjustments.


Q.  Does the band use/need amplification?
 
The calculation
 
Rough guide; example for 100 people/dancers.
 
People talking, dancing, shoe noise, stamping, laughing and being loud can be the equivalent of 300 watts. Your home Hi-fi is normally 10 watts to 40 watts.

Watts (a measure of amplifier power) are common term used to describe stereos.
For a un-amplified band to compete with that noise level from the audience,
you would need a small/medium size orchestra. Or the party guest would have to be very quite.
 
It is cheaper to use a P.A. System ( public address system) instead of twenty musicians.
All bands have there own P.A. systems.

 
Sutton, Croydon, to West, North, East London. Acoustic or Electric.




Q. What dances do you use?

A.  Some of the dances: Reelin:g

                                                  
Strip the willow                                                  
The Dashing White Sergeant   Scottish ceilidh Dancing                          
The Gay Gordons                                                   
Stoke Golding                                                   
Cumberland Square Eight
Sweets of May
Siege of Ennis                                                                   Canadian Barn Dance                                                       Boston Tea Party






 COST 

Our price is for band hire up to four hours of performance time, which includes
a break. We would normally expect to arrive one hour prior to the start.
If an early set up is required an extra charge may be applicable.
              

EARLY SET-UP

Example: The wedding organizers may not want the band to play until
               8.00pm. But don’t want them setting up whilst the guest's are arriving,
               eating or during speeches. They may want the band to be set-up by 2 p.m.
Therefore an early set up would be needed. Our normal quote is for a standard set up and performance time.

It is also customary to supply the band with refreshments normally at  
the same time as the guest.


Q. Why can't you just have your fees on the website?

A.  The cost of a local event would be totally different from an event in Scotland or Europe , which would include travel and hotels. (see note at the bottom of the page). There are also many variations that need to be taken into consideration. It can depend on the time of year, duration of the event, will an early set-up (weddings  and corporate) or a big band be required etc? We will get back to you quickly with the cost.

Re: Cost, just like buying a car, would you buy the cheapest? You may not want a Rolls Royce but you wouldn’t buy an old vehicle if you need a reliable car to be proud of.


 
It’s reasonable to expect quality at a sensible price.

To get a quote is easy, phone or email us with the following information.  Click here

Step 1.  The date
Step 2.  The place (nearest town)
Step 3   Email or phone for quote.

Remember the price we quote is the price you get. No last minute hidden extras added on.

Optional info, help us to help you.
Start and finish and set-up times of your event?
What search engine did you use?
What did you type in for the search?


                          



If the event is in any of the following areas we "do not charge travel expenses".
        Starting from  west to east:  Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire,  Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Essex, Cambridgeshire  and  London.


Please note this is not line dancing.