Current costs for a wedding band / DJ

Shyboy · 04-03-2012 11:22AM

sweetie wrote: »

I know there are good Djs in bands like Clint and I myself do most of my gigs as part of a band package. I think a good rule of thumb is that if the Dj is being provided free or very cheap then try to see them in action and ask about their equipment and backup etc. as like everything in life you get what you pay for.

Sorry, didn't mean any offence to you guys with the earlier posts as you are obviously both experienced DJ's that work with/as part of the band:).

John Mason · 04-03-2012 02:58PM

our band is costing 300e and the is DJ free

it really does pay to have friends in the music industry:D:D

clint_silver · 04-03-2012 03:32PM

irishbird wrote: »

our band is costing 300e and the is DJ free

it really does pay to have friends in the music industry:D:D

I paid 200, that was the bar tab for the lads, youre being done mate, Id go back and haggle for some seat covers.

@shyboy, theres no offence taken. As we're in the industry I think all we can do on here is inform those looking what to look out for where they might not otherwise. So we can say "make sure your DJ is a pro and these are the X,Y and Z things to look out for in a pro DJ". whether he plays in a band or drives up wearing a pink tutu beforehand doesnt matter as long as X,Y,Z is satisfied.

Sleepy · 04-03-2012 03:36PM

I've got the band for the same deal as yourself for the band, clint, cover their bar tab

Rew · 05-03-2012 11:28AM

We got our DJ with the band, he's the sound guy for the band. Off the top of my head its 2,400 for 5 piece band and DJ.

Quebec Delta Mike · 05-03-2012 04:20PM

Hi folks,

Just curious, all those prices, are they including vat, and receipted?:D
Just asking...!!!:rolleyes:

QDM

clint_silver · 05-03-2012 07:43PM

Quebec Delta Mike wrote: »

Hi folks,

Just curious, all those prices, are they including vat, and receipted?:D
Just asking...!!!:rolleyes:

QDM

If you were "just asking", why the rolly eyes as though youve already convinced yourself of the answer?

any vendor should always give a receipt in some form or another to protect the person who paid the money. This is just common sense and if you aint getting a receipt, dont book.

VAT is only payable on services over 35k. most musicians pay tax on extra income each october rather then register for VAT as very few if any make that much as an individual. Or at least they should pay it if they dont want to get a knock on the door from an inspector, but thats not your problem.

Tell ya what, if you're booking a band, and youre REALLY concerned about it, and they say theyre paying tax if you ask them, ease your guilt and add ~20% on the bill to make doubly sure and say "this is for the tax lads, just in case". They wont say no.

Quebec Delta Mike · 06-03-2012 06:56PM

Hi Clint,

Jeepers, glad I had the volume down....:eek:
Sorry if I touched a nerve there...the emoticons are meant to convey mood, or humour, are they not? So cool down please.:cool:

The general issue of tax compliance is probably for another thread, but I had to ask, as the thread was very interesting to me, as a curious onlooker, that's all. I don't really care if bands or djs pay tax or not, that's between them and revenue.

Over and out.....

QDM

Gamb!t · 03-04-2012 11:40PM

The band we are thinking of getting is charging 2600 - no DJ included.
I saw them at a friends wedding years ago and they were fantastic.
Is this type of price fair for a wedding in April ?

clint_silver · 04-04-2012 07:43AM

Gamb!t wrote: »

The band we are thinking of getting is charging 2600 - no DJ included.
I saw them at a friends wedding years ago and they were fantastic.
Is this type of price fair for a wedding in April ?

Well how much do they charge in August? Are they high profile? Did you ask them when booking would they do it cheaper or include Dj? How many are in the band? Did you book through an agent?

If you've already agreed it, and it's this month, best not to think about it.

john_cappa · 04-04-2012 02:38PM

My band were around 2000. "The paddies".

They were brilliant!

1500-2500 is the going rate.

Beffy · 04-04-2012 05:10PM

I am dismayed by a lot of wedding bands out there for people that don't want swing/irish show band type music. Tacky white suits etc We found one we like but they are looking for over 3k!

clint_silver · 04-04-2012 05:21PM

Beffy wrote: »

I am dismayed by a lot of wedding bands out there for people that don't want swing/irish show band type music. Tacky white suits etc We found one we like but they are looking for over 3k!

define what you mean by dismayed, not sure its clear. do you mean you dont want the usual cheesey white suit type band? are you looking for an indie/rock type band? LOTs of them out there. and nowhere near the 3k youve been quoted.

see my earlier post on pricings, if its not in this thread its near the end of the sticky on the bands. (I work with a band).

as always, did you go through an agent? how many are in the band? what time of year? go direct to the band if you can.

Beffy · 04-04-2012 05:29PM

clint_silver wrote: »

define what you mean by dismayed, not sure its clear. do you mean you dont want the usual cheesey white suit type band? are you looking for an indie/rock type band? LOTs of them out there. and nowhere near the 3k youve been quoted.

see my earlier post on pricings, if its not in this thread its near the end of the sticky on the bands. (I work with a band).

as always, did you go through an agent? how many are in the band? what time of year? go direct to the band if you can.

Sorry my post wasn't very clear. There just seems to be a lot of the cheesey type wedding bands out there. No I didn't go through an agent. There are 5 in band, wedding is in March. I've looked at a lot of wedding band websites, looked at videos and most of them I scramble to turn off. Just makes me cringe.

clint_silver · 04-04-2012 09:07PM

Beffy wrote: »

clint_silver wrote: »

define what you mean by dismayed, not sure its clear. do you mean you dont want the usual cheesey white suit type band? are you looking for an indie/rock type band? LOTs of them out there. and nowhere near the 3k youve been quoted.

see my earlier post on pricings, if its not in this thread its near the end of the sticky on the bands. (I work with a band).

as always, did you go through an agent? how many are in the band? what time of year? go direct to the band if you can.

Sorry my post wasn't very clear. There just seems to be a lot of the cheesey type wedding bands out there. No I didn't go through an agent. There are 5 in band, wedding is in March. I've looked at a lot of wedding band websites, looked at videos and most of them I scramble to turn off. Just makes me cringe.

Yes, some of them are cringing but they're usually very unrepresentative of what the band can do. 2 of the best bands I know on the circuit have 2 of the worst promo vids. They know who they are!!!. I always say talk to the band, look at their set lists, ask do they play pubs as well as this where youll see a band at their most comfortablest if that's the type of band you want. But remember if a band didn't play cheesey type music they wouldn't be working very much as 90% of weddings are where the bride says "will you play waltzy music to get auntie Joan up ". If you say no, you're not eating that night. but if you ask the same band to not do the cheese they'll be more then Happy to oblige.

Gamb!t · 04-04-2012 10:21PM

clint_silver wrote: »

Well how much do they charge in August? Are they high profile? Did you ask them when booking would they do it cheaper or include Dj? How many are in the band? Did you book through an agent?

If you've already agreed it, and it's this month, best not to think about it.

Not a bad idea
Yes
No waiting to see one of their shows again and will ask in person rather than email or phone.
6 or 7 I think
No,their website
Wedding is next year.

clint_silver · 04-04-2012 11:41PM

Gamb!t wrote: »

clint_silver wrote: »

Well how much do they charge in August? Are they high profile? Did you ask them when booking would they do it cheaper or include Dj? How many are in the band? Did you book through an agent?

If you've already agreed it, and it's this month, best not to think about it.

Not a bad idea
Yes
No waiting to see one of their shows again and will ask in person rather than email or phone.
6 or 7 I think
No,their website
Wedding is next year.

If they are hi profile, theres 6-7 in the band, if u get the Dj with it I think the price is about right.
They will nearly definitely not talk about money at a gig.
The reason it's about right is as I've said many times before on here, thats the price they've found that people will pay for them. If you don't pay it someone else will.
If they weren't worth it you'd know very quickly if you seen other bands to compare.
Still ask will they do it for less. No harm. They can only say no.

Gamb!t · 04-04-2012 11:53PM

clint_silver wrote: »

If they are hi profile, theres 6-7 in the band, if u get the Dj with it I think the price is about right.
They will nearly definitely not talk about money at a gig.
The reason it's about right is as I've said many times before on here, thats the price they've found that people will pay for them. If you don't pay it someone else will.
If they weren't worth it you'd know very quickly if you seen other bands to compare.
Still ask will they do it for less. No harm. They can only say no.

Yeah it wont hurt to ask -Thanks

andylennon11 · 14-01-2013 02:24AM

Can anyone recommend a dj for ballinasloe wedding? I'm havin no band so he ll have to be a brilliant one who gets the crowd going and is able to interact with them. I'm on a budget but would like an experienced one, I appreciate any help

clint_silver · 14-01-2013 01:21PM

andylennon11 wrote: »

Can anyone recommend a dj for ballinasloe wedding? I'm havin no band so he ll have to be a brilliant one who gets the crowd going and is able to interact with them. I'm on a budget but would like an experienced one, I appreciate any help

I cant suggest anyone down that far but just to set some expectation.
A brilliant DJ who interacts with the crowd will do so as he is good at his job so will know his worth and will charge accordingly.
If you seen a couple of bad ones and then get a good one you'll know why they charge more so its up to you after that.
If youre prepared to pay the 500-700 mark for an all night DJ youll have your pick of most of the countrys top guys who will travel there. If your budget doesnt stretch that far, did you talk to the hotel who will have a list of guys who play there regularly? The locals guys wouldnt charge you extra for travel.
If you're on a really low budget, say 200e, like anything there's guys that will do it, but you cant be really picky about their gear or crowd interaction skills (mic skills) or floor reading.
Talk to hotel, hit weddingsonline, donedeal, buyandsell, gumtree, theyre more regional ads will show you a few guys..

TAPA2012 · 15-01-2013 01:28PM

andylennon11 wrote: »

Can anyone recommend a dj for ballinasloe wedding? I'm havin no band so he ll have to be a brilliant one who gets the crowd going and is able to interact with them. I'm on a budget but would like an experienced one, I appreciate any help

I have heard scruffy duffy is meant to be good! I think he may have a website.

niallam · 15-01-2013 02:20PM

At a wedding and was no band, instead they had 2 lads, brothers I think, and they did all night. They'd play music and then after every few songs one would disappear and come back dressed up and sing a few songs.
First was elvis, and was amazing. Then between them over the night they did garth brooks, Tom jones and few more.
One of the best nights entertainment ever. Had everyone up from the first song till the last.
Think they're based in Dublin but wedding I was at was midlands. I can get a number for you if you would like, should have it this evening

andylennon11 · 15-01-2013 11:36PM

Has anyone had eclipse-sound-lighting at their wedding? Gettin price if 800 euro for uplights, 2 projectors, monogram and dj for whole night. Is this the going rate? Sounds expensive

clint_silver · 16-01-2013 12:08AM

andylennon11 wrote: »

Has anyone had eclipse-sound-lighting at their wedding? Gettin price if 800 euro for uplights, 2 projectors, monogram and dj for whole night. Is this the going rate? Sounds expensive

I dont know them but I would have said about right to be honest. all night DJ for a pro is about 5-600, uplighter hire is another 2-300 so 800 sounds about right.

When you say expensive, have you looked at any other all night DJs and uplighter hire to compare it? Maybe knock off the lights package if you cant afford it. Nice to have, and the rooms do look very well with them but I wouldnt overstretch your budget for them.

niallam · 16-01-2013 01:26PM

That number for them lads is 0872167839 Paul is his name.
Here's a clip from that wedding I was on about.
http://youtu.be/l7fACfho0Ms

Aoifepia · 17-01-2013 02:15PM

Have decided to get married within 12 weeks and my big stress (aside from the dress!!) is which band to pick, we haven't time to see them all and a lot havent got weddings in Jan. Have it narrowed down to 3 who are free and was looking for any recent recommendations on them:
The Prickly Pairs
Simon CAsey Band
Mile High.

Thanks a million!

Sleepy · 17-01-2013 02:24PM

Saw Simon Casey and his band at a friend's wedding. Very good but I believe quite pricey?

Aoifepia · 17-01-2013 02:41PM

Not a huge difference with the others, all seem to be a bit above or below 2000. Did he get the crowd going and play a bit of everything? Happy to have a bit of cheese on the day!

Sleepy · 17-01-2013 02:53PM

Did a request for my other half and had the crowd dancing.

TBH, the band have far less to do with getting people dancing than the couple getting married. Once the band are anyway decent, if the bride and groom are on the floor, it'll be full.

clint_silver · 17-01-2013 03:37PM

Aoifepia wrote: »

Not a huge difference with the others, all seem to be a bit above or below 2000. Did he get the crowd going and play a bit of everything? Happy to have a bit of cheese on the day!

There wouldn't be much difference in terms of quality between the 3 bands on any given night. They're all very good and know their business so it's just budget and what you thought yourself after you viewed.

Current costs for a wedding band / DJ

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