CORPORATE BAND HIRE USA  | BOOK CORPORATE BANDS USA

HOW TO BOOK A CORPORATE BAND USA | CORPORATE BAND HIRE USA

WHAT ARE CORPORATE EVENT BANDS?

Corporate event bands are described as bands and entertainers that provide music for product launches, restaurants and any business event that requires something extra special.

Our acts have provided background music for events such as car launches, restaurants openings, business parties and many more.

When you are in charge of booking entertainment for your corporate party, business or maybe you are an event planner.

HOW TO BOOK A CORPORATE BAND FREE GUIDE

If you have been put in charge of looking after the music and entertainment for your next event, here is a definitive guide from entertainment industry guru, Daniel Morris from Band Circus LLC.
“Initial fears that people may have with preparing the music and entertainment for their event are justifiable, as it is an integral part of the occasion and can even be part of the main focus. There are many factors to think about when preparing your entertainment, not only whether the artist you are booking for your event will suitably entertain your customers, or fit within your cost .You also need to start thinking about whether they will be dependable and professional. In the worst case situation we have known of cases where artists have failed to arrive on time or cancelled without giving enough time to book another act in their place. Even if they do arrive, how do you know that they are going to be as good as their demo or samples? And this is all on top of the rest of the event planning process of organizing catering, a venue or conference facility, florists, guest invitations, transport, accommodation… need I go on? It can be a very daunting endeavor.”
With this in mind, here are the key elements to think about to help get you started:

The Venue for your corporate band

When booking the venue it is important to check that they have the appropriate licences. Also you should check the conditions of their licence including the type of entertainment they are allowed (some venues are not permitted to have amplified music), finishing/get out times, performance area size/space restrictions, if they have any noise restrictions (such as sound limiters), access times for the band/artist, power supply etc.
If you are considering a speciality act that uses fire or pyrotechnics, you also need to make sure that this is authorized in the venue.
These guidelines are always good to discover ahead of time as this may dictate the kind of entertainment you can look for.

Live Band Research on your corporate entertainment

So now you have an idea of the kind of act your venue will accommodate, let’s go and look for your entertainment.
Armed with the information acquired from the venue you can now contact the performers, but where do you look? Well, there are a few options available to you:
Option 1 – Search online. You can do a search for a certain type of artist/ band, listen to their website demos or watch their showreel and contact the artist directly. Although many artists have their own website, a great website does not automatically mean a great artist. So not only can this technique be quite simply mind-numbing and time consuming, it is also a bit of a lottery if you are arranging an artist about whom you know nothing.
Option 2 – Go on endorsement. This can narrow your hunting quite rapidly, but do remember that colleagues may not have the same preferences, and what one person may think is great might not be ideal for the guests attending your event.
Option 3 – Go to an agent. There are lots of agencies out there (I should know, I own one of them). Obviously there is going to be a fee increase for this service (normally between 15- 20 % ) but, if the agency is an established one they should be able to earn their commission by verifying the performers and their capability, negotiating their fee to meet your budget, contracting the artist (more on that later) and communicating to the artist exactly what you need.
A note on professionalism. Many people place the utmost importance on the performance, but it is essential not to overlook the other factors involved with booking an act/band (for example, the way they conduct themselves both on and off stage, their dress code and ensuring they turn up in plenty of time etc).
Things to ask the band/act
Whether you are going through a broker or direct to the artist, the questions are still the same.
Here is important information you need to know about the artist:

Act availability of your corporate band :

You must first check that the performer is available on the day of your function and that they are happy to commute to the event location.

How long will the corporate bands perform for?:

Performance times will vary depending on the type of act you are booking and the function you are holding.
There are so many different possibilities depending on your requirement, but to give you an example, a typical live performance by a function band would be something like the following:
2 x 1 hour live sets (I like to include CD music in between and up to 45 mins after the performance)
Or
3 x 45 mins live sets (again, the bands would be quite happy to provide CD music within the price)

Act/Band styles for corporate events:

Certain artists are available as a ‘walkabout’ act as well as a stage act, and some bands can function as an acoustic duo or trio, as well as a full party band.
If you have a larger event then you may wish to have a reception performer when the guests arrive or are eating lunch/dinner. This could be a walkabout act, close-up magician or acoustic duo or trio band.
We have supplied many events with walkabout Mexican Mariachi bands, acoustic trios, close-up magicians, human statues and Gypsy jazz musicians. It’s an upbeat and fun start to the evening before the main act, as well as a outstanding ice-breaker if your attendees don’t know each other.
The latter part of the event can then integrate a stage show or band for dancing, either using an artist from earlier or a different artist altogether.

Repertoire:

If you are booking a band, you ought to be able to get a preview set list from the band. I generally advise my customers to let the artist calculate the event as to what songs are played but within your initial enquiries it gives you a great idea of what they can do.

Corporate band charges:

Once the artist has all your requirements, they will then be able to quote you officially.
The price you are quoted will be dependent on the location of the event, the performance you require, what day of the week your event is being held on, and the time of year your event is taking place.

Negotiate!!

Don’t be afraid to barter, most artists/agents are happy to negotiate their fee, as every event is different.

The Booking

Let us assume you have narrowed down a selection of acts, what next?
If you have decided on the artist you wish to book, but you need to get the go ahead from your MD or person paying for the event, it would be recommended to ask the band to hold that date for you.
Most artists will be happy to pencil in a date for you if you require time to make a firm decision about booking. This ensures that they won’t take another booking while you’re in the decision making process.
Deposits and contracts
Any established band or artist will insist on a written contract being signed by all individuals once you confirm your booking. This must include all of the information that both sides have agreed to.
More often than not, the contract will also include a requirement for you, the client, to provide refreshments and lockable changing amenities/dressing room for the artist during their time spent at your event.

There are a few more detailed factors to cover, but this is basically how to make sure that the entertainment booking for a corporate event can be dealt with so you can focus on all the other jobs too.