A global study by the American events promoter Live Nation revealed just how powerful live music really is. In fact, nearly three-quarters of participants agreed that the moments that “give them the most life are live music experiences.”
Hiring live music, or any type of entertainment for your event, can make or break it, so you’ll want to consider these tips to increase the odds of success, meaning those who attend are likely to be talking about it for some time to come.
Think About Your Audience
No matter what type of live entertainment you’re considering, be sure to give a lot of thought to your guest list. If your grandmother is going to be there, you probably don’t want a comedian that’s going to make her blush or worse, and hiring a heavy metal band probably isn’t the best idea for an audience filled with country music fans. Be sure the artists you hire are appropriate for those who will be attending the event.
Look for Value, Not Cheap
Even if you have a tight budget, the cheapest option probably isn’t going to be the best value. If, for example, a band shows up with members who have little experience and put on a terrible show, it’s going to be worse than if you’d skipped the live entertainment altogether. Most talented artists will have spent years honing their craft and will charge accordingly. If the price tag is extremely low, there’s probably a good reason for that.
Skip the Talent Agent
These days, there’s an app for everything. Using a band booking app, for example, allows you to skip the talent agent, pay a lower cost, while the act gets more money for their performance too. Plus you’ll be able to compare the local talent to get a good idea of their rates and learn more about them via reviews, which make it easier to determine the best value too.
Check References
After narrowing down your list of potential entertainment, you’ll want to check references to determine the best fit for your particular event. Ask for at least a couple of references and speak with those clients to find out what their experiences were like. If you use a talent booking app, as mentioned, you can also read through all the reviews to get a good idea as to what you can expect.
How’s the Sound?
Sound is one of the most important aspects when it comes to live entertainment. If your guests can’t hear the artist(s), it’s a waste of money and can turn what should have been a successful event into a big fail. Make sure whoever you hire has high-quality equipment and that the equipment fits the designated space.
Keep in mind that too loud can be bad too. If you’re hiring a band, will they be providing dance party tunes or will it be for background music? The volume control is essential if you hope to have your guests talking to each other without having to scream over the music.
Make Sure the Entertainment Is a Fit for the Venue
It’s critical to make sure that the owner of the venue approves of your entertainment before you hire them. Not every venue allows live entertainment and some include clauses in their contracts that require pre-approval before you hire certain types of entertainment like a fire eater or any other performer that comes with a fire risk. The venue might also require an entertainer to provide proof of insurance before their appearance.
