Feature Article: Book a live band for your party or bar

Live music adds a lively atmosphere to your party, restaurant or bar

Here's how you can put on live music:

Hire a band

Decide what style of music you want. Think about the tastes of your audience, based on their age range and the type of people they are

You can choose from a range of music styles:

• Dance music
• Well know songs from your favourite era
• Rock and pop music
• Jazz and blues
• Tribute bands
• Folk

Most party bands will play "covers" - well known tunes made famous by other bands. Sometimes they will throw in one or two of their own songs and often these are just as good as the golden oldies.

The band will bring a drum kit and their own amps for their guitars. Bands range from those with three musicians, up to as many as five or six.

When choosing a band, find out how many musicians they will have a make sure your performance areas is large enough.

For bands and restaurants, it might be best to go for groups having two or three musicians.

For most private parties, one band will play the whole night, usually in two sets of about 40 minutes to an hour. With a break in between.

You need to make sure that there is somewhere the band can park their vehicle while they are performing and that they have easy access to the room, for loading their equipment. You will also have to provide electrical points - they will need at least 5 power points, depending on the size of the band. Check these details with the band at the time of booking.

Will I need a PA System?

Nearly all bands these days use guitars and these have to be plugged into amplifiers. Singers will also need microphones and speakers. Even in a small room, singers need a PA to be heard over their backing instruments.

Only in very quiet restaurants will it be possible to get away with the unamplified human voice (but only if the audience sits quietly to listen to the performer!)

For parties of 20 to 100 people, a small PA is needed. For parties of 100 or more, it depends on the acoustics, the size of the room and how much background noise there might be.

In some cases a standard PA system will be adequate but for the larger functions, a more powerful system might be required.

Most firms that hire PA systems can provide various levels and powers.

What kind of venue?

Usually, a party organiser will want to hire a room in a pub, a hall or a room in a hotel. You should choose a venue that has a Public Entertainment Licence.

How far in advance will I need to book?

You should book your band as far in advance as possible. Certainly, not less than a month in advance. The best bands are booked up a long way ahead, especially for Saturday nights.

Can bands play out of doors?

Bands can play in marques or, during the summer, on patios and terraces. But, they will need an adequate power supply and some kind of waterproof covering in case it rains.

Is a stage required?

It is not always necessary to have the band perform on a raised area. Most bands will like to be seen above the throng of party goers. But this is not always necessary. For a four piece band you will need to allow an area of at least ten feet by six feet.

Will I need a Licence?

If you are intending to hold a party and want a band to play, your best approach would be to hire a room in a venue that already holds an entertainment licence.

If your event is not to be held in premises that are already licensed, you should ask your local council's Licensing Section, whether or not your event requires a temporary public entertainment licence. Licences are not needed for small events where less than 500 people are likely to attend, and which last for less than 96 hours, at a time.

If you are holding a party where the public is invited then you will need a temporary public entertainment licence (paying or not). If it is a private party, you do not need a premises licence. However, if you hold an event where a band will play you might need a licence. You might need to obtain a Temporary Event Notice.

You can check the regulations online.

You might also need to check whether your party will make noise that might disturb others. There are regulations about the level of noise and the hours that music can be played. It is best to check with your local authority. If you hire a room in a venue that already has a public entertainment licence, then it unlikely to be an issue.