Ok, it would be a good idea to get a few things in order before you go searching for one, just to make sure that you get the right performer.
Here’s a list of the most common events and their recommended performance choices.
Corporate Event
Cover Band, Dance Band/Party Band, Hypnotist, Comedian, Comedy Magician, Inspirational Speaker, Edu-Tainer (Keynote Speaker + Musician)
Usually more mature audiences full of professionals, high level performers with engaging performances are usually a big hit. There is usually a theme to these events and it’s wise to get a performer who matches that theme. For example, if the theme is technology and society, it would be a good idea to find an entertainer who uses the most modern technology in their performance. If the theme is “the power of storytelling” a songwriter who tells intriguing stories about how their songs were created would be a good idea. Although, sometimes it’s best to have a performer that can lay back and do more of a background performance, than a gripping stage performance in some cases. Just make sure to screen your performer to make sure that their content isn’t offensive or raunchy, this can go over really bad at these events.
Festival/Artist Showcase
Bands, Solo Musician/Looping Artist, Performance Artist (Dancer, Magician, Fire Performer, etc), Speed Painters, Contortionist, Mimes, Magicians
Lots of artists and creatives meandering about means something artistic and emotionally/visually appealing will be a great choice. Cover/Top 40’s/Party Bands generally aren’t the best choice here. You want to create a unique, original experience that people will never forget. This is an opportunity to be creative with your choice and go out of the box. Even outright strange can be a good thing, depending on the type of festival.
College Event
Party Band, Cover Band, Comedian, Original Band/Musician, Electronic Band, Live-Set DJ, Top 40’s Band, Impersonator
You’ve got a young audience with a short attention span. They have been born into a culture of the most non-stop stimulation in the history of mankind. You want someone/something that can command attention. Something loud and high energy is usually a good choice, something that will have an energy level that supersedes the audience. Sometimes impersonators can be a hit, if it’s an event where the performer can walk around and mingle.
Bar/Bah Mitzvah
International Band, Dance Band, Party Band
It’s an epic life celebration of a very specific culture. It’s good to have a band who can cater to the song requests, which is not going to happen with your typical cover band. Some bands specialize in Bar/Bah Mitzvahs, so look for this in the band you hire.
Private Event
Anything
Live music is the most common choice for house parties, but a private event can be almost anything and pretty much any type of entertainment will work depending on what you’re going for. Just think of the theme of party and hire an entertainer accordingly. For a retirement party, an acoustic guitarist that plays songs of the 60’s, 70’s and some easy listening would be a good choice. For a luau, a performer who knows some beach tunes would be a good choice.
Baby Shower/Bridal Shower
Solo Musician, Instrumentalist
These generally aren’t wild, raving parties. This is the time for an emotionally bonding celebration of close friends and soft acoustic music is an ideal choice. Although maybe a Brad Pitt impersonator also might be not so bad of a choice if it’s a mostly female group of friends.
Wedding
Live Band, Solo Musician, Instrumentalist, DJ, String Quartet
One of the best 1-2 combinations of any event would be to have a solo musician or live instrumental group perform the ceremony: harpist, pianist, guitarist or string quartet followed by a full band or DJ for the cocktail hour/reception/after party. This works perfectly for the energy and volume levels for a wedding.
Live Entertainment typically does not work well for:
Televised Sporting Events - It’s been tried again and again and it fails every single time. People watching TV and live entertainment don’t mix. Don’t waste your money or a bands time.
Very Early Morning Events - It’s possible this can work, but generally speaking it’s not the best. Most bands perform late at night, sometimes not finishing until 3 in the morning. At 9AM, most people are not ready to hear live music and most bands will be zombies at that time.
Once you know what kind of band you want to go with, if you want to know what websites are best to find them, CLICK HERE.
Dylan Galvin (Dylan like “Bob Dylan”, Galvin like “Calvin and Hobbes” with a “G”) is a singer/songwriter and live performer in Los Angeles, CA. Follow him on Instagram, Youtube and Facebook.
