Bands vs. DJs- a Band's perspective

Keyboard player Mark Shilansky of the Hip Pocket Orchestra in Boston,MA offers some great advice when deciding on your entertainment for your wedding.

Hip Pocket Orchestra
Music Mangement

Bands vs. DJs.
As a keyboard player who has been a full-time and sub member of some of New England's finest wedding bands (currently a member of Hip Pocket Orchestra, have played with Moment's Notice, Night Rhythm, Stardust), I'm obviously in favor of you hiring a band for your wedding or other event.

Our singers interact with the crowd, often dancing with guests and leading dance contests and the like. As instrumenalists we can interact, as well, upping the intensity as the dancing becomes more intense... having seen a band like Earth Wind and Fire live, I can tell you it's much more fun to dance to them live than in my living room. A couple gets an even more special feeling if a human being stands before them and sings their favorite song, than when a human being pushes a button on a CD player or an ipod. And, with a band like Hip Pocket that has choreography and great soloists, the members of the crowd who don't feel like dancing get treated to a concert.

Not to discount the value of DJs. They can play up-to-the-minute current stuff, and can also get crowds worked up. And I wouldn't recommend working a Bar Mitzvah without a DJ (and dancers) for the kids, as well as a band for the adults. But, if you have the money, it's worth the expense to have the extra warmth and energy a band can generate.

You need to choose a band that is capable of playing the music you want to hear, or is capable of playing the widest diversity of styles imaginable, to meet you and your guests' needs. Ask if the band plays specific tunes by specific artists; a good band almost always includes in its basic pricing one or two special requests, with more available at a small fee. Try and hear the band live to see if you want to spend several hours with them. And, back to the diversity issue: our band can play the latest tunes from the pop charts (we're currently seeing the dance floor fill up to "Single Ladies" by Beyonce, and Lady Ga Ga's "Just Dance"), and disco and 80's classics (EWF's "September" and, surprisingly, the novelty hit "Come On Eileen" are huge for us), but then play jazz and James Taylor for the cocktail and dinner sets, and even provide musicians for the ceremony.

So, thanks for reading, and consider weighing these options when choosing entertainment for your event! Congratulations!

Bands vs. DJs- a Band's perspective

Cindy Charest from the Bob Charest Band in Portland, ME took some time to give me her thoughts on the advantages of hiring a band for your wedding. Here are some of her comments, some photos of the Bob Charest Band, and a link to their website. We have worked with the BCB before and we think they are fabulous! Really high quality musicians who actually rehearse and produce a very polished product... enjoy her two cents!

The Bob Charest Band

The band can communicate to the guests, person to person, in a unique way.

Fully-rehearsed and professional ensembles can create an atmosphere at a reception that is unique.

The size of the band can be a pro or a con. If appropriate to the event, it complements and completes the atmosphere. If space is limited or the guest count is too low, a band that is too large can impose itself on the event.

Visually, a band can be very dynamic, and energize the crowd.

Logistics for some bands may be impractical for certain venues, such as island locations.

Bands take up a certain amount of space, so be sure to check out how much space they need, and if the room can accommodate them.

Bands can improvise, substitute special lyrics, fine tune arrangements to suit, invite you or your talented family member or friend to "sit in" on a number.



Photos by Bill Getty Photography







Photos by Susan Mullen Photography

Bands vs. DJs

I'm sure I'm going to get a hefty response for blogging about this, especially since I'm married to a jazz pianist/DJ. I get this question asked to me SO many times from my full coordination clients. This is what I'm hearing from brides today about the pros and cons of both options:

First, the classic reasons NOT to have a DJ or to DEFINITELY hire a band:

1. I want the crowd to really get into dancing so I HAVE to have a band. A DJ just won't cut it.

2. DJ's are so cheesy- they always have props and light shows... tacky tacky tacky!

3. My guests expect a certain level of sophistication from us so we have to have a band.

4. Live music just kicks things up a notch.

5. My guests want to be entertained throughout the night and a band is just the thing!

Now the reasons why a band is NOT selected or why people LOVE DJs:

1. I just can't afford a great band, I'm playing it safe and going with a DJ.

2. I want a lot of originals to be played- no one can sing like Michael Jackson!

3. There isn't a lot of room at my reception venue and I don't want the band to take up too much space.

4. I want a lot of current music and I know a band doesn't know all of those songs.

5. We have a very diverse group of guests and I want to be able to have music for everyone to enjoy!

There are a lot of points that I happen to agree with here, but I want the experts to tell you their side of the story. That's why I'm going to be posting interviews from DJs, bands, and ceremony and cocktail hour musicians to tell us why they should be hired and what the pros and cons are of their individual industry. Stay tuned over the next few weeks and learn a bit more about one of the most popular and talked about aspects of a wedding!