Another consideration the band must have is that of other vendors such as caterers and event planners. For instance, this may be a themed event. In such cases there may be a lot in the way of decorations and lighting. The band must work closely with such individuals. Often, vendors have their own ideas as to what they want to do and where to place their items. However, such lighting and equipment can actually interfere with the bands equipment.  Also, any electrical requirements the vendor has may interfere with the needs of the band or its equipment. There may not be enough outlets, or what outlets there are may require too many amps, causing circuit breakers to trip. The band must arrive in time so that any concerns can be addressed immediately and rectified. Once these concerns have been addressed, the band can now begin the setup.

Many times people forget about the time it takes to set up. Some bands will actually make the comment that they can set up in 30 minutes. We've actually seen this done. However, the set up is in the middle of the event, not before hand. The band comes in while guests are arriving, or having their dinner. They barge their way through the crowd to get to the stage. They  place their amplifiers on stage, plug everything in, and begin their performance, right on time. The only problem is this has been very disrupting to the event and guests, there have been no sound checks, there are often feed back problems, and the quality of sound for the performance suffers because there have been no sound level checks and the room has not be EQ'd for the proper sound.

A band must arrive early enough to make sure the previous details and concerns are addressed. They then have to have enough time to move all their equipment. The stage may be on a different level, stairs or elevators may need to be used, and parking for unloading may not be that accessible. Then, the stage or floor area will be a bare beginning for the band. After equipment has been hauled to the room, then the actual set up can begin. Speakers need to be strategically placed for the size and shape of the room. Even the layout of the band instruments for the performance must be considered so the band can see the crowd. This is so band members can see the response of people. They will then adjust their program to meet the needs of the crowd. It also allows band members to interact with the crowd, making them a part of the performance. Then there's running all the electrical and sound cables and trying to arrange them in a way that is aesthetically pleasing and out of the way. And remember, we've only just begun. This is just the set up portion!

The performance is the easy part. After performing for 3-5 hours the band needs a break to settle down. Then, the daunting task of reversing the process begins. It's time to clean up the "spaghetti" (a term used for all the lines and cables on the floor), organize it, and put it away for the next performance. All equipment must be broken down and taken outside to the van. Then it must be arranged for safe transport back to the studio so the band can continue to rehearse and get ready for the next performance. No doubt, there will be another "special" song request the band must learn to perform next week.

Don't forget that after the performance it may be close to mid-night. This means that by the time the band breaks down and gets loaded, it may be well into the early morning hours. Take into consideration they may have started as early as 10:00am loading, travel to the venue, set up, performance, break down, then return travel. This means the band can easily have 16-20 hours for just a few hours performance. Lodging is usually necessary so the band can return home safely. This can either be provided to the band or included in the pricing.

Remember, these are just a few things you may wish to consider when hiring a band for your event. If you want to know how much The Great Imponderables cost, visit our Cost of Live Band for approximate values. To get pricing for your wedding reception or special event Contact us. We'll gladly discuss your needs and concerns and come up with pricing that will fit your needs.

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