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Band Sizes:
BackBeat Village, although officially a 10 piece band, is available in all
sizes from 5 piece upwards. Line-up options are as follows:
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5-Piece [option 1]: |
Female
vocals, guitar, keyboards, bass, drums |
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5-Piece [option 2]: |
Male
vocals, guitar, keyboards, bass, drums |
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6-Piece [option 1]: |
Female
vocals, saxophone, guitar, keyboards, bass, drums |
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6-Piece [option 2]: |
Male
vocals, saxophone, guitar, keyboards, bass, drums |
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6-Piece [option 3]: |
Female
vocals, male vocals, guitar, keyboards, bass, drums |
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7-Piece [option 1]: |
Female
vocals, trumpet, saxophone, guitar, keyboards, bass, drums |
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7-Piece [option 2]: |
Male
vocals, trumpet, saxophone, guitar, keyboards, bass, drums |
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7-Piece [option 3]: |
Female
vocals, male vocals, saxophone, guitar, keyboards, bass, drums |
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8-Piece: |
Female
vocals, male vocals, trumpet, saxophone, guitar, keyboards, bass, drums |
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9-Piece [option 1]: |
Female
vocals, 4-piece horn section, guitar, keyboards, bass, drums |
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9-Piece [option 2]: |
Male vocals,
4-piece horn section, guitar, keyboards, bass, drums |
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10-Piece: |
Female
vocals, 4-piece horn section, guitar, keyboards, bass, drums |
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Larger than 10 Piece: |
As
10-piece band with the optional addition of extra backing singers and /
or percussion |
Prices:
We aim to keep our prices competitive,
although factors
such as travel distance (from London) and arrival / finish times will affect our fees -
please email for quotes. Our full PA and lighting rig is always included in
our price quotes
- some bands only come with a 'vocal' PA (a smaller set-up designed for
vocals, horns etc. but not bass or drums which would remain unamplified).
Viewing the Band Before
Booking:
We are often asked if it is possible to see the band perform live before a
booking is made, and unfortunately as all of our gigs are private functions
this can rarely be arranged. However we will shortly be adding a selection
of live recordings to our Audio page, and we are currently in the process of
producing a
DVD
using footage from a
live gig
in August 2005. Once this is complete it will be available for free to
anyone who may be interested in hiring the band.
Song Requests:
Our clients are welcome to make as many requests as they wish (in advance)
from our current set list, and we will endeavour to accommodate as many of
these as possible. Certain songs specifically require male or female vocals,
so depending on the line-up of the band, a few songs on the list may be
unsuitable.
We accept first dance requests regardless of whether the song you would like
is on our set list or not, although we require at least one month's notice to prepare
your request. Should you wish to make more than one special request for a
song that is not on our setlist we will endeavour to accommodate this,
although we can not offer any guarantees.
Venues:
BackBeat Village has performed at a wide variety of venues from pubs &
village halls to large country estates, theatres, halls, hotel function
rooms and aircraft hangers (no joke!). We are also happy to perform in
marquees or outdoors if the weather allows it.
PA / Lighting:
We provide our own high quality professional PA system and lighting rig
which is more than suitable for the majority of venues (please see the "PA
Gear" page). PA and lighting costs are included in any quote for the band.
Setting Up / Sound-Checking:
It is essential that we have
sufficient time to set up and sound-check, and depending on the size of the
band this can take up to 3 hours.
It is highly recommended that
the PA and lighting would be set up and sound-checked before the arrival of
guests. If there are
any stairs at the venue which would affect our 'get-in' it is important that
we know about this in advance as some of our equipment is very heavy.
Playing Times:
It is normal for the band to
perform a total of 2 hours of live music finishing by midnight, either as 2
sets of 1 hour with a break or 3 shorter sets with 2 breaks. It is possible
to increase playing / finishing times slightly but this would involve an
extra charge. We are happy to leave CDs playing through our PA system whilst
we pack up after the band's performance; usually this allows an additional
30 minutes of CDs before we reach the stage of packing-up that involves
switching off the main PA.
CDs Between Sets:
The band always comes equipped
with a CD player for playing music before, after and between the sets if
required. We also bring a selection of CDs but would recommend that our
clients bring their own compilations should they have particular preferences
as to the music that is played.
Technical
Information / Health & Safety:
All of our equipment is PAT Tested to Standard Health and Safety Regulations
(http://www.pat-testing.info/)
and we endeavour to lay out all electrical equipment and instruments as
neatly and safely as possible. We require at least three electrical sockets
and we provide our own PAT Tested extension leads. If power is to be
provided by a generator, it is the responsibility of the client / venue to
ensure that it is of sufficient rating (and has sufficient cables and
adaptors) to power the band safely without the risk of overload. The full
band with all PA and lighting involves a power consumption of approximately
8000W (which can be safely provided by 3 standard mains wall sockets).
Noise Limiters:
From experience, noise
limiters are usually problematic. Occasionally we have arrived at a venue to be faced
with a noise limiter, and had the venue management not been able to disable
it we would not have been able to perform. Even the unamplified acoustic
instruments in the band would generate enough sound to trigger the noise
limiter, and the effects of the mains power suddenly cutting out and then
cutting back in again after a number of seconds runs the risk of causing
serious damage to the sound equipment.
Performance
Requirements:
BackBeat Village can perform
with or without staging, indoors or outdoors. If we are to perform on a
stage, this is a guide to the minimum stage area we would require:
5/6 Piece Band: 16ft by 10ft
7/8 Piece Band: 18ft by 12ft
9/10 Piece Band: 21ft by 12ft
We would require a (free) supply of soft beverage or water throughout the duration
of the event. The provision of food is required as is provided to the
guests, or an alternative substantial meal.
Car parking should be made available, preferably near the entrance of the
gig for ease of unloading equipment. Any parking costs incurred would need
to be reimbursed in cash in addition to the band's fee.
Contracts & Booking:
Bookings are confirmed by receipt of a 10% deposit and a signed Musicians
Union Band Hire Agreement stating full details of the event. Remaining
payment is expected no later than two weeks before the gig (by bank transfer
or cheque) or as cash, paid at the start of the gig. Musician’s Union
booking agreements comply with up to date industry standards.
Cancellation:
In the event of a cancellation at more than 8 weeks notice before the gig,
50% of the total fee is required. Between 4 and 8 weeks notice, 75% is
required. At less than 4 weeks notice, the full fee is required.
After Booking:
Once a booking is confirmed we will keep in touch leading up to the event
and make contact whenever necessary if details need to be checked or
discussed.
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