Factors that change the cost of Live Music
To help work with your budget, there are many factors that impact costs.
Number of Musicians
Our band is typically made up of a sultry saxophone, cool keyboards, groov'n bass, and smooth drums. This four piece ensemble provides a great breadth of music for listening and have different musical "voices" so that the music sounds very interesting and fresh for long events lasting even up to six hours.
If we add more musicians to the band the fees increase, if we reduce the band to a Trio or a Duo then the band fees decrease.
We find that a four piece band provides the most musicial diverisity and interesting musical tones for events longer than one hour.
Vocals vs. All Instrumental
Some events will want either a female or male vocalist to sing the words to special songs and add vocal interest to the songs. Adding a vocal to the band increases the fees by adding this capability but also increases the cost since a Sound System will now be required to amplify the voice. The all instrumental ensemble is mostly acoustic and doesn't require a sound system.
Announcements/Master of Ceremony (MC)
When an event requires announcements or a Master of Cermonies (MC) role, this effort requires more time planning and preparing for the event as well as requires a Sound System to amplify the person making announcements. This additional time in preparation and the cost of the sound system increase fees for the event.
Day of the Week/Time of Day
Day of the Week and Time of Day are two factors that impact the cost of the band. Saturday evenings are the most expensive time to hire bands, then followed by Friday and Sunday evenings.
Booking the band for an evening event during a week night or for a luncheon is the lowest cost time to hire live entertainment.
Stage Lighting/Sound System
If a sound system or lighting system is required for the event, additional costs for providing these capabilities impact event costs. The band has all the equipment necessary to provide sophisticated DMX automated lighting systems and complex sound systems, however these are provided at additional cost when required.
Number of Hours Playing
Another factor in determining cost for an event is the number of hours performing music for an event. Musicians tend to look at events by the hour... so the longer the event, the more time the musician expects to be compentated.
This also includes all time "on site". If musicians have to wait until an event is over before packing up to leave, this waiting time is considered the same as playing time. Even if the musician is only performing for 30 mins, but has to be at the event for two hours, the musician expects compentation for spending the two hours at the event.
Summary
All the factors go into figuring out the cost for live entertainment for an event. Please give us a call and we can help work with your budget and plan a successful event. We want your event to achieve your results.