How much time do you need for setup and soundcheck?
From the time we have access to the performance area we will take no longer than 1 hour to set up in any size or type of venue.
What are your standard performance times?
Our standard set is from 8pm until midnight
How flexible can you be if our timings aren't confirmed yet?
4 hours (including break) is the maximum length of booking we play as a band. Should you wish to extend this by 1 hour at either end we offer a DJ set option which is available at an additional cost.
How long is your break, and do you play background music during it?
We take 30min break in the middle of the event & a short comfort break later on. We always leave background music on when we’re not on stage ?.
Can we pick the songs you'll play on the night?
We select the songs we play on the night based on our experience of what songs we feel work best.
If you have any specific requests on songs from our set list, just let us know beforehand and we will try and accommodate as many requests as we can.
Will you learn our first dance if you don't already know it?
Yes absolutely! As long as it's musically possible of course!
Can you take requests on the night?
If they’re songs from our setlist sure thing! Anything not from our setlist we will happily play the original track on our break or DJ set if you have booked one.
Can you keep the night going if our venue has a 1am licence?
We offer a DJ set for the hour of 12am - 1am, please get in touch for a quote.
What other add-on options do you offer?
Our ceilidh set is incredibly popular and can be included within the bands set at no extra cost!
Is all the equipment, like PA and lighting, included in your quote?
Yes, all of our equipment is included in your quote.
All applicable electrical items that we use have the relevant safety certificates and are maintained regularly.
We are also fully covered for up to £1,000,000 worth of public liability insurance (documentation available on request).
What do your clients love most about your performances?
We will play a handpicked selection of the biggest and best Pop, Rock, Indie, Dance, Funk, Soul, Blues, Rock ‘n’ Roll, Reggae, Folk and Country floor fillers from the 50's, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and 00’s up to the present day.
Our sets are super lively and as one of the busiest bands around all our clients have nothing but 5-star reviews!
We also pride ourselves on rapid, clear & flexible communication from the get-go.
Which artists are you most influenced by?
Prince, The Beatles, Jack White, Curtis Mayfield, The Eagles, Talking Heads, Chic, Bob Dylan, Led Zeppelin, Little Feat, Oasis, The Rolling Stones, Bob Marley, James Brown, The Clash, The Strokes, U2, Nina Simone, Aretha Franklin, Al Green, Movie Theme Tunes.
Can you provide a ceilidh set, how long does it last, and can you call the dances for our guests?
Our extremely popular Ceilidh set includes up to 30 minutes of pre-recorded traditional Scottish music performed by The Scott Harvey Band, Jim McLeod & The Gordon Pattullo’s Ceilidh Band.
We professionally call all the dances providing full live instructions and guidance on the night.
Dances include Strip The Willow (Orcadian style), Gay Gordons, Dashing White Sergeant and Canadian Barn Dance.
The Carbon Copy Ceilidh is perfect for both experienced and inexperienced participants of all ages and nationalities and you will participate! Our Ceilidh set is optional and there is no additional charge for this.
What happens from the moment we book you?
6 - 8 months before your wedding, we'll be in touch with an online form to fill out. It asks for things such as your first dance and all other important information that we need to know.
How much contact will we have before the wedding, like calls, emails and planning forms?
6 - 8 months before your wedding, Mark from the band will be in touch via email with an online form to fill out. It asks for things such as your first dance and all other important information that we need to know.
How do you prepare our first dance once we've chosen it?
We'll learn a special first dance of your choosing to play Live (as long as it's musically possible of course - and most things are!). If it's not possible for us to play live we will have the original track ready to go! Please allow at least 3 months notice for this.
What if we ask for a song that's not in your repertoire?
If there's anything not in our set list that you want played please let us know and we will have the original track played for you at some point in the evening. Due the to number of weddings we play we’re only able to learn one bespoke song per wedding which is normally reserved for your first dance.
Beyond the first dance, what else can we personalise about the night?
You can let us know if you would like a ceilidh section (up to 30 mins, from pre-recorded tracks & called by band members).
In terms of the set list. You don't have to put a setlist together, we prefer to read the room and keep as many folk dancing as we can by selecting the songs as we go.
If there's anything on our setlist that you’d love to have played please let us know and we’ll endeavour to play as many as we can, if there's anything not on there that you want played please let us know and we will have the original track played for you at some point in the evening. Due to the number of weddings we play we’re only able to learn one bespoke song per wedding which is normally reserved for your first dance.
What venue details should we flag early, like noise limiters, access, stage size or power?
Please let us know if the venue has a noise limiter fitted. We require at least 4 mains plug sockets and a stage area of 5m (W) x 4m (D). We also require 1 hour to set up once given clear access to our performance area.
Do you deal with our venue and planner directly, or does that go through Coast?
Please tell the venue & or wedding co-ordinator to feel free to email Mark from the band carboncopyweddings@gmail.com.
What do you wear on stage for a wedding?
We wear all black - shirts and/or tee-shirts, trousers & shoes. We want the attention to be on the couple, as it should be!
What happens if a band member is ill on the day, and do you have deps?
This will not affect your booking: in the event of a band member being unavailable we have a pool of professional musicians who we work with regularly who can step in.
Do you check in with us or the venue on the day to confirm timings?
We'll be in touch in the week running up to your wedding to confirm the final details that we will already have. Should you need to contact us on the day, please call Mark on 07980971000.
What should we expect if we've never booked a live band before?
With us you are getting... Packed dance floors all night long. Audience interaction. High energy live performance. Upbeat varied set list with songs from all genres and eras. Our Carbon Copy Ceilidh. First class communication from start to finish. Flexibility and attention to detail.
What happens when you arrive at the venue, from load-in to soundcheck?
We will arrive around 90 mins to 1 hour before your first dance. We require 1 hour to load in our equipment, setup & sound check once given clear access to our performance area.
If you start at 8pm, what time do you arrive, and what can change that?
We will arrive around 90 mins to 1 hour before your first dance. We require 1 hour to load in our equipment, setup & sound check once given clear access to our performance area by the venue.
How do you approach the start of the evening? Do you call the bride and groom onto the floor? How much of the first dance do you give them before inviting others in, and how do you read when to make that call?
We will call you onto the dance floor "Please welcome to the dance floor, for the very first time Mr & Mrs (your married name)!!". You can choose to dance the entire first dance yourselves, or you can bring in the bridal party at any point in the song of your choosing (usually after the first chorus). Alternatively, what some couples do is they ask the entire wedding party to join them on the dance floor at a chosen point in the song (usually after the first chorus).
How do you decide what to play next, and how do you read the crowd?
We always read the room and keep as many folk dancing as we can by selecting the songs as we go.
How do you build the energy across the evening, and where do breaks fit?
We always like to keep the energy as high as possible throughout the entire evening. However, there may naturally be moments where people like to get a refreshment and/ or want a slower-paced song that they can dance with their partner to at this point we would play one or two love songs.
How do you handle song requests from guests on the night?
If it's a song we know from our setlist, we'll play it as soon as possible for them. If not, as long as we have an adequate internet connection at the venue, we'll play the track for them on our break.
How exactly do you perform the ceilidh? Who calls the dances, how do you teach the steps, and how do you get reluctant guests involved?
Our extremely popular Ceilidh set includes up to 30 minutes of pre recorded traditional Scottish music performed by The Scott Harvey Band, Jim McLeod & The Gordon Pattullo’s Ceilidh Band. We professionally call all the dances providing full live instructions and guidance on the night. Dances include Strip The Willow (Orcadian style), Gay Gordons and The Dashing White Sergeant. The Carbon Copy Ceilidh is perfect for both experienced and inexperienced participants of all ages and nationalities and you will participate! Our Ceilidh set is optional and there is no additional charge for this.
How much do you chat with the crowd between songs, and will you make announcements?
We like to think we provide just the right amount of on-stage banter with the crowd! We can announce anything the couple wants at all - It's their night after all!
What happens if something doesn't go to plan, like a late meal or schedule change?
If the meal is running late, we still require one hour of set-up once given clear access to our performance area. In the event of a technical issue on our side, we would act quickly to get it resolved as soon as possible. We keep plenty of spares and are very experienced at keeping the best equipment in good condition, but on the rare chance something should go wrong, we would communicate this with you and/or the venue as soon as possible.
How do you handle venues with noise limiters or sound restrictions?
We have played many venues with sound restrictions and sound limiters. They do limit the sound to what we enjoy playing at; however, usually it doesn't make a huge difference. As a rock/party band with live acoustic drums we are typically around 80 - 100db. If you need us to play quieter or indeed louder, we will try and accommodate this as far as possible.
What does the dancefloor look like at 8.30pm, 10pm and 11.30pm?
We like to think it would be busy with dancing all night long! And we'll endeavour to make sure that happens. However, around 11:30/45 pm, we would start the wrap-up proceedings, singing big Scottish songs such as "Caledonia", "500 Miles", and "Loch Lomond" with the big circle of your wedding party with the couple in the middle of the dance floor.
How do you close out the night, and is there a go-to finale?
Around 11:45 pm, we would start the wrap-up proceedings, singing big Scottish songs such as "Caledonia", "500 Miles", and finishing with "Loch Lomond". This is all with the big circle of your wedding party with the couple in the middle of the dance floor.
How do you know when it's been a great gig?
Really busy dance floor & the crowd loving it! Usually with loads of compliments from the couple & others at the end of the night when we are packing up.
What surprises couples most about the live band experience?
We sound way better than expected live. We pride ourselves on our live sound & killer set!
What's your favourite memory from a wedding you've played?
We played Elaine C. Smith's daughter's wedding, and she got up on stage and sang "Stand By Me" with us. It was pretty special.
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