How much time do you need for set up & sound check?
It takes roughly 60 minutes to set up and sound check fully from the time we get access to the room.
What are your standard performance times?
Our standard performance times are from 8pm - Midnight.
I'm not sure what my timings are going to be yet, is there any flexibility on the standard timings?
We will always be as accommodating to your times and evening as possible. If there are any changes feel free to let us know.
How long do you take for your break? Are you able to play background music during this time?
Our breaks are roughly 30 mins and will always aim to line this up with any planned evening buffets. We provide music for the break and you're welcome to provide suggestions for the playlist in advance.
Can I pick the songs that you'll play on the night?
On the night we use our experience to read the room and pick songs that will keep your guests on their feet and dancing all night long! However our sample setlist is available online and you can let us know if there are any tracks/artists on there that you definitely want to hear on the night, and we will weave these in throughout the evening.
Will you learn our first dance if it's a song that you don't already know?
Your first dance is one of the biggest aspects of your wedding reception and we will always make it as perfect as you dreamed! As long as we have 2 weeks prior notice we will learn a live arrangement of your first dance.
Can you take any requests on the night?
Yes we are always up for suggestions from you and your guests!
My venue has a 1am license, do you offer an extension to keep the night going until then?
We offer a Live DJ set that will keep your guests partying right through till 1am.
Do you offer any other add-on options?
We offer a host of add-on options to help you to build the perfect wedding entertainment for your big day! These include a Daytime Entertainment set for your drinks reception and a Live DJ Set to get the party started or to finish the night with a bang!
Is all of the equipment (e.g. PA & lighting) included in your quote?
All our equipment is included within the quote you receive.
What do you think your clients love most about your performances?
Our clients always rave about our energy and how we make every song our own. We pride ourselves on being musicians and not just another ‘cut and paste’ covers band. Our outstanding vocals, guitar solos and strong rhythm section will make your guests feel they are at a festival resulting in a party they won’t forget!
Which artists are you most influenced by?
When the band first started out our roots were deep in Indie Rock with the likes of The Killers, Kings of Leon and Arctic Monkeys being massive influences. Over the years we developed our own sound allowing us to put our own spin on popular party tracks. Think… Sam Fender, Killers, Inhaler, U2!
Can you provide a ceilidh set? If so, could you give us more info about this - how long does it last, what instruments do you play, can you call the dances for our guests?
We can provide up to a 30-minute Ceilidh set where we go through and teach your guests all of the steps required to get involved. The steps are called live over traditional ceilidh tracks and are guaranteed to get some laughs and create some memorable moments!
When a couple books you, what's the first thing you do? Walk us through what happens from the moment you're confirmed.
When we receive a booking through from Coast Entertainments we are issued an email with all the booking details. These details are copied into a shared diary to ensure the date is secured and the information is correct and accurate. This creates a shared space for future notes where any updates between the band and client are recorded.
How much contact do you typically have with the couple before the wedding? What does that look like - emails, calls, a planning form? How often, and who in the band handles it?
When we connect with our clients, our priority is to make sure all their questions are answered and they have complete peace of mind for their big day. Our primary method of communication is email, but we’re always happy to arrange a call or video meeting to discuss anything in more detail if that’s helpful.
When a couple sends through their first dance choice, what's your process? How do you arrange it, how long does it take, and what makes a great first dance choice vs a tricky one?
Our first step when we receive a first dance request is to listen to the song straight away. We focus on the instrumentation and character of the track and then decide how to arrange it for our five-piece setup while keeping it unique to us. We can learn a live arrangement with two weeks notice but the longer we have to plan and work with it the better. We always recommend finding a song you both love, maybe it's from your favourite movie or a core memory or maybe just your favourite song to belt out in the car.
If a couple requests a song that's not in your repertoire, how do you handle that? Where's the line between "we'll learn that" and "that one won't work for us"?
We’re always happy to learn songs that aren’t already in our repertoire. This could be requests on the night that we jam out together, or special songs requested in advance. Due to the volume of requests and limited rehearsal time, we can only guarantee your first dance, but we’ll always make every effort to include additional requests on the night – either performed live by us or played through our system.
Beyond the first dance, what other moments in the evening can couples personalise? How far can they go with making the night their own?
Beyond the first dance, we always aim to tailor the evening as closely as possible to our couples and their guests. This can include a bespoke entrance song or cake-cutting track before the first dance, custom playlists for the break, ceilidh sets, and DJ sets in your preferred style. We’ll also chat through your musical tastes and favourite artists so we can shape the set list around what you love and make every night feel unique.
What information do you need about the venue beforehand? Are there common venue issues couples should flag early - noise limiters, access restrictions, small stages, power supply?
Chances are we’ve performed at your venue before and are already familiar with the setup and load-in. Every so often, though, we do arrive somewhere new. If there’s anything that might affect our setup time or performance – such as a sound limiter or restricted access – it’s really helpful to know in advance so we can plan ahead and make sure everything runs as smoothly as possible.
How do you coordinate with the venue staff or wedding planner? Is there direct contact between you and them, or does that go through Coast?
We have built a good relationship with the venues and staff that we've performed at over the last 10 years and work closely with your coordinator and venue staff to ensure our timings throughout the evening match.
What do you wear on stage? How do you think about your look and presentation for a wedding?
Our style and energy are similar to a band you’d see on the main stage at your favourite festival. We wear comfortable, stylish clothing so we can perform at our best while still looking the part. If your event is more black tie, don’t worry – we’re always happy to sharpen up and dress for the occasion.
What happens if a band member is ill on the day? What's your contingency - do you have dep musicians, and how does that work in practice?
In the unlikely event that a member of the band is ill or injured and unable to perform, we have a roster of trusted stand-in musicians for each role. These musicians have performed with us before and are already familiar with our set list.
On the day itself, before you arrive - is there any final contact with the couple, venue coordinator, or planner to confirm details and timings?
When we arrive at the venue, we’ll first check in with the Wedding Coordinator to confirm key timings, including the room turnaround, first dance, evening buffet, and any transport arrangements. We’ll also introduce ourselves to you and go over the details discussed beforehand, such as how you’d like to be addressed and who you’d like us to announce during the first dance. This ensures everything runs smoothly and exactly as planned.
For couples who've never booked a live band before and are nervous about what to expect - what would you say to reassure them?
With a live band, you're getting experienced musicians who have performed at over 1,000 weddings, giving us the expertise to read a room, keep the dance floor full, and create an energy that only live music can deliver.
We pride ourselves on making every song our own. Rather than simply recreating the original recording note for note, we bring a fresh, unique feel to each performance while staying true to the songs your guests know and love. The result is an authentic live music experience that feels special, memorable, and completely tailored to your celebration.
What happens when you arrive at the venue? Walk us through the logistics - load-in, setup, soundcheck. What does that process actually look like, and what would the couple or venue notice?
When we arrive at the venue, our first step is to assess the performance space and determine the best location for the band setup. We’ll then identify the most efficient load-in point and carefully position all of our equipment.
Once everything is set up, we carry out a full line check and soundcheck to ensure the audio is perfectly balanced for the room and ready for your first dance. This process typically takes around 60 minutes to complete, allowing us to deliver the best possible sound for your celebration.
If you're due to start at 8pm, what time would you normally arrive? What factors change that - venue access, distance, complexity of setup?
For full evening band performances, we aim to arrive at least 90 minutes before our scheduled start time. This provides a buffer for any unexpected travel delays and allows us to assess the venue logistics, plan the most efficient load-in route, and prepare for setup without impacting the allocated 60-minute turnaround and soundcheck period.
By arriving early, we can ensure everything is in place and running smoothly, leaving us fully prepared to deliver a seamless performance from the moment we begin.
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?
Before the first dance, we’ll liaise with your photographers to ensure everyone is on the same page and that they’re ready to capture all the key moments.
To build excitement for your big entrance, we’ll usually gather your guests around the dance floor, create some atmosphere, and introduce you into the room whilst playing your selected entrance song.
If you're having a cake cutting, we’ll help coordinate the moment by inviting guests to gather around, leading a countdown, and encouraging a cheer as you cut the cake. We’ll also allow time for your photographers to capture their shots and for guests to take a few photos of their own before moving on to the first dance.
How do you decide what to play next during the set? What are the signals you're reading from the crowd, and how quickly can you change direction if the energy shifts?
Song selection is one of the most important parts of keeping a wedding dance floor busy, and it’s something that comes with experience. Having performed at over 1,000 weddings, we’ve developed a strong instinct for knowing when a song is working, when to keep the momentum going, and when it’s time to switch things up.
Every couple and every crowd is unique, so we use the information gathered during our initial conversations to understand your musical tastes, favourite artists, and the overall vibe you want for your evening. From there, we tailor our set and song choices to suit the room.
If we've just played a run of songs that appeal more to the older guests, we might follow up with some modern hits to bring the younger crowd onto the dance floor. Likewise, if a particular genre or era is getting a great response, we'll build on that energy. Our goal is to keep guests of all ages engaged and create a packed dance floor throughout the night.
How do you structure the energy across the whole evening? Do you build to a peak, keep it high throughout, or work in waves? How do the breaks fit into that?
Our setlist is carefully organised into smaller sections, giving us the flexibility to adapt to the atmosphere of the room in real time. If the energy is high and guests are responding well to a particular style of music, we can extend that momentum. Equally, if the crowd is ready for something different, we can quickly switch direction and keep the dance floor engaged.
Over many years of performing at weddings and events, we've carefully curated our repertoire to include songs that consistently deliver results. Every track in our set has been tested in front of live audiences and earned its place by proving itself to be a genuine dance floor filler.
How do you deal with live requests from guests on the night? What are your rules of engagement - do people come up to the stage, is there a system, and how do you handle requests you can't play?
We’re always happy to take song requests from your guests. If it’s a song we know well and feel it’s a good fit for the dance floor, we’ll do our best to include it in the set.
If we’re familiar with a song but don’t regularly perform it, we have the experience and resources on hand to put our own live spin on it and jam along to the best of our ability—even if it’s just a short snippet for fun.
Of course, your preferences always come first. If a guest requests a song, artist, or genre that you’ve asked us to avoid, we’ll politely explain that it’s not something we’re able to perform and move on to another suggestion.
For songs that we’re not familiar enough with to perform live, we can often play the original recording through our sound system during a break, helping to keep everyone happy while ensuring the quality of the live performance remains high.
You offer a live ceilidh set - talk us through exactly how you perform it. Who calls the dances? How do you teach the steps? How do you get reluctant guests involved without making anyone uncomfortable?
Our ceilidh set combines live instrumentation with carefully selected backing tracks to create an energetic and engaging experience for guests of all ages.
Connor will guide the evening by choosing the dance order and teaching each dance in a fun, interactive, and easy-to-follow way before the music begins. His approach helps guests feel comfortable and confident, whether they’re seasoned ceilidh dancers or complete beginners.
By taking the time to explain the steps and encourage participation, we create an inclusive atmosphere where everyone can get involved and enjoy the experience. Even those who prefer to stay on the sidelines will have plenty of opportunities to enjoy the entertainment and capture some fantastic photos of the action.
How much do you interact with the crowd between songs? What's your style - chatty and MC-like, or let the music do the talking? Do you make announcements if the couple asks?
We always aim to match the energy and atmosphere of each couple and their guests. Every wedding is different, and part of our experience comes from being able to read the room and adapt our performance accordingly.
If we have a lively crowd that’s eager to get involved, we’ll keep the energy high, encourage singalongs, and create plenty of opportunities for guests to join in the fun. On the other hand, some weddings have a more relaxed atmosphere, where guests are enjoying the music while also taking the opportunity to catch up with friends and family.
By tailoring our approach to the vibe of the room, we ensure that everyone can enjoy the music in a way that feels natural to them. We never force interaction for the sake of it, and we're mindful not to interrupt conversations or make guests feel uncomfortable. Instead, we focus on creating the right atmosphere so that the entertainment enhances the celebration rather than taking it over.
For couples who've booked your DJ set as well - how does the handover work between your live performance and the DJ set? Is it a seamless transition or a distinct changeover?
Transitioning from the live band set to our DJ set is seamless, ensuring the energy on the dance floor never drops and the party keeps flowing without interruption.
We carefully manage this handover so there’s no gap in the music, maintaining momentum from the band straight into the DJ performance. This allows the atmosphere to build naturally throughout the night, keeping guests engaged and the dance floor full from start to finish.
What's your approach when something doesn't go to plan - a late-running meal, a change to the schedule, a technical issue? Can you give an example of how you've adapted on the fly?
Although months or even years of planning go into a wedding, there are occasionally unexpected delays or changes to the schedule that can affect timings on the day. For example, a photography session may run over, creating a knock-on effect for the rest of the event.
We have our load-in and soundcheck process down to a fine art and will always do our best to adjust and make up for any lost time without compromising the quality of our setup or performance.
In the unlikely event of technical issues, our band includes two qualified sound technicians who are experienced in quickly diagnosing and resolving problems, ensuring the show continues smoothly and without disruption.
How do you handle venues with noise limiters or sound restrictions? Does it change what you do, and would the couple or guests notice a difference?
Some venues are required to install sound limiters due to their location and the impact of noise on neighbouring properties. We fully understand and respect the venue’s responsibilities in these situations and always work closely with them to ensure we stay within the agreed sound limits.
By using amp emulation and direct-to-desk sound methods, we can reduce the need for loud backline amplification while maintaining full control over our overall output. This approach allows us to deliver a balanced, high-quality live sound without compromising the energy or impact of the band.
What does the dancefloor look like at different points in the night? If I was standing at the back of the room watching, what would I see at 8.30pm vs 10.00pm vs 11.30pm?
Our goal is always to keep the dance floor packed from the first song to the last. We set the tone early with an upbeat start and use carefully chosen songs throughout the night to maintain momentum and keep guests engaged from beginning to end.
How do you close out the evening? Is there a go-to finale approach? How do you decide when to end on a high vs giving the crowd one more?
At Scottish weddings, it’s traditional to finish the night with *Runrig – Loch Lomond*. During our initial discussions, we can chat through whether you’d prefer to stick with this tradition or explore a non-traditional alternative that better suits your vision for the day.
Either way, we’ll tailor the final moment to ensure it feels personal, memorable, and the perfect way to bring your celebration to a close.
How do you know it's been a good night? What's the thing that tells you "that was a great gig" - is it something you see, something the couple says, something you feel on stage?
There are many signs that tell us we’ve done a great job and helped create a truly memorable night for everyone involved.
It might be a packed dance floor from start to finish, with guests dancing, singing along, and fully engaged throughout the evening. It could also be something as simple as a guest coming over at the end of the night to shake our hand and show their appreciation.
We also often receive reviews from couples in the days that follow, sharing how much their guests enjoyed the music and entertainment, and how it helped make their day so special.
What's something couples often tell you after the wedding that they didn't expect about the live experience? The thing that surprised them.
Couples often get back in touch raving about the energy that a live band brings, how many of their family members got involved and the impact that a live band had on the feel of the evening.
What's your single favourite moment or memory from a wedding you've played? The one you always tell people about.
Being wedding musicians is incredibly rewarding, as we get to be part of some of the biggest days in people’s lives. Every wedding is unique, and whether it’s a large celebration or a more intimate gathering, each one has its own charm.
Over the years, we’ve had the privilege of performing alongside members of Biffy Clyro and Kodaline, as well as experiencing some truly unforgettable moments along the way. From a groom firing toilet roll from a leaf blower over his wife and guests, to arriving at venues by helicopter, to nervous sons and daughters singing in front of their parents for the first time, and even taking on bucking broncos, no two weddings are ever the same.
It’s these moments that make what we do so special and ensure every event leaves a lasting memory.
Want to know a bit more information about this act? Fill in our enquiry form and we will aim to get back to you within 24 hours.
FILL OUT ENQUIRY FORMIf you are interested but would like to speak to someone personally about our services we also offer a free, friendly consultation service.
REQUEST A CALLBACK