Slinky

1hr from gaining access to the stage/playing area.

Our standard start/end times span a 4hr period with 30min break. ie 7:30-11:30 , 8:00-12:00 etc

Yes, we can be flexible however it should be noted that timings outside the standard 4hr period may incur some extra cost. 

30 mins, yes we play background music during the break.

As easy as it would make our job to be able to predetermine what songs will work best for your function, these decisions are best made on the night, in the moment based on what's happening on the dance-floor. 

We have years of experience knowing what to play and when to play it, when to change tack and of course how best to play to our strengths. 

However, we do love to hear what some of your favourite songs/styles are and will tweak our set on the night to lean in that direction.

Absolutely! We just need a couple of weeks notice.

Yes. If it's something we know and suitable for the night.

We can offer a DJ set for an extra fee if required. You can even create your own playlist and we'll run through our system.

N/A

We have a PA system large enough to cope with all venues holding up to 1000 people.

Most certainly the mash-ups where we run a whole bunch of songs seamlessly together. This is usually where we throw a few unexpected curve-balls. Also, the non-stop nature of the performance and the energy level of the songs.

Right across the board - pop, rock, soul, funk, disco, hip-hop.

We can provide up to three sets of ceilidh, played live with guitars, keyboards, drums, vocals. We can also call the dances for even those who've never even seen a kilt!

Well firstly, "Thank you for booking Slinky for your wedding!" The most important part of our communication is the 'Video-Call.' (usually via Whatsapp) It gives us a chance to say "hello" get to know your happy faces and have a chat about your wedding day and of course all things band related. You have questions, we have questions and this is the time to put them out there. Exciting times!

One of the reasons we prefer to initiate a Whatsapp video call is so we both have a point of contact stored firmly in our phones. We like to encourage as much back-and-forth as necessary to answer questions and offer advice. There's no such thing as redundant question and the answer will always be a text message or call away.

Ahhh, your first dance... Here's an outline... If you're both particularly invested in an "our song," it's pretty much a no-brainer, that's your first song. Otherwise, we can chat about options, throw suggestions back and forth and zone in on the song that's going to make your first dance memorable and fun for you and your guests. Think about how much time you want to spend dancing together before inviting the rest of the wedding party and all your guests on to floor. We can tailor songs into a bespoke arrangement that lends itself to those moments.

We'll always learn and tailor your first song for you but it may be that you have another "special song" often a father daughter dance or just a song that you can't imagine not being included in your wedding. We'll take the extra steps to include it in our set.

We love to hear what kind of music you like and will always endeavour to bring that to your wedding. Slinky played its first wedding in 2003 and thousands of weddings later, the one thing we know for sure is that you can't predetermine a successful setlist and every group of guests is a little different. A busy dance floor is 100% our aim which relies on song choice decisions being made in-the-moment based on our 20+ years of experience of knowing when and what to play and of course when to include your requests.

There aren't many venues in Scotland we haven't previously played in and are we're aware of those that are challenging and require extra consideration. However, for venues new to us, we'll be asking more questions than normal to make sure our load-in and set-up go with minimal fuss. For bespoke venues like temporary marquees, farm barns etc our main concern is solid, consistent supply of electricity. We can give specifications for generators and help to specify methods of power-supply to stage area.

We're happy to coordinate with both you and your wedding planner on all aspects of the evening. A group email or Whatsapp chain can ensure everyone is on the same page.

If you're set on a band clad in white tuxedos, bow-ties and evening dresses, we're probably not the band for you. We'll be smart, never shabby but easily identifiable as "the band."

This is a huge deal for us. Like all bands we have "alternates" that can stand in should anyone fall ill with a bit of notice. However... it's highly unlikely but not impossible that on the day of your wedding, for example, "keyboard player's broken his leg" or "drummer's car has broken down in the middle of nowhere, with no phone signal..." Here's the plan! We have more than enough songs to provide a stellar wedding where each member of the band (excluding singers - but we have two) has recorded their parts so in the event of an emergency, rather than giving you the worst news ever, with the missing member's recordings and the very latest technology, we can carry on like nothing happened. In the 20+ years we put this plan in place, I don't know of any other wedding band that can offer this level of contingency. So far, despite this effort we've only relied upon it 3 times (with the exception of Covid where it was pushed to the maximum).

We'll always be in contact the day before for reassurance that everything is going to plan. When we arrive, we'll get word to you that the band are here to help you relax further.

Hiring a band for the first time can be daunting. We know this, with thousands of weddings under our belt, we've pretty much encountered everything that can go right and more importantly, everything that might go wrong and we have a plan for all such occasions and come prepared for everything. For your best band choice, experience is everything. We understand all your concerns and through as much communication as necessary you'll spend your wedding day focussed on each other knowing the band are going to "bring it!"

We'll know exactly how your venue plans to change over from your meal to band. Some venues are more challenging than others so our pre-plans will ensure the minimum amount of fuss.

For a 1st dance at 8.00pm (for example) we'll be onsite between 6.15pm and 6.30pm (allows for heavy traffic etc) with the aim of being granted unhindered access to our playing area no later than 7.00pm. We can adapt to even the most challenging playing areas but being able to get our equipment into position from 7.00pm is crucial.

Often times you'll be positioned outside the function room waiting to be announced in for your first dance. We can whip your guests up into a frenzy and give you an entrance that will set the tone for what's to follow.

After your first song, we'll choose a follow-up that slightly increases the energy to keep the evening going in an upward direction.

Beware this statement: " We guarantee the dancefloor will be at 100% capacity all night" that's a non-statement. Dancefloors ebb and flow throughout the evening, an experienced band is watching and adjusting the setlist to match the energy of the guests in a way that always encourages more feet to get moving. This is the primary reason why it's impossible to pre-empt a setlist.

Requests are almost always encouraged. If it's something we know and feel is appropriate, we'll play it. If it's a request we feel is inappropriate, we'll politely decline.

We play our ceilidh tunes live. And... ESPECIALLY if Scottish traditional dances are alien to any of your guests we will come amongst you to teach the steps. Dancing a traditional Scottish ceilidh at a Scottish wedding is a huge "bucket list" tick for first timers from all over the world and something they'll never forget. We've got you.

We enjoy banter with your guests but cheesy "here's a song by xyz" is not our style, dancey banger followed by dancey banger is more our style. We can of course accommodate any official announcements that are required.

The band will always conclude the wedding reception officially, if you've requested a DJ set it'll be up and running immediately after your "hip hip hooray" etc. approx 10-20seconds.

After 23 years we've seen it all but hopefully our clients haven't even noticed. Late buffet, no venue mics for speeches, MC has disappeared, DJ hasn't turned up.. we've got you covered one way or another. Caveat: Last weekend best man face-planted the wedding cake, all we had was drums: da da doosh!

Noise limiters and any form of sound restriction are in place because what you and everyone else would be expecting from your entertainment, has already been deemed "noise pollution" to the surrounding inhabitants. It doesn't have to hamper your night but please discuss this with us beforehand so we can fully explain what to expect.

It's difficult to imagine you standing at the back of the room watching and not dancing on the floor with us but our hope is that you'd see an ever increasing flow of dancing feet moving in our direction and by 11.30pm you'd be dancing too.

Our end to the evening is carefully crafted to ensure ALL of your guests are with you at the finale. By our last song you'll already have had 2 or 3 "one more tunes."

Our "end of gig" interactions are most usually filled with "what's your name?" "where are you from?" etc however our fave moment is the couple of minutes we get afterwards with the Bride and Groom to reflect on what just happened and how it'll never be forgotten.

Ahhh the secret sauce... It's the things we drop in our set that even in prior discussion we never reveal beforehand (even to our bride and groom) but we know that without a doubt will be talked about for years to come.

Being booked to fly to Cornwall to play at wedding then the location being changed at the last minute to Italy. The date was set based on our availability. A huge compliment.

Followed closely by the phone call received from a bride to see if we were available to play at her third wedding (we played at her first two). Glad to say she's still happily married ;) stay tuned tho...