How much time do you need for set up & sound check?
It usually takes us 1hr from gaining access to the hall to being fully sound checked & ready to start. If it's a long, tricky carry from the van to the stage then it might take us 5-10 mins longer.
What are your standard performance times?
8pm to 12am with a 30min buffet break.
I'm not sure what my timings are going to be yet, is there any flexibility on the standard timings?
The reason our standard performance times are 8pm-12am is that this is the most common time frame used by wedding venues. Most of the gigs we do fit in perfectly with those times.
That said, we are more than happy to discuss this with you if you feel the need for more flexibility.
How long do you take for your break? Are you able to play background music during this time?
Our break is 30mins and we will provide background music.
Can I pick the songs that you'll play on the night?
Yes, you can pick up to 20 of your favourite songs from our set-list to guarantee they will be played on the night.
The rest of the songs performed will be a mixture of guests requests and songs chosen by us.
Oh, and probably most importantly, please let us know if there are any songs you don't want played (whatever the reason may be).
Will you learn our first dance if it's a song that you don't already know?
Yes, if it's a song within our singers range. Stewart does have a large male vocal range and is able to sing songs by many female artists too.
But don't go asking the poor guy for Mariah Carey etc... we all have limits lol.
Can you take any requests on the night?
Absolutely! We love asking for requests. If we know it, we'll play it!
My venue has a 1am license, do you offer an extension to keep the night going until then?
We offer an optional DJ Set, which is perfect for venues with a late license. Want some bangin GBX style tunes? Or maybe some classic floor fillers? We've got you covered.
Do you offer any other add-on options?
We can offer you an earlier set up time at an additional fee, if it's something that your event needs.
Is all of the equipment (e.g. PA & lighting) included in your quote?
Yes, all of our P.A. & lighting equipment is included in the quote you receive.
What do you think your clients love most about your performances?
That's a tricky question! A lot of our clients love the fact that we can suit all age groups with our huge range of songs. We also get told a lot that our sound is excellent, which is a great compliment!
Which artists are you most influenced by?
Soul singers like Al Green & Ben E King are a big influence on my vocal style (Stewart) and Andrew is a sucker for clubland classics haha.
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 do a short ceilidh set which would be approx. 15mins long. Stewart calls out the steps for each song while Andrew plays guitar along with the ceilidh track.
When a couple books you, what's the first thing you do? Walk us through what happens from the moment you're confirmed.
The first thing we do is double check the booking is 100% in the diary. We've never been double booked and don't ever want to be either! Then we check what venue it is, so we've got an idea in our heads how long the set-up will be. If it's a venue we've never played at before, we'll contact them and discuss parking, access and any unusual aspects that could affect our set-up time. If we think it could take longer than usual to set-up we'll add a note on our system to leave the house a bit earlier.
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?
I (Stewart) handle all the contact with brides and grooms. I normally introduce myself by email approx 2-3 months before the wedding date, unless the bride & groom contact me first. If they'd rather speak to me, we arrange a day and time to call and I'll answer any questions they have about their big day. There's normally only one phone call needed, but if we're chatting via email it can be 10 to 15 emails to cover all the little details.
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?
As soon as we get a 1st dance request from the clients, if we don't already have the song in our repertoire we immediately check from our supplier if a custom backing track is available. It needs to be custom as this way we're able to mute the instruments in the backing track that we would be playing live i.e. guitars, saxophone, backing vocals. On the rare occasion that the backing track is not available we've been able to make our own track, but that can take time. Because of this we need a minimum of 6 to 8 weeks notice of song choice, but prefer to know as early as possible. A great first dance choice should have a clear rhythm behind it for the couple to be able to dance to it easily. And it shouldn't be too long a song. Ideally 3 to 3 mins 30 secs. We've been in situations before where the bride and groom have picked a song over 4mins long, and if they're not confident at being centre of attention they maybe start to feel a bit awkward near the end of the song.
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 generally open to song suggestions, but certain songs don't translate very well. For instance, if it's originally a fast dance song, but the couple want it slowed down, the pronunciation and emotional delivery of the vocals might not work as well because it has been slowed down too much. Also, some songs originally recorded as a male & female duet might be tricky for us as we don't have a female vocalist.
Beyond the first dance, what other moments in the evening can couples personalise? How far can they go with making the night their own?
The way we plan our set changes for every wedding. This is because we encourage every couple to pick up to 20 of their favourite songs from our set. It guarantees the inclusion of those songs on the night, and also influences us choosing other songs of similar style. We also love taking requests on the night, so there's plenty of opportunities for guests to feel included, therefore shaping each set bespoke to each client.
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?
Through playing at lots of venues, the biggest difficulty we sometimes come across is access to the stage area from the access doors we're instructed to use. If there are many stairs, a public lift, an abnormally large distance or loads of doors between our access point and the stage, this can be physically draining for the band before our performance and can lead to delays if we're not allowed to set-up until after the meal has finished and the top table has been cleared. We can't guarantee being ready on time for the 1st dance if we gain access an hour before we're supposed to start, but then have to carry our equipment up loads of stairs, or use a public lift that guests & venue staff are also using.
The other main issue is noise limiters. The sensitivity can vary a lot from venue to venue, but it's important that we're informed if we need to plug into a sound limiter before we set-up so we can prepare for it. Having to plug into a limiter shouldn't negatively affect the party, but not being prepared for it could have a massive negative impact on the 1st dance.
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 always contact each venue by phone a few weeks before our performance. We introduce ourselves to the manager or wedding coordinator and ask if there is any important information we should be aware of.
What do you wear on stage? How do you think about your look and presentation for a wedding?
We dress smartly, wearing trendy fitted suits, shirts and ties.
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 20 years of gigging together we've never needed to use an emergency stand-in musician! But in the unlikely event of one of us falling ill on the day of the wedding, we can confidently rely on Coast Entertainments to help manage the situation, as they have a large pool of professional musicians they can contact on our behalf to help out in an emergency.
On the day itself, before you arrive - is there any final contact with the couple, venue coordinator, or planner to confirm details and timings?
We'll have covered all details and confirmed timings in the weeks running up to the wedding. But if we encounter unusually bad traffic on the day, or are held up because of a road accident or road closure ahead of us, we will contact the venue if we believe this will delay our arrival. We always aim to arrive at each venue at around 90 minutes before our start time, unless we've agreed to a previously discussed early set up time.
For couples who've never booked a live band before and are nervous about what to expect - what would you say to reassure them?
We really do want you both to enjoy the run up to your big day! So, if you're unsure of anything at all, please just ask. We might have come across the same question before and we'll always give you our honest opinion.
As you'll see from the many reviews of the band, we really do have years of experience performing at real weddings. We literally have the best job in the world... making sure brides and grooms like you have the best night ever! So don't worry, you've booked the right band!
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 we find out if we're allowed to set up straight away. We'll also have a quick look at the hall if we've not played there before, then find out the best place to park, ideally as close to the access doors as possible. As soon as we're given the go-ahead from the venue to set up, we bring all our equipment in. Speakers, lights, stands, instruments and power cables. We check where the power is and how many sockets are available, and decide the best place to put our speakers based on the size of our performance area. When both sides of speaker are in place we then set up our mixing desk, routing all the cables to and from the desk, speakers and instruments. When all musical instruments and equipment are plugged in, we set up our lights, turn the power on and do what's called a 'Line check' which makes sure there's a signal going from each instrument to their individual channel on our mixing desk. When that's completed we then do a 'Sound check', turning the speaker volume up while playing a song and quickly checking everything sounds and looks good. Lastly we make sure the stage area is tidy and safe, ready to start performing. Then we get changed into our suits and are ready to introduce the bride and groom on the dancefloor for their 1st dance.
If you're due to start at 8pm, what time would you normally arrive? What factors change that - venue access, distance, complexity of setup?
We always aim to arrive at each venue at around 90 minutes before our start time, unless we've agreed to a previously discussed early set up time. So an 8pm start would see us arrive at around 6:30pm.
If we encounter unusually bad traffic on the day or are held up because of a road accident or road closure ahead of us, this may delay our arrival and start time. In this case we would contact the venue en route, explain the situation and give an estimated arrival time.
If we're travelling a long distance to the venue we may arrive earlier than planned, as we always leave more time than the sat nav estimates, just in case.
Some city centre venues have limited or no parking, so we would need to factor that in. Having to find a parking space directly after setting up can be difficult and time consuming.
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?
Just before we introduce the bride & groom for their cake cutting & / or 1st dance, I always have a quick chat with them to see how they're both feeling. Plans can change really quickly in that moment, e.g. maybe the bride or groom is getting nervous at being centre of attention in the middle of the dance floor. If that's the case, I'll offer to introduce their bridal party earlier than normal, to give them some reassurance and hopefully settle their nerves. All I need is a hand gesture, or a nod from bride or groom as a cue to introduce others onto the floor.
I'll normally introduce them onto the floor by saying something like " Please give a massive welcome onto the dancefloor, your bride and groom, The new Mr & Mrs ..."
Our standard practice is to introduce their bridal party onto the floor just after the first chorus, but as mentioned above, we can adapt that very quickly to suit the bride and groom's needs.
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?
Before we start, we've already scanned the room to get a feeling of the type of crowd we're playing to. If it's a younger crowd and they seem eager to dance we'll play a few floor fillers and keep them dancing for as long as they want to. If it's an older crowd and they're keen to chill out after a big meal we'll do some sing-alongs to ease them in to party mode. But honestly every wedding is unique, and so if a certain type of song we think will work doesn't, we've got so many different genres of music to adapt instantly to each individual crowd; and we encourage song requests on the night too.
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?
The energy we bring depends on the crowd we're playing to. If they're party animals and want to dance all night, we're up for that! And if they're a bit more laid back and prefer to sit and listen to the music, we love that too! Sometimes it can be a mixture of the two... laid back in the first hour or so, but they come alive after the buffet break and suddenly our 2nd set is jumping! For us it's all about picking up on cues from the crowd and having fun with them.
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 encourage live requests, and announce early in the night that we're taking requests. We ask them to think of a few songs they'd like to hear and come up to the side of the stage area to tell us the songs or artists they'd love to see us perform. If it's a song we can't play, we might know another song from the same band or artist. We'll mention the song we do know and usually we get a thumbs up. If we don't know any songs from that particular artist or band, we offer to play the original song either on our buffet break, or in our DJ set, which is an optional extra that the bride and groom can book in the lead up to their wedding.
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?
We can play 3 or 4 ceilidh songs. We stick to the easiest, most well known ones like The Gay Gordon's or Strip the Willow. Just before we start the chosen ceilidh song I'll get everyone who wants to take part to stand in the correct position, then I explain the steps by breaking the song down into phases as I think it's easier for novices to remember. Then we do a practice run of each phase.
The Gay Gordon's has 3 phases...
Phase 1. Step forward 2, 3, turn and step backwards 2, 3 ,4. Repeat
Phase 2. Person on the inside of the dancefloor turns their partner on the outside under their right arm for a count of 8.
Phase 3. Both partners face each other in a waltz position and turn round in a clockwise circle.
As soon as I think they've got the hang of it we start performing the song while calling out the steps. Sometimes they do well, sometimes it's carnage! But it's always fun!
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?
I do like to chat with the audience but not in a way that constantly interrupts the flow of music. Sometimes, if a person comes up to us and requests a song I'll look for them when we're about to play it and dedicate it to them.
And I have no issues with making announcements on behalf of the bride & groom.
If there's a big sing along chorus coming up in a song, I'll edge closer to the dancefloor, angle my microphone and encourage everyone to sing with us.
And if something funny happens on the dancefloor I'll probably crack a light-hearted joke about it.
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?
The transition between our performance and the DJ set is completely seamless. The first song in the DJ set will have been chosen before we start our final song. So as soon as our last chord has been struck and the people are cheering all around the hall, the 1st DJ song starts playing, keeping the energy alive on the dancefloor. I'll announce the DJ set has started and actively encouraged requests from the crowd.
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?
If things don't go to plan the trick is to always have a plan b, and being able to think quickly to rectify the problem. Recently we had an issue with a connection cable going faulty right at the beginning of a 1st dance, causing loss of sound. Everything sounded fine during our sound check, but just as we started playback on one of our iPads, there was a crackling sound. As soon as I realised what was happening I quickly muted the channel of that iPad and swapped to our 2nd iPad which was already set up as a backup anyway, as we always do. This all happened within 5 seconds and the bride and groom had no idea that there was an issue. In fact they left a really nice 5 star review of the band!
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?
We've got loads of experience working with venues with sound limiters and generally they cause no issues at all. Occasionally at a venue where a sound limiter has only just been installed, the sensitivity can be set too high but a good sound check would flag up any issues we have and we would mix the sound accordingly to combat this.
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?
Early in the night you'd expect to see a very mixed age group on the dancefloor as we cover sing alongs with classic floor fillers. Halfway through the night you're likely to see Andrew starting to roam around the dancefloor playing his saxophone to some Ibiza style tunes. And near the end of the night we'll probably be performing one party banger after another, mixed with guest requests and feeding off the high energy of the crowd.
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?
A high percentage of brides and grooms want us to end the night with the Runrig classic Loch Lomond. We announce it as our grand finale, and encourage as many people as possible to link hands in a circle around the dancefloor, with the newly weds in the middle, giving the bride and groom a send off they've dreamed of! It's such an iconic and uniquely Scottish finale. Of course some couples prefer to choose a different song, but our approach to the finale stays the same and works great no matter what song we play.
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?
We get this feeling on stage when everyone is in sync with us and the crowd is like a choir singing along with us. It's a pure rush of adrenaline! And seeing a dancefloor full with everyone having a great time never gets old! Of course, it's great when you're told "that was amazing" and "you guys are brilliant" but actually seeing everyone enjoying themselves is the real proof!
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 comment afterwards about our energy on stage and we really look like we're enjoying ourselves (which we 100% are). Sometimes the bride and groom are amazed that we sound just as good live as we do in our promo videos, maybe even better. Stewart's vocals and Andrew's live sax sets are always highlights that receive high praise.
What's your single favourite moment or memory from a wedding you've played? The one you always tell people about.
We were just about to introduce a bride and groom on to the dance floor to cut their cake. The best man, who obviously had two left feet, was pretending to fall into the cake to get a laugh, but actually ended up tripping over his shoe lace and fell into the cake table, sending the cake all over the middle of the dancefloor. The bride and groom didn't flip out, but instead saw the funny side and decided to start a food fight! It was one of the funniest, heart warming things we've ever seen at a wedding, and it really set the tone for an unforgettable night!
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