How much time do you need for setup and soundcheck?
We need 1 hour to get fully set up and complete our sound check
What are your standard performance times?
Our standard set times are 8pm and midnight, with a 30 minute break
How flexible can you be if our timings aren't confirmed yet?
100%, we’ll always be more than happy to work with you on timings when we can!
How long is your break, and do you play background music during it?
30 minutes. We play background music which we can pick for you or we can create a playlist of songs to your liking, just let us know if you’ve any requests.
Can we pick the songs you'll play on the night?
We will send you a full list of music that we can play, and you can let us know if there are any songs from that that you definitely want to hear, or any you don’t, and we’ll tailor your set list to you perfectly! However it’s really key that we have flexibility on the night, because every crowd’s different and part of what you pay for is our ability to read the room and react.
Will you learn our first dance if you don't already know it?
Yes definitely, and even a second one too! Just make sure you let us know what song(s) you’d like at least 8 weeks before you wedding date, so that we can rehearse them for you and make sure they’re perfect.
Can you take requests on the night?
If we know it, we’ll play it!
Can you keep the night going if our venue has a 1am licence?
We can provide a DJ set which is a great option to get to hear original tracks on the night.
What other add-on options do you offer?
Yes we do! We offer a daytime acoustic set, performed as a duo, if you’d like some amazing live entertainment for your guests during your drinks reception. We offer our DJ set option, extended live set and can also do a ceilidh set (no extra cost for that one).
Is all the equipment, like PA and lighting, included in your quote?
Yes we bring all of our PA equipment and lighting/effects for your event and everything is included in the quote you’ll receive for us.
What do your clients love most about your performances?
Most, if not all, of our clients have told us that they love our promo video, but we sound even better live! We also get loads of compliments on Steffan’s vocal ability and stage presence – having a strong front man really makes a difference in getting people up on the dance floor!
We also take the lead up to your wedding just as seriously as the big day. From the day you book, Steffan likes to provide a 5 star service meaning that the run up to the wedding is stress free. He will regularly check-in with you via texts and emails, right up to the week of the wedding, making sure that the band has all the information they need to give you the perfect night.
Which artists are you most influenced by?
The great thing about VH5 is that we all like a wide range of genres and artists. Everything from the 60s to the current charts, having such varied tastes in the band really shows in our set!
Can you provide a ceilidh set, how long does it last, and can you call the dances for our guests?
Yes we can do an amazing ceilidh set! We play live guitar, bass, drums and then we add a track with the traditional accordion while Steffan calls all the dance steps. We usually do around 5 dances, but some clients ask us to do a little less – it depends on the crowd!
What happens from the moment we book you?
Once I receive the contact details of the client I create a WhatsApp group chat so that I can be available anytime day and night prior to the big day / event to answer any questions that they might have. I will then arrange as many or as little calls or even meet in person if suitable.
How much contact will we have before the wedding, like calls, emails and planning forms?
Communication is key for VH5. Steffan arranges Whatsapp chats and calls and in person coffee dates if close enough as many or as little as the client wishes.
How do you prepare our first dance once we've chosen it?
VH5 are always happy to learn first dance songs. We would always ask the clients to bear in mind that VH5 play everything live on stage with no tracks so sometimes songs might sound a little different when we make our own arrangement of the song. We have 3 instruments and 2 backing vocals plus our lead singer. We are always happy to discuss song choices and provide information on how we plan to play the song to allow the client full control. Giving them control allows them to say yes to the band playing the song or to use the original track.
What if we ask for a song that's not in your repertoire?
We are always happy to learn 2 songs for each booking, first dance and second dance song. If clients ask for more than the 2 depending on the song choice and how busy the band is we could potentially learn it for them. But please note that it can't always be possible due to time frames around other booking requests.
Beyond the first dance, what else can we personalise about the night?
When it comes to music and setlist we are always happy to talk that through with our clients but VH5 are great at changing the mood to suit the evening guests and to keep the dancefloor busy. When it comes to anything else in the night we are happy to discuss ideas with the client and if we can help to make the night even more special then we will 100% do that.
What venue details should we flag early, like noise limiters, access, stage size or power?
1. Check if the venue has a sound limiter (this does not affect our performance but allows the band to be prepared for the evening)
2.Parking / loading in entrance ( how easy / where we enter )
3. Power supply will there be enough power sockets to handle the amount of power we are using.
4. When adding additional services like our DJ set check with the venue if they have a late license ( please note we can change our set times to make sure that we can still include all the services VH5 offer )
5. Is there a stage and if so what size
6. Lighting and sound - VH5 provide top quality PA and lighting and request that we use our own equipment for every performance, this will eliminate any issues with in-house PA setups. Some venues ask for the bands to use their in house equipment/system, we can't guarantee that the in-house system will work and provide the band with the best sound.
Do you deal with our venue and planner directly, or does that go through Coast?
When we receive a new booking Steffan will speak with the client and will allow them to pass on his contact details to other suppliers and venue/ wedding coordinators.
What do you wear on stage for a wedding?
VH5 always turn up smart - black trousers and shirts for the drummer, bass player and guitarist.
Our front man Steffan likes to be different at times where he might be all in black or you might catch him in some groovy trousers or coloured suit jackets and shirts. Please note if you have a dress code you would like the band to have we are happy to accommodate if given enough time to prepare.
What happens if a band member is ill on the day, and do you have deps?
99% of gigs go ahead as planned - on the rare chance that either drummer, bassist or guitarist becomes unwell we have a list of top quality dep players who can fill in for them. We have at least 3 deps for each instrument if we require the help. Each dep will be to the same standards or better than in the individual who is unwell.
In the rare chance that our lead singer Steffan takes unwell (only happened once in 5 years) we will work with Coast Entertainments to help find you a suitable replacement/ band to the same standards as VH5.
Do you check in with us or the venue on the day to confirm timings?
The wedding day should be a day to enjoy and celebrate not to discuss timings or anything else. Our front man Steffan will have everything in place to make sure everything runs smoothly from the band arriving on site to the very last song and helping guests find the buses that are taking them home.
What should we expect if we've never booked a live band before?
VH5 guarantee packed dancefloors every performance. With high energy performances and setlists that get everyone dancing including Uncle Bill that doesn't dance we promise that everyone will still be talking about the band and your wedding celebration weeks and months later.
Steffan is also a cheeky chap and isn't scared to personally go out into the crowd and drag people up on to the dancefloor, you might even find him dancing on tables and chairs himself.
What happens when you arrive at the venue, from load-in to soundcheck?
1. Find wedding coordinator or staff member and check in - let them know we have arrived. We will discuss timings to make sure everything is running to the times we have already agreed prior to the big day.
2. Steffan will greet the happy couple and confirm that we are on site and can't wait to party.
3. We will then load in to the venue when the performance area becomes accessible for us to do so.
4. Band members will then set up the PA and lighting.
5. Sound check will be done once the evening guests have left the main room or when the wedding coordinator has given the go ahead.
6. VH5 like to make sure everyone attending the wedding or event feels at ease and will always go out of our way to talk to the evening guests before our performance, chatting at the bar taking song requests or even just saying a simple hello.
If you start at 8pm, what time do you arrive, and what can change that?
VH5 always like to arrive in plenty of time. Each performance VH5 will arrive for 6.30pm to allow plenty of time to get set up for a 8.00pm start.
Times can be altered upon request.
Set up time can range from 1 hour to 1 hour 30 mins depending on the load and access points
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?
Each performance is different, we allow the happy couples to make the decision on how they would like their night to start.
We are happy to take the lead too with announcements of the cake cutting and first dance.
When it comes to guests joining the first dance, Steffan will have already agreed that with the Happy couple during his calls prior to the big day. This decision will be made by the happy couple..
How do you decide what to play next, and how do you read the crowd?
Packed dancefloors is something VH5 promise, our setlists have something for everyone and can be changed as quick as turning a light switch on.
One thing we promise is that every performance is a different one. Our long list of music allows us to change it up every performance and by doing so we keep the dancefloor packed from start to finish. At times during the night it's always good to chuck in 1 or 2 ballads to allow people the chance to have a slow dance too.
How do you build the energy across the evening, and where do breaks fit?
From the first song to the last we do our best to keep the energy high and the dancefloor packed, we will allow times during the night for people to have a slow dance too.
The volume of the band will alter as the night gets on too. This helps keep people engaged with the performance, playing music at 100% volume at the start makes people feel more tired, so we gradually adjust the sound throughout the evening to make it enjoyable for everyone.
How do you handle song requests from guests on the night?
VH5 offer a QR code system that allows on the spot song requests - if the band knows the song and it isn't offensive or football related we will play it. If the client has the DJ service included, any requests the band didn't know how to play live will be added to the DJ set.
Stage rules - unless asked to join the band on stage we ask that all guests stay off or out of the playing area. We also ask that guests don't use our speakers or equipment as a table for their drinks, our equipment is very expensive and we would not want to have any accidents.
We will always give individuals that overstep the boundaries a chance and hope that once they have been advised to stay off the stage they will not enter again. On the rare occasion that they keep on doing it VH5 will pause the performance and ask staff or chief bridesmaid or best man to have a chat with the individual. The equipment on stage is very expensive and we can't allow any damage to the equipment.
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?
Ceilidh dancing can sometimes be scary for individuals who think they can't dance or if they don't know the dance moves. VH5 take the fear away, each band member will demonstrate the dances as Steffan calls the dance moves out, and if an evening guest doesn't have a partner then one of the band members will dance with them.
How much do you chat with the crowd between songs, and will you make announcements?
Crowd interaction is key - Steffan is always out on the dance floor or dancing on tables with guests, throughout the night we promise the dancefloor will be packed, the music will do most of the talking for us. Steffan is always happy to discuss any specific requests or announcements, these requests can only be from the happy couple or venue staff.
If we've booked your DJ set too, how does the handover work?
VH5 will play music that works seamlessly with the DJ set and can mix the live band into the live DJ set.
What happens if something doesn't go to plan, like a late meal or schedule change?
At VH5 we understand that sometimes things can be slightly delayed, the good thing is we always arrive early at the venue, so if timings do change we are able to be flexible when required.
We always bring backup equipment and on the rare occasion if we have any technical issues we should be able to resolve it very quickly.
How do you handle venues with noise limiters or sound restrictions?
Sound limiters can be a pain for any live band, but VH5 are able to adjust and adapt to work alongside the venue restrictions. The performance doesn't change, neither does the atmosphere, we will still guarantee a packed dancefloor from start to finish.
What does the dancefloor look like at 8.30pm, 10pm and 11.30pm?
From the 1st song to the last song the dancefloor will be packed when VH5 are playing.
The only time it will be slightly less busy is when we take our break during the evening buffet. A background playlist will be played during the break at a lowered volume to allow people to feel slightly relaxed.
How do you close out the night, and is there a go-to finale?
If the crowd asks we will provide.
VH5 will keep the party going throughout the night and always keep some big hits to close the evening and leave the guest wanting more.
When booked if clients have specific song requests to end the night we are always happy to play the song live if we know it already.
How do you know when it's been a great gig?
The smiles on people's faces are enough. But Looking out into the crowd and hearing everyone shout 'one more song one more', that tells you how good a performance we've had. We find lots of guests always asking how do we book the band or even the happy couple coming across to say thanks and that all the evening guests keep commenting on how good the band were and asking where did you find them.
What surprises couples most about the live band experience?
We always get the same feedback.
Wow we booked you after watching your promotion video online and thought you guys were amazing, but wow you guys are unreal and sound so much better live, and the interaction with the guests and the fun atmosphere you created is everything we wanted and more.
What's your favourite memory from a wedding you've played?
As a band we are very grateful that people choose VH5 to be a part of their special day and we can't thank everyone enough for trusting us to make it one to remember.
Each performance is special and we don't have any specific favorite moments, we are just so grateful we get to continue doing what we do best and that's making memories that will last a lifetime.
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