How to hire a local band for your next event, party, venue or pub.

This page is part of the music section

There are over 300 working bands in Leicestershire - ranging from well-established covers and function bands through to acoustic soloists and singers.

These are bands that play in bars, pubs, restaurants and hotels and at private parties for weddings, birthday parties, fund raising events and anniversaries. Leicester has a wide variety of bands, playing well known songs from the 60, 70s, 80, and up the present day.

Many bands are able to provide their own PA system.

Hire charges for bands vary a lot; we will negotiate a fee based on what you tell us that you afford. We will make all the necessary arrangements.

Here's how you can put on live music at your event:

Decide what style of music you want. Think about the tastes of your audience, based on their age range and the type of people they are.

You can choose from a range of music styles:

• Dance music
• Well know songs from your favourite era
• Rock and pop music
• Jazz and blues
• Tribute bands (e.g. Abba, AC/DC, Queen, The Beatles)
• Folk

Most party bands will play "covers" - well known tunes made famous by other bands. Sometimes they will throw in one or two of their own songs and often these are just as good as the golden oldies.

The band will bring a drum kit and their own amps for their guitars. Bands range from those with 3 musicians, up to as many as five or six.

For most private parties, one band will play the whole night, usually in two sets of about 40 minutes to an hour. With a break in between.

You need to make sure that there is somewhere the band can park their vehicles and that they have easy access to the room. They will have to bring in a fair amount of equipment. You will also have to provide electrical points - they will need at least 5 power points, depending on the size of the band.

Will I need a PA System?

Nearly all bands these days use electric guitars and these have to be plugged into amplifiers, which the band members will bring with them. Singers will also need microphones and speakers. Even in a small room, singers need a PA to be heard over their backing instruments.

For parties of 20 to 100 people, a small PA is needed. For parties of 100 or more, it depends on the acoustics of the room, the size of the room and how much background noise there might be, but PA is always needed for the vocalists. In some cases a standard PA system will be adequate but for the larger functions, a more powerful system might be required. Most firms that hire PA systems can provide systems in various levels and powers. When you hire a band ask them if they will bring their own PA system with them.

What kind of venue?

Usually, a party organiser will want to hire a room in a pub, a hall or a room in a hotel. Ideally, you should choose a venue that already has a Public Entertainment Licence. If they do not have one, you might have to apply for a temporary licence to cover your event. These Licenses are issue by your local council (e.g. Leicester, Oadby, Charnwood, etc).

How far in advance will I need to book?

You should book your band as far in advance as possible. Certainly, not less than a month in advance. The best bands are booked up a long way ahead, especially for Saturday nights.

Can bands play out of doors?

Bands can play in marques or, during the summer, on patios and terraces. But, they will need an adequate power supply and some kind of waterproof covering in case it rains. You also have to be careful that the noise made by a band does not inconvenience your neighbours, especially if the party is in the evening.

Is a stage required?

It is not always necessary to have the band perform on a raised area. Most bands will like to be seen above the throng of party goers. But this is not always necessary. For a four piece band, you will need to allow an area of at least ten feet by six feet. Ask the band about the venue you are thinking of using, when you book them.

Will I need a Licence?

If you are intending to hold a party and want a band to play, your best approach would be to hire a room in a venue that already holds an entertainment licence.

If your event is not to be held in premises that are already licensed, you should ask your local council's Licensing Section, whether or not your event requires a temporary public entertainment licence. Licences are not needed for small events where less than 500 people are likely to attend, and which last for less than 96 hours, at a time.

If you are holding a party where the public is invited then you will need a temporary public entertainment licence (paying or not). If it is a private party, you do not need a premises licence. However, if you hold an event where a band will play you might need a licence. You might need to obtain a Temporary Event Notice.

You can check the regulations online.

You might also need to check whether your party will make noise that might disturb others. There are regulations about the level of noise and the hours that music can be played. It is best to check with your local authority. If you hire a room in a venue that already has a public entertainment licence, then it unlikely to be an issue.

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