Funk and Soul Band Hire in England

Groovy Funky Things is a 5 piece event/function/party band that specialises in performing funk, soul, and disco classics. Their repertoire of timeless danceable classics has universal appeal. Even those who prefer to sit it out at the back of the room will enjoy listening from their tables.

What do you need to know from an organiser in order to provide a comprehensive quote?

In order to provide an accurate quote, we really need the following information: the date of your event, the location of your event (preferably including a postcode), the approximate number of guests along with the approximate size of your event space and if the event is indoors or outside. This information gives a clear idea of travelling time/costs and also if we need to hire additional equipment.

In addition, we need to have a clear idea of timings, because our fee has to reflect the length of time we will need to be in attendance. For example, our performance might start at 9.00pm and then finish at 11.30pm. However, if we need to be set up and sound checked by 7.00pm, before your guests enter the venue, we will need to attend from approximately 6.00pm until midnight, because of set up and take down time.

What advice would you give to a customer looking to hire a provider in your area of work?

Make sure that you ask questions about anything that you’re unsure of. For an experienced band it’s probably all standard stuff, but for you it might be your first time hiring musicians, so you won’t necessarily know what to expect. For example, ask about the band’s repertoire to ensure it’s what you want; ask about extras like providing recorded music between sets; ask how loud the band is likely to be (you’d be surprised); ask if the band would be happy to make announcements for you between songs or if they’re happy for you to use one of their mics for a speech. Be sure that the band you’re about to hire has given you an inclusive quote, to avoid any unpleasant surprises and extra costs. The better informed you are about what each provider offers, the more able you are to make the right choice for your event.

Most bands will have a website where you will find photos, videos, song lists, and maybe an FAQ page that has information about the service they provide. However, it’s also important to open a dialogue with the band you’re about to hire, to ensure that everyone is on the same page.

Please tell us a little bit about how and why you started the business.

The Groovy Funky Things project is relatively new, having been formed post COVID, when many bands sadly dispersed due to a shutdown in the live entertainment world. All of the members of GFT are very experienced performers, however, having between them graced stages across the UK, in Europe and in North America, over several decades. Most members of the band make their entire income from performing and teaching music. Returning to performing after the pandemic was a natural, if not essential move for individuals that have music running in their blood.

Please tell us about a booking you've had through Add to Event, how did it go? Would you recommend us to others?

Add to Event is an excellent platform for connecting performers and other service providers with customers who are in the process of organising an event. The information asked for from providers enables customers to make informed choices. Crucially, for suppliers, Add to Event is an extremely cost-effective way of obtaining leads. Crucially, for customers, these cost advantages over traditional agency commissions mean significant savings being passed on. In short, Add to Event is an effective, up-to-date method for matching event organisers to event providers. Add to Event was personally recommended to us by fellow musicians and, in turn, we have no reservations about recommending this platform to others.