Should you Have a Live Band, DJ, or Spotify Playlist?
By Sam Browne

11 February 2019

Should you book a band, DJ or just use Spotify for your wedding reception? Choosing the right music for your wedding is almost as important as choosing the right venue, the right dress and the right man (okay, maybe not that important).

But as well as deciding whether to have live music at all, you have options such as string quartets, jazz bands, piano players and covers bands. Or you might opt for a DJ, who can cover every style of music (pop, rock, disco-tech, country – you name it!). However, a DJ won’t create the same atmosphere as a band will. And if your budget is already stretched, you might consider using an iPod through a sound system - but is it really worth the risk?

The Live Band

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Image sourced from Findaband

The magic of a great live band is difficult to overstate. A band with a great song list and experience with weddings will get the guests dancing from the very first song, and will make for an unforgettable night. While it's true that a really great DJ can fill a dance floor and they can play every style, there's nothing quite like having the musicians right there in the room rocking the house. A great band can cost anywhere from $1500 to $5000 and can add significant expense to your wedding but will also ensure your big day ends with a bang. Other options such as string quartets or acoustic guitarists during your ceremony can make for a truly magical moment you will remember forever.

If you decide to go with a great live band, we recommend checking out the following artists:

Kid Radio

If you love those 80s, 90s, and 2000s jams, Kid Radio is the band. With dual vocalists Sam and Mal, you'll have non-stop dancefloor-filling action all night.



Bang Bang 

Bang Bang will take your requests, fill your dancefloor and make your night one you’ll never forget. Featuring the uniquely talented Mandy Meadows, Bang Bang perform songs by artists such as Amy Winehouse, Fleetwood Mac, Michael Jackson, Queen, James Brown, Prince, Tina Turner and many more. This band simply do it all.

 

Blue Steel

If you need solid gold, you need Blue Steel. We're talking Fleetwood Mac, Rolling Stones, Stevie Wonder, and The Eagles played by a rocking 5 piece band with 10+ years together.



Ministry of Tone 

Ministry of Tone brings together the best of 60s and 70s funk and soul, 90s r’n'b and a good sprinkling of top 40 hits to boot.Featuring frontman vocalist and guitarist TJ Taotua, one of NZ’s deadliest rhythm sections (Isaac Etimani and Willie Fa’apito) and the masterful skills and arrangements of Jireh Falaniko on keyboards, the band is quickly gaining recognition as one of New Zealand’s premier funk and soul bands.



Neon City

Neon City will light up the night with a set that is tight, funky and groovy! Performing songs by artists like Bruno Mars, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder and James Brown, Neon City offer up a high-energy mix of pop, dance, classics, top 40 and funk that will connect with any audience. The band perform medleys of popular songs, creating a seamless party experience on the dance floor. Keeping the party rocking is their number one goal!



The DJ

A DJ is a great 'in-between' option - generally speaking, they will be cheaper than a band but a bit more expensive than an iPod playing through a hired sound system. The benefits of a great DJ are that they have thousands of songs at their fingertips, will mix the songs together (no quiet bits between songs) will maintain a good tempo (speed of the beat) for dancing and will read the room and the guests to ensure the songs being played fit the mood and style of the wedding party.  DJs range in price from $600 - $2000.

If a DJ is the right choice for your wedding, check out our recommended artists below.

Andy JV

Andy’s extensive DJ experience over the past 15 years means nothing fazes him. Andy’s genres of choice are hip hop, pop, classics, house, soul, and funk but he’ll do whatever it takes to make the dancefloor work. Andy has performed at countless weddings as well as many late night bookings at clubs in New Zealand, Australia, and Bali.

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Images sourced for Empire Agency

DJ Cade

Performing since 2008, Cade has a deep love of classic old school songs from the 70s, 80s, and 90s. At the same time, he is adept at moving between genres as diverse as top 40 house, disco, RnB, and hip-hop but he is flexible enough for any event. Cade’s 10 years experience in weddings means he is highly professional, well presented and experienced.

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Sam Jones

Sam Jones is the perfect addition to any event, with a unique and exciting blend of DJ skills & Sax Drawing on his background in jazz and classical music, Sam infuses every element of his sets with improvisation, bringing a unique and personalised touch to every performance. His selections span a number of genres, favouring anything with a groove.



Lewis McCallum

Lewis McCallum offers live sax and optional live vocalist Yuli Quay, offering a unique combination of live music and DJ skills. One of New Zealand's most exciting and innovative musicians, Lewis fuses his deep knowledge of jazz with modern forms of dance and beats culture to present a truly unique sound.

 

DIY

 

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Image by Raw Pixel

Spotify has meant that it's now simple enough for a couple getting married to put together playlists, hire some speakers and have their favourite music playing all day and night long. While this is the cheapest option, it can be a bit hit and miss. The music you love may not be an ideal fit for your wedding party, and more importantly, your guests may feel inclined to choose their own favourites after they've had a few drinks (or maybe a lot of drinks).  It's common at "Spotify weddings" to hear 20 seconds of a song before the skip button gets pushed and a new song starts. Hiring speakers will typically set you back $200 - $500.

What works for one wedding may not be quite right for another, and of course, one must also consider the budget. Think carefully about your personal style and the "image" you want for your big day. In any case, think carefully, because along with the food and alcohol, the music can make or break your wedding day. Dancing the night away at your reception is a memory you and your guests will treasure forever and it is a great way to bring you special day to a close. 

Ready to make your choice? Check out our Auckland wedding bands and Auckland wedding DJs now.