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When it comes to choosing music for your event, it can be tricky to know what’s going to best suit the crowd and vibe. There are many things to consider: like what occasion the event is for or the kind of atmosphere you’re hoping to create.

You’ll also need to carefully think about the age range that will walk through your doors. Is your event going to be age-appropriate and what kind of music can they expect as a result? All of this plays a big part in the grand scheme of things.

Weddings and celebrations

These ceremonies have a lot of freedom when it comes to choosing certain music, but with that much freedom, it can be hard to narrow down what tunes will actually suit best.

A themed playlist – such as classics or current hits – is always a popular go-to; anything that lets the crowd feel familiar with what they’re hearing.

Keep in mind that the age range will also come into play here. If you’re organising a 21^st birthday party, why not ask around and see what that demographic is listening to or would feel comfortable with. If you’re organising wedding-related music, it may be worth asking people across all generations, so you can curate a playlist that suits all.

Corporate occasions

Corporate events can vary in character, which can be a deciding factor in what type of music you need. For many professional contexts, background-style music creates an overall atmosphere for the attendees to feel welcomed in.

The key here is choosing tunes that attendees won’t really notice, yet still adds to the overall ambience of the event. A common style is relaxing instrumental options, such as a string quartet or a solo pianist. Another thing to consider with corporate event music is the volume. The volume should be loud enough to encourage mingling and chatting however, not too loud so people are unable to hear their conversations or have to leave the room to take a phone call.

Sporting events

If you have been tasked with hosting a sporting event – such as a game screening or awards night – this will need even more creativity.

Sporting events with high-energy and adrenaline flowing means everyone’s in the mood to celebrate and support their team. You’ll need music that plays the role of creating a tone to get the crowd pumped and ready for action.

Put together an up-beat playlist or hire a live band that features top-of-the-charts or rock hits and you’ll be kicking goals.

Hint: Think ‘We Will Rock You’ by Queen or ‘Thunderstruck’ by ACDC.

Looking for a cover band or DJ for your next big event? Contact Blue Avenue to see our line up of talented options, available to entertain your special requests.

So, you’ve been tasked with organising the ultimate event, and you’re currently tossing up your entertainment options. Do you go for live music or a DJ? It can be tough making this call, as a lot of factors may impact your decision. What sort of event are you organising? What is your budget? Who will be attending?

We’ve narrowed down some key factors to help you tie all of the ends together for the big day.

Think about your interests

Depending on your event, you may have different needs when it comes to the tunes you play.

If you hire a DJ, they will have access to thousands and thousands of songs so that they can play something for everyone. DJs will also let you have input on what music is used, so make sure it has the right vibe that you are aiming for.

Live bands will have a huge repertoire of what they can pump out, which they frequently update to keep up with the trends. Although you won’t be able to have as much input into what they play, you can always highlight if you have any favourites that you would love them to perform. It may also be worth checking if the band takes requests, as this is a common occurrence with guests.

Your budget

If you’re on a tight budget, you may find it better to opt for a DJ over a live band. DJs are usually less expensive and depending on where you are hosting your event, the venue may even provide one covered by the cost of hiring the space.

Live bands can vary in price, and there are multiple factors to consider. If you’re looking at hiring a bigger group, their fees can add up and vary significantly. If you want live music, but you don’t have all the cash to splurge, you can always look into hiring a solo or duo act, as their costs are typically a lot less.

What vibe are you going for?

One of the key selling points of hiring a band for your event is that they perform live, which comes with a whole range of quirks that adds life and energy to the party.

Live bands also have their own differences to other music, bringing their own sound, style and personality to the songs. If you’re organising an event where you want attendees to interact with the music or sing along and dance, this option may be the best way to create this ambience for your guests.

As DJs also perform in the moment, they can alter their settings depending on what the overall vibe and audience energy are throughout the occasion. If you want people up on their feet dancing, the DJ can accommodate by selecting songs to get people running to the dancefloor. If you’re aiming for a chilled out set over dinner, they can also alter their playlist to suit the room.

Looking for a DJ, live band or solo act for your event? Get in touch with the Blue Avenue team now.

Right now, the world is a rapidly changing place; we’re all feeling uncertain, and the typical lifestyles we lead are now no longer the ‘norm’. Across every industry, the need to adapt is taking place, with a lot of businesses shifting to online operations and working from home.

But beyond this, how we connect to those around us and interact with communities, is also now one big changing tide. With strict government regulations in place on social distancing, we need to find new (temporary) ways to socialise with our inner circles, professional networks and family.

If you’re one of those people with a key date locked into your calendar for a big event you’ve been preparing for, it’s still not the end of the world. There are ways you can negate the effects of the pandemic on your special occasion, and create positive outcomes. Here are a few simple tips to help you along the way.

Entertaining during social distancing

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organisation (WHO) labelled the coronavirus outbreak (also known as COVID-19) as a ‘pandemic’. This status has had enormous consequences for most sectors, including the entertainment industry. But to support positive health outcomes and flatten the curve, we must shift our lifestyles and business operations to suit regulations around the disease.

Here are a few key considerations to keep in mind, if you need to alter the date of your event or cancel it altogether:

• We know it’s a difficult decision to make if you’re looking at postponing or cancelling your event. We recommend viewing your local and state regulations for public health and inform yourself of the current rules that apply to you, before making a decision.
• If you would like to hold your event still regardless, consider shifting to virtual formats through apps like Zoom, FaceTime or Houseparty. You can even use Facebook and LinkedIn’s live stream features.
• Any changes you make need to be communicated effectively to your guests. Send emails, make phone calls or send out SMS notifications to let them know what to expect.

You may not even need to cancel

While there are some ways you can adapt your event to suit the nature of current social distancing, there may not necessarily be a need for you to cancel or postpone it altogether.

If you have selected a venue or provider to host your event, we recommend that you get in touch with them to have a discussion around their current policies for this.

A majority of these are allowing clients to reschedule their occasion without any fees charged. You’ll find that your entertainment choice – be it a band, venue, gig or artist – will be flexible during these tough times. All you have to do is have a transparent conversation.

Helpful resources to keep in mind*:

• Mass gatherings and coronavirus (WHO)
• Social distancing for coronavirus (COVID-19) from the Australian Government Department of Health.
• COVID-19 (coronavirus) information for consumers

*Note that these resources are subject to change according to the current status of the COVID-19 outbreak.