Music can make or break your wedding, there is no doubt about it. It’s the heart and soul of a reception. If you’re on the fence about picking live music or a DJ, there are a few things to consider before making your final selection. The team at SLMB will be able to cater for whatever your big day requires, whether it’s the unique and eclectic atmosphere of a live band, the simplicity of a DJ, or the variety of both.

Atmosphere

Nothing compares to the atmosphere a live band can create. The vibe and energy that flows between the members of the band on stage radiates out into the audience. Of course there are some great DJs out there who will get interactive with the crowd, but the more people on stage there are, the higher the energy will be.

At SLMB, we’re able to cater the vibe to your event, whether is 70’s Disco, throwback relaxed jazz or classic rock and roll. We will create a specific setlist for you, and yes, you can request songs in advance! We ask you to pick 20 songs from our song list and rank them in order, and we promise to play the top 5, and we will try our best with the rest. Even if you have a specific song that isn’t on the list, we can learn it! Check out our Media page to see what type of atmosphere a live band can bring to your event.

Budget

So the money talk can be a little awkward, but we want to keep things honest and transparent with you so you get everything you expect. Generally, a DJ is going to be a bit more cost-effective than a full live band due to the amount of people on stage. However, if you really want a live band, the good news is that the little bit of extra money is worth it. Check out SLMB’s packages. Yes sometimes you really can have your cake and eat it too!

Play time

Another consideration to take into account is how long a band will play for vs how long a DJ will play. A DJ will play from start to finish without breaks, since the music is pre-recorded. The talented musicians of SLMB need to take reasonable breaks throughout the day (we’re human too…!) so that we can provide music all the way from the start of your ceremony to the end of your reception. Let’s say you book SLMB for a 5 hour period, we will generally play for 4 x 45 minute sets spread across the night. We try to align our breaks with speeches to ensure that peak times always have memorable notes and create a vibe to remember.