Why Bands are the Ultimate Crowd-Pleasers for 2023 Corporate Christmas Parties
'Tis the season to jingle and mingle – and what better way to electrify your corporate Christmas party than with a live band? The nights dance outside as summer warms, and vibrant beats transform your event into an unforgettable extravaganza.
Bands have long been hailed as the ultimate crowd-pleasers, igniting energy and setting pulses racing like no other form of entertainment can. So, if you're ready to ditch the humdrum office holiday tradition for a night of unparalleled excitement, join us on this sonic journey as we explore why bands are guaranteed to bring pure magic to your festive celebration!
Introduction
Picture this.
You've organised the work Christmas Party with a food and drinks package for 4 or 5 hours.
The guests arrive and mingle at 6 pm, then sit for the meal by 6.30 pm.
Maybe there is a guest speaker during the meal, or you will host the annual awards. By 8 pm, the formalities, the awards, the formal event… it's all over.
So, how do you make the most of the package?
Bands like Party Pack!
Benefits of Choosing a Band for Your 2023 Christmas Event
When it comes to corporate Christmas parties, bands are the ultimate crowd-pleasers. They bring the energy and excitement that otherwise wanes when the formalities are over.
A high-quality, experienced band doesn't just provide the music.
They will:
Set the scene for the night with a complete setup, lighting and a space for dancing that invites questions, comments and intrigue.
Start with songs that put everyone into celebration mode as soon as your guests arrive.
Balance the usual white space in events with energising music. HINT: Dinner music is an option if you book a versatile band with different lineups, like Party Pack.
Assist with hosting the event – everything from running the housekeeping, making announcements and adding interest to your formalities.
Upgrade your formalities from golf-clap energy to high-level anticipation and celebration. We can lead chants, initiate table-top or drum-kit lead drumrolls, celebrate the win with a drum sting (a boom-boom tsh!) and coordinate a high-energy song for winners making their way to the stage (and back).
Get everyone (yes, even the CFO and any other stuffy suits) on the dance floor.
Run icebreakers, games and competitions to get the 'I don't dance-ers' really involved.
Help you end the event on a high – usually by (politely) kicking the remaining (bulk of) people out before the noise curfew and late fees kick in!
Bands also can tailor their setlists to appeal to a wide range of people. We can make it family-friendly, Christmas-focused, themed for the 70s and 80s or play a range of past and current hits that we know will be winners. While we recommend you gives us the limits and let us do the heavy lifting of And if you have any specific requests, they'll be more than happy to accommodate them.
How to Choose Your Christmas Party Band
When it comes to choosing the right band for your corporate Christmas party, there are a few things you'll want to keep in mind.
Click to expand each of the following factors:
Consider the size of your event and the space you have available.
Check with the venue if there are any restrictions to having a band or to the size of the band. Smaller venues may only be able to accommodate a duo or trio.
There are two different types of duo and trio styles - acoustic and full sound.
Acoustic is typically suitable for dinner and background music. They typically play songs meant for guitar only or do their own pared-down versions of songs. They add vibe to a low-key event. Their setup will still need sound equipment and ambient lighting.
A full-sound duo or trio has more party vibe but with fewer instruments. They may integrate sounds from additional sources like guitar pedals and backing tracks. They are basically the compact version of a party band.
Agree on a budget for the event.
You should factor in:
The cost of the band according to local employment laws and the length of time needed from arrival to the end of your event. Typically bands ask for a minimum call time of 3 hours and that may need 4 - 5 hours of time on site.
Any equipment and staging you may need to hire or that the band requests that you supply. A great band will bring their own onstage sound gear and some basic lighting. You may need equipment to create a dancefloor, block off access to a stage, setup a stage where none exists or provide sound for a larger event that reaches multiple areas.
Any travel that the band may need to undertake to participate in the event. Travel expenses should be considered when the gig is approximately 2 hours away from the CBD or outside the bands typical service area. It may also be requested for safety reasons - particularly with early setup / late pack-up requirements or events that extend over 8 hours.
Meals and drinks for the band. Usually a venue can arrange a service meal, which is usually a single alternative course separate (and significantly cheaper) from any package you might set for your guests.
A corporate party band may cost anywhere from $1000 to $3500+ depending on the factors above. The more people in the band the higher the cost you should expect.
Research bands in your local area and that service the location of the event.
Use Google or your favorite social media - most high quality bands have a listing on Google and a website.
You can also use entertainment booking sites. NOTE: You may not find the bands on these sites via other sources because they are often given a name unique to the agency to avoid you contacting them directly.
As you learn about each band, check how long they have been together and the variety of different events they have catered.
Read their reviews and see what others have to say about their experience.
Listen to the media
Media should include both professionally recorded audio and live video - to confirm that the band has the right sound for your event. NOTE: Some bands will record their media live but using equipment that both picks up ambient (crowd) noise and compresses the band's true sound. You should instead focus on details like if the song sounds familiar, if they sound in tune and whether they engage with the audience.
Choose a band that plays a range of genres
Ask to see a sample playlist for the event based on your event description. If a band is not willing to put together a specific set list for your event, it is likely that they don't have the repertoire or versatility needed.
Check the payment terms
Some bands may ask you to pay a booking deposit. Others may require a deposit just to hold your date while you decide.
NOTE: Party Pack gives you a cooling off period after booking so that you can get the a small 25% deposit together.
Confirm availability.
Contact the band to discuss the event and confirm that they are available and they are available and able to meet your event needs.
Remember, that the best band for your event isn't always the most expensive, but they are usually not the cheapest. Try to compare the quotes you receive to choose the best value for money. If something is missing from a quote that others are offering - you should aim to ask questions to see if a preferred inclusion can be accommodated.
By keeping these factors in mind, you'll be well on your way to finding the perfect band for your corporate Christmas party!
Conclusion
So, if you're looking for a way to make your corporate 2023 Christmas Party one to remember, and boost morale amongst your employees at the same time, hiring a band is the way to go!
We'll see you on the dancefloor!