Reception Band Help!!!

jillinnea

Hi! This is my first post here but I lurked and lurked on the boards and didn't find the info I'm looking for...So we have our hearts set on a live band for our reception. I scoured the internet, read the reviews that I could find (but can't find them for all), contacted bands and got availability and pricing and.... now what? I'm so nervous to choose because I feel like the band will make or break our reception! Ideally, I would love to see them all live first, but a lot of showcases are on weeknights, which is tough for me to check out because I live ~45 min from Boston and I am a teacher who has to get up at 5:30 am I am also one of the first of our friends to get married (yes, at 28!) so I don't have much to start from as far as recommendations.  If anyone can give me ANY advice - good or bad - about these bands, I would be so grateful! (btw - it is an evening reception, I'm looking for a band that gets everyone dancing, and has a decent amount of current/pop music in their repertoire along with the classics, etc).Horns in the HouseSearch PartyBounce!Boston CommonDC ProjectCadenceBig CityTIA!!!!

kebmtm071605

On your list, I have heard of Horns in the House, Search Party, and Boston Common.  No real info other than that I have heard of them.We used Rare Form (www.rareformband.com).  They are OUTSTANDING!  4 years after our wedding, people who attended our wedding still make it a point to say how great our band was.  The dance floor was packed the entire night.I also really liked the band at my brother & SIL's wedding (www.boss-band.com). 

killian09

I don't have info about any of those bands--sorry!  I don't know if you have looked into them already, but my husband and I hired Night Rhythm with Rebecca & Eve to perform at our wedding and they were AMAZING.  Everyone was on the dance floor all night long.  We got so many compliments.  They sound just like their online demos--so talented.  They played a huge mix of music, with a nice repertoire of new stuff. 

virtualblonde27

I second Night Rhythm!

jillinnea

I have heard about Night Rhythm (lots about them, they sound amazing!) and they are on my list - but over $1000 more expensive than the others so that's why I didn't include them above.  They are still on the backburner but I'm trying to scope out the other options that are in a more approachable price range (since the band itself is already a splurge for us vs. dj).  Thanks for ALL of the info though, ladies, keep it coming please! 

killian09

Yeah, good luck with your search, and I hope you find a band you love in your budget.   We were lucky because they were significantly discounted for our Sunday wedding, which put them within our budget.  I heard the Monica & Bryan showcase too and they are also awesome.  You can get them as a 6-piece group, and that saves some $$, but I don't know if it brings it in line with your other options.I've heard raves about Modern Manners, Men in Black, Rare Form, and Search Party, but I don't have personal experience with them.  hope that helps!

Brads Girl

I havent seen any of the ones on your list but have seen night rhythm and they were good. my MOH had the Lisa Love Experience and they were by far the best wedding band I have seen.  If I had it in my budget to have a band, they would have been it! GL and Welcome!

jaybe422

Hi,I went to a wedding that had the best band I ever saw at a wedding. They were called Downtown Fever. Check them out. Great songs and they are al Berklee people. Best I ever saw. Good Luck

SummerBoston10

We are using Rare Form.  We saw them live at the Boston Harbor Hotel and they are great!  Night Rhythm is also very good but like you said more expensive than a lot of other bands for the full 8 pieces.  Another band I have heard of that has gotten great reviews is Night Shift.  They were booked for our date so we couldn't check them out. 

Jenna4d

I went to see Search Party at a local bar... they sounded great, but where not very personable. I can't speak for how they would be at a wedding, but it scared me away. However, they did sound great. I ended up booking Men In Black from the Hank Agency. I found there prices more reasonable then most, but they still run approx. 5K. Bands are expensive, but well worth the money. Good luck!

jhdance111

We used Legit and still hear raves about them. BIL/SIL used Night Shift and I've seen them at other events and they are great also. I've never actually heard of the last 4 on your list, but doesn't mean they aren't good! GL!

jillinnea

Thankyouthankyou for all of the wonderful help and suggestions so far! Got one more for you - PANDEMONIUM through Hank Agency.  I e-mailed for info on Men In Black -  they are booked so Pandemonium was mentioned as a good alternative. Anyone heard anything about them? Thanks again!

Jenna4d

I haven't heard of them. Did you have Pam send you a Cd or DVD? Maybe she can give you a reference list that you can call. She was extremely helpful and informative when I booked MIB (sorry they weren't available.) There are a ton of good band around though... Stalk this board a little more I know I've seen some suggestions from other brides.