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Here are a selection of frequently asked questions. You should find the answer to the majority of queries you may have right here. If the information you require is not here please use our contact form and we will be happy to answer any question you may have.
Questions about the Band
Questions about the Band
Q. How much do Midnite charge? Are there any surcharges above and beyond the quoted price? This is the first thing most people want to know, so we thought we would answer it first. Our rates are set according to a variety of factors including: set up & playing times, start and finish times, travelling distance and the popularity of the date in question. So it is impossible to quote a fixed price for all events. To obtain a quote please fill out our contact form with as much information as possible and we will provide a price based on the criteria you provide. The price we quote will be the price you pay. Midnite are centrally located at the heart of the Motorway network in Rugby, Warwickshire. This ideal location provides a platform that enables Midnite to travel to 80% of England’s population within 120 minutes Q. How long have Midnite been together as a group? Midnite have been playing to many satisfied clients, in a variety of venues for over 10 years. We have many years of experience in entertaining at Functions, Weddings and Private Parties, Hotels, Clubs & Bars! NB: Beware of bands that change personnel often. Groups that have just formed pose the potential for problems if the group breaks up. This isn't to say that established bands don't break up, but over half of all bands formed break up in their first year. The longer they have been together, the more likely they will be to remain together until your function date. Q. Does Midnite always contain the same members, or do they use substitutes on a regular basis? Midnite always has the same line up. Substitutes are only made in extreme circumstances (i.e. to cover illness of a band member to ensure a client is not let down at short notice). Any substitutes used to replace a band member are experienced Musicians and are always rehearsed before the engagement. Midnite will always inform a client if a substitute is needed for their engagement (This situation is extremely rare). Generally, Midnite would prefer not to accept an engagement if the normal line up cannot be offered (i.e. during a band members holiday period). Q. How many members are there in the band and what do they play? Midnite are a fully live 4-piece band that comprise of the classic band line up of Drums, Bass, Guitar, and Keyboards. Combined with 3-4 part vocals. Enabling Midnite to provide a wide range of classic tunes from the 60’s until today! Terry: Vocals, Keyboards, Guitar, Percussion. Danny: Guitar, Vocals. Daz: Bass, Keyboards, Vocals. Reg: Drums, Percussion, Vocals. For more information on the Band members please go to our Biography page The Performance
Q. Do Midnite accept more than one performance a day? No. It is not logistically viable for a four piece band to accept more than one engagement a day. Q. How long do Midnite require to set up? Midnite normally has all the sound and lighting equipment loaded in to the venue, set up and complete the sound check within a maximum period of 90 minutes. Although, we are highly experienced in this matter and can set up in a shorter time if timing is tight. We will always discuss the “Set Up Time Window” with the Client/ Event Manager prior to the event. As in many venues the same room is used for the day and night events and there is normally a point during the day, where the room needs to reset by the venues staff for the evening .e.g. after the meal etc. This normally the point that we will load in and set up the equipment. Q. Will Midnite be set up and ready to play when your guests arrive at the reception site, even if they are not supposed to start playing right away? The normal arrival time is 6:30pm to 7pm regardless of the day of week. The band is prepared to wait in the wings if things are running behind schedule. It is necessary for the band to carry out a 'sound check' to ensure the sound quality and volume level is appropriate for the venue size and guests. The actual sound check usually takes approximately 15 minutes. Where guests are still present in the room, the band always announce what they are doing and ask for their perseverance. If it is possible, it’s recommended in some venues to clear the room during the sound check; as it can be a source of annoyance to older guests with more sensitive hearing, until we achieve the correct balance. If you require an earlier set up, there is a surcharge negotiable depending on arrival time and travelling distance and there is also a surcharge of for performances finishing after midnight in keeping with Musicians Union guidelines. Q. How long do Midnite play for? For a 'typical' function such as a Wedding/Private party or Dinner Dance, we normally play up to 2 to 3 x 45 minute sets. As we are a fully live band our sets are flexible and we can tailor them to suit your function. (The playing times can be organised with the client at the time of booking, prior to the function or with the organiser or venues coordinator on the day of the event. We are highly experienced in this matter will ensure your event will run in a smooth manner with the minimum of fuss. Ensuring you can enjoy your evening without worry). Plus Midnite provide suitable background music while your guests arrive & during any meal/buffet. During band breaks we also provide a fantastic selection of pre-mixed party classics combined with our dance floor lighting that will keep the party atmosphere going. This very popular service is provided at no extra cost and saves you the cost of hiring an additional DJ. With the ‘other formalities’ of the evening (e.g. meal/buffet, speeches, etc) this is normally sufficient for a function of 5+ hours total duration and represents excellent value for money. Q. Do Midnite use pre recorded backing tracks, midi files or sequencing? No! Midnite are a FULLY LIVE Band Whilst we have the technical capability to use MIDI files or sequences we do not use any form of pre-recorded backing tracks. We believe that live Music should be just that, LIVE. Midnite fully support the Musicians Union “Keep it Real” Campaign The reason for this is that the use of MIDI files or sequencing limits the ability of the band to adjust the length of a song or a set of songs whilst performing which in turn, severely restricts the spontaneity of the band. Q. What are midi files, what is sequencing? MIDI Files MIDI files are computer files often stored on standard computer floppy discs that contain complete musical instructions, notes, tempo etc. for a keyboard or sound module (the part that produces the sound of a keyboard minus the keys). MIDI files can be purchased ‘ready to go’ on disc or easily downloaded from many Internet sources. The discs are inserted into a suitable keyboard or sound module and when the start button is pressed the unit plays the song – hey presto! Instant band. A MIDI file usually contains information to play all of the different instruments required for the song simultaneously e.g. keyboards, drums, bass, guitar, brass etc. Sequencing Sequencing is similar to a MIDI file and uses the same ‘musical instructions’ except that the song information has been downloaded from a PC into the keyboard or sound module or manually programmed into the instrument. The information is often stored inside and edited on the instrument itself. In the worst case, some 'bands' are merely groups of people working around a keyboard, which is being played by MIDI files or sequenced sets of songs. The keyboard performs the majority of the work whilst the 'band members' spend most of the time miming. You are simply paying for 'faces on the stage'! Q. Can Midnite provide quiet background music during the meal/buffet? Yes! If you have not booked an additional DJ for your function. We can provide suitable pre-recorded background music at no extra cost. For all types of event. If required, we also provide a fantastic selection of pre-mixed party classics prior to performance and during breaks. That will ensure your party continues well into the night, and will save you the cost of hiring a DJ. Again at no extra cost!
Q. Can Midnite play a special first dance song for us? Your first dance is a very important part of your evening reception and something you'll remember forever. The majority of clients prefer the original track to be played for this purpose. If you want to specific track, that means a lot to you both, we will be happy to play this for you through our sound system. We will invite you to the dance floor, introduce the track and you do the rest! The band will be in position to begin playing once your song has finished. (You can specify the track you require at the time of booking or at any time before the event and we will normally be able to source it for you unless it is very obscure or no longer available. If this is the case we may ask you to provide us with a copy of the track on CD or MP3 before the event date) Alternatively we can help select a song for you from our repertoire or if you would like us to learn something new, we'll be happy to do this, providing that you give us at least 12 weeks notice and send a copy of the song on CD or MP3.
Q. Do Midnite cater for all age groups? Midnite play party classics that appeal to all age groups. Quite often at our gigs, young children, adults and elderly people are all up dancing and enjoying our music! The wide variety of our repertoire, comprising classic hits spanning five decades, enables us to match the type of music we play to the demands of our audience. We never begin a function with a fixed repertoire or a preconceived idea of the audiences’ requirements. By varying the style and tempo of music we endeavour to please all of the people most, if not all, of the time whilst maintaining the prime objective of keeping the dance floor full! The Venue Q. How much space do Midnite need for the equipment? Ideally we prefer a clear area of 4.6m wide by 2.4m deep (15’ x 8’). But in our experience, there are few ideal rooms! There are always fire exits, doorways, dining tables, pillars, fireplaces and lack of power sockets that can determine how and where the band set up! Q. Can Midnite perform in a marquee? Yes, we have performed in many marquees in the past. If you booking an event in a Hotel etc that has a permanent or semi permanent structure. The points below are normally already in place. But if you are planning an event where a marquee is being hired for the day. The following points would need to be raised with the hire company prior to the day of the event. Q. Do Midnite require changing facilities? Yes please! Q. Do I need to make arrangements for meals for the Band? No. Q. The venue informed us that there is a limit on the volume the venue can allow. Can the band meet this requirement? Yes, we have full control over the level of all instruments and can adjust volume levels to suit both the client and the venue. It is best to let us know in advance if the venue has a very strict requirement on volume and we can discuss the DB (decibel) levels with the events manager. Q. The venue informed us that the band must have public liability insurance and that the band equipment must be PAT tested. Can you tell me whether this is the case? Midnite has public liability insurance for up to £10,000,000 and our electrical equipment is fully PAT tested.
Booking the Band
Q. How can I check that Midnite are available for the date I require? Top of page Top of page Top of page Top of page
Top of page Always make sure you have a written contract with the band you choose and make sure you have all verifiable contact details, postal and telephone and a receipt for your deposit. Q. Do Midnite provide a contract? Are they willing to make additions to the contract to meet any special needs you may have? Yes, Midnite will provide you with a Musicians Union approved written contract, and are happy to make additions to the contract to meet any special needs you may have and will inform you up front if the band is unable to accommodate these special needs. Q. I am booking Midnite through an agency, will I be able to deal directly with the band, or must I communicate with the band through the agent? If you are booking Midnite through an agent you may, with the agents approval, contact us directly to discuss fine details, but out of courtesy and professional protocol, all matters relating to fees and contracts should be should be referred directly to the agent. Please note that if you book Midnite through an agency, you will not be able to directly hire Midnite for any other event within 12 months, you must use the same agency.
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Midnite Function Band - Midnite Wedding Band - Midnite Party Band - Midnite Function Band - Midnite Corporate Entertainment |
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| [Midnite Home] [Biography] [Demo Songs] [Set List] [Previous clients] [Contact] [Frequently asked question's] [Downloads] [Links] [Music database] |
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