FAQ’s
Before you book
How far do you travel?
We are based in the South East and happy to drive up to two hours away, we generally cover all the areas of Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire, Essex and London.
Can I see the Rocksters play live before I book?
The Rocksters only perform at private functions, where viewing is extremely difficult. Most people can appreciate that it is awkward to have strangers intruding at weddings and other private functions, and therefore seeing the band in advance, may not be possible.
If I book the band do I also need to book a DJ?
No need to book an additional DJ, as the band can provide a wide variety of prerecorded music via ipod, to be played through the PA during all breaks in the live music. Specific to requirements, if you so wish, or alternatively, you may hand us your own ipod with your favourite playlists, if you prefer.
There are noise restrictions at my venue. Can I still book the band?
Where sound limiters are present at the venue the band need to be notified before booking. All due care will be taken by the band to remain below the decibel levels set, which may mean having to use an electric drum kit and keeping the PA levels at a low volume, but we can discuss the options with you and your venue contact, to come up with the best solution.
We are based in the South East and happy to drive up to two hours away, we generally cover all the areas of Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire, Essex and London.
Can I see the Rocksters play live before I book?
The Rocksters only perform at private functions, where viewing is extremely difficult. Most people can appreciate that it is awkward to have strangers intruding at weddings and other private functions, and therefore seeing the band in advance, may not be possible.
If I book the band do I also need to book a DJ?
No need to book an additional DJ, as the band can provide a wide variety of prerecorded music via ipod, to be played through the PA during all breaks in the live music. Specific to requirements, if you so wish, or alternatively, you may hand us your own ipod with your favourite playlists, if you prefer.
There are noise restrictions at my venue. Can I still book the band?
Where sound limiters are present at the venue the band need to be notified before booking. All due care will be taken by the band to remain below the decibel levels set, which may mean having to use an electric drum kit and keeping the PA levels at a low volume, but we can discuss the options with you and your venue contact, to come up with the best solution.
The booking process, contract, etc
How do I actually book the band?
Once you have decided you would like to book the Rocksters for your event/wedding reception, we ask that you send us all necessary details and information, which we will include in your band booking agreement, of which, we send you 2 copies along with our Terms and Conditions. We ask that you check all information and that you read the band T&C’s, and if all is correct and you are happy with everything, to sign and return both copies with a £250 deposit cheque to secure your booking. This means the band will no longer take anymore enquiries on your secured date, making the band booking a formal agreement. The remainder of the fee, we ask for in the form of a post dated cheque to be kept on file, and that’s it!
Can the band arrive earlier than 6.00 pm or finish after midnight?
Our standard booking agreement and fees include a set arrival time from 6pm – end time no later than 12am. Of course we are flexible for either earlier set up times or later ending times, but this will incur an additional fee of £20 per musician per hour. If this is a possibility, we can discuss this with you prior to booking, to come up with the most convenient and cost effective solution for your requirements.
Why does the contract ask us to provide hot meals for the band?
We ask for a hot meal for the band because very often the musicians are out on the road for 10-12 hours, sometimes longer. They will often leave home at 3 or 4pm to get to the venue to set up, and then usually won’t finish packing up after the event until 1am the following morning before driving home. Performance takes a lot of energy and musicians definitely perform better with some fuel in them!
What happens if a band member is ill on the day of my function?
All band members have worked with a huge number of professional musicians and vocalists, over the years, and we have a number of talented and professional contacts we can call upon, who have played with the Rocksters and know the songs and performance style, should one of the band members not be able to perform on the day, for any reason. Should this happen, the situation would be dealt with by the band, without your involvement and causing you any concern.
Once you have decided you would like to book the Rocksters for your event/wedding reception, we ask that you send us all necessary details and information, which we will include in your band booking agreement, of which, we send you 2 copies along with our Terms and Conditions. We ask that you check all information and that you read the band T&C’s, and if all is correct and you are happy with everything, to sign and return both copies with a £250 deposit cheque to secure your booking. This means the band will no longer take anymore enquiries on your secured date, making the band booking a formal agreement. The remainder of the fee, we ask for in the form of a post dated cheque to be kept on file, and that’s it!
Can the band arrive earlier than 6.00 pm or finish after midnight?
Our standard booking agreement and fees include a set arrival time from 6pm – end time no later than 12am. Of course we are flexible for either earlier set up times or later ending times, but this will incur an additional fee of £20 per musician per hour. If this is a possibility, we can discuss this with you prior to booking, to come up with the most convenient and cost effective solution for your requirements.
Why does the contract ask us to provide hot meals for the band?
We ask for a hot meal for the band because very often the musicians are out on the road for 10-12 hours, sometimes longer. They will often leave home at 3 or 4pm to get to the venue to set up, and then usually won’t finish packing up after the event until 1am the following morning before driving home. Performance takes a lot of energy and musicians definitely perform better with some fuel in them!
What happens if a band member is ill on the day of my function?
All band members have worked with a huge number of professional musicians and vocalists, over the years, and we have a number of talented and professional contacts we can call upon, who have played with the Rocksters and know the songs and performance style, should one of the band members not be able to perform on the day, for any reason. Should this happen, the situation would be dealt with by the band, without your involvement and causing you any concern.
Act/venue requirements
How much space does a band need? Do they require a raised stage?
A stage or performance area of around 10ft x 16ft for a 5 piece band. The performance area must be safe, level, stable and not exposed to the elements. Please note that we do not carry staging so you will need to organize this with your venue or marquee company.
How long does the band take to set up?
The band takes approx one hour to set up all the equipment and the standard contract is priced for the band to arrive from 6pm and be set up by 7pm. The band is used to setting up around people and are very discreet and don’t require loud or lengthy sound checks. We do this every week so we are used to most set up scenarios. Please email or call us if you have any concerns over set up – we will have a solution!
What are the electrical power requirements for a band?
A minimum of 2 separate 13 amp sockets (not one socket with an extension lead on the same phase). A 13 amp socket is just a standard household socket, like the one you plug your kettle into. Our maximum power draw is around 6000 watts for standard gigs. Your power must be safe and tested by a qualified electrician. Please ensure your venue or electrician, if you are having a marquee function, is fully aware of our power requirements.
Can the band perform outside?
This can be discussed on booking, as the band would need to be on a raised stage and under an awning which covered the band members and equipment fully. No part of the performance area can be exposed to the water or the elements – any rain, for example, which falls on the bands electrical equipment can cause fatal electric shocks.
Does the band have public liability insurance?
Yes, we have public liability insurance of up to £5,000,000.
My venue has asked for a PAT certificate. Can you provide this?
Yes. All of our electrical equipment is PAT tested every year, and we always ensure that our PAT certificates are up to date.
A stage or performance area of around 10ft x 16ft for a 5 piece band. The performance area must be safe, level, stable and not exposed to the elements. Please note that we do not carry staging so you will need to organize this with your venue or marquee company.
How long does the band take to set up?
The band takes approx one hour to set up all the equipment and the standard contract is priced for the band to arrive from 6pm and be set up by 7pm. The band is used to setting up around people and are very discreet and don’t require loud or lengthy sound checks. We do this every week so we are used to most set up scenarios. Please email or call us if you have any concerns over set up – we will have a solution!
What are the electrical power requirements for a band?
A minimum of 2 separate 13 amp sockets (not one socket with an extension lead on the same phase). A 13 amp socket is just a standard household socket, like the one you plug your kettle into. Our maximum power draw is around 6000 watts for standard gigs. Your power must be safe and tested by a qualified electrician. Please ensure your venue or electrician, if you are having a marquee function, is fully aware of our power requirements.
Can the band perform outside?
This can be discussed on booking, as the band would need to be on a raised stage and under an awning which covered the band members and equipment fully. No part of the performance area can be exposed to the water or the elements – any rain, for example, which falls on the bands electrical equipment can cause fatal electric shocks.
Does the band have public liability insurance?
Yes, we have public liability insurance of up to £5,000,000.
My venue has asked for a PAT certificate. Can you provide this?
Yes. All of our electrical equipment is PAT tested every year, and we always ensure that our PAT certificates are up to date.
Performance and other on-the-day details
Will the band perform my first dance – or other requests - if not on their song list?
The band will always endeavor to learn a first dance or special song request to play live for you. We recommend about 2 weeks notice to learn anything new, so the band can rehearse. Sometimes, if a song is very orchestral, very obscure or has a more complex musical arrangement than a 5 piece band can recreate, we will recommend using the original version from an ipod through the PA, but we can discuss this with you before hand.
What is the band’s performance Schedule?
We normally play up to 3x 50 minute sets or 2 x 1hr and 15 minutes. This is to provide you with the most amount of live entertainment throughout the evening. We are flexible and can fit around arrangements, such as buffet times, evening guest arrival etc. We usually start the first set around 8:30pm or 9pm and space the live sets out to end at 12am. We do have varied start and playing time, please ask if you have something different in mind!
Can I use the band’s microphone and PA system for speeches?
Yes, no problem, but always best to arrange this with the band leader before the day!
Can I choose the band’s play list for the evening?
In terms of hand picking all the tunes played by the band live, as well as booking the band for their musical abilities, you are also booking our experience in knowing what will keep the audience happy and the dance floor full. You are welcome to make suggestions or a few "must have" songs or "please don’t play" songs from our song list - but we ask the final play list be left to us. This is because there are many factors involved in determining the order and composition of a good live set, such as key, tempo, style and genre, which we will take into consideration.
Can I or one my guests sing or play along with the band on the day?
We are often asked if it is ok for a guest appearance on stage, or use of equipment for speeches, etc. All we ask is that it is all organized with the band leader before the night and that we are introduced to the person at the beginning of the evening, so we are aware of who will be coming on stage.
Can I select the recorded music a band plays in their breaks?
If you would like a playlist specific to requirements, the band will download your selection of songs, on your behalf, which can then be played via the ipod through the PA during all live music breaks. Alternatively, you may hand us your own ipod with your favourite playlists, already to go, if you prefer.
The band will always endeavor to learn a first dance or special song request to play live for you. We recommend about 2 weeks notice to learn anything new, so the band can rehearse. Sometimes, if a song is very orchestral, very obscure or has a more complex musical arrangement than a 5 piece band can recreate, we will recommend using the original version from an ipod through the PA, but we can discuss this with you before hand.
What is the band’s performance Schedule?
We normally play up to 3x 50 minute sets or 2 x 1hr and 15 minutes. This is to provide you with the most amount of live entertainment throughout the evening. We are flexible and can fit around arrangements, such as buffet times, evening guest arrival etc. We usually start the first set around 8:30pm or 9pm and space the live sets out to end at 12am. We do have varied start and playing time, please ask if you have something different in mind!
Can I use the band’s microphone and PA system for speeches?
Yes, no problem, but always best to arrange this with the band leader before the day!
Can I choose the band’s play list for the evening?
In terms of hand picking all the tunes played by the band live, as well as booking the band for their musical abilities, you are also booking our experience in knowing what will keep the audience happy and the dance floor full. You are welcome to make suggestions or a few "must have" songs or "please don’t play" songs from our song list - but we ask the final play list be left to us. This is because there are many factors involved in determining the order and composition of a good live set, such as key, tempo, style and genre, which we will take into consideration.
Can I or one my guests sing or play along with the band on the day?
We are often asked if it is ok for a guest appearance on stage, or use of equipment for speeches, etc. All we ask is that it is all organized with the band leader before the night and that we are introduced to the person at the beginning of the evening, so we are aware of who will be coming on stage.
Can I select the recorded music a band plays in their breaks?
If you would like a playlist specific to requirements, the band will download your selection of songs, on your behalf, which can then be played via the ipod through the PA during all live music breaks. Alternatively, you may hand us your own ipod with your favourite playlists, already to go, if you prefer.
