About Us
Sam Ainslie
MUSICAL DIRECTOR & CEO
FAQ?
How does the booking process take place?
After you’ve enquired with us and you’re happy to book, there are 3 very simple stages:
1) Fill out our booking form (Will be emailed after enquiring).
2) Read, sign and return the contract.
3) Pay a 20% deposit to confirm the booking.
After completing those three steps your booking is secure.
What do you require from us?
We need floor space or a stage that is separate from the dancefloor, it’s no fun for anyone having guests falling over expensive equipment!
We have a document which we can give you in order to ascertain the ideal stage layouts.
– 16 Piece – Width 10m x Depth 5m
– 12 Piece – Width 8m x Depth 4m
– 9 Piece – Width 6m x Depth 3.5m
– 6 Piece – Width 5m x Depth 3m
Power
We need around 4 x 10Amp Plug sources for our showband and 2 x 10Amp plugs for our smaller acts.
Food
The bands require hot meals and soft drinks at the venue. These would usually be served after set up or between the first and second sets.
How long is a set?
With the showbands we will usually quote from a template assuming you want us to perform 2x 1 hour sets. It can be broken into 3 x 40 mins sets, but we think the night usually flows better when the band perform 2 solid sets. If you want a 3rd hour, just ask, and we can discuss fees! Similarly many weddings follow a completely different arc and include sets after each course of dinner and a big party set at the end, just make sure you mention it in your enquiry.
It’s obviously slightly different for the ceremony and reception acts where we usually have to work around your schedule – the string quartet will often do 40 mins for the ceremony, for instance, then 2 x 40 mins in the reception.
Are the performers always the same as in the videos?
Whilst the singers and musicians in the video are always the first call, occasionally with their busy performing careers they will become unavailable for the date of the event. Fortunately, MLB works as a tight-knit collective of top class performers, so the people coming in to replace the singers are from a selection of the best in the business. After all we’d rather be using top class people with busy careers than settling for second best!
Will you learn our first dance?
Yes! Whatever it may be! We already have a fairly large back catalogue, but if you want something new, we will arrange and learn a first dance free of charge!
Do you take other requests?
We pride ourselves on flexibility, so if you want specific music played at your event, we can collaborate in the run up to it and tailor make your set to best suit your guests. If you want us to learn specific new songs it can absolutely be done just at a very small cost.
How do you entertain guests between sets?
Luckily, some of the band members are DJs, so if you want vibrant live mixes instead of just music played out of an iPhone between, before and after the band’s set then this is an option to consider! We can also add a sax and percussion to this set up to create a great live, party vibe.
Can you play music for our ceremony?
Yes, we boast a huge range of options for ceremony performances. Let us know in your enquiry and Jazz ensembles and String quartets can be arranged.
Sound and Lighting equipment?
We have a basic sound and light package that we can bring along to any event but if you require a sound system to fill a stadium or large LED screens then please mention in your enquiry and that can be sorted at an addition cost.
Weather
If the event is outdoors and you require the use of electrical
equipment we need cover, even if it doesn’t look like it’s going to rain!