In this article, we shall try give you a comprehensive guide for Wedding Live Band Cost in Kenya.
Most people love the rich sound of a Live Music Band. That and the image of a Live Band all dressed up holding their instruments. That is why it is popular to hire a wedding live band to perform during a wedding reception in Kenya.
Sometimes the wedding Live Band is not even for you. 😀 It may be for your future father in Law and/or Mother in Law who love a good live band. It doesn’t hurt to make sure they are well entertained.
Wedding Live Band Cost in Kenya – Our Live Band at a wedding at the Bedelle in Runda – Nairobi Kenya
How Much Does a Wedding Live Band Cost in Kenya?
The average wedding live band cost in Kenya is around 100,000 Kshs. But band prices for a wedding may vary depending on where and when the wedding is taking place, the number of musicians in the band among other reasons. The cost of a wedding live band in kenya typically ranges between 40,000 Kshs to 600,000 Kshs or more at times.
What services do wedding live bands offer?
The main service is performing live music during the wedding reception. What most people don’t know is that the band leader can also serve as the MC for the event. Making announcements and basically running the show during your reception.
The wedding live band can also be contracted to be the main supplier of audio equipment/P.A/Sound. This includes microphones, speakers and amps. Basically the entire sound system.
A wedding live band can also be in charge of playing your favourite playback music at the reception thereby reducing your costs.
A wedding live band may also be hired to perform at your evening party and provide sound/PA there as well.
What contributes to the cost of a live wedding live band in Kenya?
The following contributes to a wedding live band’s cost in Kenya:
- Time:
How long will the wedding live band be performing at your wedding? Most wedding live bands charge for a set number of hours. (Typically 2 hours). Therefore if you want them to perform beyond the contracted time, you may have to pay additional charges for their time.Please note that sometimes bands have multiple bookings in a day and may not be able to extend performance because of other commitments. Be sure to ask if the band has other commitments on the same day so that you know their flexibility.
- Number of people in the band:
The bigger the band, the more you’ll pay. A wedding live band can have as few as 2 people and as many as 20!
- Location of the venue:
The longer the distance your wedding live band has to travel to your venue the more it will cost you. You may have to pay for their transport/ fuel, food, refreshments and accommodation where necessary. Cost of a band playing in Nairobi is cheaper than if they have to travel to Mombasa for instance,
- Number of guests at the venue:
The number of guests at the venue determines the PA or sound equipment requirements. 1000 people will need more PA/Sound than a small wedding of 100 people.
- Is the event indoor or outdoor?
Outdoor events may require more PA or sound equipment because sound is lost in the open air. Indoor events may require less PA or sound equipment because the walls of a hall contain and retain the sound within the room.
- Extras:
You may request your wedding live band to provide additional equipment such as lighting, a stage, screens, projectors. Etc. Some bands also provide MCs services, Deejay/Playback services or additional sound/PA. All these extra requirements come with a cost.
Do wedding live bands cost more than DJs in Kenya?
Typically, yes. A wedding live band cost in Kenya is more likely to be higher than a DJ. On average in Kenya, a wedding live band cost is 100,000 Kshs while a wedding DJ averages 30,000 Kshs.
Why is that the case?
- For one the band has about 5 or more people performing whereas a DJ is by himself.
- The band has more equipment therefore higher costs of rehearsal, transportation, repairs and roadies.
- Optics – That extra premium of people playing RAW, LIVE instruments adds an edge to the event.
Do wedding live bands provide their own equipment?
The wedding live band cost in Kenya is usually inclusive of microphones, speakers and the band instruments. Some wedding live band companies can provide additional equipment such as lighting, fog machines, projectors, screens, stages and Deejay Gear.
That’s why we advice clients: To save on cost, book the band first and negotiate a good price. The band can provide you with a quality PA system which the DJ and MC can use.
How many musicians are in a wedding live band?
An average wedding live band in Kenya has 5 musicians. But there are bands of all sizes available. From a duo to even 20 band members. A standard wedding live band in Kenya often consists of a keyboard, bass guitar, drums, a lead guitarist, and a vocalist (mostly female). But this does vary.
The bigger the wedding live band, the fuller and more lively the sound will be.
What types of genres of music do wedding live bands play?
Wedding live bands in Kenya are the consummate professionals. Because of the big number of tribes in Kenya, band members rehearse music from all communities. They sing Luhya, Kikuyu, Kamba, Kalenjin, taarab and songs from many other communities.
For you to get business as a wedding live band in Kenya you have to demonstrate that you can represent the diversity of the Kenyan people.
Besides the local music the wedding live bands also perform all genres of western/English music.(pop, rock, funk, Latin, reggae).
Are there different kinds of wedding live bands in Kenya?
Besides the type of music a band plays, the other differentiation is the manner of operation.
Some bands operate independently and others are managed by agencies like ours(The Booth Live Bands).
You may want to have a wedding live band but are unsure on which band you need. In that case an agency will help you get the band that best suits what you need.
Agencies are generally preferred because they are companies and can safeguard your deposit in case of emergencies or cancellations. They also make sure the performance takes place even if it is through replacing a no-show band.
How can you save money when hiring your live wedding live band?
Wedding live bands are typically thought of as expensive, but there are several ways to save money on your wedding live band. This includes:
- Be conscious of time – Try keep the time the band will be performing to a minimum. Most brides reallocate or ban speeches or activities that may eat into the band’s time.
- Fewer Band Members: You’d be amaze at how a 4 piece band sounds just as good as a 5 piece band. You don’t have to have a full band for good entertainment. If your budget is tight, get a smaller band that fits your budget.
- Schedule your wedding to be in the off-season: Entertainment is also affected by demand and supply. If you marry in December, your wedding costs will be much higher than if you marries just a month later in January.
- Book a wedding live band first before any other entertainment: As mentioned before, a DJ can use the band’s PA but generally bands have to use their own PA/Sound.So, if you book a DJ first or hire PA by itself, you will pay for PA twice. To cut costs, book the band first and have the MC and DJ use the band’s PA system.
Please note that the band can also provide you with an MC, a DJ or playback music. Generally if you book entertainment as a package, starting with the wedding live band, the price will be exponentially lower.
Do I have to tip my wedding live band?
You don’t have to but it is good practice for guests to tip the band if their performance is good.
We recommend tipping each musician in your wedding live band 500 to 1000 Kshs. In addition, thank your wedding live band (and other vendors!) by writing them an online review.
When should I hire my wedding live band?
Wedding entertainers and MCs are typically among the first vendors to be hired. We recommend booking your wedding live band at least 3 months before your big day. Those providing a wedding live band as a gift should even book 6 months to the wedding date.
Here at The Booth Live Bands we have made the booking process very easy. Simply visit out website and view the profiles of our live bands. Watch the videos of the bands in action and make a selection.
Alternatively you can visit our YouTube channel – The Booth Agency and watch wedding live band videos from there.
To get a quote, click on the GET QUOTE button and fill the Band Booking form with your wedding details. One of our staff members will then send you a quote within one business day.
What questions should I ask a wedding live band in Kenya before hiring?
There are several important questions to ask a wedding live band before hiring.
- I am from “X" tribe and my fiancé is from “Y" tribe, can you do songs from those cultures?
- My family is in “X" religion and my fiancé’s family is in “Y" religion. Can you do songs that are neutral?
- What is your repertoire like? Can we see it?
- What would be your band price for my type of wedding?
- How many instruments and vocalists will be present for that price?
- Have you worked at my venue in the past? What would you advise in terms of setup & layout?
- I have a few song requests. Will you learn them for my wedding? Do you charge for that?
- How do you work in regards to setup and setting down your equipment?
- Do you have recommendations for music for my wedding reception?
- Care to share videos from a past performance?
- Are breaks a requirement? How long would they need to be?
- What equipment do you provide?
- Are there any other services you offer besides band performance?
- What will happen if for one reason or another you can’t make it on the wedding day?
- What are your cancellation policies?
- Do you have a contract that you could share?
Visit FAQs to read more answers to questions frequently asked about booking Wedding Live Bands in Kenya.
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