famous bands for hire
Discussion
I'm another hirer of John Otway... my 40th at the local boozer.
Just sent an email through his website well in advance and about two weeks before, got a response saying 'sure'. Best tip I can offer is dont be afraid to haggle and stipulate the act provides their own PA (or allow for hiring one on top of their fee).
As we're out in the sticks, I arranged to to pick Otway up from the nearest station whilst his roadie who had got to the pub under his own steam set up. I found the great man sat against the wall, reading a book and smoking a big curly pipe. Introduced myself, showed him to the car and off we set. Still reading, Otway showed little interest in my pointing out some of the local features on the way; such was his lack of engagement that by the time we got to the local I was getting a bit concerned about lack of rapport given this was supposed to be a big night.
On entering the pub, the roadie looks up and asks did I find 'him'; I said I wasn't really sure as the bloke I picked up wouldn't talk to me... roadie looks over and says 'nah, that's not him....'
f
kers then both cracked up, Otway plugged in and the rest was the usual legend. 
Just sent an email through his website well in advance and about two weeks before, got a response saying 'sure'. Best tip I can offer is dont be afraid to haggle and stipulate the act provides their own PA (or allow for hiring one on top of their fee).
As we're out in the sticks, I arranged to to pick Otway up from the nearest station whilst his roadie who had got to the pub under his own steam set up. I found the great man sat against the wall, reading a book and smoking a big curly pipe. Introduced myself, showed him to the car and off we set. Still reading, Otway showed little interest in my pointing out some of the local features on the way; such was his lack of engagement that by the time we got to the local I was getting a bit concerned about lack of rapport given this was supposed to be a big night.
On entering the pub, the roadie looks up and asks did I find 'him'; I said I wasn't really sure as the bloke I picked up wouldn't talk to me... roadie looks over and says 'nah, that's not him....'
f
kers then both cracked up, Otway plugged in and the rest was the usual legend. A friend played with B/leg Beetles a good few years back and then with the C/fit Stones.
5k a pop I'm afraid.
For that money I'd think you could have Bad Manners, very entertaining and if you want people dancing, he's the man,
Alternatively a 33 piece swing band like Opus 1 big band starts at 4.5K + £500 for a West End singer.
33 instruments conducted by a genius yards from your feet sounds f-ing phenomenal. No one sits down, they cater for all.
Real people and not some fake pop star with egos to match.
Hope you have a good party.
5k a pop I'm afraid.
For that money I'd think you could have Bad Manners, very entertaining and if you want people dancing, he's the man,
Alternatively a 33 piece swing band like Opus 1 big band starts at 4.5K + £500 for a West End singer.
33 instruments conducted by a genius yards from your feet sounds f-ing phenomenal. No one sits down, they cater for all.
Real people and not some fake pop star with egos to match.
Hope you have a good party.
Most ex-name 80's acts are gonna be £3-4K +, anything current will be double or treble that. Proper international act is gonna be £20k+
Remember, the production costs can be huge..
If you want Tony Hadley, you'd do better to hire a decent (pro) covers/function band and get him in seperately to sing a few hits on top...
(I know most of his band, and have played with them as they do the covers circuit when not on tour or at some of the 80's revival fests)
Remember, the production costs can be huge..
If you want Tony Hadley, you'd do better to hire a decent (pro) covers/function band and get him in seperately to sing a few hits on top...
(I know most of his band, and have played with them as they do the covers circuit when not on tour or at some of the 80's revival fests)
chevy-stu said:
Most ex-name 80's acts are gonna be £3-4K +, anything current will be double or treble that. Proper international act is gonna be £20k+
Remember, the production costs can be huge..
If you want Tony Hadley, you'd do better to hire a decent (pro) covers/function band and get him in seperately to sing a few hits on top...
(I know most of his band, and have played with them as they do the covers circuit when not on tour or at some of the 80's revival fests)
Yep, that's exactly what I'm going to do. Have got a 10-piece booked, just want to get "someone" to sing a couple of songs... Ideally TH would be good.Remember, the production costs can be huge..
If you want Tony Hadley, you'd do better to hire a decent (pro) covers/function band and get him in seperately to sing a few hits on top...
(I know most of his band, and have played with them as they do the covers circuit when not on tour or at some of the 80's revival fests)
ukwill said:
chevy-stu said:
Most ex-name 80's acts are gonna be £3-4K +, anything current will be double or treble that. Proper international act is gonna be £20k+
Remember, the production costs can be huge..
If you want Tony Hadley, you'd do better to hire a decent (pro) covers/function band and get him in seperately to sing a few hits on top...
(I know most of his band, and have played with them as they do the covers circuit when not on tour or at some of the 80's revival fests)
Yep, that's exactly what I'm going to do. Have got a 10-piece booked, just want to get "someone" to sing a couple of songs... Ideally TH would be good.Remember, the production costs can be huge..
If you want Tony Hadley, you'd do better to hire a decent (pro) covers/function band and get him in seperately to sing a few hits on top...
(I know most of his band, and have played with them as they do the covers circuit when not on tour or at some of the 80's revival fests)
update...
Seems that hiring TH is a non-starter. I phoned his manager and we had a little chat. He seemed to be inferring costs around £15k for TH to do the evening (said upto £25k with his band...!)
.
As I only wanted him for an hour to do a few songs, I made an offer of 4k for the hour - which I thought was a pretty decent sum, considering TH isn't exactly a star of the moment (and that's not with any disrespect - I very much enjoy/enjoyed his music).
So I guess I will continue to look around. If anyone knows of a decent 80s singer for hire that would fancy 4k for a tiny bit of work, please let me know!!
Seems that hiring TH is a non-starter. I phoned his manager and we had a little chat. He seemed to be inferring costs around £15k for TH to do the evening (said upto £25k with his band...!)
.As I only wanted him for an hour to do a few songs, I made an offer of 4k for the hour - which I thought was a pretty decent sum, considering TH isn't exactly a star of the moment (and that's not with any disrespect - I very much enjoy/enjoyed his music).
So I guess I will continue to look around. If anyone knows of a decent 80s singer for hire that would fancy 4k for a tiny bit of work, please let me know!!
Pupp said:
I'm another hirer of John Otway... my 40th at the local boozer.
Just sent an email through his website well in advance and about two weeks before, got a response saying 'sure'. Best tip I can offer is dont be afraid to haggle and stipulate the act provides their own PA (or allow for hiring one on top of their fee).
As we're out in the sticks, I arranged to to pick Otway up from the nearest station whilst his roadie who had got to the pub under his own steam set up. I found the great man sat against the wall, reading a book and smoking a big curly pipe. Introduced myself, showed him to the car and off we set. Still reading, Otway showed little interest in my pointing out some of the local features on the way; such was his lack of engagement that by the time we got to the local I was getting a bit concerned about lack of rapport given this was supposed to be a big night.
On entering the pub, the roadie looks up and asks did I find 'him'; I said I wasn't really sure as the bloke I picked up wouldn't talk to me... roadie looks over and says 'nah, that's not him....'
fkers then both cracked up, Otway plugged in and the rest was the usual legend.
Just sent an email through his website well in advance and about two weeks before, got a response saying 'sure'. Best tip I can offer is dont be afraid to haggle and stipulate the act provides their own PA (or allow for hiring one on top of their fee).
As we're out in the sticks, I arranged to to pick Otway up from the nearest station whilst his roadie who had got to the pub under his own steam set up. I found the great man sat against the wall, reading a book and smoking a big curly pipe. Introduced myself, showed him to the car and off we set. Still reading, Otway showed little interest in my pointing out some of the local features on the way; such was his lack of engagement that by the time we got to the local I was getting a bit concerned about lack of rapport given this was supposed to be a big night.
On entering the pub, the roadie looks up and asks did I find 'him'; I said I wasn't really sure as the bloke I picked up wouldn't talk to me... roadie looks over and says 'nah, that's not him....'
f
kers then both cracked up, Otway plugged in and the rest was the usual legend. 
Did sound for John in Belfast.There he was in a bog standard shirt with one side hanging over his jeans and he said "right i'm of to get changed for the show". Show starts and John walks on stage exactly the same complete with pipe. Cue promoter getting worried.
John then had a flash of inspiration and ran off stage and borrowed the venue's step ladders. Climbed to the top of them on stage and did a commando roll of/down them whilst playing guitar. The crowd went nuts and the mayhem began. Nutter! He still talks of this stunt regulary when being interviewed.
BTW his twin bendy guitar is held together with a Hoover belt.
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