Meet our Supplier of the Month: 24-7

Each month we like to get to know a supplier even better and bring you snippets you won't know about them from their page. This month, our supplier of the month is 24-7, a four piece live band that is sure to liven up any wedding party! Here's what 24-7 had to say when we quizzed them...

Who runs 24-7 and how did you start out in business?

24-7 are Kevin, Mike, Neil & Paul – we are the original line up since we formed almost 17 years ago (that’s very rare for bands these days to be together for that long but at least you know if you book us for 2 years time we’ll still be here). We all contribute to the band in different ways using each of our strengths in the areas they are best suited.

What is your greatest fear when you are working on a wedding?

Probably making sure nobody gets hurt and our equipment is safe. People do like a drink at parties, but we often attract the most drunk people in front of the band and have had people fall into the band on the odd occasion.

What is your greatest extravagance that helps you get through the day?

Not really sure – none of us are diva’s in the band and we never ask for a rider like other bands tend to do. We are really grateful when we are fed at a gig though - we don’t expect to be but it’s always a welcomed bonus.

What is the best theme you have seen at a wedding?

Themes are the best at weddings – especially when they are fancy dress! We’ve played at a Muppet themed wedding once where the whole place was full of them. One party we played had a fancy dress theme of come as anything beginning with the letter ‘R’ – people are so creative and love getting dressed up.

What is the hardest thing a couple has ever asked you to do for their day?

We try to accommodate as much as we can to make the evening special for the couple. It is never about us and what we want – it’s always about them and making sure they enjoy themselves. The hardest requests are usually song requests – trying to learn an obscure song specifically for one day that you’re unlikely to ever play again is hard, but so worth it when the couple have that special first dance moment in front of a live band.

When was the last time you laughed out loud at a wedding? What happened?

There is usually a laugh out loud moment on every gig – either before (backstage) or during the gig something happens that sets everyone off. We have a lot of in-band jokes that have accumulated over the years so these tend to spark the nod and smile between us whilst we’re playing.

What moment are you most proud of in your profession?

Every time we play a wedding, someone’s special day – it is a complete honour for us. The couple have chosen us to entertain them on one of the biggest days of their lives and give us complete trust in how the evening runs, what songs to play etc. That is such a huge honour and responsibility.

Where is your favourite setting for a wedding?

A Marquee without a doubt creates the best atmosphere and the sound is amazing. We can also bring out all the toys in a Marquee (Haze machine, lazers etc..) which we don’t get to use a lot of the time in standard hotel rooms as they have sensitive smoke detectors.

What is the one thing you can’t live without in your job?

The most important thing that often gets overlooked is darkness. People don’t generally dance in the light – either in sunlight (in the summer weddings) or if we have one of those lovely giant Mr & Mrs signs creating a floodlight on the dance floor. Our light show is very sophisticated and contributes greatly to the atmosphere – it’s no accident that all the best parties happen when it can be used to its full potential.

What is the most embarrassing thing you have seen at a wedding?

Drunken Scotsmen in kilts deciding to prove that they really don’t have anything on underneath – this comes a close second to a wedding we played many years ago where the mother of the bride was shouting abuse at everyone at the end of the night.

What question do you wish every couple would ask you when you're meeting with them for the first time?

We are quite good with this and have learned over many years what to look out for, and advise. We need space to set up and play - probably more space than you would realise. We provide a lot of information up front, but this can sometimes get overlooked.

A lot of hotel venues these days also have sound limiters installed that limit the amount of noise you can make. We are not a loud band by far, however bands are noisy and if your venue has residential neighbours, you might want to check what the limits are.

No matter what the situation and set up, we have always accommodated all gigs in the last 17 years.

Where do you draw inspiration from for your work?

Everywhere :-) A lot of the songs in the set actually come from suggestions when we play parties and weddings, and then they end up staying in the set! As a band, we also all make song suggestions and sometimes compromise by cutting down the length of the song - this usually ends up in one of our mash-ups, and we can get quite creative weaving songs together.

What would people be surprised to learn about you / or your work?

We are always working - we rehearse together every week in addition to our own individual rehearsals (learning new songs), it's a lot of hard work and commitment being in a band which people don't realise as they don't get to see everything that happens behind the scenes.

Great music is key to a successful wedding and wonderful memories. After all the preparation, planning and the inevitable nerves of the ceremony and speeches, it's time to let your hair down and party! 24-7 will certainly get your party started - they're fabulous! Check them out HERE!