One of the premier wedding bands and party bands in the North East
As one of the leading live function bands in the North East we pride ourselves in having a friendly and professional approach which can help lighten the load of planning your event. Whether you are a bride to be who is looking at wedding bands for the first time or an event organiser for a major company, we can help make your life easier.
frequently asked questions
"Where can I see Funk Conspiracy perform live?"
We often play at As You Like it, a public bar in Newcastle, North East England. Upcoming dates and set times can be found in the news column on the left of this page.
"How much does it cost to hire the band?"
Every event is unique and therefore cost will vary with distance, performance times and other variables. It is for this reason we are unable to advertise a set price on the website, although you will find a guide starting price on the booking options page. Feel free to contact us and we will happily discuss your requirements. You can rest assured that our rates are very competitive and in line with other high quality function bands in the North East. We also offer extra discounts for charity balls and other types of event.
"What difference does the 7 piece band make?"
Our 5 piece line up is certainly a complete band with nothing missing from the sound. The majority of our gigs are booked with the smaller line up and our clients are always delighted. However in comparison the 7 piece band has extra impact, authenticity and rich harmony which the brass instruments bring to the arrangements. The extra musicians on stage also add further to the atmosphere and bring extra variety with their solos. Whichever package you go for, the music will be fantastic, we have our full repertoire transcribed for either line up. The 7 piece band only takes up a small amount of extra space and is about the same volume level overall. The difference in cost is only the fees of the extra musicians themselves.
"Can you learn songs specially for our event?"
Our repertoire has evolved over several years to appeal to the widest range of people possible and to suit the type of events we play at. The music has also been carefully chosen to complement the vocalist and the instruments in the band. It is for this reason and the time involved in song development that we are unable to offer a customised song service. We do however welcome your input for the set list by letting us know a few of your most or least favourite songs from our existing repertoire so we can tailor the set to you.
"Can you play a song for our first dance?"
Yes, we have several slower, more romantic songs that you can dance to which are ideal for a first dance at your wedding. Look at our repertoire page where you will find a comprehensive listing of all the songs we can perform.
"I'm interested, how do I make a booking?"
Contact Richard who will be more than happy to discuss your requirements and to ensure that the date you would like to book is available; We are able to take bookings up to three years in advance. We will then send you a contract for the booking, which is considered confirmed once we have received the signed contract and any deposit payment. The remaining balance payment can be made around the time of the event itself. An invoice can also be provided if required.
"Do you have any guarantee regarding cancellation?"
Yes, we take our commitment to your event seriously. Once you have made your booking with us and returned the contract, the date is 100% confirmed. Funk Conspiracy has deputy musicians for every member of the band. So you have the peace of mind that once your have signed the contract, Funk Conspiracy will be there to perform for you even if one of the band members is ill. (Full details are outlined in the Contract terms and conditions.)
"How long do you play for?"
Generally, and by recommendation, we perform two sets of approximately 1 hour each, with a short break in between. We try to be flexible to suit your plans so are happy to vary the set times, for example providing three 40 minute sets. Breaks should be ideally a minimum of 10 minutes to allow us to prepare for the next set. A longer break can be the perfect time to plan the buffet if you are having one.
"How far will you travel?"
We mainly operate in North East England, Cumbria, Yorkshire & Southern Scotland, as it is less economical to travel greater distances. However please contact us for a quote for events in other parts of the country as we are willing to travel and are very competitive in a lot of cases.
"Do you bring all your own equipment?"
Funk Conspiracy comes fully self contained as standard with a PA system and stage lighting. This high quality equipment and the band's experience with many different venues ensures a full and professional sound, balanced to the venue. Our standard PA system is suitable for events with up to 300 guests (often you just need to cover the dance floor area so it can work for larger events too). We can arrange any extra audio / visual equipment provision you may require at favourable rates through our long standing contacts in the entertainment industry.
"What are typical timings for a wedding reception?"
There are many variations however the following rough guide seems very popular:
16:00 - 19:00, Wedding breakfast and speeches.
19:00 - 20:00, Guests retire to the bar, venue clear room and band set up.
20:00 - 21:00, First dance and bands first set.
21:00 - 22:00, Evening buffet, background music from DJ or Ipod.
22:00 - 23:00, Bands second set.
23:00 - 00:00, Dance music from DJ or Ipod, carriages at midnight.
"Do I need to hire a DJ or other entertainment in addition to the band?"
A DJ becomes a more worthwhile investment when the reception finishes later than midnight, other wise they are usually waiting around for most of the night with only about an hour to play at the end. After taking things such as speeches and buffet into account you will find that the band fills the majority of the evening time. Funk Conspiracy include complimentary use of our PA and lights with your own Ipod or MP3 player until midnight which you can use to fill the time between and after the sets.
"Can you also DJ or provide music playback?"
We do not DJ ourselves. If you have your own DJ, or wish to play CDs or an Ipod, you can plug into our PA system (subject to careful use) during the event and up until midnight at no extra cost. Our lighting is included in this offer. Longer PA hire can be arranged at reasonable rates. Although we don't DJ ourselves we are happy to start your MP3 playlists during the evening. Should you require a full DJ service we will be happy to recommend companies who we work with regularly.
"If we use our Ipod or MP3 player what technincal tips do we need to know?"
The band will provide a suitable cable to connect from the standard headphone output of an Ipod / MP3 player to our mixing desk. Make sure the player battery is charged for the day or bring the mains power adaptor with you. When creating playlists allow for a minimum of 15 tracks per hour for the time you want to fill. We are more than happy to start your desired playlists at the appropriate times during the evening.
"Can we use a laptop to play music through your system?"
Yes you can connect a laptop to our system however we advise using an mp3 player such as an iPod. Sometimes laptops create a lot of unwanted noise through a PA system when the power supply is attached and they are more likely to suffer software errors and to have reliability issues.
"Is your equipment PAT tested?"
All the band's mains powered equipment is regularly tested for electrical safety by a qualified person to comply with the PAT (Portable Appliance Testing) regulations. The band also carries full public and employers liability insurance. The certificates can be shown if notice is given before the event.
"What do I need to arrange with the venue?"
You need to allow about 1 hour from when the band arrives at the venue to the point when they have finished sound checking and are ready to play. Venues in which access is difficult may take longer to set up. We can set up at any time that is convenient for you. (NB. Set up before 5pm may incur additional charges.) It is worth contacting us at the earliest possible time in planning as there are certain logistical considerations with live music. The ideal minimum space needed for the 5 piece band is 4m wide by 3m deep although we have performed with less space. Our equipment requires only two standard 13amp domestic power sockets. If you have booked a DJ ensure they know that there will be a live band, and that they leave enough space and sockets for the band.
Do you have a question for Funk Conspiracy that you feel has not been answered here?
Get in touch with us to ask us through our contact page »
