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Band FAQs

Booking Info

The following details are relevant for most bookings.  If you have any questions, please contact us direct – we’ll be happy to help!

  • Rollercoaster have formats between 4 and 7 piece.
    • 4 piece – drums, bass, guitar with vocals… + fiddle player or female vocalist
    • 5 piece – drums, bass, guitar with vocals…  + (fiddle player + female vocalist ) or ( fiddle + 2nd fiddle / mandolin
    • 6 piece – drums, bass, guitar with vocals…  + fiddle player + keyboard +  female vocalist or 2nd fiddle / mandolin
    • 7 piece – drums, bass, guitar with vocals…  + fiddle player + keyboard + 2nd fiddle / mandolin + female vocalist
  • We can handle all the entertainment (including dj’ing between sets and after), and provide all PA and lights – this is all included.

Setlist

  • We play for a minimum of 2 hours live music. This can be split into 2 sets, or if the speeches go on late, we can do one set straight through.  We usually finish the live band set at 11.30pm, then dj through to 12.
  • We can learn a first dance, though we will require 3months notice if the band is to play it – the alternative is to play a pre-recorded track, from which the band will go straight into the first set.
  • Our songlist has much more material than 2 hours, but this enables us to cater to different occasions, by keeping certain tracks in, and replacing others eg.  a 60th birthday party will have a different set list than that of your standard wedding.

DJ set

  • If you wish to book a separate DJ, then we have no problem working with one.  We also have no problems working with sound limiters, if they are present, though each venue is different, and we may occasionally  need to ‘fine tune’ our levels…
  • If there are tracks that you specifically want to here, that we do not play, then you are welcome to provide them on cd, and we will DJ them during the breaks.  We have the facility to play from an iPod, though this does mean that we cannot ‘mix’ the playlist.  Or you can leave it to us to choose the music to DJ, which usually works best!

Requirements

  • Refreshments (soft drinks).
  • A performance area of minimum 3m / 5m.
  • Access to a minimum of 2 plug sockets accessible from the staging area
  • A room where we can get changed.
  • Hot meals before we play, for all band members

Equipment

  • We provide all the PA and lights… And the music!
  • Our lighting rig consists of:
    2 x STAIRVILLE CLB4 COMPACT LED BAR 4
    Stairville CLB4 Compact LED Bar 4 TriPAR ( we place the stage left and stage right – they cover band and some audience)1 x ADJ SWEEPER BEAM QUAD LED
    ADJ Sweeper Beam Quad LED, The Sweeper Beam Quad
    LED creates exciting lighting effects with its quick
    sweeping beams and its 8-Zone RGBW LED chasing, pulsing… (this covers the audience / dance floor)
  • We use in-ear monitors – means we can play a lot quieter if needs be.  We have no problems working with sound limiters, if they are present, though each venue is different, and we may occasionally  need to ‘fine tune’ our levels…

Payment

  • Any quote  is based on us getting there no earlier than 6pm, and finishing no later than 12pm.
  • It is extra for an early setup, and extra for a late finish, at roughly £100 per hour (above 4 piece, add £25 per hour per person)
  • We take a 50% deposit to confirm the booking, the balance 1 week before, via BACS, or in cash, on the night (before we play)….
  • Deposit, if not paid via BACS,  should be sent to:
    10 Homefield Cottages, Highfield Lane, Godalming, Surrey, GU8 6QH. (cheque payable to ‘Rollercoaster’)
  • Rollercoaster have Public Liability Insurance, and the equipment is PAT tested – the relevant certificates can be emailed through on request.

Legal

  • Rollercoaster have Public Liability Insurance, and the equipment is PAT tested – the relevant certificates can be emailed through on request.
  • Once the deposit has been made, we will email receipt, therefore confirming the booking.
  • The deposit confirms the booking – will turn away all other enquiries (the booking is exclusive).  For this reason, the deposit is non-returnable.
  • If the band has to cancel the date, we will fully refund the deposit, and if needed, locate a replacement act.  This has never happened before
  • If a band member is seriously ill, we have replacement musicians who can cover the dates – again, with this line-up, this has never happened… but it is just as well to know!
  • On the rare occasion that none of the fiddle players are available, we have other musiucians we can use, all of the highest standard. Clients are notified in advance if this is the case.

Q n A

Q: The venue has a sound limiter – is this a problem?
A: No it is not.  We often play in venues with sound limiters, and simply fine tune our levels so that we don’t trip the meter.  We all have in-ear monitors (basically headphones) so that we can hear what we are playing…. and the advantage of this, is that we can play at much lower levels.

Q: How long do you play for?
A: We play for a minimum of 2 hours live music. This can be split into 2 sets, or if the speeches go on late, we can do one set straight through. On some occasions it will be appropriate to play 3 x 40 minute sets.

Q: What happens in the breaks, and before and after the music?
A: When we get to the venue, we set up, and can have background music running within about 45 minutes, if required. Before the first dance, we will play background music from the laptop. In between sets, we will guage the mood, and play the appropriate music, either from a playlist on the laptop, or we will ‘DJ’ the tunes (mix them together with music software). We usually finish live music 30 minutes before then end, and at this point we will DJ appropriate disco music for the crowd, right up until cuttoff.

Q: When do you get to the venue, and when do you stop playing?
A: You will be quoted for the band to arrive no earlier than 6pm, and to turn off any music at 12pm.At most weddings, the band would arrive about 6.30pm, they would setup by 8pm (at some point at this stage, they would eat the hot food provided). The first dance would be at 8.30/9pm. The band would play for an hour, taking them up to say, 10pm. The buffet would be served, the band would take a break. the band would then do the final set at 10.30pm-11.30pm. The band would DJ for the last half hour, and the music would be turned off at 12.

Q: Will you play songs not on the setlist / will you learn a first dance?
A: We have a selection of songs that we play from (we adjust them to the different occasions). We will learn a first dance (and we will advise if it would be more appropriate to play the first dance from cd). If there are particular songs you wish to hear on the night, you can provide them on a an ipod, or on cd – we shall dj them in the breaks.

Q: What if I want the band earlier, or to play later?
A: This can be arranged, but it is and extra cost, usually at £100 per / hour ((above 4 piece, add £25 per hour per person)

Q: Who provides PA, lights etc.
A: The band provide all of this.

Q: So do I need a DJ?
A: No, we will handle all the music in between and after the live sets. However, if you particually want to have a DJ aswell, say to take the music on till 3 in the morning, we are very happy for you to do this. they will have to provide their own PA though (we won’t be staying till 3am!).

Q: How do we confirm a booking?
A: We usually take a 50% deposit to confirm the booking, the balance in cash on the night (before we play)….
Deposit should be sent to:
10 Homefield Cottages
Highfield Lane,
Godalming,
Surrey,
GU8 6QH.
(cheque payable to ‘Rollercoaster’)

Q: Do you have Public Liability and Pat Testing on your equipment?
A: Yes we do, and the relevant certificates can be emailed through on request.