DJ or Band? Which should you choose for your party?
You are planning a party and you want to have music. Should you hire a band or a DJ? What are the tradeoffs? What can help you make a decision?
Repertoire
Do you want lots of different musical styles ranging from big bands with horns, to hip hop beats, to rock and roll? If so, then you should probably go with a DJ for your party. A DJ can create set lists from virtually any music published and will give you the greatest flexibility.
A premier party band can offer a number of musical options and provide musical interpretations of music from many different styles. Each piece will be the band’s unique interpretation of the song, making it a one-of-a-kind experience. Great party bands are flexible, with multiple singers who can lead or backup vocals, and musicians using advanced electronics to vary the sound of stage instruments to suit different styles of music.
What can help your decision? Get a list of the band’s repertoire and create a “must play” and “do not play” list. In addition, create a list of additional songs that you would like added and find out how many of the new songs the band will cover. If you want a broader list of songs than the band can cover, then a DJ may be your better choice.
Energy
A high quality DJ will sequence music to keep the party moving, reading the crowd and matching musical selections to set the energy level in the room. However, a DJ is usually just one person and there is only so much energy one person can bring into the event. A poor quality DJ could easily be replaced by an iPad and a playlist because how much energy does it take to push a button and play the same tunes that everyone has heard for the last 10 parties?
A premier party band will always bring a higher level of energy to an event than can be matched by a DJ. Each musician will be interacting with the crowd, and with each other, contributing to the excitement and energy of the event.
What can help your decision? When selecting a party band, take note of how the musicians interact with each other and the crowd. Ask to see videos of their events. A premier party band will have a library of high quality videos of performances for you to review. You want to make sure that either the band or the DJ will make your event as special as you want it to be.
Originality
A DJ plays songs exactly as you expect to hear them from the original artists. If you have a playlist that you absolutely adore and you want to hear it played exactly the way you love it, then a DJ will be the best option for you.
A premier party band adds its own spice to the performance of popular songs. The best party bands don’t simply try to replicate the original song - how could they be as good as the original? Instead, they may provide their own interpretation of the song, leveraging the strengths and musical experience of their members. Sometimes you will be surprised at the beauty and creativity of a new take on an old favorite.
What can help your decision? Make an honest assessment of your musical preferences. If you really want to hear songs by their original artists and would not enjoy any variations then choose a DJ. If you are open to some creative interpretations of your favorites, a band is a better option.
Space
DJ has a small footprint. A high quality DJ will bring a rig with a computer to sequence songs, high quality speakers, and perhaps some lighting for ambience. This setup takes up a relatively small amount of space.
A band requires more space. A 6-piece band and their equipment may take up a space approximately 200-400 square feet (15x15 to 20x20). There is a drum kit to set up, microphones, instrument stands, keyboards, pedal boards, mixers, speakers, lighting.
What can help your decision? Consider your space capacity. A premier party band should be able to provide you with a rider describing their exact requirements for space and electrical service. If your space is limited, then a DJ may be a better option.
Professionalism
Sadly, there is an enormous range in the quality of DJs and bands available for your party. Anyone with a Spotify playlist and a set of speakers can call themselves a DJ. Bands range in quality from casual groups of friends who get together to jam to groups of conservatory students starting their professional careers. How can you tell the difference?
What can help your decision? Here are four things you should expect from high-quality professional DJs or bands. (1) A professional website with high-quality video highlights of performances for you to review. (2) A business manager who is easy to reach and responsive to your questions. (3) Documentation and contracts that clearly outline the requirements and commitments for the performance. (4) A list of songs available in the repertoire and a willingness to consider additions to the list - with the caveat that the business manager should be able to let you know which songs are unlikely to be covered effectively by the band.
Large vs. Loud
It is a myth that the size of a musical group is proportional to the amount of sound they produce. A DJ with two speakers and a subwoofer pumping 110dB of rock or rap may be just as loud or louder than a 6-piece band. Both DJs and bands use similar sound amplification technologies. A premier party band should be capable of playing softer “listening” music during meals or cocktail hour and then increase the energy and sound volume for the dance party.
What can help your decision? Check the playlist for the band to make sure the range of music meets your requirements for the event. Ask if the band uses a sound person to adjust sound levels to meet requirements during the party.
Budget
It is usually (not always) true that a band will be more expensive than a DJ. A band has more personnel to pay, more equipment to purchase, and more overhead to cover. You should expect to pay a premier party band $300 to $400 per musician for a 2-3 hour event with additional costs to cover a sound/lighting person.
What can help your decision? If you are on a tight budget, you can likely find a DJ to run a pre-set playlist for relatively little money. If you have more funds to invest to have a premier party band create a unique experience for your party, then that is your better choice.