F.A.Q.'s

Q) Are you any good!?

A) You can read comments from previous clients within the ‘Testimonials’ section of the website. We have years of experience, performing regularly at all kinds of functions. We hope that our glowing record and reputation speaks for itself!

Q) What types of functions do you perform at?

A) Any! We are available for, but not limited to, weddings, corporate events, balls, universities, birthday parties, anniversaries, charity events and even christenings! We are happy to perform at outdoor functions too (e.g. in a marquee) providing the band, sound engineer and all our equipment are protected from bad weather conditions.

Q) Before I book a band is there anything I should ask at the venue?

A) It’s always a good idea to check whether your venue actually allow live bands to play there, for example, some contain ‘a sound limiter’ which may or may not restrict live bands from even performing there dependant on the individual venue’s company policy. There needs to be sufficient electrical points of at least 2 x 13 amp sockets (not including extension leads as we use them) – especially if you are hiring a marquee! We have performed in many areas of various shapes and sizes but as a general guide we require a minimum space that’s 3m deep x 5m wide (does not need to be a raised platform) and space for a table, close to the dance floor, to place the mixing desk. Dirty Carpet does not require a dressing room but if one is made available then that’s fine - either way the band will be dressed smartly and the singer/s will look individual, elegant and cool.

Q) How much do you charge?

A) To provide a rough idea - Wedding fees for a local (Leicestershire based) performance start at £800. Quotes are based on the performance date, length of performance, our arrival time (** see below) plus sound engineer costs and sometimes even overnight accommodation. Plus we have a rising scale of costs depending on how far we have to travel but rest assured the fee we quote is the price you will pay with no more extra costs.

** The fee is also calculated on the assumption that our arrival time will not have to be before 6.00pm. Earlier arrival times will, at our discretion, incur an additional cost of £50 per hour but this would only be enforced if a venue requires that we are to be set-up by a particular time they stipulate or we are requested by you to arrive early for any reason. If, after the booking, we are told by the venue to arrive early to set-up you will be notified immediately. We advise you to ask the venue about this from the offset before obtaining a quote from us.

Q) What kind of music do you play?

A) The kind of music which will get everybody up on their feet and partying long into the night! Our extensive repertoire includes nothing but well known rock, pop and party hits from the 60’s right up to the present day.

Q) What time do you start and finish?

A) That’s entirely up to you. At a wedding, for instance, we have been known to start our first set anytime between 7.00pm and 9.00pm with the timings of all the sets scheduled according to the night’s proceedings (buffet / evening meal, first dance, DJ / disco etc.). We usually finish no later than midnight but we will happily perform later than this for an additional fee. If this is required then please mention this at the time of requesting a quote.

Q) How long do you usually play for?

A) Typically 3 x 40 minutes or 2 x 60 minutes but shorter or longer sets can easily be customised to suit your event.

Q) When the band is setting up will it interfere with proceedings?

A) No. We require 60 - 90 minutes to set-up and sound check our equipment but don’t worry; if you’re booking us to play at, for example, a wedding this typically occurs while the room / venue is being prepared for the evening reception following a meal. If you wish we will happily contact the venue to check what time it is convenient for us to arrive, our set-up arrangements and whether they require us to be set-up before a particular time.

Q) How far do you travel?

A) We typically cover the whole of the Midlands area but we also travel further afield which will be inclusive within your quote. Remember that we will have been making preparations for your event long before we even arrive so the provision of refreshments such as tea / coffee, soft drinks and a bite to eat would be a most welcome gesture! If provisions cannot be made then please let us know so that we can make alternative arrangements.

Q) Can I choose the ‘first dance’ song at my wedding?

A) Absolutely! It will be our pleasure to perform any song you choose for your first dance, even if it does not appear on our current song list. All we require is a minimum of six weeks notice, before the event, to give us enough time to work up the new material.

Q) Can I choose all the songs that you play?

A) If there are a few favourites in our repetoire you'd like to hear then just let us know but usually we use our expertise to select the songs for the set list which are the most suitable for your event.

Q) Do you use backing tapes?

A) No! We are 100% live and use no backing material, sequencing or silly gimmicks what-so-ever so that you get the true ‘live experience’ that you’d come to expect from a professional band.

Q) What equipment do you supply?

A) We have a full high-spec PA system, lighting rigs, top of the range mixer and experienced sound engineer. Neither you nor the venue needs to provide a thing and if you are hiring a DJ he / she are welcome to plug into our PA too if they wish so long as they finish before our final set. All our equipment is fully tested for electrical safety (PAT tested) and we have public liability insurance too which most venues require a band to have.

Q) Can you play music through your PA before you start and during intervals?

A) Yes. If you are not also hiring the services of a DJ / Disco we can play our own selection of suitable music via an mp3 player or you may feel more than welcome to bring along either your own ipod / mp3 player to plug directly into our PA or provide us with your own selection of CD’s.

Q) Can a birthday boy or girl sign a song on stage with you?

A) Certainly! He or she is welcome to join us on stage for a song, along with a family member or friend, if they’d like to sing with the band or just do some backing vocals!

Q) Can we use your microphones and PA for speeches, announcements etc.?

A) Yes.

Q) Can I see Dirty Carpet perform live before I book?

A) Although we primarily perform at private functions we do also sometimes perform public shows at organised showcases, local pubs, clubs and charity events. Please go to the ‘gigs diary’ section of our website for details of any upcoming shows.

Q) How do I obtain a quote and what details do you need?

A) We provide three options: 1) Simply email us at dirtycarpetband@gmail.com stating your name, contact details, date of event, type of function, where it is to be held, length of sets and approximate start time. 2) Fill out and return the Online Enquiry Form by clicking the ‘Booking Form’ button within the ‘Contact Us’ section of the website. 3) Give Geoff a call on 07920 522870 should you wish to make a booking or have anything to discuss.

Please note that as we often receive enquiries for the same day we keep the date of your event free for a period of 7 days after we send the quote. We can easily 'hold the date' longer for you but please let us know if you wish us to do so.

Q) What are your deposit and payment requirements?

A) Dirty Carpet requires a 20% deposit (minimum £150) payable within 14 days from when the booking is placed in order to secure the date. The remaining balance can be settled any time before the event or on the night by cash or cheque (payable to Geoff Mee). We are not VAT registered and do not make you sign a contract – the deposit, which is non-refundable, is all that we require.

Q) Is there anything else I should know?

A) Although Dirty Carpet is a six-piece band and we have performed the vast majority of our gigs as the original band line-up there have been rare occasions where, due to unforeseen circumstances, we have had to perform as a five piece band or we have obtained, at our own expense, the services of a stand-in ‘depping’ musician. If this should occur it will not have any effect on the fee due or indeed the quality of our performance on the night and by placing a booking with us from the offset it is assumed that you are agreeable for us to do this.

If you feel that there is something we have not covered, or if you need to ask any other questions, then please don’t hesitate to contact us.