WILDLIFE WEDDING SPECIAL •HOT PRESS•

•WEDDING BANDS TO WANT 2015• Hot Press 'Wedding Bands to Want' 2015

Ding dong the bells are going to chime. But what's going to happen afterwards? Have you got a great band organised to play? And a top photographer to take the pics? Planning your big day is a like a military operation. If you want to avoid it being your Waterloo, the message is: start planning now...

s anyone who has ever been to a wedding will testify – the musical entertainment on offer is arguably the single most important element in determining the success of the Aentire event. In fact, music is now typically featured throughout the whole day of the wedding, during the church service, at the drinks reception and even during the meal. But when the formal ceremonies are dispensed with, the food duly consumed and the speeches done and dusted, everyone wants to get on the dance floor! There is simply nothing to beat a good A FEW GOOD MEN dance, soul, country, big band, easy live wedding band to help send listening, Irish tunes and much the happy couple and their If you want to wow your guests more – just check out their website guests dancing into the night. with serious musical credibility below and YouTube channel for And since reputation counts you’d be hard pressed to beat A Few a taste of what they can offer for for everything in the wedding Good Men. This four-piece bring your nuptials. If you want popular band business, by their nature, some serious energy and chemistry tunes from the likes of Chuck a good wedding band has to to the stage and between them Berry, The Beatles, Bowie and The be at the top of their game – all the lads have worked with the Boss, as well as contemporary hits of the time. Choose your band cream of Irish musical talent and from acts such as Adele, Pharrell carefully and your special day will have performed for big names Williams, Kodaline and Paolo be the unforgettable experience including Bono, The Edge, Jack Nutini, A Few Good Men are the and special memory that it Charlton and Giovanni Trapattoni. guys to call. deserves to be. Here, then, are ten The band’s set-list is impressively www.afewgoodmenband.com recommendations from comprehensive, versatile and wide- email:[email protected] Hot Press... ranging, encompassing pop, rock, Phone:087-9741683 (Glen Baker)

060 { HOT PRESS | 3901} Blacktye Ireland’s most versatile wedding band

service, so they are a one-stop-shop THE SUITE for your big day’s entertainment needs. 2015 is already 75% booked One of the busiest wedding bands out and is panning out to be their in the country, this four-piece busiest year to date. The band have been playing music together has added lots of new to since their schooldays and have their wide-ranging set including a well-honed set that brings a the number one ‘Uptown Funk’ vibrant, fun atmosphere to all their featuring Bruno Mars. The Suite are performances. The Suite have a running a special offer for Thursday huge catalogue of wedding songs weddings in 2015 and you can catch and party hits — literally from A to them at their upcoming showcases Z with Adele and The Zutons both on Jan 25, Feb 15 and March 1, all in featuring — and they’re more than Citywest from 6.00pm to 6.45pm www.blacktye.net happy to add your special to www.thesuitemusic.com the list. The Suite also offer pre- Email: [email protected] Phone: 086-7702565 dinner music and a professional DJ Phone: 086-8650217 (Tina Kelly) ‡ A FEW GOOD MEN

drummer Graeme Stapleton. An BLACKTYE award winning band, Blacktye have performed all over Ireland at “You can’t please everyone,” runs government functions and events the old saying but when it comes including Croke Park, Race Days at to a good wedding band that rule the Curragh and The Horse Show simply doesn’t or shouldn’t apply. as well as corporate shindigs for µ µ Blacktye are remarkable for the the likes of Coca Cola, Microsoft, BAND & DJ versatility of their sets and ability eBay, Failte Ireland, Twitter and to switch genres with ease. Think Amazon – they even featured on RTE chart, ceili, country, jazz, traditional, television’s Nationwide. The band can www.afewgoodmenband.com ballads, , soul, funk, rock also play at the church and drinks booking co-ordinator glen: and pop. Vocalists Kim Hayden and reception and offer a DJ service as Conor Ryan are joined by rapper well. Sweet! 087-9741683 Phil Campbell to create Jackson www.blacktye.net Five-like harmonies and are backed Email: dorianentertainment@eircom. up with the tight rhythm section net ‡ of Darragh Dennis on bass and Phone: 086-7702565

{ 3901 | HOT PRESS } 061 ONLY WORLD CLASS MUSICIANS CAN DELIVER WORLD CLASS THE WEDDING ENTERTAINMENT HITMEN THE VELVET TRIO LOUNGE BAND -MAIN EVENING ENTERTAINMENT -DRINKS RECEPTION TRIO -LATE NIGHT DJ SERVICE -NEXT DAY BBQ GROOVES -COMPETITIVE PACKAGE RATES

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A PURELY ACOUSTIC SOUND WITH AN ORIGINAL, ENERGETIC SLANT FOR YOUR WEDDING DAY.

www.thehitmentrio.com 086-8058777 [email protected] The Suite AVAILABLE AS A 4 OR 5 PIECE WEDDING BAND PRE-DINNER, FULL BAND & PROFESSIONAL DJ SET OPTIONS

PHONE: 086 8650217 WEB: WWW.THESUITEMUSIC.COM FACEBOOK: WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/THESUITE EMAIL: [email protected]

062 { HOT PRESS | 3901} WILDLIFE WEDDING SPECIAL - BANDS

THE DIONNES Winehouse and Mark Ronson for good measure, they offer the The Dionnes specialise in vintage- perfect party playlist for all ages. themed weddings and cater for They look fabulous too – with those looking for something bodacious beehives, smooth unique for their drinks reception/ moves and sweet harmonies, not after party. Backed by a full to mention surprise costume live band of top professional changes! Packages on offer to suit musicians, with brass section every part of your big day, from if required, The Dionnes pride the 3-piece ‘triplette’ (suitable themselves on bringing the for drinks receptions) right up to generations together on the the 9-piece big band with brass dancefloor with their unique section for that “wow” factor. blend of Motown, soul and up Fiona: 086 3130184 to the minute contemporary Email:[email protected] tunes. Inspired by The Supremes, Website: www.thedionnes.ie Martha and the Vandellas, with Facebook: www.facebook.com/ and passion you’d be forgiven for some Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj, Amy thedionnes THE HITMEN TRIO thinking there were twice as many onstage. The Hitmen Trio are three men who Their set includes Calvin Harris, play hits in their own way. This is a Daft Punk, Rodrigo y Gabriella and wedding band with a difference. The Johnny Cash, as well as a waltz or Hitmen Trio use amplified acoustic two for older guests. You can book instruments and pride themselves in them for the whole day — they’ll their creative, original arrangements play instrumentals, religious and and mash-ups, giving well-loved romantic music at the ceremony, a songs a unique makeover. laid back pre-reception and spin the Last year they won the Judges’ tracks after the main show as well. Commendation for Wedding Band The Hitmen Trio come with an of the Year at the WeddingsOnline. official seal of approval from some of ie awards and also won the Brides’ Ireland’s most prestigious wedding Choice award with Mrs2Be. venues, such as the K Club, the The band are known for their Four Seasons, Brook Lodge, Killiney harmony vocals and use guitar Castle, Castle Leslie, Lyons Estate and and piano to create an upbeat yet Dunbrody House. intimate sound. Roly Smyth, Cian Web: www.thehitmentrio.com Mekitarian and Romain Piccolo Email: [email protected] are versatile virtuoso players; Phone: 086 805 8777 (Roly), 087 their shows have so much energy 9527624 (Cian), 085 1624193 (Romain)

VELVET LOUNGE musical corner. Frontman Cormac Kenevey is signed with the UK As the name suggests, The jazz label Candid Records, home Velvet Lounge Band bring a to Jamie Cullum, and has released distinctive twist to classics and two critically-acclaimed albums, contemporary hits, with upbeat while Boylan has worked with new arrangements from musical Duke Special, Van Morrison, Cathy director and all-round virtuoso Cian Davey and Robin Gibb to name a Boylan. Their set features Rat Pack few. Weddings aside, Velvet Lounge classics and 1960s lounge swing and are worth seeing in any setting and Latin grooves including the likes of you can catch them in action every 1960s bossa nova classics like Sergio Friday in January and February at Mendes ‘Mas Que Nada’. Add to that the Mint Bar, The Westin Hotel, their super-smooth lounge-style Westmoreland St, Dublin 2. versions of contemporary artists Web: www.velvetloungeband.com such as The Strokes, Oasis, Moloko, Email: [email protected] Radiohead and The Cure and you Phone: 087 221 6788 (Cian Boylan), dress fittings, can also have their have a wedding band to cover every 087 2865423 (Cormac Kenevey) BENTLEY BOYS band tailor made just for their big day. These guys can blow the RSVP Band of the Year 2013 & 2014, roof off with a 12 piece band or Weddings Online Finalists 2012, can slim down to a 5 or 6 piece 2013, 2014 & 2015 – the Bentley Boys band or even a 3 piece band for trophy cabinet is bursting at the intimate weddings – the choice is seams! Smoothly weaving from yours! Their unique and renowned intimate first dance dreaminess professionalism has seen them play to a full tilt rock-fest is what these with the likes of Amy Winehouse, guys do best. Although supremely Jamiroquai, Mariah Carey, PJ Harvey, stylish, musical substance still wins The Waterboys, Chaka Khan and out, ensuring the Bentley Boys are Imelda May and many others. top of every wedding planner and See www.bentleyboys.ie for a free CD event coordinator’s list. Bentley and upcoming showcase details. info@ Boys brides, similar to wedding bentleyboys.ie or 086 7744838

{ 3901 | HOT PRESS } 063 WILDLIFE WEDDING SPECIAL - BANDS photo: keith kendrick BLUEMOOSE of keeping the floor full. Bluemoose also offer a dedicated wedding show, One of the hardest working bands ‘A Moose Bouche’, to cater for the around, Bluemoose perform at all older generation but still with the of the top college balls/rag weeks/ Bluemoose energy/set list at end of festivals and have since become night. Not your normal run-of-the- much in demand as a wedding mill wedding band, Bluemoose have band. A fully live 5-piece the something different to offer and are members of the band are all full well worth checking out. Monthly time musicians – and they make Showcases - The Clonsilla Inn, a point of stressing that the band Dublin. The Bridge House, Tullamore. you book is the band you get. They Check Bluemoose.ie can cover a wide variety of songs for dates. from Abba to AC/DC, Nathan Carter www.bluemoose.ie to Nirvana and Michael Buble to Phone: 087 2628173 Metallica, all played with great Email: [email protected] energy and with the sole purpose www.facebook.com/bluemooseband

THE BUACHAILLS corporate events and their set-list includes pop, folk, country and With an impressive CV that includes old-time – everything from Johnny an appearance as half-time act at Cash’s ‘I Walk The Line’ and Garth the 2012 All Ireland football finals, Brooks’ ‘Friends In Low Places’ to The touring with The High Kings, Finbar Waterboys’ ‘Fisherman’s Blues’ and Furey, The Wolfe Tones and the The Stunning’s ‘Brewing Up A Storm’. prestigious honour of being the They also include a wide range of “house band” in , the Irish tunes and waltzes in their set, Buchaills are nothing if not versatile including ‘The Fields of ’, ‘The and highly experienced as a live Galway Girl’ and ‘The Rocky Road To act. The band pride themselves Dublin’ to name just a few. on providing high quality live Eoin Murphy – 087 2524060 entertainment for weddings and www.thebuachaills.com Lady Vegas Simply Great Live Music

passion, and with input from each LADY VEGAS member of the band when creating a wedding set list, they take pride One of only a handful of female- in having a vast and varied range fronted wedding bands in of songs to choose from. Having Ireland, Lady Vegas are a real years of collective experience and gigging band and can be found some of the best musicians in the playing some of the top venues business, there isn’t a popular song and events throughout the they can’t cover. From the get-go country. The band have also they are lively and entertaining For bookings, phone: 085-8031748 performed internationally at and never fail to fill the dance floor. Email: [email protected] festivals in Germany, Spain and But Lady Vegas don’t just entertain See what our brides are saying about us at France. The sound is 100% live – they interact with the crowd. with no gimmicks and is in their Call Vikki on 085-8031748 www.ladyvegasentertainment.com own words “a ballsy, raw, rock n www.ladyvegasentertainment.com roll sound”. Music is clearly their Email:[email protected]

064 { HOT PRESS | 3901 } By Bluemoose

One of Irelandds most in demand cover bands brings you their Wedding Show. Waltzes, funk, 800s, pop, rock, cheesey tunes and moree Unique to you on your Wedding Day, remember therees only one Bluemoose. DJ Service Available. www.bluemoose.ie | 00353 (0) 87 262 8173 | [email protected]

THE DIONNES

ARE YOU READY TO PARTY LIKE IT’S 1969? Wedding , Corporate and Sporting Entertainment Specialists Uniting the generations on the dancefl FLoor Special offers for midweek and off-peak weddings with their cocktail of motown, soul and modern tunes.

www.thedionnes.ie Contact Fiona on 086 3130184 www.thebuachaills.com or email [email protected] [email protected] facebook.com/TheDionnes +353 87 2524060 twitter.com/dionnesband

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