Q. How much do you charge?
Our rates are very
competitive. Please visit our
Availability and Pricing page
for more details.
Q. Can I come and
see you play live?
Not normally, as the vast
majority of our bookings are for private and corporate clients. We
would love to invite potential customers to watch us perform live
more often, although in reality this is not possible. We hope you can
appreciate that other clients prefer not to have uninvited guests
at their party, even for a short time to watch the band.
However, we very occasionally perform at public venues. please
contact us for details.
We wanted to say a
very big thank you for playing at our wedding at the Wessex Hotel
on the 29th January. I must admit, we were a little
apprehensive because we hadn't heard you play live, but we were so
bowled over by the band's performance, and every one of our guests
commented on how great you were. Thank you... and
if you ever need a recommendation, please don't hesitate to ask.
Regards, Natacha F.
"Having never booked a band
before we have to admit being quite apprehensive about what
we would get - listening to sample tracks on a web site is
one thing, but it's not until the band arrive on the evening
and perform that you really know what you've let yourself in
for!
Well we'd just like to say
that Pop of Ages performed brilliantly (8th April).
They arrived on time, were set-up and running as promised
and the songs were superb! By half way through the evening
they had managed to get everyone on the dance floor and once
there they didn't leave. The range of songs were perfect and
they performed so well that even a month later people still
comment to us about how great the band were.... We cannot
recommend them highly enough." Best regards, R. Davey
(Further letters of thanks from customers may be found on our
Recommendations page.)
Q. Do you have a free Demo
CD?
Yes,
contact us if you want one or you can download
audio clips from this website which are
taken from the same CD.
Q. How can I check
if you're available?
Dates already booked
are shown on our website. Please visit our
availability page for details.
Q. How many of you are in the band and what instruments do you
play?
Pop of Ages
normally perform as a 3 piece band but often expand to a 4 piece. The live instruments played in the 3 piece are
guitar,
keyboards and percussion with lead and harmony vocals. The four piece adds saxophone as
an additional live instrument.
Q. Do you use
backing tapes or mini disks?
No. All
instruments and vocals are completely live; we use a sequencer to
enhance our live sound enabling our 3-4 piece band to sound larger
and fuller (more like a 5 or 6 piece band). This combination
allows total volume control and also enables our price to remain
affordable.
Q. How long have Pop of Ages been together and how experienced are
you?
Pop of Ages was
formed in 1998 and since then have performed at more than 800 events.
On average the individual members have over 15 years experience as
performing musicians, and combined have played in excess of 5000
engagements!
Q. Do you provide your own PA and lighting?
Yes, our booking
fee includes a 3K professional sound system (PA), hi-tech lighting for the
stage & dance floor suitable for 50-300
guests - we tailor our equipment to suit the venue and occasion.
Q.
How long does it take you to set up your equipment?
Between 45
minutes and an hour and a quarter, depending on ease of access and
the amount of equipment and lighting required. Please also allow us 30
minutes to get changed into our stage clothes.
Q. How far do you travel?
We are based in Swindon, Wiltshire
and Bristol (Avon). We normally travel within 100 mile radius of
these areas but will travel further.
Contact us for details.
Q How do I make a booking?
Please
contact us by telephone 01793 870595 or complete our
enquiry form and we will get back to
you within 24 hours.
Q. How far in
advance should I book you?
As early as possible! Popular
dates are often booked 6 - 12 months in advance, but please check our
availability page as we can be
available at very short notice if the date is free.
Q. Can
you provisionally reserve a date for me?
Yes, for 24 hours. We
often have multiple enquiries for the same date especially
if it is a Friday or Saturday, so our policy is to always take the
first confirmed booking. Please visit our
How to Book page for further
details.
Q. What are your payment
terms?
Bookings are secured via contract
and deposit of £100.
Payment of any outstanding fees
will be due 7 days prior to your event. On the night or non-pickup
payments are only available for Agencies or Corporate Clients by
prior agreement.
Q. Do you have
Public Liability Insurance?
Yes, we are insured for Public
Liability through Musicguard Insurance for £5million. Copies
are available upon request.
Q. Is your equipment PAT
tested?
Yes, our equipment is tested and
certificated. Copies are available upon request.
Q. How long do you play for?
The
band perform a maximum 2 hours of live music - typically 2 x 1
hour or 3 x 40 minute sets. We are of course able to play CD music
for dancing during breaks.
Q. How long are your breaks?
Our break for 2 x
1 hour sets would normally be for 30 minutes, but we are flexible
and would adjust our breaks and performance times to
ensure your event runs smoothly.
Q. Can you play
CD music during breaks?
Yes, we have a
wide selection of pre-recorded CDs which can be played at any time
throughout your event; for example during dinner, and
in between live music performances from the band. Disco lighting
can be added which will help to create and maintain the party
atmosphere.
Q. Can I choose
music from your playlist?
Yes, you can
choose your favourites, we do update our playlist regularly so
it's better to do this a few weeks prior to your event.
Q. Can you play our
'first dance'?
Yes, you can
choose a song from our current playlist or many couples have a
specific song which most prefer in its original format which we
will play for you on CD prior to our first live set.
Q. Can
you play background music during dinner?
Yes, we have
pre-recorded CDs perfect for background music or if you prefer
live music, we can offer our female cocktail pianist -
for more information please visit our
Cocktail Pianist Page.
Q. What do you wear on
stage?
We wear smart
stage clothes which suit the occasion and venue, and we are able
to follow any dress code etiquette; for example Black Tie or themed
events. The female members always bring a variety of outfits!
Q. How much space do
you require?
Typically the performance area (or
stage) should be 4 metres wide x 3 metres deep (minimum).
We can set up in smaller spaces if required, but please let us
know in advance or contact us for
advice.
Q. Do I
need to arrange a changing room for you?
Yes please. We request the room is
clean, lockable and private, and preferably has a mirror and washing
facilities. Please note that toilets are not suitable changing
facilities.
Q. Do I need to
arrange meals for you?
Not necessarily, but we would
appreciate a meal being arranged for us as our working 'day' is
often 12 hours long. This need not be the same meal as you are
having - most venues can provide hot food or sandwiches for the
band at little cost, but generally this needs to be ordered in
advance.
Q. Can you perform in a
marquee?
-
Yes, a MAINS power supply must be
provided close to the performance area with a minimum of THREE
SEPARATE 13 amp sockets (not a single 4 block extension lead)
Please note we are NOT able to use generators under any
circumstances.
-
A level stage or performance area
must be provided 4m x 3m and away from public access
routes.
-
The marquee must be easily
accessible to load and unload equipment
- we are not able to access over muddy fields or up / down grassy
embankments.
-
A safe and secure changing room
area must be provided (toilets are unacceptable)
-
Please note that if for any reason
we deem the marquee to be unsafe for either our own personal
safety or equipment safety ( for example power cut outs or
inclement weather resulting in leaks or low temperatures within
the marquee) we reserve the right to cease performance at
any time.
Q. Can you perform outside?
Yes, if the sound system is
provided by a professional hire company, the performance
area is fully covered (top and sides) and provisions are made for
inclement weather should the event be cancelled.
Please also note adequate mains power should be made
available in close proximity to the performance area (for power
requirements, please see above answer to : Q Can you perform in a
marquee?)
Q.
What happens if one of the band members is ill?
Being a
professional band, we ensure that we always have access to other
professional musicians who can act as deputies should any one of
our members fall ill at late notice. Each 'dep' has worked
with Pop of Ages before and are highly experienced professional
musicians and performers in their own right. Although it is
incredibly rare that any of our members would be unable to
perform, unlike most other bands Pop of Ages will always honour
contracted agreements in these circumstances to a very high
standard, therefore providing complete peace of mind to our customers.
Q. What if my
question is not here?
Please
contact us by telephone 01793 870595 send an email
info@popofages.co.uk or
complete our
enquiry form and we will get back to
you within 24 hours.
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