Frequently Asked Questions

Below are the most common questions we get asked during the enquiry stages of a booking. Please feel free to read though our FAQs and of course, we are always happy to talk with you directly if you have a question that isn’t answered here.

  • What makes DL Entertainments different from other agencies?

    At DL Entertainments, we pride ourselves on our commitment to excellence, our diverse roster of highly talented musicians and DJs, and our bespoke approach to every event. Our focus is on clear communication, reliability, and ensuring a seamless experience from your initial inquiry to the final note of your event. Our passion is creating unforgettable musical moments that your guests will talk about for years to come.

    Do you offer different packages, or is everything custom quoted?

    While we provide custom quotes to ensure you get exactly what you need, we also have popular packages that bundle our most requested services. These can be a great starting point for inspiration and budget planning. Let us know what you have in mind, and we can discuss the best option for your event!

    How far in advance should we book?

    To avoid disappointment, especially during peak seasons (e.g., summer and December), we recommend booking as far in advance as possible. Popular dates can be secured 12-18 months ahead, but don't hesitate to inquire about last-minute availability as well!

    Can we see you play live before we book you?

    Yes you can! Head to the home page and fill out the form at the bottom to get ‘The Inside Track’ and stay up to date with when we are gigging in your area.

    Can we see testimonials or reviews from past clients?

    Absolutely! We pride ourselves on the feedback we receive from our happy clients. You can read reviews from our lots of clients here on our website, on Google, or we regularly share them on our instagram account. 

    How far will you travel? 

    We are happy to travel anywhere to play for you. Transport and accommodation costs, where necessary, will be considered when pricing your event.

    Can you play at a venue with no equipment / or all the equipment?

    Yes! We have all our own kit and we are totally flexible so whether your event is in a field or a fancy events venue, we can make it work. If we need to bring absolutely everything we can bring PA, lights, stage and generator. Additional fees will apply.

    Can we choose specific songs from your repertoire, or can you create a custom setlist?

    We have an extensive repertoire of proven crowd-pleasers. While we don't typically allow for full custom setlists due to the dynamic nature of live performance, we're happy to discuss your musical preferences and ensure our performance aligns with your vision. We aim to strike a balance between playing songs we know will get your guests dancing and incorporating your style.

    What kind of music do you play? Do you specialise in certain genres?

    Our bands and DJs are versatile and skilled in a wide range of genres, from classic rock and pop to funk, soul, R&B, and contemporary hits. We can tailor our performance to suit the atmosphere of your event and your guests' preferences. When you inquire, please let us know your preferred genres, and we can match you with the perfect act.

  • How do we book you?

    Please email us at info@dlentertainments.com and we will be happy to talk you through what you need. Should you decide to make a booking we will discuss with you about your specific needs for your event and subsequently, we will send you our contract.

    Can I book more than one of your services for my event?

    Yes, you can. We can provide music for walking down the aisle to music for a drinks reception all the way to your evening's entertainment and everything in-between.

    What other services can you provide?

    DL Entertainments is able to provide additional musical services to further enhance your event. 

    If you are interested in booking one or more of these services, please get in touch at info@dlentertainments.com and we will be happy to work with you in putting a package together for your event.

  • When do you arrive?

    For evening bands. We can arrive up to 4 hours before the performance to load in equipment, set up and sound check. If you need us to arrive any earlier, there will be an additional charge.

    For smaller, more self-contained performers such as solo musicians, duos and solo singers, the set up is much quicker; they will typically arrive 90 minutes before their performance times. For larger package bookings where multiple services have been booked, DL Entertainments will work with you and the musicians hired before your event to arrange all the timings. 

    How long do you need to set up?

    Bands require a minimum of 90 minutes for loading in, setting up, and sound checking. It’s always best to make sure there is time for this, as it allows them to make sure the band is looking and sounding great! Solo musicians and smaller ensembles need less time depending on the performance location; we can work this out with you at the booking stages. 

    My event is being hosted in a marquee. Is this a problem?

    Not at all. Our musicians frequently perform in marquees and outside.

    Bands need an adequate power supply and a performance area that is completely water-tight on all sides, including the ground. Under no circumstances will we play if there is a chance of water damaging our equipment. The area where you would like us to set up and perform needs to have a hard, flat and level surface, particularly for the drum kit. Marquee carpets are unfortunately not suitable at all for a drum kit to set up on. At the very least, a hardstanding surface for the drums is required. If the rest of the area is dry, other band members can set up on the floor. If you need, we can provide small raised staging at an additional cost.

    Any musicians using mains power need a completely dry performance area. Acoustic musicians such as guitarists with no amp, harpists, string groups and any other acoustic instrumentalist also need completely dry performance areas and in the summer, where performances are outside, a cover providing enough shade to completely cover the musicians and their equipment is also necessary.

    How much space do you need?

    4 x 5m is a great size for our 4, 5 and 6-piece bands. The larger 7, 8, 9 and 10-piece bands do require more space for us to comfortably perform for you. We have fit into some tight spaces in the past, so please feel free to discuss this with us if you have any concerns about the space you have. 

    Do you require food and drinks for the performers?

    Yes, we kindly request that a hot meal and soft drinks are provided for all performers and crew members while we are at your venue. This helps us maintain our energy and deliver a fantastic performance for your event. If a hot meal isn't feasible, a substantial cold buffet would be appreciated.

    What are your technical rider requirements?

    Our technical rider details specific requirements for sound, lighting, stage setup, and power. We'll provide this to you during the booking process. Generally, we need a flat, stable performance area and reliable power sources, as mentioned in our FAQ. We're happy to discuss these details with your venue directly if needed.

    Do you have insurance?

    Unfortunately, accidents can happen and in this case we have public liability insurance. If the venue requires proof of our documentation, please contact us and we will be happy to send it to them. 

    What happens if a member of the band is taken sick will you cancel?

    In the unlikely event that a member of a band is unable to attend a performance, we have a large list of deputy musicians who regularly play with the band that are able to seamlessly cover for any missing members. Any deputies we use have been carefully chosen by us to maintain the quality and standards of DL Entertainments.

    What if there's an emergency on your end, for example: equipment breakdown, severe travel delays?

    We meticulously maintain our equipment and carry backups where possible. In the extremely rare event of equipment failure, we're prepared with spares to ensure a seamless performance. For travel, we always plan with ample buffer time and monitor travel updates closely. Our priority is always to be there, set up, and ready to play, no matter what.

  • What equipment do you provide?

    We will provide all the equipment we need for our performance, including a full lighting rig and sound system. We can provide our own power source, at an additional charge, which may be required for outdoors or marquee events. If your event is of a larger scale (more than 300 people) we will need to hire a sound engineer and a larger P.A system - additional charges will apply.

    How much power do you require?

    We require a minimum of 2 standard UK 230v power sockets equipped with 13 amp fuses.  For outdoors or events where mains power is unavailable, you will need to provide us with a generator that must deliver a minimum of 7kW and two 16amp to 13amp converter sockets. Or alternatively, we can source this ourselves - an additional charge will apply.

    Can we use your microphone for announcements/speeches?

    Provided the band/musician has set up in advance you are welcome to use our system for speeches. 

    The venue has a sound limiter/is in an area where complaints are common. Could this cause a problem?

    In most cases it won’t be a problem. However it is best to talk to the venue and to us prior to booking as we may need to make special arrangements. If it helps, we can also speak to the venue for you. It is possible for us to play quietly but some venues do have unrealistically low limits set on their sound limiters and this can really impede the performance and sound quality of a musical performance. 

    Is your equipment P.A.T. tested?

    Yes, we have our equipment tested every year.  Should your venue need proof of this, please let us know and we can send the relevant documentation to them. 

  • How long do you play for?

    Bands will play for 2 x 1 hour sets with a short break in the middle.

    Drinks reception performances are generally 2 x 45 mins with a short break in the middle
    Arrival and ceremony music performances are generally 45 mins prior to the ceremony starting and then however long the ceremony takes.

    How many songs do you play?

    For bands, we find that a 1-hour set is around 15 or 16 songs.
    This is typical of drinks reception and wedding breakfast performances too. 

    Do you offer background music or a DJ service during breaks?

    Yes, we can provide complimentary background music (via a playlist) during our breaks to keep the atmosphere lively. If you'd prefer a dedicated DJ service for seamless music throughout the evening, this can be added to your package. Please discuss this with us when booking.

    Do you take requests on the day/night?

    We do not take song requests during our performances. But rest assured all our musicians have large repertoires of appropriate music for aspects of your day.

    Do you play encores?

    We always have extra songs for an encore prepared, just in case we are asked to play a couple more songs. Requests to play extended performances of live music are not possible. 

    What happens if our event is running late?

    We understand that wedding and function schedules can overrun. We will do our very best to fit in around you on the day, however should your event run so late that there is not enough time left for our agreed performance length, we will play up until midnight.

    Can we request a song for our first dance?

    We’d be delighted to play your first dance and would be happy to learn it. Our only two stipulations are that it is a song we feel confident of reproducing to the highest possible standard and that you give us at least 3 months prior notice. In the unlikely event that we cannot learn the song for you we will arrange to have the original played at the special moment. If there were more than one song you would like us to learn then there will be an additional charge of £120 per song.

  • How much do you charge?

    Pricing depends on a few things such as; the act(s) you require, venue size, distance, set up and finish times etc. This is why we price each unique event separately. Please contact us at info@dlentertainments.com for an exact quote. This way we can work towards getting the right package and best deal for your money.

    Do you require a deposit?

    We require a non-refundable deposit. This, along with your signed contract, will secure your booking. Any monies received will be promptly acknowledged.

    When do we pay in full?

    We require a balancing payment be made in full before 14 days before the confirmed date of the event. Payments can be made via bank transfer or via credit or debit card.

    What happens if my event gets cancelled?

    If your event is unfortunately cancelled within 3 months prior to the scheduled date then we reserve the right to charge up to 50% of the quoted price. Should the event be cancelled within 14 days of the scheduled date this does incur a charge of up to 100% of the quoted fee at our discretion.

    What is your policy on cancellations or postponements due to unforeseen circumstances (e.g., force majeure, pandemics)?

    We understand that unforeseen circumstances can arise. Our contract outlines our policy regarding cancellations and postponements, including provisions for force majeure events. We always aim to be as flexible and accommodating as possible, and we encourage open communication if your event plans change.