FAQs
- How much space do you need?
- Generally, the larger the venue, the more space is required. 5m (across) x 4m (deep) or more would be comfortable. However we are only a four piece so we can be compact where needs be. As a minimum though we would suggest 4m by 3m. We also have experience of playing private parties in people's front rooms so can usually adapt to the "habitat"
- How is it best to time things?
- This is your event, following months of planning, so we can be totally flexible and work with you to fit in with your timings. We are,however, equally happy to offer a template of a typical evening. We'd ideally look to set up whilst your guests are elsewhere. Our soundcheck is not something that would be fair to "share" unless unavoidable!
- Suggested Template:
- Arrival 5:30pm to be set up and soundchecked by 7:30.
- Background/DJ music from 7:30 until 8:30 while guests arive and mingle.
- (If a wedding, first dance followed by) Live set 1 from 8:30 until 9:45.
- Background/DJ music from 9:45 until 10:15
- Live set 2 from 10:15 until 11:15 with encores or DJ music until close.
- Can I pick the band's playlist?
- Pretty much. You're welcome to highlight your favourites from our repertoire (and highlight if there any you'd rather we didn't play on the night). We'd probably reserve the right to arrange an appropriate running order from our experience of what works best. Equally, we can select the tracks that generally set the night alight and leave you with one less thing to worry about!
- Where will you travel to?
- We don't like to miss a great party so, generally we'd be happy to travel anywhere. We are based in the South so anywhere further than 50 miles outside London may incurr additional travel and time costs as well as possible overnight accomodation for the four members.
- Can I see you play live?
- We're playing every week so there is always an opportunity to see us in action in advance. You may need to travel as our "patch" extends far and wide but please check our Dates page on the website. It's always worth getting in touch if you plan to do this - we can often put your "name on the door" if we're playing a private club. We wouldn't want you to get turned away!
- Will you learn our special song?
- There's certainly no harm in asking and we will do our utmost to make it happen. Please be aware though that, with the format of the band, some genres just do not work. It's important that your track fits stylistically with the rest of our set. If we can't make it sound great we may suggest using the mp3 of the original track instead.
- Are the videos on your website a true reflection of the band?
- Absolutely. A couple of them are edited cuts over studio recorded tracks but there are also video links on our site which are 100% live.
- How do I book you?
- A phone call or a text to the numbers provided on our "Contact Us" page is best but you can also make an enquiry to the email address on that same page. We do get booked up well in advance so, even if you are still at the early planning stage, it's best to call us as soon as possible.
- Are you able to DJ in between sets?
- Yes. We can pipe music through our system in between sets and we carry a large number of mp3s with us (unlimited if we're able to hook in to a wi-fi network). This can be your choice of music with a playlist arranged in advance (more preparation allows for a smoother evening) or you could prepare a running order on your iPhone (or similar). We would then plug this into our rig in between our sets. We can also offer a degree of "banter" in between tracks though you may feel this unnecessary in the interests of maintaining the flow of the evening! All possible if arranged in advance.
- Can we use your sound system for speeches?
- Yes, we carry a Shure SM58 Beta wireless system and numerous wired microphones with us as standard. You're more than welcome to borrow whatever you need for speeches etc.
- What equipment do you use?
- All our equipment is of the higheset quality and in the main, industry standard. Our suppliers include Drum Workshop, Ludwig, Mark Bass, Fender, Kemper, Shure, RCF and Yamaha. A full spec. can be sent if required.
- Do you have lights?
- Yes. We use a full LED lighting rig making us as "green" and enrgy efficient as possible.
- How long do you play for?
- Typically we play 2 x 1 hour sets as this generally works best however we can configure to suit your evening and offer complete flexibility if for example your event demands a single set or three shorter performances.
- How long do you take to set up?
- Typically around 90 minutes but we like to allow a couple of hours if possible. Again, if your event requires it, we can "get our skates on" when necessary.
- Can I provisionally book you?
- We're happy to take provisional bookings. If a firm request subsequently comes in from another client we would speak to you and offer you first refusal.
- What if the band split up before my event?
- We pride ourselves on our professionalism and take our commitments seriously. White Light have been performing for over ten years and have fulfilled 100% of all commitments in this time. In the unlikely event of non-availability of a particular band member we have a number of very talented deps who can step in if required. However, if White Light are unable to fulfill the date through sickness, break up or other unforseen events, we would work closely with you to ensure we find a suitable replacement act.
- Can my sister/boss/daughter's dog sing with your band?
- We like to think that during a live performance there's an element of "anything could happen" which gives the whole show an edge that can't be achieved with recorded music. We rehearse hard to make sure the show is every bit as good as it can be so integrating an impromptu guest can be tricky and doesn't always add to everyone's enjoyment of the evening. With this in mind, we're happy to discuss.
- What will the band wear?
- The band will always dress appropriately for your event so our standard wardrobe is smart black shirts, trousers and shoes with our singer stretching the "front man's perogative" to be a little more flamboyant! If you have alternate requirements or would like us to observe a particular (fancy?) dress code, please liaise with us and we will do our best to oblige.
- Does the band have PAT and PLI certificates?
- Yes. Public Liability Certificates are availbale for viewing at any point. Our equipment is regularly "PAT" tested as can be witnessed by the stickers on each item.
- Why should I book White Light?
- White Light provide the perfect mix of entertainment energy and enthusiasm. We work on the basis that if we're enjoying ourselves (and we do!) then this becomes infectious. Any event for us is about the guests ending the evening feeling like they've had the best night ever. We don't have a "home town" as such as we have scoured the whole of the South of England to ensure we have the very best musicians and entertainers. We seriously believe nobody does it better.
- How much does it cost to book the band?
- This does depend largely on arrival and departure times, the location & size of the venue, number of guests and amount of equipment required. Please get in touch for a quote as the aforementioned parameters are key to the pricing.
- Do I need to pay a deposit?
- We do encourage this for many reasons. It provides additional peace of mind for both parties. We usually ask for 20% on booking and the balance on the day.
- Can we see some previous client testimonials?
- Yes. These are dotted around our web site. If you'd like to contact them directly we'd be happy to try and arrange it.
- Do White Light have any specific requirements?
- A room to relax / change and some basic food and drink rations are always nice.
- What type/size venues are you able to play at?
- Our experience ranges from front rooms to festivals. No place too small or too large (additional equipment charges may apply).
- How loud will the band be?
- Live music (particularly with a guitar band) is never going to be especially quiet and to prevent the evening sounding like a drum solo we need to play at a certain volume to provide a well balanced sound. Having said that it is more important for the sound to be clear and we will always try and ensure guests have that exciting live gig experience without deafening anybody.
- What is the band's power requirement?
- Surprisingly, a live band like White Light draws less power than you might think - particularly as we use LED lighting, so two standard 13amp sockets within ten foot of the stage area will generally be ample.