Frequently Asked Questions

How long do the band play for?

Our standard live performance is up to two hours, usually split into either two 60-minute sets or three 40-minute sets.

For most evening receptions finishing around midnight, we find this works really well. If you’re planning to party later or would like more live music, we can arrange a longer performance for an additional cost.

Do we need to book a DJ as well?

For most events, no.

We provide recorded music through our PA between live sets, so the party doesn’t stop when the band takes a break. We can keep things relaxed earlier in the evening and move into full party mode later on.

If you want a dedicated DJ setup, specialist dance music or something more elaborate, you’re absolutely welcome to book one alongside us — but for most weddings and parties, our live sets and music between them are everything you need to keep the evening moving.

Can we request songs or choose the set list?

Absolutely — we’re always happy to hear the songs and styles you love and will include requests wherever they work naturally.

What we don’t recommend is planning every song in advance. One of the biggest strengths of BB3LIVE is reading the room and changing direction on the fly. If a dance floor suddenly comes alive for a particular style, we can run with it rather than being tied to a fixed set list.

Give us your favourites, tell us anything you definitely don’t want, then let us do what we do best.

Can you perform our first dance?

Yes. If there’s a particular song you’d love us to perform live for your first dance, let us know and we can discuss whether it will work with the band.

If you’d rather use the original recording, we can also play your chosen track through our PA system.

What happens when the band aren’t playing?

We provide music through our PA system between live sets at no extra charge.

That might mean relaxed background music earlier in the evening or a full dance-floor playlist later on. If you have favourite songs you’d like included, send them over and we’ll work them into the evening where possible.

Can you provide an acoustic set earlier in the day?

Yes. We can provide an acoustic set earlier in the day before switching things up for the evening party.

If you’re already booking BB3LIVE for the evening, we can build this into your package and tailor the day around your event.

Can we add extra musicians?

Yes. If you haven’t experienced BB3LIVE before, we create a much bigger sound than you might expect.

For Signature and Prestige events, we can take things further with additional musicians and create a more bespoke lineup to suit the scale, style and feel of your event.

Tell us what you have in mind and we can build the right setup around it.

Will we need to provide any sound equipment?

No. We bring our own professional PA and lighting system.

Our Essential package includes a straightforward PA and lighting setup suitable for many events. Signature and Prestige packages give us more scope to tailor the production to larger venues and more bespoke events.

If your venue already has its own production or you’re planning something on a larger scale, just let us know and we can work with the equipment and technical team already in place.

What is the advantage of having a sound engineer?

A dedicated sound engineer can concentrate entirely on what the audience is hearing while the band concentrates on performing.

They can move around the room, continuously adjust the mix and deal quickly with any changes in volume or acoustics without interrupting the performance.

Dedicated sound engineering forms part of our Signature and Prestige packages and is particularly valuable for larger venues, outdoor settings, marquees or more complex setups and events where production quality is a priority.

Will the band need to sound-check?

Usually, yes — although we keep it as quick and unobtrusive as possible.

Our digital mixing system stores our core settings, so we don’t have to start from scratch at every event. Once everything is set up, we normally play briefly to check the room, balance the instruments and make sure everything is working correctly. This typically takes around 5–15 minutes.

If your timetable makes a full sound-check difficult, we can sometimes carry out a shorter line-check immediately before performing. Wherever possible, though, we recommend allowing time for a proper sound-check so everything is ready to go before your guests hit the dance floor.

What time will the band arrive?

We’ll agree timings with you before the event, but for a typical evening booking we usually arrive and begin setting up from around 5pm onwards.

If you need us fully set up earlier in the day, that can normally be arranged. Additional charges may apply for setups before 5pm depending on the timings, location and requirements of the event.

Is the band on the website the band we get?

Yes — BB3LIVE is a band, not an agency putting together a different lineup for every booking.

Very occasionally, illness, touring commitments or circumstances beyond our control may mean a replacement musician is needed. We have a trusted group of excellent musicians who know the show and regularly perform with us, so if that ever happens we’ll make the necessary arrangements without creating extra hassle for you.

Do the band travel?

Absolutely. We’re based in southern England but regularly perform across the UK and can also travel overseas.

Travel is taken into account when we prepare your quote, so please include the venue or postcode when you enquire. For events further afield, accommodation may be required.

What do the band wear?

Our look depends partly on the event and package, but it will always feel like BB3LIVE — sharp, colourful and unmistakably us.

For many parties and weddings you’ll see the bright blazers, dark shirts or T-shirts, jeans and trainers shown throughout the website. For more formal or bespoke events we can adjust the look to suit the occasion, including a smarter corporate or black-tie style where required.

If you have a particular dress code, just mention it when booking.

How do I confirm a booking?

Once we’ve agreed the details and fee, we’ll send your booking document through SignRequest for you to review and sign online.

We require the signed booking document and deposit within 14 days. Once the deposit has cleared, we’ll confirm your booking and your date will be secured.

The remaining balance can be paid by bank transfer no later than 14 days before your event.

Are there any hidden costs?

No. The price we agree is the price you pay based on the event details you’ve given us.

If those arrangements change significantly — for example timings, location, production requirements or the services you’ve asked us to provide — we’ll always discuss any effect on the price with you first.

How do we get a quote?

Send us an enquiry with your date, venue or location and a few details about your event and we’ll put together a quote for you.

The more information you can give us, the more accurately we can tailor the options to your plans.

Do you have public liability insurance and PAT certificates?

Yes. BB3LIVE has £1 million public liability insurance (PLI) and our electrical equipment is PAT tested.

Copies of the relevant certificates are available on request if your venue needs them.

Can we come and see the band before booking?

Sometimes. Most of our work is at private weddings, parties and events, so there isn’t always a public show available to visit.

We do perform publicly from time to time, particularly at festivals and other live events. Get in touch and we’ll let you know if there’s anything suitable coming up.

You can also follow BB3LIVE on our social channels for live clips, recent performances and upcoming public dates.