Frequently Asked Questions

Are you insured and is your equipment tested for electrical safety?

Yes! We are fully insured and carry the industry standard £2million public liability cover. Our equipment is tested and inspected regularly to the highest standards of electrical safety. Certification is available upon request.

What equipment do you provide?

We will bring all the sound and lighting equipment required to get the party going. We pride ourselves in having professional audio equipment plus the expert knowledge and experience that is required to ensure that you get excellent sound quality without noise or feedback. Our 6.4kW PA system is suitable for small to medium sized venues holding up to 400 people.

What do you need from the venue?

Generally, we need a clean, dry and flat performance area that is at least 5 metres wide and 3 metres deep with a minimum of two 13A 240V power outlets. We have been known to squeeze into smaller areas so please get in touch if space is a little tight.

What time does the band typically arrive and depart?

Our standard quote will include the band arriving from 6pm and leaving before midnight. We can usually accommodate different timings so please let us know if you have any specific requirements and we'll do our best to make it work.

How long do you need to set up?

We will need at least 90 minutes to fully set up our gear and carry out a short sound check. It will usually take around one hour to pack everything away after we have finished.

How long can you play for and will there be an interval?

Typically we will play two 60 minute sets separated by a short interval. If you don't know when you want us to play, we would usually suggest something like 8:30pm to 11pm but no event is the same so feel free to talk to us if you're unsure.

Can you play pre-recorded music between your sets or do we need to book a DJ?

As soon as our speakers are set up we can cover background music as required until we pack up. We have a handful of suitable playlists ready to go but if you have specific Spotify playlists you would like to hear then we can make that happen too. Alternatively, you could provide us with an mp3 player loaded with your favourite tunes provided it has a 3.5mm socket such as a smartphone or tablet with the old school headphone socket.

Having said that, if you want to hire a professional DJ to get those sweet seamless mixes you won't get any complaints from us. We are more than happy to work alongside DJs to ensure the music entertainment runs as smoothly as possible.

Can we use your PA System for speeches?

We are more than happy to make our PA system available for announcements and speeches provided it is arranged beforehand. Please note that our microphones are wired and so they won't reach that far from the performance area. We will not tolerate guests using our equipment without prior agreement.

Does the band need refreshments?

The short answer is no. We understand that you've got enough to think about without adding the extra hassle of having to feed the band. However, if you would like to make food and/or drink available to the band, it will certainly put a smile on our faces!

How do we confirm a booking?

If you would like to book The Meddlers, please contact us with details of your event. We will then return a quote after which a 10% deposit is required to confirm the booking. The remaining balance must then be paid via bank transfer or in cash before the band is due to start playing.

Can we pick the set list?

Most of our repertoire is arranged in medleys as we find it's the best way to keep the energy high and the rambling between songs to a minimum. However, this means it's difficult for us to remove individual songs or change the running order. We have fine-tuned our setlist to appeal to a wide audience so generally we ask that you trust us to play songs that your guests will enjoy. However, if there are certain songs that you would prefer we didn't play, please get in touch and we'll see what we can do.

Can you play our first dance?

Absolutely. Having a live band play your first dance can be a very special occasion and we are happy to learn a song for you. However, please note that you must give us at least one month's notice so that we have ample time to learn and rehearse the track.

Additionally, it is worth noting that The Meddlers are a four piece function band with vocals, guitar, bass and drums so there's a limit to what sounds we can replicate. Please don't ask us to play Beethoven or Kraftwerk - it just wouldn't work!

Where will you travel to?

We are based in West Sussex, UK and our standard quote will include travel to anywhere within the county. We are more than happy to travel further afield but this will be reflected in our fee.

Where can we see you play?

Most of our performances are for private clients but occasionally we do play public events. Keep an eye on our social media channels to see if there are any upcoming public shows in your area.

Can you turn that down a bit please?

It is always our aim to provide the best possible sonic experience without damaging the ears of our audience - nobody needs that! However, there is a limit to how quietly we can play...

We use a traditional acoustic drum kit to give the audience the full live-band experience with plenty of energy and punchy rhythms that are essential for a good party atmosphere. However, drums are quite loud by design and so the other instruments and vocals need to be loud enough so that we can get the perfect balance. Depending on the environment this can be quite loud and so it is worth taking this into consideration if your event is located at a smaller venue.

What if the venue has a sound limiter?

Some venues have sound limiters that can cut power to the stage area if the volume gets too high. Please be sure to inform us it this is the case as this can have a major impact on the performance and sound quality, especially if the limit is set particularly low. If in doubt it may be a good idea to ask the venue if they regularly have live bands play without triggering any sound limiters.

Further information can be found in our terms and conditions.