Frequently Asked Questions

Each of our bands is a dedicated lineup of vocalists and musicians that always perform together. There are some other companies out there that are a pool of musicians, where they piece together bands with a rotating roster; that is not our business model at all. All Clockwork bands are virtual mirror images of one another in terms of instrumentation, and they all play a very similar set of music, with the goal of playing songs that have a proven track record of always packing the dance floor. Pricing is the same for each band, and all our bands play any venue throughout New England. So how do you decide? Some couples will leave it up to us to make a recommendation, and others will watch the videos on the specific band pages on our website and request the band to be at their wedding. So it's up to you!

We are asked this question a lot. Don't feel that you need to spend a lot of time picking out songs. Here’s our philosophy: our number 1 goal is to play songs that are going to pack the dance floor right up until the end of the reception, and to create an atmosphere that your guests will be raving about for weeks and months following your wedding; I’m sure that’s your goal as well. The band knows what they do best to create the kind of atmosphere that we’re looking for. Honestly, if you leave it up to us, your wedding is going to be an over-the-top smash! That said, we’re definitely open to your ideas. If you would like to send a list of a few songs/artists/styles that you really want played, feel free. We can then combine the band’s experience and expertise with your requests to create a great play list. Also, in between the two dance sets after dinner we DJ a high-energy mix (of about 15-20 minutes) to keep the party moving. If there are certain songs that the band doesn’t know, this is a perfect place to make those requests. In fact, some brides and grooms create a custom list by picking all of the songs played during this set.

It is a very rare occurrence, but as you know, people do get sick. If a band member’s illness is severe enough so that they cannot perform at the wedding, we will find a very competent replacement. As you know, we have four bands, and more than likely one of the singers or musicians from one of the other bands would be available to fill in in an emergency situation. Also, one of the advantages of having been in the wedding business for over 35 years is that we have an extensive network of musicians that we can call upon in case of an emergency. Again, this is extremely rare, but we are covered if it does happen.

Most couples prefer that we DJ their first dance song for them to dance to at the wedding, because they know exactly how the song is going to sound (and quite often they’ve been practicing dancing to the recording), and they often want to dance to shortened version of the song (for example, where we fade it out at the 1:53 mark), which can be done more efficiently with the DJ’d version. As an option, the band could learn and perform the song at your wedding.

Most wedding receptions are 4 hours long (in addition to 1 hour for cocktails), and there’s a reason for that. A four-hour reception seems to be the right amount of time to create a very fun atmosphere, to get everyone dancing, and have the energy peak before people get too tired. Keep in mind that after dinner, there is continuous high-energy music until the end of the reception. The band plays two dance sets, and we DJ a high-energy set of about 15 minutes in between these two sets. So, following dinner, there is high-energy dance music for about 2 ½ hours straight, and that’s usually enough for most people! However, we have played longer receptions in the past, with the extra time being performed by the band or the DJ, or a combination of the two (with the DJ ending the night).

During a 4-hour reception, we take two breaks. The first is during dinner when the main course is being served. After dinner we play two dance sets, and bridge the gap between these two sets with the high-energy DJ set (about 15 minutes in length).

Yes. In fact, you can put together your own custom playlist specifying exactly which songs are to be played during each break. Just give us a list, and we'll put it together! Or you can rely on us to put together a great mix to "DJ" the breaks.

No. We perform only one event each day, thereby giving each event our undivided attention. Furthermore, you will never be charged a penalty or extra stipend if your reception happens to be during “crossover” times (from late afternoon into early evening).

Getting your guests to the dance floor and keeping them there is our number one goal; isn’t that why you hire a band in the first place? Having performed at so many weddings in the past, we have a good sense as to which songs to pick to get people on the dance floor. Once the dancing has started, we string songs together into medleys (so there’s not that awkward “dead air” in between songs), gradually building the energy from one song to the next.

Having performed more than 1000 weddings in the past 36 years, we have come to realize the main qualities that brides look for in hiring a band. Musical Proficiency: Obviously, the band has to sound great! A band with great singers and accomplished musicians is a good start to creating a reception that everyone will rave about. But that’s not all . . . A Band with "Heart": The band members have to enjoy what they’re doing, rather than just "going through the motions" at another gig. A band whose musicians are close friends, and are the kinds of friends that you’d like to invite to your wedding, is a step closer to choosing the right band. You’re getting closer . . . The Band Leader: You have to feel comfortable on a personal level with the band leader. This is the person that you will be working with for a year (or longer) from the time you book the band until your reception. Qualities like integrity, honesty, punctuality, and professionalism are a must for the person you are relying on to run the show and orchestrate your once-in-a-lifetime event. So how do you find a band with all of these qualities? Fortunately, you already have: Clockwork East Coast, Clockwork Northeast, Clockwork New England and Clockwork Boston! Give us a call or send us an email.