Live music is key to making the right impression.

Planning a corporate event is a big responsibility and a time-consuming process. When tasked with organising an event you want to make sure everything is perfect for the sake of your guests and your own reputation. Live music is often a low-priority consideration for organisers and one of the final pieces to be put in place.

The right live music can mean the difference between the success or failure of your corporate event.

Music adds a lot of value to your event. Live entertainment helps to map out and guide your event from start to finish, no matter the time of day.

Live performances are entertaining and fun and are great for keeping guests engaged.

At Musique we pride ourselves on our exclusive collection of musicians who provide exceptional entertainment for corporate events across the North West and throughout the UK. With decades of experience between us, our team knows exactly what makes the perfect choice of live music for any event. Keep reading to learn more.

How do you choose the right live music for your corporate event?

Every corporate event is different and your choice of live music should reflect the occasion and support you in keeping your guests engaged and entertained.

To help you choose the right type of live musicians, first, ask yourself the following questions:

• What is the purpose of your corporate event?
• Is the music going to be background entertainment or a featured part of the event?
• Will you need more than one style of live musical entertainment throughout the course of the event?
• Where will your event be based? Is it a single location or will your guests move throughout the day?

Once you’ve answered these questions, you’ll have the foundation for choosing the right live music for your corporate event.

Use live music to set the tone

Live music doesn’t just make for great entertainment at corporate events. It allows you to set the tone for the day and enhances your environment.

According to research by MarketingCharts, 81% of people agree that background music lifts their mood, while 71% say it helps to create a better atmosphere overall.

Whether you’re hosting a summer or Christmas party, a gala dinner, an awards ceremony or a seminar, live music sets the stage for your guests throughout your event.

To choose the right live music to set the tone, consider how you want your guests to feel as they experience each part of the event.

Do you want to create a buzz of excitement or a more laid-back atmosphere? Do you want to get your guests hyped for a celebration, or provide an air of sophistication for networking?

If you’re hosting a team-building event, up-tempo music will get your guests to feel energised. At a networking event, classical music will make guests calm and relaxed, helping them to interact together with more ease.

If you’re looking to create a party atmosphere opting for a live band or DJ will provide entertainment and get people dancing.

If you’re planning a conference, live music provides a backdrop throughout the day. Consider a pianist, harpist, or string musician to set the tone as your guests arrive and to provide ambience during conference breaks as well as lunch and dinner.

Have a purpose in mind

Purpose and function are important considerations when choosing a live musician. You should think about which of the following three categories your entertainment fits into.

• Background music
• Spectacle or show
• Circulating entertainment

If the purpose of hiring a live musician for your event is to offer background entertainment while guests network or go about focused tasks, choosing a purely instrumental musician will enable you to create the right atmosphere without distracting from the focus of the event.

If you want to put on a show consider a live musician who’ll act as a focal point. A live band is great for this, providing a combination of live vocals and instrumental music while getting the crowd hyped and engaged.

Finally, if you want to create a more immersive event experience, pick a musician who’ll get among the guests. A saxophonist is a great choice for providing instrumental music that can easily work a room from within the crowd. Solo vocalists, guitarists and acoustic duos also make a great fit.

Violinists and similar string groups can also be effective if your event requires a classical tone.

Choose a style of live music that reflects your brand

Your choice of event entertainment should reflect your brand, its values and your vision for both the event and your company.

This might sound like a lot to consider but it’s worth doing. Entertainment that’s in line with your company’s image will make a positive impression on your guests.

Think about whether your choice of music echoes your brand’s voice, personality, and identity. The right choice of music will resonate with your guests and help create positive long-term associations with your business. The wrong live musicians could leave guests feeling confused and displaced, especially if the sound doesn’t marry with your business’s identity.

If your brand is known for its fun and vibrant energy, pick an upbeat live music act – you might consider a pop, rock, or soul band, an acoustic musician, or a live DJ.

If your brand is recognised as premium and refined, choose a jazz musician, pianist, or classical musician to provide your entertainment.

Ensuring live music at your corporate event matches your brand’s identity is guaranteed to set you up for success.

Make sure your music fits your guest list

As well as matching your brand’s voice, your music should also resonate with your guest list.

Think about the type of people who’ll be attending your event and the styles of music they’d be most likely to listen to and engage with.

You don’t want to choose an entertainer whose music is poles apart from the crowd they’ll be performing for – this is setting you and your chosen musicians up for failure.

Consider the age range and scope of personal styles included on your guest list and select a live music act that caters to the majority.

Consider your event space

When enquiring with musicians, make sure to ask what set-up and performance spaces they’ll need as your event space will dictate the type of entertainment you can opt for.

Think about the size and portability of your musician’s instruments. Will they operate from a fixed place in the room or will they move around? If they’re tied to one area (such as at a piano), make sure your venue can facilitate this.

Ask potential musicians about their technical set-up and check with your venue to ensure adequate power sources and space are available.

If your event will take place in different spaces throughout the day, will you require multiple entertainers?

If you’re hosting a corporate event at a larger venue and inviting a larger crowd, think about adding audio-visual production options so your guests can see and hear bands at their very best.

Summary

Carefully consider the tone of your event and make sure your live music reflects your brand identity. Think about the guest list and the types of live music they’ll be most responsive to. Finally, make sure you understand how your choices fit with the configuration of your event space.

Musique’s artists bring life to the party for any occasion. From solo acoustic performers, classical quartets, 10-piece show bands and Ibiza-style DJ Live performers, we have elegant and stylish entertainment to suit every event.

Whether your hosting a large-scale or intimate corporate event our dedicated booking coordinators will guide you through the process, from start to finish.

Get in touch to find out more about Musique’s incredible line-up of live musicians for corporate events.