Tag Archives: best

Music to use at your corporate event

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Music is an important element of any event, whether it’s in the form of a playlist, DJ or live performance. We’re not just talking about parties and product launches: conferences can benefit hugely from music.

It’s probably not the main type of event you associate with music, but entertainment during seminar breaks and background music played in exhibition areas are both popular choices.

To help you use music as effectively as possible at your next conference we have collated a list of the most popular songs, and will also talk you through how to use them to your advantage.

Using our pool of professional artists for hire, we sent out a questionnaire to 1000 bands, DJs and acts asking if they had played at a conference in the last 18 months, which songs they played, and if any of the songs had been requested by the organisers.

Here are the Top 10 songs played at conferences last season:

Sex on Fire – Kings of Leon
Uptown Funk – Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars
Locked Out of Heaven – Bruno Mars
Signed, Sealed, Delivered – Stevie Wonder
Happy – Pharrell Williams
Get Lucky – Daft Punk
Rather Be – Clean Bandit Ft. Jess Glynne
Treasure – Bruno Mars
You’ve Got the Love – Florence + the Machine
Forget You – CeeLo Green

So, how can you use them to create a great atmosphere at your conference?

Break entertainment

Live entertainment during breaks can be a good energy booster for conference attendees. Chart toppers like the ones in our ‘most played’ list can work well in this environment, and can easily be played over an in-house speaker system at a reasonable level.

Here, a live band or DJ can really add something to your conference. Stay clear of big sounds and opt for a smaller set-up, as delegates still need to be able to network and recharge for their next seminar.

Music in exhibition halls

Using music in large exhibition halls can be a great way of creating a good vibe.

At the same time the room is likely to be very noisy from all the delegates networking with each other and talking to exhibitors. The latter of course, is exactly what you want.

After parties

Out of all the areas of your conference where you might add music, this is definitely where your delegates will be most relaxed, and might even venture out on the dance floor.

After parties are all about networking and having a really good time. This is also where the ‘most played list’ will feel most appropriate. You can have a superb party band or DJ who incorporates them into their usual set-lists, or you could go for a more tailored option.

Does your team fancy a stunt day?

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So, you’ve smashed your boss over the head with a bottle and shot him, only for him to get up, laugh, and shake your hand. You’re not dreaming, you’re in stunt training. You’ve watched bar room brawls, shootings and spectacular stunts in films and been dazzled by their realism. Now you will be trained by the men responsible for those stunts at the legendary Pinewood Studios, where the James Bond films and countless other blockbusters are filmed.

Yes, you could hire Stuntmen instructors and props to really make this a unique a fun day for all. After a full safety briefing and a warm up, the instructors will give a full demonstration of the stunts before training you to recreate them. Just like on a real film set, safety is paramount, and all of the stunts take place in controlled environments with the instructors supervising. You’ll be taught how to shoot blanks from pistols and revolvers, and how to fall realistically after being shot. There’s no need to worry about bruises though as your fall will be broken by safety mats.

You will also be taught how to smash a bottle over someone’s head without leaving so much as a scratch on them. This brilliant training day will live long in the memory and give you a fascinating insight into the film industry.

A brilliant day, and definitely unique, we are sure your staff will be talking about this in months to come.

Don’t forget to take your DVD home of all your stunts that you have done for the day!!

The Generation Game

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The Generation Game was part of British Saturday night television for many years, the Generation Game is a fun filled interactive event. This ultimate day of games, quizzes, and challenges will have your group in fits of riotous laughter and mayhem!

Imagine your colleagues competing to decorate their very own cake in the style of ‘The Great British Bake Off’ while others try to outdo each other in table cloth whipping! And for trivia boffins the events proceedings kick off with a quiz and rounds off with a memory challenge.

The Generation Game could be run during the day or for evenings (between courses of a meal or after-dinner entertainment.) Each round could be presented by a professional compere, all of whom come from a comedic background to make sure your event is filled with laughter. Groups of between 8 and 10 compete head-to-head, with each round designed to include every member of the team. After each round you will present the famous ‘scores on the doors’ so teams can see where they sit on the leader board.

Party Game ideas.

How well can you guestimate?
21 second challenges
Great British Bake Off – Cake decorating
Whippit- whip the table cloth away from a set dining table
Conveyer belt
What are the benefits of this team building exercise?

Laughter Guaranteed
Professional comedic host
Rounds to appeal to everyone
Real back to school childish fun
Can run during the day or evening
Something completely crazy and different
Prizes for the winning team

This event will please the most serious of people and get them to show their true fun side!

Dragons Den team building

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Dragons’ Den is a team-building event that gives your people the chance to do some real blue-sky thinking out of the office. Participants are split into teams and encouraged to conceptualise, research, and create a brand new product, idea, or service to take the market by storm. The theme can either be based on your business, for example, creating a marketing advert for an internal campaign, or simply left to the team’s innovation.

If you are looking to bring the best out of your staff, this Dragons Den idea is just great for:
Great for sharing new ideas and creative thinking
Brings the best out in people
Gives everyone the chance to be heard
Exposes new talents you may not see in the office
Ideal for getting involvement and buy in to new ideas or products
Fun, entertaining, competitive & inspiring
Links energy and results directly back to the workplace

Teams arrive in the ‘Den’ complete with themed music & graphics to emulate the real thing. The resident Evan Davies introduces the dragons who are normally a mixture of your senior members of your team. Groups head off to breakout rooms ready to plan their ideas and pitch.

Stages the teams could go through;

PLANNING: sharing ideas to come up with the winning formula concept
RESEARCH: target audience, competitors & unique selling points
MARKETING: graphics, presentation material and mock up designs
FINANCES: start-up costs, profits and forecast business value
THE PITCH: each member of the team must be involved in inspiring the Dragons

The event is light-hearted and FUN; however, a more serious twist can be applied. You may see an idea go on the market!!

Best-selling songs of the 2000s

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If you hire a party and function band for an event and they can play most of these then you should be certain of convincing a large crowd to the dancefloor.

1. Happy – Pharrell Williams

With 1,813,000 copies of Happy sold, you’d probably expect a function band to play this song from 2013.

2. Anything is Possible/Evergreen – Will Young

You might find it a little harder to find a function band that have this Will Young classic in their repertoire even though it sold 1,790,000 copies in 2002. That being said, if you’re looking for a band or a solo singer to play this hit then you can always request it, thereby making sure that your wedding or party is as special as it can possibly be.

3. Blurred Lines – Robin Thicke feat. T.I. and Pharrell Williams

To be involved on two of the top three best-selling songs of the 21st century must bring in a pretty packet and this one sold 1,630,000 copies. Alas, when it comes to this song, the writers were forced to shell out a lot of profits to Marvin Gaye’s estate. Even so, it’s a song that is sure to have people on their feet and dancing and we know of a good number of bands who can sing it.

4. Someone Like You – Adele

Is there a better song to sing when you’re thoroughly on course to drink the bar dry? We think not. Adele is a hugely popular star and this song in particular is requested by huge amounts of clients. Perhaps more popular with bands who specialise in ballads, we still think you’ll have no problem finding this in an act’s repertoire.

5. Moves Like Jagger – Maroon 5 feat. Christina Aguilera

If you’ve ever wanted to dance and sing along to having the moves like a famous Rolling Stone, then this is the song for you. It’s probably our favourite on the subject. Maroon 5’s song is a proper dance floor filler. Interestingly, this is the only song on this list that never reached number 1 despite spending 64 weeks on the chart.

6. Uptown Funk – Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars

Do you remember when this song was everywhere? You could barely escape it even after turning off the radio because your flatmate would be singing it through the walls.

7. Somebody That I Used to Know – Gotye feat. Kimbra

We haven’t heard it a lot recently but if you request it, we’re certain it’s probably etched in the recesses of the minds of any party function band.

8. Wake Me Up – Avicii

Swedish DJ Avicii may have retired but his music lives on in the form of this fab hit from 2013. Wake Me Up has to be slightly tweaked for function bands to play it – it is a song by a DJ after all – but it works brilliantly when played live and various corporate events and parties have been seen dancing to this throughout the last few years.

9. I Gotta Feeling – The Black Eyed Peas

Tonight’s gonna be a good night if you hire a function band who can play this classic from 2009. Considering just how big a hit Where is the Love? was, it might be somewhat surprising to find that this is the one that makes the top 10. Not every function band has it currently in their repertoire but like Somebody That I Used to Know, it’s fair to assume that they’ll be able to play it if asked.

10. Get Lucky feat. Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers

The drinks are on Pharrell! Three songs in the top ten?! A huge hit from 2013, Get Lucky has amassed 1,436,000 purchases and continues to be popular at events today. A perfect hit for the summer, we’re pretty confident that it’ll be played by at least one band at one of our events in the next week. If we’re wrong, we’d be very surprised!

Have some BBQ fun

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The sun is shining; the radio is turned up to full volume and the smell of BBQ’s start to fill the summer air.

The BBQ Party season has started. That’s when you know it’s time to bring out the BBQ and host your own party. But why not make your BBQ party unique and fun by incorporating some BBQ Party Ideas in the form of entertainment and games throughout the day and evening.

Underneath are a few simple ideas to make your BBQ party the highlight of the summer.

BBQ Party Games

Become a child again at your BBQ party by hiring large outdoor games such as giant jenga, archery, giant connect 4 and even twister. This will keep your guests entertained throughout the BBQ party and will give them a chance to mix and mingle as well. Giant games are such an easy and effective style of entertainment that will definitely make your BBQ party the talk of the street. Other BBQ Party ideas could include bouncy castles, rodeo, or even bubble machines.

BBQ Drinks Delight

Beverages at a BBQ party are of high importance. Here are some BBQ party ideas to make your catering that little something different. To save you money and time ask your guests to bring their own drink. Or try out the new craze sweeping across the nation relating to beverage catering at BBQ parties, your very own Cocktail artist and bar. Hire a cocktail artist to greet your guests with some freshly made cocktails at your BBQ party. You could even name the cocktails to fit in with your summer BBQ. Trust me when I say this… you and your guests will love sipping on a cold cocktail in the warm sunshine.

BBQ Party Music

Every BBQ party needs music. But sometimes a playlist being played on a MP3 player can be quite monotonous and played out. So why not put that extra spark (pun intended) into your BBQ party and hire a musician or a DJ. A classical guitarist would create the perfect atmosphere at your BBQ party and give it that extra wow factor… seriously, how many BBQ’s have you been to with a professional guitarist playing just for you. Not many, so get on it. Also hire a local DJ to provide the evening music, this gives you the chance to mingle with your guests knowing that the music is in safe hands.

BBQ Party Ideas – Extra Tips

. Send invites 2 weeks before the BBQ party
. Make a note of any special dietary requirements
. Ensure you have all necessary equipment (plates, cups, cutlery, BBQ!!)
. Purchase the food the day before the BBQ party and prep as much as you can.
. Overall, have fun, smile and enjoy your party!

So kick off the summer season in style with a fun and lively BBQ party. Take some inspiration from our BBQ Party Ideas and enjoy the long evenings with your closest friends and family. Summer won’t last forever so if you’re going to have a BBQ party, have it in style.

New Year’s Eve is fast approaching!

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New Year’s Eve – a great excuse for you to invite the friends and family around, indulge in some more drinks and snacks, and celebrate a fresh start. Don’t worry if you haven’t sorted out any entertainment for the evening yet, there is still time to book and there are plenty of interesting acts for you. Take a look at our top 10 last minute ideas for your New Year’s Eve entertainment.

1. Magicians

Hire a Magician, another great ice-breaker for large events, but also very versatile and can perform at much smaller events for New Year’s Eve. Magic might look amazing on television, but there is nothing like seeing live magic being performed right in front of your eyes. Close-up magic is great to get guests actively involved and keep them amused during the quieter times of your event.

2. Pianists

Of course, New Year’s Eve events can be very classy, requiring some sophisticated entertainment. A Pianist is a really good option if that’s the type of event you have in mind this year. Most pianists are happy to discuss set lists with you in order to create the type of show you are after. Live music adds that extra spark to any event, especially New Year’s Eve when your guests are expecting to see the year out with a bang.

3. Rat Pack Singers

Rat Pack singers cover all the greats, from Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Tony Bennet, to more modern music from Michael Buble. This is a great entertainment option if you want to entertain all ages for New Year’s Eve, and Rat Pack singers can be hired as solo acts or with a band.

4. String Quartets

Another classical option for your New Year’s event, but still able to adapt to your theme! String quartets are a good option if you are on a tight budget but want that big band effect. Most quartet groups have options for trio, duo, or solo performances too, so it’s always worth asking for other options. Some quartets even boast electric instruments which can make the show even more impressive.

5. Vintage Singers

If you fancy a singer but you are looking for something a little bit different for your spectacular New Year’s Eve event, look no further. A vintage singer could be the right act for you! Vintage acts can perform traditional vintage songs, wartime songs, or more modern songs in a vintage jazzy style – it’s entirely up to you! Most vintage acts will also have a range of themed costumes available to wear if you are going for a full-on themed party.

There are plenty of party entertainment options for New Year’s Eve that you may not have already thought of. Just remember to book quick as time is running out!

Arrange a Team Building Exercise

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Red Masque has got to mention the city of London and the surrounding region, providing party entertainment ideas and equipment hire. Why London? London is the UK’s capital and its home to thousands of successful businesses. Here are some more fun facts about London:

Most visited city in Europe
More languages are spoken here than any other city in the world
Heathrow is the busiest airport in the world
If you are based down south and want to organise an incredible team building adventure for all your staff and colleagues, fret no more.

Here some fun team building ideas for London

1. Archery hire

Pick up your bow and arrow, take aim and bullseye! Archery is a fantastic team building exercise- it’s a low impact and a safe sport for all abilities.

Archery was a big sport in the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. Held over an eight-day period, four events took place in front of around 6,500 spectators. It is a truly historic sport, a contest of mind and body control, as well as precision.

It has roots dating back to its use as a weapon of hunting and war in ancient times- so what are you waiting for, hunt for food and wage war with your boss with our help!

2. it’s a Knockout

It’s a Knockout was a classic British comedy game show first broadcast in 1966.

It was adapted from a French show and the series was broadcast for over 15 years on BBC1. It has since returned to our screens on numerous occasions but the games have always remained the same- school sports day for adults.

Recreate the fun for your business with a frantic, energetic, highly motivating game that is thoroughly entertaining.

3. Build a tower

The Tower of London is a famous historical castle, otherwise known as Her Majesty’s Royal Palace and Fortress.

Based on the River Thames in central London, it’s a popular tourist attraction alongside the Tower Bridge and Big Ben.

If you’re fed up of looking out of your office window and seeing the iconic structures day in day out, why not recreate them in the comfort of your own office space with our Build a Tower Team Building.

4. Cash grabber

Why not create your very own game show with a Cash Grabber Cylinder! They’re fantastic fun and perfect for competitions or promotions. For the extra ‘wow’ factor, hire alongside our Game Show Hire

So there you have it- a few team building exercises for London. Just take a look at all the other equipment hire you could have at your event!!

Here are 10 things to consider when booking entertainment

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1. Type of entertainment for your event

What type of event are you hosting? There are different types of entertainment to suit different kinds of events. Booking the right type of entertainment is essential.

For example;
A Dance music DJ would be suitable for an 18th Birthday party but wouldn’t go down too well at a 70th birthday (Unless they are young at heart!).

Whereas a Country Band would be perfect for a 70th Birthday party but would not be suitable for an 18th party!

Make sure that the entertainment you book matches the theme and requirements of your event so that everyone can have a good time.

2. Plan Early

Make sure that you plan and book your entertainment early. Don’t leave it to the last minute as the most popular Bands, Entertainers and Acts have bookings 2 – 3 years in advance (especially with weddings). Avoid disappointment and start looking for entertainment as soon as you have your venue booked.

3. Location of Entertainer

When searching for the perfect Entertainer for your event, try to find someone local which can save your precious budget instead of paying travel expenses. If you book an entertainer located over 200 miles away they are obviously going to charge extra for travel, or even an overnight hotel stays. One exception is when you are booking a completely unique entertainer that you won’t find in your local area.

4. Date of event

Be mindful of the date of your event. You may find that your entertainer charges a smaller fee for midweek gigs. Also consider that most entertainers charge more for events like New Year’s Eve and Christmas Holidays.

5. Experience

How much experience does your entertainer have? Are they full-time entertainers? Have they previously performed at events like yours? Ask for testimonials – Every good entertainer should have them!

6. Setup Requirements

Different entertainers require different setups. Some bands will need a large stage area to fit their sound and lighting rig, while solo acts can stand in the corner of your room with just an instrument and microphone. Make sure that you plan the layout of your room and discuss setup arrangements with your entertainer. Ensure enough time for your entertainer to set their equipment up and sufficient access to load equipment into your venue.

7. Contract

Does your entertainer use a written agreement or contract? If they don’t, how do you know that they will turn up on the event? Start late? Finish early? Charge you more? A written contract is essential when booking entertainment, as it guarantees that your entertainer will provide the service that is specified on the date and times you require. The contract should also specify the fee for the entertainer.

8. Public liability insurance

Booking an entertainer without public liability insurance can end up being an expensive mistake. Firstly, some venues and hotels require entertainers to produce a PLI certificate. If your entertainers cannot prove that they are insured, the manager won’t let them in! Imagine you have a room packed full of guests attending your event and your entertainment is not allowed in… What a Disaster! Secondly you may be liable for the costs if the entertainer you have booked causes damage to individuals or property in the venue. What if your entertainer had equipment that fell on top of a guest or member of staff? For peace of mind; make sure your entertainer has Public Liability Insurance. Don’t take a risk!

9. PAT Testing

If your entertainers use any electronic equipment, they are required by law to have it PAT tested (Portable Appliance Test) for electrical safety. It is a UK legal requirement for your entertainer to have their equipment tested annually, to comply with The Electricity at Work Act 1989. PAT testing is also necessary to meet the requirements of the entertainers PLI policy. Does this matter to me? Yes, as some venues and hotels also won’t let your entertainer perform without a valid PAT certificate.

10. Price

When booking party entertainment, don’t always go for the cheapest entertainer. Why? Because booking entertainment isn’t the same as looking for the cheapest TV or the best Insurance quote. Your entertainer needs to be of a professional standard and have the experience to entertain you guests. Their equipment needs to be of a professional quality, so that it doesn’t break down on the night. Also their service needs to be professional so that you are happy with booking. Notice the word professional is used a lot?

Solo Dancers and Dance Groups

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For entertainment that really gets your party started, it’s hard to beat a professional dancer for sheer energy, visual impact, and more than a touch of glamour.

Dancers and dance companies perform choreographed routines that combine music and movement into an energetic and elegant form of entertainment. Most dance groups for hire offer a range of traditional, classical and contemporary dance styles, including elegant ballroom dancing, street dance, Las Vegas style showgirls, traditional Irish dancing, Latin American tango, Spanish flamenco, and the more risqué charms of burlesque.

Most dancers and dance troops offer either a standard show that can be adapted to your venue and event, or as bespoke option to create exactly the mood and feel you require for your event.

Whether you’re looking to hire a belly dancer to surprise guests at a birthday party, or classical ballerina to add grace and elegance to your product launch, dancers and dance groups provide an energetic, engaging, and ultimately highly entertaining show for your guests.

What to look for in a quality dancer/dance group

Dancers can be formally trained at dance schools, ballet schools and performance academies, or some may just be naturally good at dance. So, it’s not always a measure of quality to look at the training each dancer or members of a dance troupe have received. The exceptions are, of course, classical ballet and ballroom dancing, both of which involve many years of training, and there are definite advantages of years of training for dance forms such as jazz, tap and Latin American dance.

If they have performed at major venues, in professional dance shows, ballet companies or West End shows, or have performed for global brands, chances are they are of high quality, have relevant experience, and deliver a great show.

Most dancers and dance troupes are extremely versatile, often offering a wide variety of dance styles for your event. Chances are, if a dance troupe focuses exclusively on one or two dance styles or forms, they will have a high level of expertise in these forms and therefore put on a more authentic show.

Some of the dance companies featured at Red Masque Directory will create bespoke shows just for you, and bring in dancers and performers with the correct level of skills required. So, just because they don’t specialise in Street Dance for example, they can probably call on some very good performers if you require a bespoke urban style performance.

Take a little time to look at the Profiles of dancers and dance companies here on Red Masque Directory. All companies will feature photographs of their dancers, and some offer video, a great way to see what they look like in action.