There’s no such thing as bad publicity

Adding to the expanding list of controversial things Kanye West done in his career, he’s recently been reported to have told a disabled man to “stand up” at one of his concerts in Sydney!!!

But what can this self-proclaimed “god” teach us regular folk about being an entertainer that’s on the face of almost every news site going right now? Surely just that doing controversial things sells records?  

After thinking about the ridiculous concept that is Kanye West – a man who’s referred to himself as the “Steve Jobs of fashion” – here’s a list of 4 things he can teach you about being an entertainer

People love a villain

Just think of all of the times you’ve heard about Kanye West in the news and think about how many papers an article about him sells. Let’s take a look at his controversies throughout the years, shall we?

That Taylor Swift incident, hilarious outbursts on Twitter, ‘’George Bush doesn’t like black people”, calling himself Yeezus, marring Kim Kardashian, punching a paparazzo, several outbursts at members of the press and award organisations and now – apparently – heckling a disabled man.

And what’s the theme here? 

He sells papers, gets page views and gets people going – both those who love him, and those who hate him.

His persona isn’t just that of an egomaniacal idiot or “douche”, it’s a cynical, carefully honed personality that makes sure whenever he needs to sell some records or get in the press; journalists are hungry to write anything and everything about him.

So, we may not have Kanye West for hire at Red Masque entertainment directory but we may have a ‘celebrity lookalike’ or we may have some ‘comedians’ which could tell some rather controversial jokes that would really get your crowd talking; for the wrong reasons? Who cares? If they’re talking, that means you’ve made an impression…..right?

Wedding party ideas…

Whether your special day is a small registry celebration, a large church gathering or a more personal, non-religious ceremony, start as you mean to go on by making the first day of the rest of your lives the best day of your lives.

For a truly unforgettable day Red Masque entertainment will fulfil all your musical requirements with the pick of the country’s coolest party bands for a swinging evening reception, or perhaps a jazz band or swing band or classical music artists to provide background entertainment during the meal or the signing of the register.

A whole day of music…

Starting with the wedding ceremony, a piper is traditional to play the bride in and out of the church. A string quartet or harpist are common choices to provide a beautiful musical backdrop during the wedding ceremony and immediately afterwards whilst photos are taken.

Your wedding drinks reception. 

A jazz or swing band is an ideal choice to provide light background music during the afternoon reception, helping to settle guests and create an exciting atmosphere. It is also quite common for the string quartet from your ceremony to continue playing during the afternoon reception.

Evening wedding reception.

And what evening reception would be complete without a party function band or DJ? Pop bands are by far the most popular choices, with soul, disco and salsa offering something a little different.

DJ’s are a cost effective solution if a band is out of your budget but are also often booked as well as a band to fill in the gaps between the bands performances. Also, ask if the band themselves can DJ in between sets as this is very often possible.

More than just music…

Don’t just stop at wedding music though as all manner of wedding entertainment can be arranged. From top caricaturist and illusionists to entertain your guests while they mingle, to traditional ballet dancers and stage hypnotists, there’s no end to the fun that can we can arrange for you.

Birthday Celebration Ideas

The tradition of holding a party to celebrate the anniversary of birth began centuries ago in Europe when it was feared that evil spirits sought out people on their birthdays. To protect them from harm, friends and family would gather around to bring good thoughts and wishes. Giving gifts brought even more good cheer to ward off evil spirits, and candles were placed on cakes to transport the birthday wishes directly to God.

Initially, only royalty was deemed important enough to have a birthday celebration, but the tradition soon spread with the introduction of the children’s party in Germany, the Kinderfeste.

For the trivia buffs amongst you; the lyrically astounding ‘Happy Birthday to You’ song was written in 1839 by sisters Mildred and Patty Smith Hill!!

Birthday party fancy dress themes work really well let your imagination run wild…

It’s good to ensure there are plenty of attractions to keep guests talking & mingling so you could also consider casino tables which can tie in nicely with a James Bond theme, for example, and create a space for guests to meet, mix and break the ice. Also check out our celebrity lookalikes who will work the floor & get people talking.

For a rocking party, you could book a party band to play songs fitting to that theme or just a general Rock, Pop, Soul, and Swing or even a hired Jazz band to keep your guests dancing all evening long.

Hiring a Celebrity lookalike of your favourite celebrity would be a great touch. For a great surprise you could hire some comedy music acts who can act “incognito” for part of the evening before bursting into song when your guests least expect it!

Anniversary Party Planning Ideas

The word anniversary, meaning returning with the year or the annually recurring date of a past event, derives from the Medieval Latin word anniversarius, where annus means year and versus, which is the past participle of vertere, means to turn.

In modern times an anniversary celebration is usually held as a day of remembrance to commemorate a special event, particularly one of historical, national or personal importance: a person’s death, the anniversary of the founding of Rome or more usually a wedding anniversary. 

With music being one of the most important aspects of any party you might think about a themed band or DJ to play music from the era of your wedding party. For example why not book a swing band or Jazz Band for your 50th or 60th wedding anniversary party or a Rock n Roll band for all you 1960’s or 70’s newlyweds.

Many of Red Masque tribute bands will perform in costume which can lead to even greater amusement if you make it compulsory that all your guests must dress up in gear that was trendy in the year you were married, especially if any of them still have original items of clothing from those days!

Maybe you were married abroad, be it Ireland, the Caribbean or Greece so why provide a band who will perform music traditional to that country;  
which will get everyone jigging, or a top class steel band to re-invoke the sound of the sea and the swaying palms you enjoyed on your Caribbean wedding day.

Many people choose to organise a 1st, 2nd or 3rd year wedding anniversary party featuring the same band they hired for their wedding day entertainment. Your guests will have loved them the first time around so it’s a pretty safe bet that the next performance will be just as great.

If you’re asking guests to wear fancy dress then your room should be decorated in a similar theme.

For a personal treat you should ask all your friends to bring photos, anecdotes and tall tales about your years as a married couple. You can later compile these into an album to look back on and savour for years to come.

Hire your very own ‘sell out performance’

You know that sinking feeling when you just miss out on tickets to see your favourite musicians? It is a sad and sometimes frustrating moment – However Red Masque directory have a solution that could work out cheaper than using those extortionate touting websites.

How often have you eagerly anticipated seeing your favourite band or artist live onstage, only to discover that tour tickets sold out in nanoseconds on the one morning you had a meeting at the Slough office?

Or have you calculated that with the combined cost of decent tickets which don’t have a restricted view or are so far back you need binoculars, travel costs, parking, over-priced drinks, programmes and inevitable late night burger at 1am, you’ll be pushing £200 each?

Luckily, there is an answer – book a Tribute band instead. For the cost of you and five mates attending a major gig), you can hire a superb tribute band or act that play all your favourite tracks, not just the ones nobody wants to hear from their new album. And there are lots of tribute acts for hire to choose from too!

Robbie finished the UK leg of his tour in early July at the O2, so unless you can afford the cost of tickets PLUS air travel to Australia, you won’t be able to see him live this year! Instead, book a Robbie Williams tribute act for all those hits like ‘Angels” and “Rock DJ”. If you prefer his swing albums, why not book a Rat Pack tribute act, who perform all the great hits Robbie covers in his swing shows, such as “Ain’t That a Kick in the Head”, “Mr Bojangles” and “My Way

Want tickets? You Should Be So Lucky! Kicking off with shows in Liverpool, Kylie embarks on an arena tour of the UK in September, and already its standing room only or those pricey “packages” for almost every night. So, why not book a Kylie tribute instead and have a superb night with 100% pop diva fun for friends and family, without the travel and hassle

Recreate the magic that’ll never happen again with tribute bands for some of the world’s most famous artists and bands. Tribute bands play all the hits you love, have all the moves, the costumes, the style.  It’s a great way to enjoy the bands you loved as they were in the hey-day, and without the senior citizen bus passes. Tribute bands for hire are terrific as fundraising concerts and events, as well as party entertainment. See our Tribute Bands on the Red Masque directory and you won’t look back…

Surprise artists at your event

Hire singing waiters, policemen, firemen and a whole host of other comedy singing acts from Red Masque directory to make your event unforgettable. Discover what surprise entertainment we offer and how they’ll positively impact your event!

When you’re planning an event, you want to keep your guests entertained throughout, so the energy and enjoyment never dips. Giving them something new just when they are least expecting it is a great way to create a buzz, and to give guests something to talk about apart from the food or the football! And nothing fits the bill quite like a surprise act, be it singing waiters, firemen, or chefs.

The idea is really simple; your guests have no idea that the waiter who has been serving them, or the fireman who seems to be worried about the smoke alarms, are in fact highly talented singers, ready to grab a microphone and burst into song. As one waiter starts to sing, another suddenly joins in, and then a ‘guest’ can’t seem to resist joining in either. It’s particularly effective during a formal dinner.

It’s a great way of breaking up a meal and giving your guests something hugely entertaining when they are least expecting it!

Before the audience have had time to work out who might be part of the act, they are being royally entertained by superb singers performing anything from famous opera songs to the latest West End hits, often close up to their tables.

The voices, the energy, the performance, they are all something that you just can’t duplicate in any other way. The ‘singing waiters’ introduction is a light way to create a surprise and add a great deal of fun.

What the guests see, of course, is just the end product of a great deal of planning and preparation. Professional entertainment acts make sure that everyone behind the scenes is in the know and fully prepared, while the real guests haven’t a clue what’s going on! It’s also about preparing a scenario that is perfect for your event.

And it doesn’t just have to be waiters, guests or catering staff.

For example the client is asked to provide a photograph of one of the guests that one of the acts is going to pretend to “arrest” for non-payment of a parking ticket! Once the ‘policemen’ start singing, they perform an amazing act containing everything from opera to Rat Pack and Grease

Musical entertainment ideas

Are you thinking about having a party?  It could be a large event or even a small one.  What about the music? You may have sorted out your playlist but what about a professional DJ, band or musician to get your party off the ground without a hitch. Top musical entertainers are very good a ‘reading’ a crowd and add a little bit of extra musical magic to an event making sure your guests have the best possible time.

How about a top Dj or VJ for a club launch or private party? Combine the two and have the ultimate party entertainment. Hire the best DJ’s with top technicians to put videos to music together and bring the party to life with the most amazing visual and musical combos. Give off that ‘night club’ ambiance; now that really is something to get excited about.

A solo musician can also be a great addition to any event. Whether you are having a corporate or private affair hiring a professional musician is worth considering to help keep guests happy and entertained and your party running smoothly. Performers can be booked for many occasions, themed nights, Rock nights, restaurants – you name it we think there are many more occasions that these musicians can be booked for as they are very versatile.

‘There is nothing like a Dame’ – so the song goes, and there is nothing quite like a female solo singer or a girl band to add some female fun to an event. From opera to pop their talents are endless. Hire a girl band for a ‘special birthday party’; or if a themed night is needed you could book your very own ‘Supremes’.

Or maybe you’re a lover of all things classical? If you are thinking of having such an event then why not hire some great classical musicians playing the very best from Mozart to Beethoven. There are many possibilities when it comes to your classical selection, from singers and choirs to string quartets and orchestras, be assured that here at Red Masque Directory we only advertise the very best.

Booking any musical entertainment for your event is very simple – find the performers suitable for your party and fill out their online booking form which is easily located within their profile. Once all details are sent your chosen entertainer they will be in touch with you directly to discuss all your requirements1.

The glory of Gospel

If you wanted to make a great impression and entertain your guests on another level then why not set your sights high and have the best entertainment for your event. Have a blast by hiring one of the best Gospel choirs in the country. The power and beauty of gospel music is undeniable. If you’re looking for moving and enjoyable music straight from the soul then consider hiring a great gospel choir for your next event. The beauty, soul and tradition of gospel music is irresistible and we have the best in the business available here at Red Masque.

Gospel choirs are always uplifting and a great choice for any party and event. You could be organising a Wedding surprise, a corporate event or a launch party and in need of something special to mark the event. Hire a gospel choir for your event and provide your guests with an entertaining and unforgettable experience.

Finding top entertainers for a variety of different events is our business. We specialise in corporate event entertainment, party and wedding entertainment and understand that it is an important aspect of any business. Corporate events are used to impress potential clients and existing employees and when it comes to entertainment, making an impression with guests is paramount. Having a top entertainer as part of your party or event is crucial if you need to impress, which is why the entertainers we recommend are made up of only the very best available in the UK.

The best in the business

The wonderful sound of live music being played is second to none, so why not hire one of the best in the business and make your event truly memorable?

Go for the classical with a four piece, solo musician or a full orchestra. From the magical sounds of a Harpist to the timeless sound of a Violist or a string quartet.  If you wanted an upmarket affair then you’ll find a large selection of classical musicians available here at Red Masque.

Imagine the scene; a launch party for your new wine bar has finally been arranged and there is the sound of people talking and laughter. Hiring a musician could be the perfect addition to your event and the added ingredient needed to make it a complete success. The right ambience can certainly make your event stand out.

If you’re looking to add a little culture then why not try one of our musical artists from around the world? Hire some Latin or Middle Eastern music musicians. We have reggae bands for hire,  african bands, indian musicians and tradition artists from Europe, South America and the far east. To hire only the best musicians from across the globe look no further than Red Masque directory. You’ll find just what you’ve been looking for to give your special event that extra special sparkle!!

For some Motown and Soul is the best music of days gone by, it was soulful funky and is still as popular today. Why not bring the party to life and hire a top Motown band or tribute act? Motown really turned the music industry around and today we still hear sampled copies of Motown and Soul being used today.

To hire a band, musician, orchestra or singer for any event look no further than Red Masque Directory where you will find the finest artists available in the UK today. We are the most comprehensive entertainment directory in the UK. With everything from unique and original acts and party entertainment to the best performers and bands in the business.

Rock out!!!

The fantastic atmosphere of a great hired Rock band you just feel like all your inhibitions have disappeared and you can just ‘Rock out’ – well at Red Masque entertainment directory you can hire out your own personal Rock band they could be playing the likes of Bon Jovi or Nirvada, whatever your tastes we have the perfect Rock band for your event.

How about hiring a saxophonist to accompany your Rock band imagines the sounds of Dire Straits with the haunting sound of a saxophonist playing; now that is the sound of Rock!

We have the best advertised here a Red Masque entertainment directory, so look no further and book with us today.  Find the Rock band or saxophone player of your choice, fill out their online booking form and then they will be in contact to discuss your event further.