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What does Side One cost?
Well, that’s a loaded question (ha!). We strive to provide the perfect live entertainment package for your event. Since your event is unique, our service package will be customized to suit your needs, and our pricing will reflect that.
You can always reach out to our team for a custom quote. But first, please consider the following points:
1. What: Think about what you need from us for your event. For instance, let’s say you want a raging dance party and definitely need a horn section, but you also require a) a mic for speeches, b) some sort of music for your cocktail hour, c) a projector for your slideshow, d) walkup music for an awards presentation, AND e) an MC…
The more detail you can give about what you need (and when you need it), the better equipped we’ll be to provide your quote!
2. Where (and where): Is your party is happening at the Whistler Conference Centre? The Banff Springs Hotel? The Four Seasons Yorkville or The Admiral’s House in Seattle? Once inside the venue, are you having dinner in the ballroom but cocktails in the foyer? If the weather cooperates, will the ceremony be outside overlooking the water? Will it move inside if it rains?
The more you can share about where the event is happening and where within the venue you need services, the better!
3. How many: Is this an intimate, ten-guest elopement followed by cocktails in Stanley Park? Or a holiday party at the Telus Convention Centre for 2000 staff?
4. How long: All of our services are time-based, but we are happy to extend call- and set-times to suit your needs. Letting us know what you require allows us to quote any overtime fees in advance.
Make sense? Let’s explore further:
The What
Side One provides two crucial components of any event: music and A/V.
In terms of music, you should ask yourself if your goal is to get people dancing, to provide atmosphere, or both.
If you want dancing, we have several dance band sizes to suit your party. The bigger the band, the more musicians, the higher the cost. If you’re unclear on how big a band you should get, we’ve written a great little piece HERE to help you make the call.
Suppose you know there will be dancing, but you want to add some atmosphere as well. In that case, you might start with our standard dance band service and then “add on” smaller, more chilled configurations for different parts of the event (solo guitar/vocalist for cocktails, jazz quartet for dinner, etc.). Think of these as appetizers to your main course.
Perhaps you ONLY want an appetizer. This is, of course, no problem, although we then price the service a la carte rather than as an add-on to your dance band.
When it comes to A/V, some venues supply production (mics, speakers, technicians, etc.) but MOST do not — or at least not at the level required to accommodate a full band. Side One is a full-service AV provider. This means it is no problem for us to bring everything that we need and provide all the things YOU might need, such as lighting, speech mics, an MC, iPods for background music, a projector and screen, and more.
The Where (and where)
Side One has bands in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, and Seattle. We’re kind of like a Whole Foods or Starbucks; you get the same quality product and service everywhere, but each location is unique in its own way.
Each city has what we call “Travel Tiers.” Suppose the distance from one of our cities to your venue exceeds our local-tier threshold. In that case, there may be additional costs required, such as mileage, accommodation, ferries, work visas, and flights. We will include all of this in our initial quote, so there are no surprises. However, we’ve found that many clients prefer to book our accommodations themselves, maximizing any potential discounts from block-booking for their vendors and guests. Please let us know if this is the case so we may factor it into your quote!
Also, within the venue, we need to know where everything is happening. For example, if your dinner speeches are in the same room as the dance band, no additional setup is required. However, if dancing and dinner take place in two separate areas, we’ll need a second sound system, which will be an additional cost.
How many guests?
If providing production for your event, we’ll need to know how big a system to bring. This is determined by guest count, room size, and layout. Our typical sound systems are suitable for up to 250 people, though we can certainly handle more. With the right info, we will ensure every person in the room can hear every word – whether your headcount is 5 or 5000.
How long?
A dance band booking gives you 3 hours of music within a 4-hour window, but you can add time and services as needed. Check out our FAQ for more on getting the most out of your dance floor.
It’s also helpful to think backwards, timing-wise. Ask your venue when vendors need to be clear, as that will inform when the party must end (booo!) and your optimal itinerary.
Our other services vary in length; you can find more information here. Just remember, these are default lengths. Our team can help you weigh time against cost and build the perfect package for your event.