Frequently asked questions
Before you ask.
31 straight answers about booking live music for your wedding, party or corporate event. If yours is not here, ask Pierre on WhatsApp.
Topics
The concept
What is a roaming band?
A roaming band, also called a strolling band, plays unplugged and on the move. The musicians sing without microphones and walk among your guests, using the whole venue rather than a stage. Every set is close, personal and interactive: the music comes to the table, the terrace, the dancefloor.
How is it different from a stage band or a DJ?
A stage band performs at your guests from a distance; a DJ plays records. A roaming band performs with your guests, at conversation distance, and reads the room song by song. It is the format that turns a drinks reception into the start of the party. For the late night, our DJ takes over so the energy never drops.
How loud is a roaming band?
Loud enough to get 150 people dancing, quiet enough to talk over at the next table. There is no heavy amplification: the concept brings the music directly to the guests, passing between the groups and the tables. It cannot be compared with a DJ through a sound system, and that is the point.
For larger events the band can plug into a sound system with wireless microphones, or play on stage with a full amplified set-up: guitar and bass amps, acoustic drum kit.
Which languages do you sing in?
English, French, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese across the roster. Each band page lists its own languages. International guest lists are our natural habitat: the repertoire is built to reach every table, whatever the passport.
Can our guests make requests?
Yes. You can pick titles from the setlist ahead of the event, and guests are welcome to call out a song during the sets. Once the party starts, though, we suggest you leave the running order to the band: reading the room is the craft.
Booking
How far in advance should we book?
As soon as your date and venue are set. Summer Saturdays on the Riviera and in Italy are often taken a year ahead. That said, the bands are highly responsive and prepared to travel at short notice: if you have a musical emergency, we would be delighted to solve it.
How does the booking process work?
Tell us the date, the place, the number of guests and your budget through the enquiry form. Pierre answers within the day with the acts that fit and their availability. A short call settles the programme. A signed agreement and a deposit confirm the date. From there the agency handles the planning with you and your planner, down to the last song.
Do you work with wedding planners and venues?
All the time. Planners and venue teams have one contact at the agency for the timeline, the set times, the technical needs and the special songs. Several of our Google reviews are written by planners who book us for their couples year after year.
Can we see the band before we book?
Watch the films on each band page and on our YouTube channel, and follow the bands on Instagram for footage from recent events. On request we send unedited clips from a wedding or a gala close to what you are planning.
What about last-minute bookings?
The bands are highly responsive and always prepared to travel at the last minute, subject to availability. Write to us on WhatsApp for the fastest answer.
The music
How long do you play?
Three sets of thirty minutes is the classic format, spread across the key moments of the event: drinks reception, dinner, dancefloor. For larger or premium events we also offer four sets of thirty minutes or three sets of forty. The DJ then carries the night from the last band set onwards.
What kind of music do you play?
A wide repertoire across styles, decades and languages: crooner classics, Motown, French chanson, Italian standards, British and American pop and rock, Latin rhythms, the songs everybody knows. Every audience is unique, so the band improvises and adapts to yours. Each band page describes its own colour.
Can you learn our song?
Yes. Send us the first dance, the entrance song or the surprise number ahead of the event and it is prepared before the day. Special requests are planned, never improvised on the spot.
Can the band continue as a DJ?
Yes, and it is the format most couples choose. After the last band set, our DJ takes over the dancefloor, often with the saxophonist playing live over the mix. One booking, one team, one sound from the first glass to the last song.
Do you play ceremonies?
On request. An acoustic set, a guitar and a voice, or a piano and jazz set for the ceremony and the drinks that follow: The Serenades in particular offer piano, jazz and bossa sets before switching to the party.
The venue
What do you need at the venue?
Very little. The band is acoustic, so there is no need for power. A hot meal on site is greatly appreciated and gives us the fuel to give our best from start to finish. We would also love to receive a few photos and clips from your photographer and videographer afterwards.
Do you need a soundcheck?
Not when we play roaming. For amplified events the installation and soundcheck time is estimated case by case and agreed with the venue in advance.
Does it work in a private home or a small venue?
Beautifully. A roaming band needs room to walk, not a stage: a living room, a garden, a terrace or a restaurant all work. No cables, no rig, nothing to hide. For a very small gathering, ask about a duo or a trio.
What about noise limits and neighbours?
An unplugged band is the answer to venues with sound restrictions: no speakers, no bass, and a volume that stays inside the party. If the venue has a curfew for amplified music, the roaming format can play on where a DJ would have to stop.
Do you play outdoors?
Outdoors is our natural habitat: gardens, terraces, beaches, vineyards. Plan a covered fallback in case of rain, for the instruments and for your guests, and the band will move with the party.
Travel
Where are you based?
The Brotherockers live in Nice, on the French Riviera, like The Peppermints and The Kingsmen. Café Crème and The Gentlemen are based in Paris. Every band travels.
How far do you travel?
Anywhere our music is needed. The bands have performed in more than ten countries. Travel time and costs are part of the proposal, so the further the venue, the more it matters to book early.
Do you play destination weddings in Italy and Switzerland?
Regularly. Lake Como, Tuscany, the Amalfi coast, Geneva, the Alps. A roaming band travels light: instruments, not a lorry of production. The agency handles the logistics and you keep one contact from the first email to the last song.
Who handles the travel and the logistics?
The agency. Transport, accommodation, load-in, set times and the contact with the venue are planned for you, and set out clearly in the proposal.
Budget
What does a roaming band cost?
Upon availability, our most accessible band starts at EUR 2,500 + VAT for events near Nice or Paris. Depending on the location, the travel and the time spent on the road, the price can increase significantly, and on a given date the most accessible band may not be available. The DJ service starts at EUR 1,600 + VAT near Nice. Every quote is bespoke: see the budget guide.
What makes the price go up or down?
Three things: the size of the line-up (a trio costs less than a six-piece), the location and the travel it involves, and the length of the performance (three sets, four sets, a DJ into the night). Tell us your budget honestly and we will tell you honestly what fits.
What is included?
The sets themselves, the planning calls, the coordination with your planner and venue, the special songs prepared ahead, and the musicians' professionalism from the first note to the last. Travel and accommodation depend on the venue and are set out in the proposal.
How do payments work?
A signed agreement and a deposit confirm the date. The balance follows the schedule written in the contract. No surprises.
The day
When does the band arrive?
Well before the first set, with time to meet you or your planner and walk the venue. Roaming needs no soundcheck, so the arrival is discreet: your guests meet the band when the music starts.
How do you coordinate with the planner and the other suppliers?
The band works from your timeline: speeches, cake, first dance, fireworks. The set times are placed around the moments that matter, and the band stands down when the room needs silence.
What does the band wear?
The occasion decides: linen suits under the olive trees, black tie for a gala, matching colours for a themed party. Tell us your dress code and the band will match it.
The concept
What is a roaming band?
A roaming band, also called a strolling band, plays unplugged and on the move. The musicians sing without microphones and walk among your guests, using the whole venue rather than a stage. Every set is close, personal and interactive: the music comes to the table, the terrace, the dancefloor.
How is it different from a stage band or a DJ?
A stage band performs at your guests from a distance; a DJ plays records. A roaming band performs with your guests, at conversation distance, and reads the room song by song. It is the format that turns a drinks reception into the start of the party. For the late night, our DJ takes over so the energy never drops.
How loud is a roaming band?
Loud enough to get 150 people dancing, quiet enough to talk over at the next table. There is no heavy amplification: the concept brings the music directly to the guests, passing between the groups and the tables. It cannot be compared with a DJ through a sound system, and that is the point.
For larger events the band can plug into a sound system with wireless microphones, or play on stage with a full amplified set-up: guitar and bass amps, acoustic drum kit.
Which languages do you sing in?
English, French, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese across the roster. Each band page lists its own languages. International guest lists are our natural habitat: the repertoire is built to reach every table, whatever the passport.
Can our guests make requests?
Yes. You can pick titles from the setlist ahead of the event, and guests are welcome to call out a song during the sets. Once the party starts, though, we suggest you leave the running order to the band: reading the room is the craft.
Booking
How far in advance should we book?
As soon as your date and venue are set. Summer Saturdays on the Riviera and in Italy are often taken a year ahead. That said, the bands are highly responsive and prepared to travel at short notice: if you have a musical emergency, we would be delighted to solve it.
How does the booking process work?
Tell us the date, the place, the number of guests and your budget through the enquiry form. Pierre answers within the day with the acts that fit and their availability. A short call settles the programme. A signed agreement and a deposit confirm the date. From there the agency handles the planning with you and your planner, down to the last song.
Do you work with wedding planners and venues?
All the time. Planners and venue teams have one contact at the agency for the timeline, the set times, the technical needs and the special songs. Several of our Google reviews are written by planners who book us for their couples year after year.
Can we see the band before we book?
Watch the films on each band page and on our YouTube channel, and follow the bands on Instagram for footage from recent events. On request we send unedited clips from a wedding or a gala close to what you are planning.
What about last-minute bookings?
The bands are highly responsive and always prepared to travel at the last minute, subject to availability. Write to us on WhatsApp for the fastest answer.
The music
How long do you play?
Three sets of thirty minutes is the classic format, spread across the key moments of the event: drinks reception, dinner, dancefloor. For larger or premium events we also offer four sets of thirty minutes or three sets of forty. The DJ then carries the night from the last band set onwards.
What kind of music do you play?
A wide repertoire across styles, decades and languages: crooner classics, Motown, French chanson, Italian standards, British and American pop and rock, Latin rhythms, the songs everybody knows. Every audience is unique, so the band improvises and adapts to yours. Each band page describes its own colour.
Can you learn our song?
Yes. Send us the first dance, the entrance song or the surprise number ahead of the event and it is prepared before the day. Special requests are planned, never improvised on the spot.
Can the band continue as a DJ?
Yes, and it is the format most couples choose. After the last band set, our DJ takes over the dancefloor, often with the saxophonist playing live over the mix. One booking, one team, one sound from the first glass to the last song.
Do you play ceremonies?
On request. An acoustic set, a guitar and a voice, or a piano and jazz set for the ceremony and the drinks that follow: The Serenades in particular offer piano, jazz and bossa sets before switching to the party.
The venue
What do you need at the venue?
Very little. The band is acoustic, so there is no need for power. A hot meal on site is greatly appreciated and gives us the fuel to give our best from start to finish. We would also love to receive a few photos and clips from your photographer and videographer afterwards.
Do you need a soundcheck?
Not when we play roaming. For amplified events the installation and soundcheck time is estimated case by case and agreed with the venue in advance.
Does it work in a private home or a small venue?
Beautifully. A roaming band needs room to walk, not a stage: a living room, a garden, a terrace or a restaurant all work. No cables, no rig, nothing to hide. For a very small gathering, ask about a duo or a trio.
What about noise limits and neighbours?
An unplugged band is the answer to venues with sound restrictions: no speakers, no bass, and a volume that stays inside the party. If the venue has a curfew for amplified music, the roaming format can play on where a DJ would have to stop.
Do you play outdoors?
Outdoors is our natural habitat: gardens, terraces, beaches, vineyards. Plan a covered fallback in case of rain, for the instruments and for your guests, and the band will move with the party.
Travel
Where are you based?
The Brotherockers live in Nice, on the French Riviera, like The Peppermints and The Kingsmen. Café Crème and The Gentlemen are based in Paris. Every band travels.
How far do you travel?
Anywhere our music is needed. The bands have performed in more than ten countries. Travel time and costs are part of the proposal, so the further the venue, the more it matters to book early.
Do you play destination weddings in Italy and Switzerland?
Regularly. Lake Como, Tuscany, the Amalfi coast, Geneva, the Alps. A roaming band travels light: instruments, not a lorry of production. The agency handles the logistics and you keep one contact from the first email to the last song.
Who handles the travel and the logistics?
The agency. Transport, accommodation, load-in, set times and the contact with the venue are planned for you, and set out clearly in the proposal.
Budget
What does a roaming band cost?
Upon availability, our most accessible band starts at EUR 2,500 + VAT for events near Nice or Paris. Depending on the location, the travel and the time spent on the road, the price can increase significantly, and on a given date the most accessible band may not be available. The DJ service starts at EUR 1,600 + VAT near Nice. Every quote is bespoke: see the budget guide.
What makes the price go up or down?
Three things: the size of the line-up (a trio costs less than a six-piece), the location and the travel it involves, and the length of the performance (three sets, four sets, a DJ into the night). Tell us your budget honestly and we will tell you honestly what fits.
What is included?
The sets themselves, the planning calls, the coordination with your planner and venue, the special songs prepared ahead, and the musicians' professionalism from the first note to the last. Travel and accommodation depend on the venue and are set out in the proposal.
How do payments work?
A signed agreement and a deposit confirm the date. The balance follows the schedule written in the contract. No surprises.
The day
When does the band arrive?
Well before the first set, with time to meet you or your planner and walk the venue. Roaming needs no soundcheck, so the arrival is discreet: your guests meet the band when the music starts.
How do you coordinate with the planner and the other suppliers?
The band works from your timeline: speeches, cake, first dance, fireworks. The set times are placed around the moments that matter, and the band stands down when the room needs silence.
What does the band wear?
The occasion decides: linen suits under the olive trees, black tie for a gala, matching colours for a themed party. Tell us your dress code and the band will match it.
Still a question?
Ask the person who will answer anyway
Ask Pierre. A straight answer and, if you want one, a custom proposal within the day.