The Fitzroy Six

Why should I book you?

You should hire The Fitzroy Six because we are a fantastic band who will truly "make" your event. Apart from the most important fact that we sound great, we offer a unique combination of:

Experience

We formed in 2007 and our line-up has hardly changed since. Performing together on hundreds of occasions over the years means that we are extremely well rehearsed, and have developed a fantastic, unique sound that really sets us apart from other function bands.

Professionalism

We understand the importance of appearance, attitude and attention to detail, and we approach every booking with a high level of professionalism to make the whole process easy and hassle-free for you.

Flexibility

Every event has different requirements, so we offer a bespoke service tailored to suit your personal needs. We can provide a small jazz ensemble for a drinks reception or dinner, a top function band to keep the dance floor lively, and help you to find a DJ if you want your event to stretch into the night.

Affordability

Although we're a world-class band which has toured widely and played many hundreds of events, we haven't lost sight of the fact that your band shouldn't break your bank. We can almost always work within your budget, and we'll never charge a client more just because we think they can pay. Plus our flexible package combinations are far more cost-effective than hiring several different groups for your entertainment.

Personal service

It's important for us to meet and surpass your expectations at all stages of the process, through booking, organisation and the performance itself. Clients often remark on how easy we are to contact and how approachable we are when discussing and planning your event. Whether it's a large bash or small, intimate gathering, we know how to make sure that you get the perfect music for your special occasion. When you speak to The Fitzroy Six about your event, you're not speaking to an agency whose main concern is their commission - you're speaking to the guys who will actually be on stage at your event, putting their reputation on the line to make sure everybody has a great time.

Do you require a deposit?

To confirm your booking we require a deposit of 25% of the agreed total fee. The remainder should be paid one week prior to your event.

What types of venue will you play in?

We are happy to perform at almost every type of venue, ranging from small nightclubs, bars, pubs and village halls to large country estates, theatres, ballrooms and function rooms. We also perform in marquees or outdoors. Please note that for outdoor performances a cover must be provided in case of rain.

Can I see you play live before booking?

Since we almost always perform at private events, we can't always guarantee you'll have a chance to see us play live before your event. We do organise a public showcase at least once per year and occasionally perform at other public events, so please get in touch at hi@fitzroysix.com to check our next public performance date.

In addition, you'll find our demo videos provide a very good reflection of what you can expect in terms of our standard and sound. In highly exceptional circumstances such as very major bookings we may be able to organise a private live demonstration by request.

Where are you based and how far will the band travel?

We are based in London (UK) but we are more than happy to travel to your event anywhere in the UK, Europe and internationally. We regularly perform all over the world.

How much will it cost to hire you?

Because every event is different, we need a few details in order to give you an accurate idea of how much it would cost to hire us for your event. Your quote will depend on a combination of factors, including how long you would like us to play for, where and when the event will be held, our approximate finishing time and any particular requests or requirements you may have. We always ask for a fair, honest fee and can usually tailor our arrangements to suit most budgetary requirements.

I have a very small budget / I am organising a charitable event. Will you play for free?

Unfortunately, it is very rare that we are able to play for free. We are professionals and have to pay the bills like everybody else. In certain exceptional circumstances (for example, if we have had a cancellation of another booking on the same date) there may be a slim chance we could help you out, though as a very minimum we would require our expenses to be paid.

What entertainment options / packages do you offer?

We offer tailor-made entertainment packages to suit your requirements. We're very flexible and if you have something specific in mind, just let us know and we'll see what we can do!

Our standard and most popular offering simply includes our world-class party band for around 2 hours of irresistible dance-floor performance.

In addition, we can provide a smaller ensemble for background jazz during a drinks reception or dinner, or a solo pianist to entertain your guests before the party band performs.

Do I need to provide the band with food and drink?

In most cases, since the band often travels long distances with late finishing times, something to eat and drink is much appreciated. This need not be of the same quality as the food you are providing for your guests, but a hot meal of some sort is usually very welcome. Please let us know at the time of booking if this is not possible. We do require soft drinks at all events. Remember, a well-fed band is a happy band! Please note that one of the band members is vegetarian.

Do you require a raised stage?

No. It's great to have one, but it's not a necessity. We do require a solid, level surface to play from, however, which is something to bear in mind if setting up your event in a marquee or outdoors.

My venue has a sound limiter installed. Is this a problem?

This is a slightly tricky area, but in general we can work with a sound limiter installed in the venue. In case you're not aware, this is an electrical device that measures how loud the sound in the room is, and cuts off the room's electricity supply if the level crosses a certain threshold. It's obviously important for us to know that there is a limiter installed (if there is one) so that we can keep it in mind while we play, so it's always a good idea to check with your venue in advance.

Do you have any particular requirements?

We require sufficient space to play (approximately 4m x 3.5m), 4 electrical sockets (at least 2 x 13A independent sockets) and a cover if playing outdoors in case of adverse weather. In most cases, since the band often travels long distances with late finishing times, something to eat and drink is much appreciated.

Do you provide a lighting rig?

We provide a small lighting rig as standard, which consists of two T-Bars with four LED Par Cans. This is usually sufficient to light the band and a small dancefloor. If your venue is particularly large or you would like to have additional or unusual lighting, please consult your venue provider.

Do you provide all your own equipment?

Yes, we usually provide all our own equipment including PA system. In certain circumstances (such as long-haul international bookings) it can be more cost-effective to arrange equipment hire locally, which we arrange on a case-by-case basis.

Is your equipment PAT tested?

Yes, all of our electrical equipment is regularly PAT tested and meets the required standards.

Do you have public liability insurance?

Yes, we are fully insured and can provide a certificate / schedule of insurance on request. Our standard limit is £2 million, so if your venue has a higher PLI limit, please let us know so we can arrange this with our insurer.

Can we use your microphone and PA for speeches / announcements?

Yes, this is no problem at all. Please note that you will not be able to stand further forward than our speakers due to feedback problems, so it is worth considering the layout of your room if you plan to do this.

Can you arrive to set up earlier in the day?

Yes, but if you want us to arrive more than three hours before we are due to start playing this may incur an additional charge. We always aim to finish setting up before the arrival of your guests, and will be as flexible as possible to try to accommodate your needs.

How long do you need to set up?

We need approximately one hour to set up prior to a performance. This period includes a sound check, and may need to be longer if the venue has limited access (for instance if only accessible by several flights of stairs or a small lift) as this can affect the load-in time. We may be able to arrive early to set up if required.

Can you provide background music?

Yes, absolutely. We offer a smaller jazz ensemble for light background music during a drinks reception or dinner, followed by our full party band once you're ready to hit the dancefloor. Our clients regularly find that this solution offers better value for money than hiring two separate groups. During breaks between the party band's sets we will provide appropriate background music through our PA from an MP3 player or laptop etc. If you have particular music in mind for these periods you are welcome to plug in your own device to our PA system. Please note that if you would like to use our PA to play music after the band has finished performing, this may be subject to an additional charge and must be arranged in advance.

How long can you play for?

The party band usually plays two 1-hour sets (with a break of at least 15-30 minutes between sets), though if you have particular timing requirements we can accommodate this. If you wish to have background jazz in addition, this can be organised for as long as you require (usually not more than 2 hours).

Will you learn our first dance?

Absolutely, we're more than happy to learn your first dance to make your wedding day extra-special. Please let us know well in advance what your choice of song is (ideally at the time of booking).

Will you learn other songs we request?

When you book the band you are very welcome to go through our repertoire and highlight songs you particularly want us to play (or let us know which songs you'd rather we avoid). If you have a particular request that isn't in our existing repertoire it is sometimes possible to learn new songs, but please be aware it can be hard to fit this into the band's busy schedule and may incur additional charges. If you let us know well in advance we can discuss the options with you right away and ensure you won't be disappointed. Please note that we generally cannot play requests on the night.