Function bands. How not to look like catering staff?

[NikNik]

I was part of a production crew on a corporate conference several years ago. We all had stage blacks on. At lunch we laughed like drains as one of our guys got stopped by a delegate sitting having his lunch, who complained to him that the soup was cold!!

[operative451]

So generally function bands don't dress like this then?

[T-Bay]

5 hours ago, dave_bass5 said:

We always used to wear suits for Social clubs, functions and weddings etc. We had them on in our publicity shots and we woudl get based on what the customer saw, so it made sense to keep with that image unless asked not to (happened a few times when they wanted a more rock look)

Never had any 'waiter' issues in over 600 gigs.

It’s not because we don’t want to mistaken for waiters, it’s because suits are bloody awful at the best of times. The idea of a few hours done up like that playing doesn’t appeal. The bride and groom aren’t interested in what we wear but I think we need to look like ‘the band’ just not quite sure how to do that if not smart.

[SpondonBassed]

14 minutes ago, T-Bay said:

It’s not because we don’t want to mistaken for waiters, it’s because suits are bloody awful at the best of times. The idea of a few hours done up like that playing doesn’t appeal. The bride and groom aren’t interested in what we wear but I think we need to look like ‘the band’ just not quite sure how to do that if not smart.

You ain't exactly looking to be the very next incarnation of Roxy Music or Chic are you really?

Edited January 21, 2019 by SpondonBassed

[acidbass]

Just do what you do and if a drunk punter addresses you as a member of staff, tell them to f’cough

[bazzbass]

On ‎21‎/‎01‎/‎2019 at 06:02, NJE said:

I have been in plenty of bands where their idea of smart was as you describe, black suits, shoes and ties, white shirts. Its a bit naff for most occasions.

In a few bands we have basically had some rules of what not to wear, so basically:

No black, no trainers, no blue stone washed jeans, no wearing just a t-shirt (a smart plain T-shirt with a waistcoat can look ok) and no super bright colours unless it’s a fun occasion or for friends etc.

This basically forced people into smart trousers/chinos, of varying colours sometimes, but more often than not grays. Smart tailored shirts with nice patterns or a solid muted colour, and more often than not, brown leather boots/shoes/brogues. Jeans were fine for pub gigs or casual settings but always dark gray, dark blue kind of denim, no ‘dad’ jeans. 

Obviously you judge the venue, and we did wear suits for occasions, but again always grays or blues etc. 

No black?

 

that's anti-rock and roll man.

though function bands aren't really rock and roll, more like corporate music machines 

[Mykesbass]

10 hours ago, T-Bay said:

 The bride and groom aren’t interested in what we wear 

Are you sure about this? All the money they spend on theming and decorating the venue, sparkly dance floors etc, you can hardly turn up in your allotment cords and an old jumper!

[Teebs]

Get band t-shirts with "Not a waiter" on the front, and "Artiste - very special person" on the back?

[Teebs]

... or "Drummer Daycare" on the back.

 

[musicbassman]

Well, here's a few ideas from the pros...

 

 

[T-Bay]

9 hours ago, Mykesbass said:

Are you sure about this? All the money they spend on theming and decorating the venue, sparkly dance floors etc, you can hardly turn up in your allotment cords and an old jumper!

Yup 100% sure but the bride is amazingly laid back, no seating plan, no sit down meal, no speeches, no first dance. We asked if she had a preferred colour or style and the response was ‘don’t turn up in Orange, otherwise I don’t care’. I said jokingly that it would look odd if we were in jeans and a T shirt and she said she was more than happy with that as long as we were comfortable   (We do know her a bit, so she isn’t a complete stranger). Really not sure what to go with.

Edited January 22, 2019 by T-Bay

[SpondonBassed]

2 hours ago, T-Bay said:

she said she was more than happy with that as long as we were comfortable   (We do know her a bit, so she isn’t a complete stranger). Really not sure what to go with.

Sorted.

Spoiler

 

[T-Bay]

1 hour ago, SpondonBassed said:

Sorted.

  Hide contents

 

A tie! Never!

[SpondonBassed]

54 minutes ago, T-Bay said:

A tie! Never!

I thought it might be a bit formal for you.

[steve-bbb]

For dressy functions we used to wear all black while in high contrast our two  laydees wore something loud and colourful and glitzy

[tauzero]

On 20/01/2019 at 19:36, SpondonBassed said:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Naked_(band)

Perhaps a change of name for the band and then dress appropriately.  No-one is going to ask you to bring the hors d'oeuvres after that.

Would the sex reassignment surgery be necessary too?