When organised well, university balls are a wonderful opportunity for hard working students to let their hair down and have a great time. The best entertainment for university balls is upbeat, charismatic, enthusiastic and above all… fun!
From freshers week to leavers balls and summer or Christmas events, choosing entertainment can leave organisers with more than a bit of a headache!
As such, we’ve put together a handy guide for anyone organising a student event, with our top picks of entertainment.
Things to consider when hiring entertainment for university events
- Are the students going to be familiar with the repertoire?
- Will the performance area be suitable for the band?
- Do you want to create an atmosphere that’s suitable for dancing?
- Do you want a DJ set after the gig?
Contemporary music is usually key
When organising entertainment for university balls, it is important to consider what the majority of students enjoy.
As many students are into contemporary and popular music, entertainment that fits into the same style and genre of contemporary pop artists is likely to be well received.
As a result of this, a lot of bands that are suitable for university balls perform indie and rock hits from the past 5 decades. Looking for a band with a smart look and contemporary repertoire is going to be a surefire way to win over students.
However, event organisers should not feel pressured into booking something generic. From ceilidh dance bands to 1920s style bands, students will appreciate entertainment that brings a new approach to music, different to what is displayed in popular culture.
Organising an event that offers students something a little different and ‘quirky’ may seem a little dangerous, but if coordinated well, could be the event of the year!
Should you change the entertainment depending on the season?
Many university balls take place at various times of the year and, whether the ball is before Christmas or at the end of a summer semester, the entertainment can be tailored to suit the season.
During a summer ball, event organisers may want to hold musical performances outside and perhaps hire a DJ to perform late into the night.
However during the winter, when it’s not so warm or pleasant outside, it may be best to hold a black tie event with a party band or something slightly more sophisticated – such as a swing band.
Top tip: There are even Christmas bands available for hire to get everyone into the festive spirit!
Reflect your theme in your choice of entertainment
Many students will happily explain how much fun a theme night can be.
From dressing up, to themed drinks and themed entertainment – the fun can last all night.
However for those organising a themed event, the variations of entertainment available may be rather confusing.
Here are some ideas to get the inspirational juices flowing.
Don’t forget, some of the most popular themes will revolve around current TV and film, so don’t be scared to also use your latest Netflix addiction for inspiration!
Consider a tribute artist
Some student unions have bigger budgets than others, and sometimes this means they have the ability to hire in someone who is currently popular with the charts, or maybe even a classic act enjoying a comeback.
However, when the budget is tighter and booking Rudimental or The Stereophonics isn’t an opinion, a tribute artist may suit just as well.
There are tributes to all sorts of acts that might be appropriate, from modern rock bands like Maroon 5 and Kings of Leon, to the classics of Elvis or The Beach Boys and many more, hiring a great tribute artist is guaranteed to get everyone on their feet dancing and having a great time.
Sources
- Last Minute Musicians University entertainment: https://www.lastminutemusicians.com/articles/music/university.html
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