Choose your party band from Down for the Count
Down for the Count have a great range of party bands available for celebrations of all shapes and sizes.
Our group of 30 professional musicians combine in different formations to make different line-ups. In this article we give you a quick guide to the differences between them so you can pick the right one for your special event - whether that's a wedding reception, corporate event, charity ball or anniversary party.
Remember that one thing in common with all our bands is that we never use click tracks or backing tracks - with Down for the Count, every note you hear is live, giving our performance unrivalled spontaneity and energy.
- The versatile option: The Get Downs
- The premium option: Capital Sounds Showband
- The vintage option: Down for the Count
- The brassy option: Get Brassy
- The 1920s option: Lady Gatsby Jazz Band
The versatile option: The Get Downs
Our most versatile band is The Get Downs. Because it performs a huge variety of music - from upbeat swing and jive music to funky soul, Motown and pop tunes - it goes down perfectly at any event with a wide age range.
For that reason it tends to be the most popular option for wedding reception entertainment, although of course it's great at any other celebration.
One great thing about The Get Downs is that it is also available in smaller line-ups. If you have a limited budget, check out the 6- and 7-piece versions The Get Downs Lite - you get the same great mix of swing and soul music, with just a slightly more restricted set list compared to the full band.
The premium option: Capital Sounds Showband
Our premium party band is Capital Sounds Showband. This band delivers a show-stopping performance featuring up-to-date chart hits and party classics.
You can expect to hear tunes from Jess Glynne, Lizzo, Justin Timberlake, Bruno Mars, Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder; and most of the set is arranged in medleys, meaning there are virtually no gaps between songs which keeps the dance floor full all evening!
This smallest line-up option for this band is a 10-piece band - that, together with it's up-to-date set list, means that it is best suited for corporate events and award ceremonies although it also goes down a storm at wedding receptions.
The vintage option: Down for the Count
Down for the Count is our vintage band - one of the most popular bands on the UK swing music scene, having appeared at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club and The London Jazz Festival.
When booked for parties this band performs up-tempo, energetic swing and jive music; and can also incorporate vintage covers of modern songs and some of the soul and Motown music performed by The Get Downs.
This band is perfect for vintage themed events and outdoor performances.
The brassy option: Get Brassy
For something a little different, check out our New Orleans-styled brass band Get Brassy. This band is totally acoustic meaning it's perfect for venues that don't allow amplified music.
The set list is high energy, featuring songs you know performed in a funky, loud, brass band style.
The 1920s option: Lady Gatsby Jazz Band
Another vintage option is our Lady Gatsby Jazz Band, which has a 1920s theme. This band performs authentic Prohibition-era Charlestons and ragtime music, alongside swing favourites and modern songs performed in a 1920s style (just like Postmodern Jukebox).
One great thing about this band is that is transitions well from being a background band to a party band - so if you wanted the band to play one set of background music during drinks, and then an uptempo dancing set after dinner, it might be the best choice for you. As you would expect it's also the most popular option for vintage events with a 1920s, Prohibition or Great Gatsby theme.
About the author
Mike Paul-Smith is the musical director of Down for the Count. He formed the band in 2005 and since then has directed them for performances at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club, Cadogan Hall London, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, The London Jazz Festival, Twinwood Festival, and at countless other theatre and jazz club shows.
