So I am looking to book a band of the semi-professional cover band type for a substantial (400+ people) event in March [not a wedding though]. As much as I would prefer to go with something a little more exciting, knowing the audience I have to play it conservative and go for a band which plays mainstream, more recent music which even the most unskilled dancer can manage to move along to.

Not knowing where to start, I headed to the internet which lead me to an agent who gave me a quote for a Canberra band. All well and good, but I am not able to talk directly to the band, only the agent, who isn’t based in Canberra. I also don’t get to know the name of the band beforehand (which rules out any sort of reference checks.) The band is such a significant part of the event with the potential to make or break the night, I am simply not prepared to book them without a chance to talk to them directly about the event and the audience. That is just a little too much blind faith for my liking….

So RiotACTers, any suggestions for names of local bands or how to find a suitable band?