End of Year

It has been a fun year, and challenging to meet the credit crunch budget for music in events. Although some clients have played it save with a standard string quartet, demand has risen for jazz bands hire in London, especially Jules and his jazz swing band and Phil and his cool trio with fantastic female vocalists. It's a stylish choice that covers both background and isn't too loud to discourage conversation, but can also get guests dancing and moving. Versatile, and the jazz bands for hire from Liquid Strings are chosen for their wide repertoire and experience in playing great jazz/swing music in all kinds 0f events - corporate and private.

We are also getting a lot more demand for the medieval musicians and the gospel singers - both completely different, but both similarly eye-catching and unusual as music for events. Gospel singers can provide a funky, upbeat and big live sound to any event - their powerful voices mean that they can sing without PA, unless the venue is so big and the number of guests so large, it is essential.

Medieval musicians are visually fantastic in their costumes and can play a huge variety of medieval/elizabethan instruments whilst wandering amongst the guests or standing still. Other interesting acts we offer include harp and vocal duo for hire, who can play very classical as well as eclectic styles, from pop covers and jazz standards.

We will be putting together some packages next year, including a wedding package, where you can save money by booking 2 or 3 acts for the wedding - this also keeps the variety and freshness of each act high. For example, you could have a solo cello during the ceremony, a jazz band for the reception and a covers band later on to precede a DJ (or even to play out the whole evening). Live music enhances events in a way that music through speakers cannot do. There is tinned music in pubs, shops, bars, clubs and many other settings. Whereas live music stops people in their tracks, brings a smile and brings a unique touch to proceedings. Call Brian today on 07958 031797 for a chat, free advice and a free CD to find out what live music for hire would suit your event.

Liquid Strings has been very busy with a reception at London Transport Museum, with an amplified string trio setting the tone for the reception put on by the US Embassy in London. Thanks to the sound engineer from Acoustic Solutions, the Liquid Strings trio could be heard above the buzz of the event. Music ranged from Amazing Grace to Cole Porter and Scott Joplin, with some Vivaldi and Mozart as well.
We have also just provided a string quartet at The Reform Club on Pall Mall, and in this busy weekend are providing live gospel singers for hire in Tommy Hilfiger's flagship store on Regent Street, as well as a live string quartet in a West London community event, that will be the first (brave/crazy) attempt at playing outdoors in December!

The benefits of live music at events

Live musicians are essential in any event to create a unique atmosphere. Even a wedding a string quartet played at recently was surprisingly quiet, and the dinner was uplifted by the live string quartet. Even if everything looks great - fantastic catering, flower arrangements, beautiful venue and location - without musicians playing live at the event, it will not be the same. The keyword here is live, since it brings an occasion to life, literally sets the tone of the event.
Recently, this Liquid Strings all girl string quartet available for weddings, parties, receptions and business events in London were the aspect of the wedding that everyone commented on, saying how entertaining the quartet were, with their mix of styles - from jazz and classical through to pop songs, they brought a smile - and several guests said that they were inspired to hold more events with live music. These can range from classical singers, jazz swing bands and harpists to medieval musicians, cover bands and trumpet trios. See the website for more details, and call Liquid Strings for a free brochure and CD.

In more difficult times such as these, we will be offering really good prices for musicians for hire, in particular string quartets. String quartets are a great choice for events such as weddings, receptions, corporate events on a smaller scale and private parties. There are several string players and quartets available to Liquid Strings, making it simple to make a last minute booking, even approaching Christmas - usually the busiest time of year.
As well as quartets, there are string sections and violin players for hire, covering pop sessions and general session and recording work. Please check out
http://www.liquidstrings.com/session-musicians.htm
with Brian Lee, the featured session musician, who plays keyboards and violin.

Pride of Britain was a fun event. Our quartet was appreciated by the guests, with Sir Michael Caine apparently raving about how good we were, Cat Deeley saying we were brilliant and Bruce Forsyth calling Katie great after he asked her to play 'I got rhythm' in B flat and without a pause, she did exactly that.

The main reason why everyone could hear us is because the sound people at ITV put contact microphones on our instruments. This is worth noting if you are planning an event. If you are having a sit down dinnner in a large space and you book an acoustic string quartet for the event, they will be seen by many, but only heard by those close to the table (unless no one talks to each other or drinks any wine!). I have provided musicians for many events and suggested providing a sound engineer and PA system as well - but people have thought it too much hassle and extra expense. Then they've been disappointed at how much could be heard. In a small event, with no more than 20 - 30 guests, usually the string quartet will be heard perfectly well.

Otherwise, it is worth considering amplification of some kind. This is even more the case with medieval musicians, whose authentic medieval instruments sound beautiful, but very soft at times. Although at least here, they can wander around tables 'minstrel style' and still be heard like this. A string quartet for hire cannot do this. They have to stay close to one another to play in time and see/hear each other.

Anyway, we are now working towards some private screenings of the new James Bond film, with a string duo playing Bond tunes in the pre screening drinks, a medieval themed party in Knightsbridge and many other interesting and fun projects.

Liquid Strings play at Pride of Britain Awards 2008

One of the best quartets from Liquid Strings will be entertaining the worthy award winners, celebrities and Prime Minister whilst they dine at the pre show dinner in the ITV studios for this years Pride of Britain. We continue to support Pride of Britain by providing excellent musicians, and we are looking forward to playing some light, entertaining choices to help relax the nervous ones who will making their first appearances on national television.