Band information

New acts

New acts
Due to the unprecedented volume of applications we receive, we created this page out of necessity. Therefore we have to be frank and politely ask that bands & musicians DO NOT email us ANY demos, videos or photos unless specifically requested by ourselves. Large unsolicited emails clutter our inbox, take ages to download and can cause enquiries and important emails to be rejected (mailbox ‘over quota’). We have our own extremely strict vetting process to ensure the quality of our musicians and have ‘scouts’ that bring quality acts to our attention. These are in the form of fellow music judges, events companies, wedding planners and venue owners.

We believe in quality not quantity and have no desire to boast the biggest roster of acts in the UK. In fact we find it shocking how many companies supply hundreds of bands despite having never met them let alone seen them perform. Nearly every band that approaches us says something along the lines of ‘The Ultimate Wedding Band’ and list all the famous names they’ve played for. The bottom line is; we will not risk our client’s events nor risk our sterling reputation until we can see you performing live. We have to know exactly what we are offering our clients. Therefore we insist on seeing every single act perform live before ever considering them - even if other music companies represent them.

If you do believe your act is unique and of the calibre we expect for our clients (and you can satisfy our additional criteria below), please send a short introductory email with a link to your website or give us some public dates where we can attend and we’ll take it from there.

Please note: We try to reply to every new applicant in a timely manner but please appreciate that at busy times, our customers have to take priority over new applications.

In addition, all applicants must be able to answer yes to the following criteria.

1. Do you match or exceed the quality, presentation and experience of acts already featured on the Essence Music website and have publicity to prove this?
2. Do you have back-up and contingency plans in place to ensure the show goes on regardless of your personal circumstances?
3. Do you have full public liability insurance and PAT certified electrical equipment?
4. Do you have verifiable testimonials from professional wedding planners, event organisers and venues, not just client testimonials?
5. Do you have any forthcoming public gigs or rehearsals where we can see you performing, chat and discuss things?
6. Apart from the gigging essentials such as refreshments and a place to get changed etc, do you share our ethos that you are booked as a paid ‘service’ to the client and their guests (no different to caterers, florists or photographers)? We have a ZERO DIVA policy (we actually find the best musicians just get on with it). No other profession gets fed at work or demands hot meals on arrival. Of course, if you are at a venue for a long time (or have to set-up early) then of course we request a meal for you but it should always be seen as a bonus and never ‘demanded’ from our clients. (Music companies do talk to each other about band behaviour and some do have blacklists). When chatting to brides and grooms at wedding fayres, we hear time and time again that the single biggest thing that puts them off the idea of live music is the pre-conceived idea that bands (particularly singers) are “too demanding or too much hassle”. Our existing musicians are ambassadors for us and subsequently we keep them busy.

We have a 24 year long, 100% reliability track record having supplied music to thousands of weddings and events. We have received hundreds and hundreds of wonderful testimonials and you’ll soon discover that we look our acts better than any other music company and we expect the same from you. We only work with nice people and this is why our customers keep coming back to us.

Tim Thorogood
MD Essence Music

Please note: We are currently not looking for solo or duo singers that perform purely to backing tracks unless you are also capable of accompanying yourself musically.

Existing acts
If you wish to update or amend any of your details please ask us to unlock your profile FIRST. Then log in using your existing username and password. Once we’ve proofed your amendments we will then re-activate your listing so it can be viewed. Your profile is temporarily removed from view until we approve your amendments so make sure you tell us when you’ve finished editing. If you only want to make text amendments, please just email them.