LOVE LOCAL
TAILOR-MAKING LIVE MUSIC TO SUIT ANY OCCASION, THIS LOCAL AGENCY IS MASTERFULLY SOUNDTRACKING EVENTS AROUND CAMBRIDGESHIRE INDIE OF THE MONTH Bespoke Party Bands
WORDS BY MIRIAM BALANESCU
Manchester, Kent and all over the place to come to Cambridge,” says Heloise. “I could see there was this really disjointed approach to the industry. It didn’t make sense to me that I knew all these amazing musicians based in the city. Why weren’t they doing the gigs?” This sentiment galvanised Heloise and her partner Mike to take up residence in Rhinocorn Studio in 2017, just a stone’s throw from Stourbridge Common. A fully furnished rehearsal space complete with all the kit musicians could possibly need, the pair’s aims were initially to foster a creative community. “The studio is definitely a hub for musicians,” Heloise says. “And that’s what we wanted – somewhere a bit different. It was about creating a space with a nice communal feeling. All our rooms have different themes: we’ve got the forest room, which has floor-to-ceiling woodland wallpaper; there’s one called the club room, which has a kind of jazz-club brick effect; one that’s the night room, with fairy lights and all black paint. We also offer a chill- out room – somewhere people can gather together and chat.” Bespoke Party Bands, meanwhile, was a way to put the talent of the studio’s musicians into action. All artists on its books are auditioned and, rather than randomly matched, rehearse together to ensure bands gel. The fair treatment of artists is also prioritised. “Musicians are often taken advantage of. It’s a difficult industry to make money in,” Heloise explains. “With Bespoke Party Bands, we wanted to make sure we’d set something up where we delivered an amazing service, but equally, our musicians were being properly paid for their hard work and talent.” Two flagship bands have become many Cambridge businesses’ go-to for grand
or any event, music is key. Whether an intimate gathering, a big birthday bash, a work event or even a wedding, the soundtrack to
such soirees sets the mood and – if we’re completely honest – is crucial to ensuring guests have a good time. And yet, when it comes to booking live bands, there are usually few opportunities to listen to the acts before you book them. Bespoke Party Bands brings together the cream of the crop in local talent with a personal and customised service. From choosing your act to piecing together a setlist, clients are involved in the planning from start to finish, all while the agency stays attuned to their every need. The company was founded in 2018 by former marketer Heloise, who was inspired by the accomplished array of musicians she had met in Cambridge. “We were going to weddings and parties where they were getting bands from
evening affairs. “If you want a massive party, you book either Moves Til Midnight or Dance Away,” laughs Heloise. “To start with, we had performers with quite strict genres. We learned after speaking to loads of couples, most of them want a bit of a mix of everything. We’ve grown and developed our bands to make sure the setlist is much more eclectic. If somebody has a particular preference then we have a group that we can direct them to.” Due to the agency’s savviness and versatility, its bands have quickly come to dominate Cambridge’s music scene, popping up at well-loved venues such as The Orator (for their jazzy brunch sessions) and The Fellows House, where they will soon bring some festive cheer. “We’ve been trying to offer something
MUSIC TO YOUR EARS A live music agency with a multitude of distinctive bands – it’s the perfect service for all sorts of galas and gatherings
38 NOVEMBER 2022 CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK
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