Entertainment in Canberra

Booking the Right Entertainer

The right entertainment depends on the crowd and the shape of the night. A wedding may want a hosted run of formalities and a full dance floor, while a birthday or work party may need music that starts quietly and lifts later.

Acts listed here cover the seven ACT districts, from the inner north to Tuggeranong, so a venue in any town centre is within reach. Queanbeyan and wine-district addresses are worth raising before you book.

The main kinds of act and what each brings:

Covers bands: live vocals and harmonies across rock, pop, soul and disco, for when you want a show.
DJs: wide genre range and requests, and some add live sax or trumpet over the mix.
MCs: DJs who host, plus one MC who takes wedding receptions only and also officiates.
Combined bookings: one supplier handling both the music and the microphone means a single run sheet.

Pair music with something guests can do between songs, like a photo booth, and check the venue's rules on outside acts before you commit.

Weddings usually need an MC for formalities and music for dinner and dancing, which a DJ who hosts can cover alone.
Work functions benefit from someone who can announce presentations and keep speeches brisk.
A milestone birthday with a mixed-age crowd often suits a band for the main set and a DJ before and after.
Hens nights in a private room do well with a DJ who takes requests from the bride's group.

Season and venue considerations

Cold nights keep the party indoors from late autumn, so confirm the act and the dance floor fit inside together.
Summer afternoons can be hot, so outdoor sets need shade and a covered spot for gear.
Late in the year is the busy stretch for work functions, so settle the act soon after the venue.
Queanbeyan and wine-district venues sit outside these acts' listed areas, so ask before assuming they will travel.

Before you sign

Get the hours, number of sets and any breaks in writing.
Ask what sound, lighting and microphones are included.
Check travel, overtime and late-finish charges.
Confirm the deposit, payment dates and cancellation terms.

Entertainment: Frequently Asked Questions

Should we book a band or a DJ for a 40th in the Inner South?

A band gives a live show, while a DJ covers more genres and requests. If the budget allows, a band for one or two sets with a DJ around them gives both.

Can one booking cover music and hosting at a wedding?

Yes. DJs who also act as MC keep one run sheet and fewer handovers. A dedicated reception MC suits couples who want hosting handled separately.

Will these acts play at a venue in Queanbeyan or out among the wineries?

Their listed areas are the seven ACT districts, so ask directly before booking a venue further out. Some may travel for an extra charge.

When should entertainment be booked for an end-of-year work function?

As soon as the venue is set. The same Friday and Saturday nights late in the year are wanted by many workplaces at once.

What do entertainers need from the venue on the night?

Power near the setup, enough floor space, a time to bump in and sound check, and the venue's rules on volume and finishing time.

Is a DJ who plays live brass a good middle ground?

It can be. You get the range of a DJ with live moments that feel like a band, at a smaller footprint than a four-piece.

Entertainment Canberra

Find the Right Entertainment in Canberra