http://www.oracleband.net/Articles/article-band-vs-dj-hiring-a-live-band.htm

https://www.theknot.com/content/wedding-reception-music-bands-vs-djs

I think this subject has been hashed over many, many times.

Gary

A deejay is more flexible and cheaper then a band....

But an OMB playing all music including modern dance music can still outperform a deejay and keep youngband old enthralled at a wedding

I don't see Dj's losing any sleep about losing their gigs to OMB KB players ever.
Just find your piece of the pie and go for it.

Donny, nothing has really changed in this area for the past 20 years. Two decades ago, the DJs made an inroad in the wedding reception venues, mainly because they played the music the kids getting married wanted to hear. Of course, that dozen youngsters in the wedding party really didn't know how to dance, but they could shake some body parts and wave their hands over their heads. The 150 guests, most of which were over 50 years of age, could have cared less about shaking body parts or waving their arms over their heads while the DJ played music at ear bleed volumes and rattled the water glasses on the tables.

I think the same 12 young girls must travel throughout the United States to attend wedding receptions, wearing the same gowns, immediately taking off their shoes and screaming at the top of their lungs on the dance floors they tend to dominate, especially later in the reception. By this time, more than half the guests have given up, left the reception after consuming a lousy dinner consisting of chicken cordon-blue, mashed potatoes the consistency of wall paper paste, under-cooked green beans, and washing it down with warm champagne.

In contrast, the high end events, ones attended by the older crowds, still employ bands ranging from 5 to 12 pieces. The bands, as explained in the articles you linked to, play the music that folks can dance (real dancing) to, music that is at a sensible volume, and songs they can relate to, which makes perfectly good sense. These bands, and there are still many around, have all the work they want at the upscale locations, places where DJs don't have a prayer of working. The bands get top dollar for these events as well.

So, in reality, nothing has really changed in two decades. I see DJs and KJs that I know all the time. They're often in the audiences where I performed, not working on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday evening. If they're really good, they might get one or two jobs a week, at least in this part of the world. Maybe they get more work in Tony Mads town, or NYC, and even LA, but in this part of the world, it's weddings and an occasional animal club job for DJs - that's it!

Now, you may feel that DJing is the wave of the future, and you may be right, but I don't think so. They don't get the jobs in the high end restaurants, they don't do jobs in the even more lucrative senior circuit, I've never seen one at a political fund raiser, and I've done loads of them, I never see them at cocktail parties, living room parties, etc... So, where in the Hell are they? DJing, from what I see, is a very, very, tiny market. I think the KJs do a lot better, at least around here and in Florida.

All the best,

Gary

Around here, loud DJ's work LOUD events.


Musicians and bands work CLASS events.


Russ

All I know honestly everywhere you look DJ's is the norm in today's world,...I saw this coming many years ago after performing all over the world with a 7 piece show band, I said to myself how can I sound like a full band BY MYSELF? to counteract the undercutting of band prices by Dj's & I did figure it out after 20 successful years on my own mixing it up with Playing Arranger Kb, Singing with custom backing tracks,, & Dj'ing all wrapped up in one,.... it's your best bet to fend off the onslaught of a DJ minded world. Times have changed drastically thru the years for musicians,....but if your very creative, have the drive and passion,.....and possess the "goods"......you will survive in the music business, I'm living proof of that..

carry on..

My wife and I go to the local casino to listen to some of the most talented musicians, and singers from the local US and Canadian Niagara region. Lately we have noticed more DJ's filling the bands schedule. Instead of the bands they are also relying on televised sports on their large screen over the band area, that was used to show the bands performing. They have even sent bands home early to show big sporting events. I e-mailed one really enjoyable band to find out when they will be back. They replied the Casino does not want to pay the price. That is hard to believe with all the money the casino is taking in.

My 2 cents.

Jerryghr

Jerry, it's called greed. Ironically, they don't seem to realize that the folks that spend most of the money at their establishments are older folks - not the younger set. And, by bringing in a DJ, they've essentially alienated their prime customer base, the folks who enjoyed listening to live bands, a diversity of music and at reasonable volume levels.

I was watching Bar Rescue on the idiot tube this morning, and they talked about how much money was generated by each, occupied bar stool and table, and how much was generated by keep those individuals seated longer than just the time to eat dinner. It was amazing. If that dinner table is enjoying the entertainment, they spend nearly twice as much just be staying an extra 30 minutes. If the seat is empty, the establishment loses a bundle for every 30 minutes it is not occupied.

I always love it when people, including some on this forum, claim they need to attract the younger crowds. WHY? Younger folks are living paycheck to paycheck, don't have a pot to pee in or a window to throw it out of, get drunk, raise hell, don't spend much on food, drink the cheapest booze they can find to get high and cause most of the problems. Yep, that's the crowd a thriving business wants to attract - NOT!

If I were in the restaurant/bar/casino biz I would try to attract older folks, individuals and couples that no longer are burdened with a mortgage, babies to feed, child support, etc... They have far more expendable income for leisure activities. Take a look at the cruise ships - you would be hard pressed to find passengers under age 50, and for the most part they are over 65 years of age. How about Vegas, Reno, Cancun, Marathon, and most other high end resorts? The only younger generation you see there are those working behind the bars and staffers.

When my wife and I went to Cancun and stayed at the Palace Las Americas, an incredible resort, every night they had a show, which ALWAYS included live music. Every day and evening they had a piano player, a guy that could barely speak English, but damned,that guy was one Hell of a player. And, he crooned out some Sinatra songs phonetically that were just fantastic. His tip jar, the same as mine, was a beer pitcher and it will always overflowing with 10s and 20s. About the third night I was there my sister told him, through an interpreter, that I was a performer and singer. He asked me to sing a few songs that night, which I did. He loved it, the piano bar audiences loved it, and the hotel manager asked if I could stay another week, which I could not. I had a ball, the crowd consisted mainly of folks in their late 50s and early 60s, and the piano player's tip jar had to be emptied twice a night after that.

So, I suspect that the casino where you went, Jerry, will either lose lots of business, or maybe they'll get smarter and bring the bands back so they can reclaim the business they lost. Some folks just ain't too bright, though.

All the best,

Gary

NOT TO HIJACK THE THREAD, BUT:
I am not supporting the casinos, but the fact is that most casinos are facing real financial difficulties ... look at the number of casinos that have filed bankruptcy - including 4 Trump casinos even though he has stated that he never filed bankruptcy ... even in NJ and Las Vegas they are closing doors almost daily ... Here in RI the state's 'take' of casino revenue has declined considerably and while it was first thought that it was due to a new casino in nearby MA, that casino's $$$ projections have not been met ... one of the two major casinos in CT has filed bankruptcy and is now looking to join a partnership with the other ...
What I do not understand, however, is how some of these places even in financial difficulty look to expand ... I guess it creates a tax write off of some kind ...