Monthly Archives: July 2023

Katheryn and Paul booked us for their wedding at Sherwood Glade in large part because we played at Emma’s wedding (Katheryn’s sister) back in 2017. You can read about that and see how poorly we’ve aged here.

We are now considered the “family band”.

Sherwood Glade is a lovely wedding venue nestled in woodland just outside Nottingham. We arrived to find the wedding guests celebrating the end of the rain, which had been pretty constant for most of the day. Although the sun had been out for about an hour the ground leading up to the stage was somewhat boggy. For this reason we couldn’t get our cars close to the stage and had to use a cart to drag the PA and amps up a grassy slope.

Unfortunately during this transportation phase my bass amp rolled off the back of the trolley and landed upside-down in the mud. Not a great start.

We got the PA installed and put some music on to warm up the party. I tested my amp and found that it had started marking a nasty buzzing sound. I would later discover that the fall had crushed the smoothing capacitors into the circuit board. I decided to DI straight into the mixing desk for the first set and use the PA subs. The show could go on.

We opened with “The Man Who Can’t be Moved” by The Script, which was a Kathryn and Paul’s first dance request. Then came the first set leading with “Teenage Dirtbag”,  “She’s Electric” and “Alright”. Katheryn had requested The Wannadies “You and Me Song” for the father of the bride dance. This song has a nice blend of gentle strumming and exuberant elements and went down rather well.

Father of the bride dance

We took a 40 minute break before taking to the stage for the second set. A strategic thump offered a temporary fix to my amp and it stopped buzzing. We opened with “Song 2” followed by “Holiday”, with the intention of warming the crowd up with some punky numbers in preparation for what was to come. Katheryn and Paul’s second song request was “Question” by System of a Down. If you don’t know this song it is worth a listen. I would say it is on the heavier, screamier side of what we would usually play.

From a technical stand point this song was a pig to learn. I had to tune my bass to C G C F, there are sections of “shred”, the time signature jumps in and out of 5/8 and 9/16. It then switches to 4/4 for a section before diving back into 5/8. It’s a good job the lads were up for a challenge. It took lots of homework and three rehearsal sessions to get it right.

It was all worth the effort as this song was clearly a favourite among many of the guests and our rendition of it was met with much enthusiasm. The rest of the set went without a hitch and we rounded things off with “Don’t Look Back in Anger”.

We received lots of compliments from the guests regarding our delivery of “Question”. Coming from System fans, this was high praise indeed.

When it comes to a joyous celebration like a wedding, few things can rival the excitement and energy of a live band. Recently, we had the incredible opportunity to perform at a wedding at The Hidden Hive in Swadlincote, and what a night it was! With two sets filled with an eclectic mix of timeless classics and modern hits, we had the dance floor buzzing and guests on their feet throughout the evening. In this blog post, we’ll take you on a musical journey, highlighting the unforgettable songs that made the night truly magical.

First Set: A Blast from the Past The first set kicked off with the iconic “Song 2” by Blur, setting the stage for an energetic and lively performance. We followed up with the crowd-pleaser “Teenage Dirtbag” by Wheatus, which brought back fond memories for many. Oasis’ “She’s Electric” and “Roll With It” kept the energy flowing, while Supergrass’ “Alright” had everyone singing along.

As the night progressed, the atmosphere became even more electric with songs like “Dreaming of You” by The Coral and “Park Life” by Blur. The crowd couldn’t help but move to the infectious beats of “Shut up and Dance” by Walk the Moon and “Heavyweight Champion of the World” by Reverend and The Makers. The momentum continued with the nostalgic tunes of “Holiday” by Green Day and the Arctic Monkeys’ indie anthem “Mardy Bum.” The first set reached its crescendo with The Strokes’ “Last Nite” and Stereophonics’ anthemic “Dakota,” leaving the crowd eagerly anticipating the second set.

Second Set: Unforgettable Hits As the second set began, we cranked up the energy even further with the explosive “Take Me Out” by Franz Ferdinand. The dance floor was a whirlwind of excitement as we delved into the infectiously catchy “Love Machine” by Girls Aloud and Amy Winehouse’s soulful rendition of “Valerie.”

We continued to captivate the crowd with the ever-popular “I Believe in a Thing Called Love” by The Darkness, followed by The Killers’ timeless hit “Mr. Brightside.” Blink-182’s punk-rock anthem “All the Small Things” had the guests singing at the top of their lungs, while Arctic Monkeys’ classic “I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor” turned the venue into a frenzy of dancing and exuberance.

Our performance soared to new heights with the beloved “Common People” by Pulp and Jet’s electrifying “Are You Gonna Be My Girl.” The crowd’s energy peaked as we unleashed The Fratellis’ “Chelsea Dagger” and Kings of Leon’s “Sex on Fire.” Oasis’ timeless ballad “Don’t Look Back in Anger” provided a heartfelt and emotional moment for everyone present, before we closed the second set with the anthemic “Sit Down” by James and the iconic bassline of “Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes.

Conclusion: A Night of Musical Bliss As the final notes reverberated through the venue, it was clear that the wedding at The Hidden Hive in Swadlincote would be etched in the memories of all those who attended. The power of live music to bring people together, to make them dance and sing with unbridled joy, was evident throughout the night. From the first set’s nostalgic favorites to the second set’s modern hits, the live band created an atmosphere that transcended time and had everyone celebrating with pure abandon.

We were privileged to be a part of this magical evening, witnessing the union of two souls surrounded by friends, family, and the unforgettable soundtrack of a live band. The Hidden Hive provided the perfect backdrop for this joyous occasion, and we will forever cherish the memories made on that dance floor. Here’s to love, laughter, and the enduring power of music!