14 Awesome Toronto Music Bands For Your Upcoming Wedding or Event

There's something quite amazing about live music at an event – the interaction with crowd, the warmth of a live vocal performance, the way you simply just get drawn to the dance floor by a great cover song from your high school days. For some, the idea of a wedding or corporate event band conjures up thoughts of mullets and cheesy love ballads from yesteryear. Definitely not the case anymore - today’s live music bands know how to put on a show! Whether your musical taste includes the classics, a little bit of groove, or your fave top 40 hits, there's a little something for everyone. A good live band is sure to have guests dancing well past their regular 11pm bedtime! If you’re in the market for a live band for your next event, we've rounded up some of Toronto’s most acclaimed live bands below. Have a glance through and discover which band tickles your fancy.

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Electric Blonde

Who is Electric Blonde? "We’re fun. We play good music. And we wear bowties that match your event. What more could you ask for?" Fronted by the ultra-talented Lynzie Kent, who has been nominated as one of Toronto's top female vocalists AND has had over 12 million views on YouTube (yes, you read that right!), this band is high on energy and talent! One look at their song list and you know that this group is here to rock your party. But fear not, if you don't see that one special song - the band just might add it to their arsenal.

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Shugga

Photo Courtesy of Jamieson Dean Shugga is fronted by dynamic front man Mike Ferfolia, whose ability to capture the spirit of the original recording artist is uncanny! The band ranges in size from five to eight pieces and can include a female singer and horn section. Members of this band have played with international recording artists and have a decade long weekly residency at Toronto's Joe Mamma's. Through all of this they have amassed an expansive repertoire and continue to add new material to their long list of hit songs. This is a band that can win over any audience! Pricing: Starts at $4,500 [vendor_shortcuts]

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 The Marc Joseph Band

As full-time musicians, The Marc Joseph Band have been performing together with the same members for 9 years. Proud of this, they claim it to be a testament to their commitment to their clients, to their music, and to each other. Worthy of their 5 star ratings on EventSource.ca, they've been described as highly energetic, fun, friendly, charismatic, easy to work with and very professional. Their show is sure to get everyone dancing, interacting and talking about the event for months to follow! Pricing: Starts at $4,500

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 Soular

Inspired by the classic sounds of Motown, Soul, R&B, Pop, Rock, Dance Music and Top 40, Soular performs all your favourite songs with a passion and energy that moves people to hit the dance floor and "dance to the music"! With over 10 years under their collective belt, Soular works with every Client to ensure an individualized experience that exceeds your expectations. Pricing: Starts at $6,500

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 Stereoflavour Entertainment

Stereoflavour Entertainment are a group of best friends first, and a full-service live entertainment company second! The core of the band came together while studying music in Toronto and are now among the most in-demand professionals in the GTA, having shared the stage with the likes of Ed Sheeran, Jully Black, Sloan, The Jonas Brothers, Lady Antebellum, Demi Lovato, The Arkells and Tim Hicks. The band offers everything from ceremony strings to an infectious 12-piece dance band (including a killer horn section!). Stereoflavour also has a repertoire that ranges from Top-40 to Jazz, Classic Rock to Motown, Country to Classical and everything in between. The chemistry that they share on stage from years of performing together will extend out to the dance floor and is guaranteed to get your guests up and moving all night! Pricing: Starts at $4,000

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The Sound Parade

The Sound Parade is well known to be one of the most professional and entertaining bands to come out of Toronto! This band provides a wide range of live music services for weddings including, ceremony musicians, jazz bands and  a 5-9 piece dance band. If your planning a corporate event, they also offer a 7-9 piece Latin band as well as a one of kind, fully interactive live video karaoke band - so cool! From start to finish, Sound Parade Entertainment will help make your wedding or special event a night to remember!

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The Digs

The Digs are a super group of some of Toronto's finest musicians! While their specialty is Pop, Funk, Soul and R&B party music in a large ensemble format, The Digs are willing and able to perform almost any type music imaginable in a configuration that meets your vision and your budget. Pricing: Starts at $2,650

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The St. Royals

St. Royal Entertainment are always ready to get funky! This super popular group of entertainers take the audience on a soulful journey with the best Funk, Soul, Motown and R&B music. With ensembles ranging from seven to nine pieces all the way to the St. Royal's "super band" (which features 17 pieces: four vocalists, six horns and a seven piece rhythm section), their production team will work with you to provide the best band for your venue and budget. Pricing: Starts at $7,800

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 Fusion Events Orchestra

Photo Courtesy of Jamieson Dean Fusion Events Orchestra is the brainchild of Toronto event planner Arthur K of Fusion Events. With a vision to create a band appealing to young Millennial couples, FEO was born. Featuring three incredible vocalists, the group provides a high energy show steering away from the "typical" wedding band repertoire. With an emphasis on the top 40 hits that millennials have grown up with, you can expect to hear Brittany Spears, Backstreet Boys, NEXT, Usher, Sean Paul, JayZ  and more! Pricing: Starts at $4,000

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Main Event Music

Relatively new to the scene, Universal Boogie Band consists of Toronto’s finest and most experienced vocalists, an air tight rhythm section, a totally hip horn section, a sleek string section, and heart pounding Drums. Their high energy live music and stage performance is finely designed to insure the best musical entertainment for your special event. The Toronto Orchestra performs from an eclectic repertoire of hundreds of popular and legendary songs, including the most current chart toppers, Funk, Motown and Rock -- all with their own twist, full style, and show stopping energy! Pricing: Starts at $1,000

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God Made Me Funky

Photo Courtesy of Arthur Mola Starting out as a cover band and making the leap to recording artists, God Made Me Funky is known for their high energy performances. With five original studio albums, a Juno nomination, Canadian tours which have included headlining major jazz festivals, playing at the 2010 Olympics and opening for INXS, this band knows how to get a crowd on its feet! Their music styles range from Jazz standards to Motown, Soul, Funk, R&B, and lots of top 40 hits…all with a God Made Me Funky twist! Pricing: Starts at $5,500

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ONQ Big Band

With most of its members professionally trained and graduated from the Humber Jazz Program, ONQ Big Band (ONQ Live Entertainment) delivers versatile performances which cover a wide range of styles and genres. From low-key cocktail and dinner atmospheres to electrifying party/dance selections, ONQ creates and shapes the energy of your event culminating to a grand finale sure to get everyone moving on the dance floor. Pricing: Varies. Contact for details

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Saturday Night Superstars

Saturday Night Superstars' track list ranges from the greatest songs ever written in the '60s up to today's hottest tracks. Songs that cut across generations and resonate because they evoke an amazing feeling or remind you of a perfect time in your life. Gone are the days of bands playing a standard playlist; Saturday Night Superstars will customize their shows to compliment your event. These guys'll everything they can to make your event sparkle and shine, and keep your guests on the dance floor all night long! Pricing: Starts at $3,800

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The Intentions!

Band leader, Jonathan Ophek, was inspired to form The Intentions! in 2010 while planning his own wedding! Today, the band utilizes its vast catalog of crowd-pleasers and dance floor shakers to energize and inspire their audience. The band boasts an 11-piece powerhouse lineup that can also provide a vocal ensemble with piano during ceremonies, and a jazz quartet for cocktail hour. Rounding out their offerings, The Intentions! also provide DJ and sound production services to meet all their clients' needs. Pricing: Starts at $5,500 Like this? Check out our article on how to hire a hire a wedding band. Did we miss your favourite band? Let us know in the comments below.

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7 Great Tips for Hiring a Wedding Band (from the Pros themselves)

Music plays such an integral role in creating the perfect ambiance for your wedding. Hiring a wedding band is one of those things that sounds easy before you actually delve in; unfortunately, it's not the sort of thing you get to "try before you buy" so a little bit of wedding band research goes a long way before booking a band! To help you out, we went straight to seven of the industry's top wedding bands to compile their expert opinions on the key things you need to think about before hiring your Toronto wedding band. Here are their responses!

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How do we know how large of a band we should hire?

“Much of this depends on the type of music, the demographic of those in attendance, the size of the venue (a 10 piece band takes up a lot more space than a 4 piece), and budget. If Motown is your thing, you may want a horn section for that traditional Motown sound. Great bands can add musicians or reduce and simplify without losing too much of the vibe that you're after. Big bands can be a lot of fun to watch, and suit some styles better than others; like jazz for example. Great bands with only 4 members can do an amazing job by restructuring songs. This is why seeing a live performance of the band you're considering hiring is always highly recommended! As for budget, expect to spend about 3 times as much hiring a 10 piece versus a 4 piece band. Bigger isn't always better in this case. Look at Rush or Muse; granted they are both from the rock genre, but both are 3 piece acts yet their sound/entertainment value is massive. My parting thought is this: if strings, keys, or horns are vital to you, it never hurts to ask your prospective band if they're willing/able to add or subtract musicians and what the price difference would be.” - Dave Ongena (The Marc Joseph Band)

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How involved should a wedding band be with the entire execution of the day?

The wedding band should be involved in the execution of the wedding insofar as delivering the expectations for the day and providing the entertainment desired. It is a very special day and so it is important that every aspect of the event is addressed. The entertainment is probably at the top of the list so it must be planned in advance. We would want to meet with the bride and groom ahead of time to make sure that we are playing the songs they want to hear and create the mood that they are looking for. If they have any special requests, we would want to know them and we will do whatever possible to make them happen. Song list and image will set the tone for the wedding and cannot be overlooked. We would build a playlist that makes the newlyweds excited and keeps the guests on their feet. If there is a DJ spinning that day, we would exchange set lists to make sure we are not performing the same songs thus keeping things fresh and original. We always strive to promote a professional attitude throughout our performance but mostly we want everybody to enjoy themselves and have fun. The wedding band should not be the focus on the wedding day of course, but it is a vibrant part of the celebration and should complement the event making it one to remember. - Darren Merenda (Nine Times)

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How far in advance should a couple book their wedding band?

"Without wanting to put you in a hot panic, the answer to this question is as soon as possible. Good wedding bands are like good venues, they usually can only cater to one couple at a time, and the popular dates fill up fast. If you happen to be lucky enough to have chosen an off-night like a Friday or a winter/spring wedding, you can be more confident in taking your time. But if you are planning on getting married on a Saturday in the summer, you'll want to aim book all of your vendors well in advance. There's a good chance that your favourite funk band might be booked or even on tour that day. At the very least, have a conversation with your dream band and let them know your intended date. You never know, with enough notice they may be able to rearrange their schedule around your wedding date. Get the planning right and you and your lucky guests will be shouting along to "Get Up Offa That Thing" making legendary dance memories together. Now all you will have left to worry about is destroying those questionable dancing photos…” - Brent Miller (Brent Miller Live)

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Image Courtesy of Root Photography

What are the red flags couples should avoid before signing on the dotted line?

“Professionalism is the most important trait for any wedding vendor. This may seem strikingly obvious, but I've heard some pretty surprising stories from clients in the past. If your band doesn't get back to you within a reasonable time frame, or shows up late for meetings, that's red flag #1 – they don't take things seriously and they're not professionals. You don't want the band showing up late for your wedding, right? If they don't have a contract for you to sign or don't require a deposit, that's red flag #2. Contracts don't exist solely to protect the vendor; they're also there to protect you, the client. Also, keep an eye out for bands who insist on getting paid in cash. And finally, if you catch your band live and it's a completely different lineup than the videos you've seen online, that's red flag #3. A high turnover amongst band members says a lot about the solidarity of the group. You don't want to risk having a substitute player or two when it comes time for your special day.” - Matt Humphreys (Saturday Night Superstars)

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What are some of the most important questions a couple could ask themselves before hiring a band for their wedding?

"There are many things to consider when hiring a band for your wedding. The most common questions are things like styles of music, cost/packages, availability, references etc. Those are all good and important questions, however, two of the less common yet extremely important questions are:

1. Do you have liability insurance? Many venues now require bands and all vendors to provide an insurance certificate. The tricky part is that they often ask for this the week of the wedding. If your band doesn't have this in place, they may not be allowed in the venue.
2. Do you accept more than one booking a day and do you have an "A" and "B" band (meaning a main band and a secondary band under the same name)? Some companies have multiple bands that go under the same name. Ensure that you are getting the band that you have seen and booked and not the secondary band (even though it has the same name, the "B" band is often a spin-off and not as good as the "A" band)."

- Arthur K.  (Fusion Events)

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What sorts of things should couples be aware of prior to signing a contract?

“Before deciding on which band you'd like to hire, it's really important that you know the policies of the venue with whom you are working. Occasionally, venues require that you use an exclusive Audio Visual Supplier, which could affect the overall cost of having a band. This supplier will need to know the band's AV rider (an AV Rider includes a variety of info and requirements from the band to the AV supplier; it helps ensure a seamless presentation) in order to give you a sound quote, and given that another supplier might be providing sound and lighting, this could affect the quote the band is giving you. You'll also want to see if the venue has any noise restrictions. If it's outside and close to a residential area, it could limit how long your band is able to play into the evening. Room layout is also extremely important - you need to ensure you have enough stage or set up space required by your band in the room where your reception will be held. An 8 piece band just can't fit on an 8'x12' stage and a trio might look silly on a massive riser. Talk to your venue and your wedding band about the optimal configuration they'd suggest. Some bands have very inclusive packages and others charge you a la carte. Find out what it may cost you additionally to have a DJ, to have the band learn special requests, or to have the band provide an additional sound system or sound technician for speeches over dinner. Don't assume that because the band has a technician, it means that he or she will be there for your entire wedding day. Labour costs add up and so do rental costs for sound systems in multiple locations. Lastly, look into a band's repertoire before signing on the dotted line. Most bands have master song lists that you can browse in advance of booking that will give you a sense of their strengths. Every band is totally different and you'll want to gravitate toward a band that plays to your musical taste. If you love a band, but wish they played a little more Top 40 (or any other genre you feel is missing) ask if they can provide a DJ for in between band sets who might cover this genre, or ask if they take requests.” - Lynzie Kent (Electric Blonde) Image Courtesy of 5ive15ifteen photo company

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How to decide which music band is the right fit for your wedding?

"The best way to decide is to ask yourself: which band is going to keep the party going strong for the longest amount of time and what genres of music is going to appeal to my friends and family?  What do my parents like? What does the bridal party like? And so on. Most bands play for about 3-4 hours with DJ breaks after dinner service, so you want a range of music that's going to keep everyone engaged, dancing, and enjoying themselves for that duration. Bands that specialize in one genre are great, provided everyone at the wedding really loves that one genre."  - David Barnes, Parkside Drive

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Do you have any other questions or comments for your favourite Toronto wedding bands? Post below and have all your questions answered!

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