Charlie and the Funk Factory

live music for functions, parties, weddings

Information

FAQs

Sets & Music

  • What kind of sets do you guys normally play?
  • We normally play sets lasting between 45 minutes and 1 hour each. The most common arrangement is to play 3 x 45 minute sets.
  • How long can you play for? We want to dance all night!
  • For upbeat dance and party music, we tend to play up to a maximum of 3 hours in total, e.g. 3 x 1 hour sets.
  • We are having a meal and would like some live background music. Can you supply this?
  • Yes, we also offer jazz sets varying from solo piano bar style to jazz trios, quartets or quintets. This can be instrumental or include vocals, and also tend towards the Frank Sinatra swing style if people would like to dance. See our Media page for an example jazz set.
  • My father / mother / grandmother / <relation> is a big James Brown / Hendrix / Roni Size / <artist> fan. Can you tailor your sets to this genre?
  • We do of course always try to play to our audience, but normally our sets are of a wide-ranging enough set of genres to be able to cater to most tastes. Take a look at the sample set on our Media page to get an idea of this.
  • Do you play requests?
  • Yes, we will always try to play any special requests you might make in advance of your function - wedding first dances are a good example of this. We are happy for audience members at the event to make requests but we may not always be able to fulfil them.
  • What happens when you guys aren't playing? I don't want everything to suddenly go quiet! Can I play my MP3 player through your big sound system?
  • Yes, we are happy to connect your MP3 player to our PA. Alternatively, we can supply appropriate background music to play between our sets.

Equipment

  • What equipment do you need?
  • We can comfortably provide all of the audio equipment necessary for us to play venues of about 300 people capacity, and if required bolster our usual rig with extra gear for larger venues. We do usually require at least 3 independent mains electricity sockets on the stage so that we can power our rig safely and easily. We can also make use of 'shared' PA equipment; again, please contact us to discuss.
  • OK, but what about lighting? I want you to look good on stage!
  • We can provide some lighting but larger venues may require consultation.
  • Do you have any other non-technical requirements?
  • We normally request water when playing as performing can be thirsty work!
  • Do you bring your own staging?
  • No, we rely on the venue and event organisers to provide this for us if it is available. Stage plans are available on request.
  • What does your stage look like?
  • You can see examples of some of our set-ups below. Take a look at our Media page to see more photographs of us performing.

The Stage 1

The Stage 2The Stage 3

Logistics

  • How much space does the band need?
  • There are 8 of us in the band so a medium-large stage area is preferable, although we have managed to squeeze in to some very small locations! For larger venues, we can supply a stage plan upon request.
  • How long will it take you to set up?
  • This can take up to 2 hours when we supply all of the equipment, though as always, the more time we have, the better.
  • I want you to play in the evening. When can you set up?
  • We need to set up our equipment and perform a brief sound check in advance of guests arriving at your function; ideally we would like access to the venue on the morning of your event.
  • When will you arrive to play?
  • We usually arrive ready to play around 30 minutes in advance of our start time.

Charges & Payment

  • How much do you guys charge?
  • As the arrangements from one event to the next vary so much, we provide quotations strictly on a per-consultation basis. As a rough guide, however, the longer we play for, the more we charge. Travel expenses can apply; see the section below for more information.
  • Do you require a deposit?
  • No, we do not normally ask for a deposit as cancellations are extremely rare.
  • How should we pay you?
  • We can accept bank transfers, cash or cheques - whichever is most convenient.

Misc

  • We will be making announcements / having speeches / holding a raffle etc.. Can we use your mics to make announcements?
  • Yes, we are happy to let you use one or two of our stage mics when the band is not performing.
  • What are you guys going to be wearing?
  • Our dress code for weddings and other formal functions is smart, and for other events, casual but funky.
  • We want to hear you guys play! Where / when can we come and listen?
  • If you would like to listen to us play in advance of your event, you are invited and very much welcome to watch us perform at one of our public gigs, usually in or around Cambridge. Please check our Calendar for an up-to-date list of our public gigs.
  • Do you have any kind of insurance?
  • Yes, we are fully covered with Public Liability insurance.

Travel

We do not charge travel expenses for gigs within 30 miles of Cambridge. If your venue is located more than 30 miles away, we would ask for our travel expenses to be reimbursed. This cost will be agreed, by both parties, at the time of booking and will be based on a return journey for up to 6 cars from Cambridge.

We will be happy to consider gigs in all parts of the UK, so do please enquire even if your event is several hours' travel from Cambridge.

Equipment

If you're interested in what gear we have, we've listed some of our current gig rig below.

Front of house & monitor PA

  • 2 x Mackie SR1530 active speakers
  • 2 x Hill Powercube M5 active speakers
  • 2 x Hill Powercube M5 active sub-bass speakers
  • 2 x Mackie SRM350v2 active speakers

Mixer and microphones

  • Yamaha 01V 24-channel digital mixer
  • 6 x Shure SM58

Main instruments

  • Yamaha 82Z tenor sax
  • Trombone (Conn 'Artist Symphony')
  • Trumpet
  • Flugel
  • Axe
  • Some guitar amp
  • Roland RD-700GX stage piano
  • Alesis Micron SE synth
  • Korg MS-2000 synth
  • Fender American Deluxe Jazz Bass QMT in Transparent Bing Cherry finish
  • Fender American Standard Jazz Bass (vintage white with maple neck)
  • Mark Bass Little Mark III (head)
  • Mark Bass Traveller 102P (small cab)
  • Mark Bass STD104HF-4 (large cab)
  • Roland V-Drums TD-8KV electronic drumkit

Auxiliary equipment

  • Swanee whistle
  • Zildjian drumsticks
  • Eggs, triangle, dancing conga, tambourine etc.
  • Various hand percussion