4 Tips for Hiring Entertainment for an Event in a New City
Guest Blogger: Paul Natale, Vice President, Murray Hill Talent
Let’s say you’re planning an event in a city you’ve never been to, and you’re tasked with securing entertainment for the event. Here are a few pointers to steer you in the right direction.
- Decide what atmosphere you’re looking to create. Do you expect guests to dance? Is it a networking event where music should be kept in the background while attendees are networking/mingling? Are you looking to make a big, impactful statement with one shorter visual and/or audio performance? Considerations like this, as well as the size of the venue are crucial when pairing the right entertainment for the right event.
- Try to include the local flair of the city you’re visiting. New Orleans has a vibrant jazz scene. Chicago is known for the blues. San Francisco was
the birthplace of psychedelic rock. Nashville is, of course, the cradle of country music. If your guests are coming in from all over the country (or the world), why not give them a taste of the local sounds? Many bands or DJs can feature repertoire native to that city. - Find an entertainment agency. If you do an internet search in a particular city for individual bands, DJs or musicians, and reach out to them one by one, chances are you’re going in blind and will only be presented with the one artist you’ve contacted. An agency has most likely already sorted through and vetted many DJs and groups, and chances are they represent a variety of talented and reputable artists. Check the Google reviews for talent agencies in the area.
- Don’t overthink it. Some events can be over-planned and stuffed with too many entertainment options, it can be a sensory overload for the guests. Activities like casino games, lawn games, photo booths, etc. can clash with a loud band or DJ, so it’s best to choose one or the other.
Best of luck on your next event!
Murray Hill Talent is a Boston-based company that has forged strong bonds with talented musical and performance artists throughout New England. These long-standing relationships make them the go to entertainment source for their client base of large and small corporations, destination management firms, hotels, event planners, and charitable organizations throughout the northeast. Paul can be reached at 800.843.2263 or contact@murrayhilltalent.com.
