Band Formats
There are a variety of band formats to choose from, to suit the individual occasion. The band format ranges from a 4 piece up to a 7 piece (in a variety of combinations).
•4 piece – drums, bass, guitar with vocals… + fiddle player or female vocalist
• 5 piece – drums, bass, guitar with vocals… + (fiddle player + female vocalist ) or ( fiddle + 2nd fiddle / mandolin )
• 6 piece – drums, bass, guitar with vocals… + fiddle player + keyboard + female vocalist or 2nd fiddle / mandolin
• 7 piece – drums, bass, guitar with vocals… + fiddle player + keyboard + 2nd fiddle / mandolin + female vocalist
The fact is, the 7 piece band rocks… it has it all, with vibe, variety, and energy. the fiddle and mandolin interplay throughout, with some stunning keyboard lines… reacting to what the audience are doing. You can’t beat it. And with the female singer, you can truly appeal to all – and you have a dynamic in sound through the harmonies… that can only be achieved with this format…. But sometimes, we appreciate that the full band may just not work for your individual event – be it with space, preference… or budget.
Call or email us – we’ll work out whatever is best for your individual occasion.
Weddings
WEDDINGS
Private Parties, Birthdays and Corporate Events
Corporate
Birthday Parties and Anniversaries
We work with the client to provide the best solution for a top party…and we have no problem dressing up to suit the theme – in fact we enjoy it!
Celtic and Ceilidh
Irish
Rollercoaster are often booked for events that require an element of Irish music – traditional and non-traditional. From the haunting sounds of Riverdance, to the gentle waltzing of Molly Malone… from the fiery vigor of Whiskey In The Jar, to the stirring, anthemic sounds of The Fields Of Athenry. Our fiddle players have grown up playing Celtic fiddle – it’s fair to say it’s in their blood. As a band, Rollercoaster cut their teeth in the Irish pubs across London. There’s nothing better than a solid reel or jig to bring a crowd together – and raise the roof at the end of the night.
The setlists vary for different events – even for the full on Irish events, we will blend in a few non traditional songs, though keep them fiddle driven… However, with most events, a wedding where half the guests are Irish, then we will blend the Irish songs in where appropriate. It gives everyone a chance to dance and enjoy the night!
See a few of the Irish tracks listed below…
Irish and Ceilidh
Céilidh
You can see an example of a Ceilidh in the pictures below – Jason calling, the band playing along to a pre-recorded fiddle sequence (occasionally Jason joins in to create great fiddle melodies, harmonies etc)
EXTRAS
Cocktail and Reception Entertainment
The Rollercoaster Cocktail Band can provide the perfect backdrop to your drinks reception. The musical style is swing / jazz with a gypsy twist – very suited to champagne receptions/black tie events ( bass & shuffle brushed snare can be added if desired ). This music is meant to be non intrusive, though entertaining, ideal to sip drinks to, and unwind before the evenings events. It compliments Rollercoaster as the main act, with quality and excellence, though the musical genres don’t crossover – meaning it is independent of the main act … there won’t be any repetition.
The format covers 2 hours of music, which is 1.5 hours of live playing, with iPod music in the breaks.
An example of how the timings typically work, at a wedding reception, are as follows…
Act arrival at venue: 2.30pm
Setup by 3pm
Set times: 3pm-5pm
We will usually only take bookings for the Rollercoaster Cocktail Band, if the main band is booked later on, for the same event… but there are some exceptions, so call or email if you have an enquiry.
Cocktail Setlist
Ceremony Music
For a wedding, there is nothing better than a live musician playing you up the aisle. It’s unique, emotional, and heartfelt. A popular option is to have our wonderful guitarist Rob, play gentle musical interpretations on a classical guitar… the following tracks work well:
Here Comes The Sun – for milling
Adele – Make You feel My Love – for isle
Harvest Moon – Neil Young … Walking Away from wedding
OTHER OPTIONS:
In my Life – Beatles
Loving You – Minnie Ripperton
Thinking Out Loud – Ed Sheeran
Stand By Me
Better Together
Dinner Jazz
We’re very fortunate to have a top jazz pianist sitting behind the keyboards for our gigs. naturally he can play any style that is required… from 20s jazz, to Bond Themes, to Christmas hits…
Alex can perform a wide range of repertoire for your event and expect to hear well known tunes of all styles ‘jazzed up,’ as well as plenty of material from the classic jazz repertoire.
Solo Musicians
You may just want a fiddle player to entertain guests whilst they enjoy pre-dinner drinks. Our versatile and skilled musicians can cover this with ease.
Background Music / DJ
If required, we can setup a sound system to DJ and play background music through, earlier on in the day. If this is in the same room as the speeches, it has the advantage that you can use a microphone for that purpose.
