Who Else Wants A Classy And Sophisticated Band That Has Guests Dancing All Night?
Me, me, me I hear you cry...... There's a common misconception that a 'swing' band cannot keep a full dance floor. It's true, some can't...
But Schwing can....
Below we've addressed, in detail, this point as well as some more practical stuff. Get in touch if you want more detail on how we can make your event the one you dreamed of....with a packed dance floor!
Q: We're nervous that guests won't dance to a "jazz" band
Schwing’s raison d'être is to fill the dance floor at your event. The set lists and repertoire have been carefully chosen over years of playing at events – songs that don't get guests on the dance floor don't stay in the set....Simple as that. All musical arrangements are written to achieve the right feel and tempo for dancing.
The skill of a band leader is to be able to read the room, and to respond with an appropriate song from the repertoire that will get your guests on the dance floor.
Q: Isn’t the band just great for watching while seated rather than dancing to?
When asking this question you may have painted the picture of a smoky jazz club with guests seated and static just ‘taking in the jazz’. Individually the musicians in the band play regularly with bands that do play these types of venues.
However when they play with Schwing it's a different show entirely – everything the band does reflects the end goal of making sure your guests spend the majority of the night dancing. From repertoire choices, to performance dynamic and showmanship, when at a function they play for the guest’s enjoyment. Yes the band are great for just sitting and watching and many of your guests will do just that and have a wonderful time doing so.
Q: My guests will not know how to dance properly to swing music.
We guarantee you that this will not be an issue. Many clients think that their guests, on hearing the band play a swing tune, will in some way feel intimidated or frightened to get up and dance. In our experience the very opposite happens.
The rhythms are utterly infectious and guests will feel uncontrollable urges to dance. The thought that someone might be judging them as if in Strictly will not enter their frame of thought. T
Q: The bands style of music is too 'old'.
We've put 'old' in quotes because it's a word that has been used in conversations we have had with clients (we say clients as they invariably go on to book the band and are delighted they did). The style of Schwing is Vintage & classic; more time-less than "old." The band's repertoire dates from the 1920s to current day and the exuberance and energy of their performance is a perfect balance of cutting-edge & vintage.
Q: We would like a swing band but think people won't know the songs.
The band only performs classic songs that are known by multiple generations. The choice of songs performed is no accident. They have been sifted and sorted over many years of playing at events with guests of all types.
The melodies are known and have been hummed by multiple generations before us and will be hummed by multiple generations after us. They are timeless. The rhythm of the band, the melody and the sheer occasion will force them into dance floor submission.
Q: We don't want to book a band without seeing them live first.
Schwing perform regularly and although the majority of performances are at private or corporate events, there are public shows in our calendar at all times. See our social media pages for event listings of feel free to contact us for listings.
Q: We're nervous that a swing jazz band is just to specialist, too different, too unique.
The band performs at between 50 and 100 events a year and has done so for many years. Falling into the trap of booking just another 'me too' band is one far too many have fallen in to only to be bitterly disappointed they didn't go with their gut feelings. Booking Schwing is really not anywhere near as risky as you might think.
Q: Do you provide your own PA and lighting?
Schwing come totally self contained with their own excellent quality sound system and stage lighting. You won't have to worry about anything except enjoying your evening. The band also have lots of experience in working with large production companies and can provide a list of technical requirements if your event has separate planning for production.
Q: What band sizes are there?
Schwing's most popular line-up options range from 4pc to 8pc. Larger line-ups are also available on request - from 10pc to 17pc.
Q: Do you travel?
Absolutely. The band play all over the UK, Europe and even travel as far afield as the UAE and the US.