Frequently Asked Questions

We've compiled a list of the most common questions we've been asked during our years of playing weddings and functions. We hope this will help answer any questions you might have and also perhaps serve as a checklist for anything you hadn't thought of. :-)

Clear communication is always the key to a successful event and we want to ensure that your event is memorable for all the right reasons. If you have any questions or concerns that are not addressed below then please do ask us.



What sort of music do you play?

We play anything from Michael Buble to AC/DC, and pretty much everything in-between. Having both male and female vocalists enables us to do justice across a wide range of musical styles. Take a look at our Set List for an idea of the sort of material we do.

Do you offer a ceilidh / Scottish country dance option?

Yes we do, and it's included in the price! Ceilidh is becoming very popular again at Scottish weddings and can be a lot of fun, especially if you have visitors from outside the country :-) If you would like to book a ceilidh set, just let us know when you make your booking. A typical ceilidh set lasts between 20 and 30 minutes. Alternatively, individual ceilidh dances can be interspersed throughout the evening. Either way, the dance steps are fully called so that everyone can join in the fun :-)

If you would like a longer-than-normal ceilidh set, this is also no problem as we work with a number of fantastic ceilidh players. Just let us know when you make the booking as this affects the overall price.

How long do you play for?

Our standard set is from 8.00pm to 12.00am, including any ceilidh, and with a break during the evening buffet.

A typical evening would go along the lines of:
    - 8.00pm: Band plays first dance and kicks off the evenings dancing
    - 9.30pm: Ceilidh set begins (if applicable)
    - 10.00pm: Break for evening buffet (band plays background music)
    - 10.30pm: Band back on
    - 11.45pm: Last couple of dances, leading up to Loch Lomond/Auld Lang Syne

Please note that start times are dependant on the band having access to the performance area 60 minutes prior to the start time.

How far will you travel?

While the majority of our work tends to be within Central Scotland, we often travel much further afield and are always happy to discuss travelling anywhere in the UK.

How much does the band cost?

We offer a very competitive fixed rate for our standard set. The overall price may vary depending on location or any special requirements (extended ceilidh, DJ, extensions to standard playing times etc). There have also been occasions where we've had to hire a sound company for large corporate events. However, we never pad these costs and always aim to provide the best value for money. Please contact us to obtain a quote tailored to your specific event.

We're thinking of a midweek/Sunday wedding. Can you play midweek & Sundays?

We will play on any day of the week :-) However, in our experience with midweek or Sunday weddings, people who are working the next day will often start leaving earlier than they would at a Friday/Saturday wedding, therefore it may be worthwhile considering a reception time of 7pm to 11pm. Having only half a dozen people left when we get to Loch Lomond/Auld Lang Syne isn't the greatest end to your big day.

How long will it take you to set up your equipment?

We are normally setup, dressed and ready to go within 60 minutes of gaining access to the function room.

My wedding reception is a formal black tie event. Can the band dress accordingly?

Yes we can. While our normal wedding attire is red and black, we wear formal evening attire when required. We can also coordinate with the colour scheme of the bridal party if so desired.

How do I book you?

If you'd like to make a booking, you can submit a Booking Enquiry on our site, or email us directly at enquiries@sonixband.co.uk. We will then respond to you and discuss the specific details. A £150 non-refundable deposit is required to confirm the booking and reserve the date. Once the booking is confirmed, you will be provided with a booking confirmation, which will include the specific details agreed for your event and our standard terms and conditions.

We operate a central online booking system which ensures that double-bookings are not possible!

How far in advance should I book?

As far in advance as possible is best. We currently have confirmed bookings up to 3 years in advance.

What if I have to cancel/postpone my wedding due to illness or a family bereavement?

As long as we are available on your rescheduled date then there's no problem - your deposit will still be valid. If we're not available then your deposit is, unfortunately, non-refundable. There is no cancellation fee.

Our best advice here would be to consider rescheduling to a midweek night. That would greatly increase the chances of all your existing suppliers (venue, caterers, photographers, band etc) still being available. It's difficult enough rescheduling your guests without having to start looking for new suppliers as well.

How can I come and hear the band before I book?

Most of our gigs are weddings and private functions but we do announce details of forthcoming public gigs on our Facebook page, to enable prospective clients to come and hear us play. Just go there and click Like and you'll be kept up to date on what we're up to :-)

If you let us know up-front that you'll be coming along on a specific evening, we'll make sure and look out for you during our break.

We also do online gigs on Second Life once or twice a month, in support of our favourite charity Live and Learn in Kenya. These are also announced on our Facebook page, along with details on how to listen in if you're not a Second Life user. These are normally quite different from our normal wedding and function sets but they still let you hear how we sound :-)

Can I make a provisional booking?

We will hold an unconfirmed date for up to 4 weeks. If, during that time, we receive another enquiry for that date we will contact you and give you first chance to confirm it.

Can we choose the song for our first dance?

Absolutely! Just give us at least three weeks notice to give us time to learn anything that's not currently in our set.

We can also, if requested, play an original artist version on MP3 for your first dance. However, we would ask that you please specify clearly which version of the song you would like. We find that providing us with the specific YouTube link works very well and avoids any unpleasant surprises on the night :-)

Can we specify a list of songs from your set list that we'd really love to hear?

Of course you can. Just let us know what songs you particularly want and we'll ensure they're played during the evening.

If there are other songs we like that are not on your list, can we request them for our event?

We're happy to discuss this when you make your booking. If you request new songs that we feel will add value to our Wedding & Function set list then we'll do our very best, based on the time allowed, to learn them. Anything of a more obscure nature would need to be discussed but if we can, we will :-) Please note that we won't ever knowingly play any songs of a sectarian or racist nature.

Can we request that you don't play any songs from your list that we don't like?

If there are any songs on our list that you really don't want us to play, for personal reasons, then we'll do our best to accommodate you, up to a maximum of three songs.

Can you provide background music during the buffet?

Yes we can. Alternatively, if you prefer to make a playlist on your iPod, we can play that through our sound system. Please just ensure that there's enough life left in the battery, or provide a charger so that we can plug it in.

We would like to book you for our wedding in 2 years time. Will you still be around?

Sonix has been around since 2006. Also, there are lifelong friendships at the heart of the band. Doug was JB's best man...JB is godfather to Dougs daughter...JB and Doug have known both Dels family, and Chris, since they were teenagers...and as an example of our reliability, back in the 90's, Doug commuted weekly from London for 6 months so he and JB could honour bookings after the band they were in split up.

Apart from all that, Sonix is the best band any of us have ever been in! We're not going anywhere! :-)