Last week, Ashley Nicole Affair got to chat with Drew Davis for a Q&A with one of Austin’s biggest wedding bands - Moontower Entertainment. Having a band perform at your wedding is such a show stopper! It is a trendy and incredible way to spice up your big day and get everyone on the dance floor!
Q: Tell us a little about Moontower Entertainment. What services does your company provide?
A: My husband Amos started Matchmaker Band in 2009. Within a year of dating, we started two more party bands; Love & Happiness Band and PDA Band, and we launched Moontower Entertainment at the same time. Fast forward to 2024, and we now have five of the state's top party bands. We have since added a live band karaoke experience called Moontower Radio and a country/classic rock/pop band called Gone To Texas Band. We also book hundreds of other musical acts and artists of all genres and sizes.
Q: How far in advance should wedding couples ideally book your services?
A: In peak seasons (Spring and Fall), we recommend our couples try to get to us 9-12 months in advance to secure their Saturdays. However, in slower seasons (July, August, January and parts of February), we can usually still book something really quality with shorter notice.
Q: What genres and styles of music does Moontower Entertainment specialize in?
A: Between our five party bands that we perform in, own, and manage, we really have pretty much everything covered with the exception of international styles of music. However, all of our bands come with a full service DJ for the breaks, so we are usually able to curate playlists that serve those needs and still create special moments. Any band, any budget, any occasion is our motto, and we mean it!
Q: Can couples request specific songs or genres for their event? Do you offer a customizable playlist?
A: Yes! When a client books one of our in-house party bands, we have our song lists available on each website. We typically ask our couples to send us 10-15 of their must-play favorites off of that list and 10-15 of their absolutely do-not-play bottom choices. We then custom build every single set based on these preferences.
Q: Can couples request certain songs for their first dance and other special moments or is there a DJ service for specific songs?
A: Yes and yes! Anything on our song list is fair game for the band to do live for first dances, parent dances, private dances, and any other special moments. We have also learned hundreds of songs that aren't on our list because we just don't do them very often and/or specialize in them. So we are always happy to look in our archives and see if we have learned the song before and can do it at no cost!
Q: Do you provide emcee services?
A: Absolutely! We like to think of ourselves as the "party captains." Professional emcee services are included with each Moontower band. We are there for every important moment, big or small, to help make it extra special.
Q: How long are your performance sets? Do you provide background music during breaks or is there a DJ service included?
A: Our standard package is 3 x 1hr sets within a 4hr window. DJed breaks and emcee services are included. In 2024, we are actually launching two new packages. The second tier will be our "rager package" which is a 3hr continuous dance party. And our 3rd tier is called "the ultimate," which includes a 1hr live band dinner set and a 3hr continuous dance set within a 4.5hr window.
Q: What is your contingency plan in case of equipment failure or unforeseen circumstances? Do you have backup musicians available in case a band member is unable to perform?
A: We are such a large and insulated company now that we are usually able to find a very quick resolution. Because we have such a large talent pool, we are usually able to handle last minute personnel sub-outs for emergencies and illnesses with a very comparable substitute musician. Our singers have also been with us for years, so in the unfortunate emergency circumstance when a singer is out, the client's custom set-list never suffers and we never skip a beat (literally)!
Q: Can you share any highlights, client testimonials, or memorable experiences from past weddings?
A: There are literally too many to count! Just this past weekend, we had one band with the bride and groom crowd surfing during "Mr. Brightside," we had another band with a family soul train during "Dancing Queen," we had another band where the bride sang all of "Man, I Feel Like A Woman" with the band impromptu, and we had another Moontower band with the father of the bride surprising his daughter and playing saxophone with us. This is literally every weekend with us. Our job is about providing excellent music with the top talent in the state, BUT it's even more about being memory-makers. The majority of memories (in our biased opinion) are made on the dance floor, and our bands are trained to facilitate as many of those memories as possible.
Photography: Kaitlin Rodgers | Emily Boone