Shine
Reviews for Shine
GUEST
This band (Shine) played at my daughter's wedding recently. They performed at the ceremony, the cocktail hour and the wedding. They were extremely professional and did not 'miss a beat'. They had the crowd up on the floor dancing all night (a lot of 20 and 30 somethings in attendance), but also were not too loud for the rest of us. They worked with the family to allow "Elvis" to perform an act, and then worked with the groom and friends to perform and play guitar. It was NEVER "about them". They focused on the guests.
It was extremely obvious to me that we did the right thing by hiring a band instead of a DJ on numerous occasions during the night, but one that was obvious to me was the tempo/timing of the music to the father/daughter dance. They also have a great attitude and outlook.
I couldn't have asked for a better experience, and this was very important to us as our groom was deployed to Afghanistan one week following the wedding. We now have wonderful memories with a lot of credit going to "Shine". Eileen Molina
GUEST
The Shine Band was absolutely amazing! John Harris was incredibly easy to work with. We found the website for the band online and after one easy conversation with John, we knew we wanted them for our wedding. They were flexible and made the day run so smoothly. The band even learned my husband's two favorite songs so my husband could play with them during the wedding! Our guests loved the band and the dance floor stayed active throughout the entire night. The musicians for the ceremony and cocktail hour provided the perfect background music. The band is also a much better value than a lot of other Boston area bands. Definitely choose these professionals for your big day!
GUEST
Shine was AMAZING
Their music was phenomenal - they 'got' what we wanted, and couldn't have done a better job. All of our guests want to hire them for their future celebrations (as do we)!
John was the most organized person I dealt with throughout the whole wedding planning experience. An absolute joy.
We couldn't recommend SHINE more.
GUEST
Shine Band was fantastic! We picked them because they play songs that really sound like the originals, which is important when you want the class of a band but want songs to sound like the original songs. They learned a song for us that came out really great (and we couldn't even locate sheet music for the song, it being a little bit obscure, but they were able to recreate it from a youtube link we sent them -- amazing!). They got everyone out there dancing at our wedding and people kept saying how great they were. And, to top it all off, they provided us with our most memorable (and probably my very favorite) memory of the night. The power went out at our venue at the very end of the night, thanks to that freak October snowstorm, and they announced they were still going to play us a final song of the night...in the dark, acoustic. It was absolutely beautiful. They played my parents' wedding song and we all danced in the dark. I can't thank them enough for (a) not jetting out of there when the storm was raging outside and (b) providing us with this memory we'll never forget.
GUEST
The music was one of the most important elements for my husband and I. We had a traditional Jewish wedding, and I did a lot of research on different bands to see who could accommodate both the Jewish music (hora) and American music for dancing. It's a tall order to do both well, but Shine delivered! John Harris is the bandleader and he is so easy to work with and flexible. We had a special guest singer and I was worried that would step on the band's toes, but everyone was professional and enthusiastic. I think Shine ended up really enjoying working with our guest singer, Sean, and vice versa.
Shine has been doing weddings for 20 years and their professionalism shows. From the Hora to the last dance (Michael Jackson's "Black or White", a special request), they had the dance floor rocking! Our guests raved about them, including a family friend who used to work for Berklee College of Music. They provided the perfect party atmosphere for our guests, from my baby cousins to our grandparents. They're also very reasonably priced, providing a great bang for your buck. Definitely spring for the extra horn section!
GUEST
John Harris and Shine were very easy to work with. They brought a level of professionalism and experience that made us quite happy we selected them.
NOTES:
- John made himself available over both email and phone to help us help find the right mix of musical genres we wanted for our reception. They offer an impressive range of ability and song selection.
- We were married in an old wooden barn with high ceilings and great natural acoustics, but overall not a large room. I mentioned to John that the event coordinator of the barn warned me that past bands who played there were too loud and it sort of ruined the evening as many people didn't feel comfortable with the loudness. John completely understood this and assured that the sound would fit the room and it would not be overbearing. Sure enough, he was correct..
Thanks again to John and his band Shine.
GUEST
Shine did an amazing job with our wedding. We entered the reception room to them playing our song for our first dance... and it sounded just like Ray LaMontagne was there! We got lots of compliments on the band and music and everyone had a fantastic time dancing the night away!
GUEST
I’m a photographer and have seen lots of wedding bands in action. Out of all of them in the Metro Boston area, we chose Shine for our wedding because they really are superior singers and musicians –plus they are genuine, friendly and accommodating. My wife’s family had a ton of special requests and details (which I stayed out of) –and we were both totally impressed with how John and the group took care of things before and during our date. They honestly took a lot of the stress out of things –and it sure is different when YOU are the one getting married, having shot many a wedding! Their prices are also more than reasonable compared with many bands who charge considerably more and aren’t half as talented. I think somebody at the wedding is having Shine at their company’s holiday party because they liked them so much at our wedding. Way to go!
GUEST
We recently had a Valentines Weekend wedding and the Shine band played. They were absolutely amazing! From the easy going music in the beginning through the party dance music –I can’t imagine a band doing a better job! They played the type of music we requested and kept everyone dancing and having fun the whole time. We were also given some extremely helpful ideas by the band that proved to smooth out some important logistics. Shine also gave us a great price compared to other situations we looked into. They were very polite and our calls and emails were returned very well. The band also learned our first dance and arranged the song exactly the way we wanted- what professionals. I still can’t believe how good Shine was and would HIGHLY recommend them to anyone!
GUEST
Shine is miles better than any comparably priced band. They did an incredible job keeping the whole wedding dancing all night long - and they were incredibly flexible when, three days before the wedding, my parents decided to add another hour to the reception. Shine also provided us with beautiful ceremony and cocktail hour music - John worked very closely with us to make sure we had exactly the ceremony music we wanted. I highly recommend Shine!
GUEST
Shine recently performed at my daughter's wedding and I could not have hired a better band. Not only was their music superior quality, their enthusiasm and excitment shined through from the very beginning of the evening down to the very end. Shine is classy, stylish and contemporary. They played every song requested from old fashioned Irish folk songs to ultra contemporary, reggae, latin and rock. This was the first wedding I've ever been to where 100% of the guests were up and dancing and I must thank Shine for making it the best wedding ever. We were so lucky to have you. Phone calls are still coming in complimenting you.
Thank you,
The Thompson family
GUEST
We never thought that we'd be able to afford a band, but we were pleasantly surprised by Shine's affordable cost. Shine was great to work with, throughout the planning process. The bandleader, John, was very responsive and offered some helpful advice along the way. Shine played a wide variety of songs, and they did a great job of adapting to the kind of music that our guests wanted to hear. We didn't give them any lists of songs to play or to avoid, and they still played music that was a hit with all of our guests. We received so many compliments on the band, both during and after the wedding. Shine was very professional and accommodating, and they even learned a special song for our father/daughter dance.
GUEST
The Shine band made our wedding so fun and special! They were so great to work with and made everything easy for us. They sounded amazing and had such a range of music styles for all ages and tastes of our 200 guests. They also played beautiful ceremony music. They were very professional and dressed for the occasion. We received so many compliments and would strongly recommend them to anyone who is looking for a classy, well-rounded band that makes people want to dance!
GUEST
Shine could not have done a better job at our wedding �they were absolutely AMAZING! We�re still getting raves from family and friends (some hard to please) months after our wedding. The band played so many different styles so well, that all ages really DID dance the entire time. They are SO talented! The emcee work was also just the way we wanted it �not too showy but very well presented. They were extremely nice people to work with, and very accommodating to our many requests. No issues with being too loud either, like some groups we�ve heard and weddings. John Harris, the band leader, was invaluable in helping us plan (making things less stressful) and was always prompt in getting back to us. Their pricing was reasonable too. We really can�t imagine a band doing a better job than Shine!
- Jim and Jennifer Taylor
GUEST
To say that Shine is one of the best wedding bands in the Boston area is a big understatement. They were a huge hit with our guests, and we received dozens of compliments on what a wonderful job they did at both the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception. They knew exactly what (and what not) to play, and were able to get even our most dance averse guests out on the floor. We were extremely happy that we picked Shine for our wedding and would highly recommend them to anyone!
Steve & Shana Siegmund
GUEST
We were very pleased with the job Shine did at our wedding. Our crowd doesn't really dance, but they danced more than we expected them to. They played what we wanted, didn't play what we didn't want (even when a guest begged, and I heard they were very nice about it), and we'd definitely use them again.
GUEST
We were extremely pleased with Shine band. I did a lot of research looking for a wedding band and they were by far the best value. They were signifacantly cheaper than the larger bands but were equally as good. My husband was not sold on the idea of having a band instead of a DJ and he loved them and agreed that they added so much to the atmosphere of our reception. They were extremely professional and made the whole process very easy for us. I highly recommend them.
GUEST
Shine was excellent! They are the perfect band for any wedding. The range of music on their play list makes them great especially if you have guests across a wide variety of ages at your wedding. Shine handled all special requests promply and on the day of our wedding fulfilled those requests exactly how we wanted things done. The band sounds great. They really made the night and were the key to a perfect wedding.
About Shine
"Live Music for Everyone!"
Shine is a fun, experienced, reliable Boston area band that has performed at over 1500 weddings and parties. Chances are you already know someone who's seen them! Significant discounts are offered on many dates, as well as
suggestions on how to save on your music selection. Please visit our website at www.ShineBand.com to enjoy video, slideshows, hear us play over 50 songs from our HUGE
song list!
- Featuring the best of BOTH contemporary and classic music
- Each member sings lead AND plays at least one instrument: great value
- Regular group: Female & Male vocals, sax, guitar, keyboards, bass, drums
-Trumpet can be added for horn section sound
-Quality pre-recorded music supplied on (non-excessive) breaks
- Maintains appropriate volume in both large and very small rooms
- Reasonable Rates and Discounts Available !
- Helpful planning expertise, easy to work with, answers calls & emails
- Performance at almost every preferred venue in New England
- Convenient, cost effective cocktail & ceremony duos from the band
See and Hear Us Play: http://shineband.com/n-videos.html
FAQ for Shine
WWW.ShineBand.COM
The Hiring Process:
Why is it difficult to hear you play live?
Most venues have really cracked down on viewing at other weddings (considered “party crashing”) –even though Shine plays almost every weekend. Many night clubs where bands (who play a huge variety) have played for years are now using a dj format due to the economy. Showcases run by entertainment agencies generally feature the bands with very little work, are very high pressured and always result in a significantly higher cost than hiring directly with a band. Sometimes it’s possible to hear us (or other bands) play at a wedding or event, though truthfully – much easier said than done and often results in a frustrating experience.
Helpful factors in considering Shine?
After listening to our music online or on cd (basically the same music), you can get a clear idea if a band is talented or not. Checking out Shine’s extensive song list, locations played and the extra info on our website, etc. really helps. Hopefully one gets the impression that a band that has played 60-100 weddings a year since the 80’s has done so for one main reason: they’re good and they play what people want. Establishing a reliable reputation is key. There are many available references that you can speak with or email who can attest to our level of quality control. Believe it or not, a high majority of couples have not heard Shine at an event before their wedding –which is personally all the more reason to prove our reliability. Please call John, our bandleader, he’s available to give you a direct answer on any of your concerns.
What is your pricing structure?
Our rates vary depending on seasonality. Generally speaking, Saturdays in the months of May through October are the premium dates, as you probably know. Shine discounts all other dates and is consistently known for working with people on a variety of pricing issues. A substantial is always offered on all Fridays and Sundays–as well as all wedding dates (except for New years Eve) occurring between November 1 and May 1. Travel charges are sometimes applied, there is no tax required and the band is almost always available to perform for more than four hours at a reasonable overtime rate. Please contact John for a quote anytime!
An agency told us about your band, do we have to book you through them?
If you are in contact with an entertainment agency before you contact a band directly –and the agent presents that band –then it’s best to continue to work with the agency. Bands are put in a difficult position accepting work from a couple knowing that the agency has already been working with the couple. Agencies always charge significantly more than the direct band rate –but have also built professional relationships with bands. They quickly send out emails to the bands letting them know what dates they are working on for the bands. If a band receives communication from the agency before
Where WON’T you play?
Tough one! After performing at the myriad of the top venues as well as old mansions, small restaurants, historic sites, rainy tents, 97 degree heat, snow covered porches, beaches, boats, barns, backyards –there isn’t much left…The smallest weeding we’ve done is for 13 people with the largest party being about 1500 guests. We have no special power requirements and are consistently relied upon to troubleshoot performing space issues.
How far in advance do you get booked?
The popular dates (Saturdays May through October and holiday Sundays) always go first, about 9-18 months in advance. The other dates follow in no particular order, sometimes we are booked just a few weeks before a wedding. No harm in checking availability!
the couple contacts the band, the band should be hired by the agency out of professional respect. If not, save money by going direct.
We want Shine, what’s next?
Simply call John Harris, Shine’s bandleader at 781-545-6011 and tell him. After confirming availability and answering any further questions, the date will be closed off. A contract is emailed right away in .pdf format, along with a very helpful Reception Worksheet (returned by you later on with song choices, etc). Regular mail is used if preferred. A deposit is sent back with a copy of the contract, securing the date. The balance is paid at the wedding.
The Music:
Will you learn our special dance song if you don’t already play it?
Absolutely! Simply send a copy of the song and the sheet music –which can normally be found fairly easily under ten dollars. Shine band members are very adept at reading and writing music, and can arrange a song to fit your needs if it needs to be abbreviated or lengthened.
Do we pick the songs you play?
After performing at over a thousand weddings, we’ve found several things that work best. Getting an idea of the music styles that a couple prefers most is essential. Almost all weddings require a true mix of genres to entertain guests of different age groups and tastes. Often one reception needs a very different musical menu than the previous one. Not a problem, we do not ever play the same set list! Sometimes a bride or groom enjoys sending back our song list (printable from our website) with songs they’d love to hear, and a few they do NOT want (there are some on the list we aren’t wild about either, but “necessary” in some cases!). Shine is very careful to pay close attention to this. Obviously, a live band featuring different vocalists (and spontaneity!) is quite different that a dj cuing up a playlist. Our experience in reading a crowd has come in handy so many times that the following saying often rings true: “the more you plan, the less goes according to that plan…”
What kind of current music do you play?
Shine always keeps up with music trends –we wouldn’t work if we didn’t! If the band notices that folks are requesting a particular song at weddings, we’ll simply add it to our vast repertoire. Our song list isn’t always updated each time we add one. We cover almost any genre. There are some styles that are very difficult to pull off as a live band. Techno and hip hop for instance, relies so much on pre-recorded tracks that it’s nearly impossible to duplicate live. If those styles are strongly desired, playing them on cd or Ipod can be more effective. We love balancing the live contemporary with the classic, and find the dancers do as well!
Can you omit the cheesy wedding songs?
Another Shine specialty. While playing familiar dance music for all ages is certainly a must, here’s a recent account from a function director who worked at a wedding with Shine: “You guys were horrible! The staff and I play a game of ‘Wedding Music Bingo,’ marking off all the typical, tired-out songs we hear bands play at weddings here. You only played one- and I lost! Honestly, your band was so impressive to keep everyone dancing without all the schlock tunes!”
What about breaks and break music?
The idea is to play as much live music as possible. In a four hour block, Shine generally takes 2 breaks: a short dinner break (about 25 minutes) while guests enjoy their main course and a short breather later on between dancing (about 15 minutes). Excellent pre-recorded music is supplied on all breaks –usually an easy going variety during the main course and up-tempo dance music on the second. Sometimes a couple will supply us with a with their own break music on cd or by an Ipod playlist.
What is offered for ceremony and cocktail music?
We have a flute & guitar duo for ceremonies (if the wedding and reception are at the same location). The same two musicians from the band also play as an excellent sax & guitar duo featuring a nice mixture of jazz, blues, swing, Latin and pop music instrumentally –at a reasonable rate and perfect volume level in or outdoors. This has been very popular, and we now offer the option of setting up a small sound system playing quality pre-recorded music at no charge.
Do you Emcee and assist during the wedding?
Definitely! We can announce using a wireless microphone as little or as much as you’d like. Shine is also well known for helpful planning advice at any time before or during your event. An informative Reception Worksheet is used to create the ability of custom-making your own timeline. Our extensive wedding experience frequently comes in handy throughout many normal and unforeseen situations. We pride ourselves on good communication and emails /phone calls are promptly returned with clear answers.
What do you wear?
Tasteful wedding attire including tuxedos and classy evening dresses. Occasionally folks prefer us to dress a little more casual.
Do we select an entrance song when we are announced in?
As you might imagine, singing a song and announcing names at the same time doesn’t really work. We normally play a very fun, upbeat instrumental tune behind the announcing and adjust the music volume accordingly to help keep the excitement level. This has worked very well. Every now and then we are asked to play a special cd as a bride and groom enters –not a problem.
Should the band play a shorter version of our parent dances?
Most of the time yes, as an average song length of 3.5 minutes can really feel like a long time alone with your Mom or Dad or relative on a dance floor with everyone watching the emotion.
We were at a wedding, the entertainment was so loud!
It wasn’t us! Band members do not need earplugs –we actually all have our hearing still very much intact. We are VERY careful to make sure that people can enjoy speaking with each other, especially before and during dinner. Occasionally we are asked to insert a short dance set in between courses. Some of us have been to family functions and actually left due to the loud volume of the entertainment. Knowing how to be in the background entertaining with quality music and when to get folks up dancing is a Shine specialty. Experience counts!
After performing at over 1500 weddings - I could go on for days about many things I've noticed and learned. Please feel free to call me at 781-545-6011 to disuss! Some specialties:
- How to avoid potentially sensitive issues in planning the music, speeches, dances and more...
- "I have no idea what song to dance to with my parent!"
- "Do I really need cocktail music?"
- "How can I save money on the music?"
Deals for Shine
The same discount is also offered on all Friday and Sunday dates, except holiday weekend...
Events for Shine
