Frequently Asked Questions

BOOKING QUESTIONS

HOW DO I BOOK PARTY LIGHTS?

Reach out to RYAN HARKRIDER from Top Down Creative

ryan@topdowncreative.co | 512.293.1185

IS PARTY LIGHTS A FRANCHISE?

Nope — Party Lights isn’t a franchise. We’re 100% original and proudly homegrown in Austin, Texas.

DOES THE BAND HAVE ANY AFFILIATES?

Yes! Our “brother band” is The Nightowls — we share the same creative team and management at Top Down Creative, along with top-tier musicians, high-energy performances, and a shared mission to keep every dance floor buzzing from the first note to the final encore.

WHAT KIND OF EVENTS DO YOU PERFORM AT?

PARTY LIGHTS SPECIALIZE IN WEDDINGS, PRIVATE PARTIES, FUNDRAISERS, GALAS, COMPANY PARTIES, BIRTHDAY PARTIES, AND MORE! BASICALLY, ANYWHERE PEOPLE LIKE TO DANCE AND HAVE A GOOD TIME!

HOW FAR DO YOU TRAVEL?

PARTY LIGHTS TRAVEL NATIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY ON A REGULAR BASIS. THE BAND HAS PERFORMED AT EVENTS ALL OVER THE US.

CAN I RESERVE THE BAND ON A SPECIFIC DATE?

YES, WE ALLOW FOR INTERESTED PARTIES TO PLACE TEMPORARY HOLDS ON SPECIFIC DATES GRANTING THEM A PERIOD OF 24 HOUR RIGHT OF REFUSAL. HOWEVER, THE ONLY WAY TO OFFICIALLY SECURE YOUR DESIRED DATE IS WITH A SIGNED CONTRACT AND DEPOSIT.

WHAT IS YOUR BOOKING PROCESS?

WE REQUIRE 50% DEPOSIT AND A SIGNED CONTRACT TO OFFICIALLY RESERVE THE BAND ON YOUR DATE.

PLANNING & TIMELINE QUESTIONS

WHO DO I CONTACT WITH LOGISTICAL QUESTIONS?

Ryan Harkrider | ryan@topdowncreative.co | 512.293.1185

ALL THIS PLANNING IS GIVING ME A HEADACHE...CAN YOU HELP?

Absolutely!  After 15 years and 600+ weddings under our belt, we've got a great understanding of how to make each of our events run smoothly.  We're more than happy to work with you and your coordinator to ensure that all of the details are accounted for and our performance fits your style.

WILL SOMEONE IN THE BAND MAKE ANNOUNCEMENTS?

Yes, we can emcee all of your announcements, special moments, bouquet tosses, etc. across the evening as long as we are provided with a clear itinerary.  

CAN I USE YOUR MICROPHONE FOR TOASTS/SPEECHES?

Yep.  We have 3 wireless, handheld microphones available for any and all toasts. 

CAN I HELP SELECT THE SONGS FOR THE BAND TO PERFORM? 

While we don’t offer fully customizable set list, we are definitely open to suggestions.  The best thing to do is send us a list of your Top 5 "Must Have" and Top 5 "Must Not Have" songs.  This will give us a good idea of your style while still letting the band do what we do best.  

CAN I PLAY MUSIC FROM MY DEVICE DURING BAND BREAKS? 

Of course!  We can play anything with an auxiliary input (1/8" or 3.5 mm).  Just let us know and we'll arrange to have someone from our crew grab your device before the event. 

CAN THE BAND LEARN SONGS NOT ON THE SONG LIST?

Yes.  We learn and perform songs by request all the time.  For anything not on our song list, we charge $250/song.  Let us know what you're thinking- all of our musicians are highly trained and we can do just about anything!

LOGISTICAL QUESTIONS

WHAT ARE THE BAND SIZES & CONFIGURATION OPTIONS?

WITH PARTY LIGHTS, ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE! HERE ARE SOME OF OUR FAVORITE CONFIGURATIONS:

  • 10PC BAND: 3 VOCALISTS, 1 VIOLIN, 2 HORNS, DRUMS/BASS/KEYS/GUITAR

  • 11PC BAND: 3 VOCALISTS, 1 VIOLIN, 3 HORNS, DRUMS/BASS/KEYS/GUITAR

  • 12PC BAND: 4 VOCALS, 1 VIOLIN, 3 HORNS, DRUMS/BASS/KEYS/GUITAR

IS YOUR BAND THE RIGHT SIZE FOR MY EVENT?

YES! PARTY LIGHTS HAVE PERFORMED FOR AUDIENCES FROM 50 TO 10,000. EVENT AS A LARGER PARTY BAND, WE’VE GONE TO GREAT LENGTHS TO MINIMIZE OUR OVERALL FOOTPRINT AND VOLUME. WE’VE PERFORMED AT VENUES BIG AND SMALL AND ARE FLEXIBLE TO ENSURE THE BAND FITS WITHIN YOUR VISION.

WHAT SIZE STAGE/PERFORMANCE AREA DO YOU NEED?

WE CAN MAKE ANYTHING WORK! BUT OUR PREFERRED STAGE SIZE IS 16'FEET DEEP X 20 FEET WIDE.  

DO YOU PROVIDE YOUR OWN STAGE?

NO, WE DO NOT OFFER IN-HOUSE STAGING OPTIONS AT THIS TIME.

DO YOU REQUIRE A STAGE?

NO, PARTY LIGHTS CAN TURN ANY ROOM INTO A PARTY.

DO YOU PROVIDE YOUR OWN SOUND & LIGHTS?

YES, TYPICALLY THE BAND PROVIDES ALL OF OUR OWN SOUND PRODUCTION, SOUND ENGINEER, AND STAGE LIGHTING.

WHAT ARE YOUR ELECTRICAL REQUIREMENTS?

WE ASK FOR 3 SEPARATE 20 AMP OUTLETS TO POWER ALL OF OUR INSTRUMENTS, LIGHTS, AND SOUND EQUIPMENT.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE YOU TO GET SET UP? LOADED OUT? 

TYPICALLY, WE NEED ABOUT 3 HOURS TO GET COMPLETELY SET UP AND 2 HOURS FOR LOAD OUT. WE DO ALSO OFFER EXPEDITED LOAD OUT OPTIONS. JUST ASK!

DO YOU CARRY LIABILITY INSURANCE?

WE CAN SECURE AN INSURANCE POLICY FOR YOUR EVENT. JUST ASK!

ADD ON OPTIONS

DO YOU OFFER CEREMONY MUSICIANS?

Yes, we offer a variety of configurations from a solo pianist to string section to small bands and all points in between.  Options and pricing are available upon request.  

DO YOU HAVE EXTRA LIGHTING OPTIONS?

Yes! We have The Nightowls' Upgraded Lighting Package which includes 4x as many lights and color options, 4 light trusses, moving options, a light technician and more!  It's great for larger audiences and/or spaces and simply a great way to turn the night into an all out party! 

DO YOU OFFER SMALLER SOUND SYSTEMS OPTIONS?

Yes, we offer a wide range of ceremony, cocktail hour, etc. sound system options ranging from simply providing audio support for the officiant to providing a comprehensive PA for bands, vocalists, vows, etc.  Options and pricing are available upon request.  

WHAT IS THE SECOND LINE SEND OFF?

If you want to add some SPICE! to your send off at the end of the night, get ready for.....The Nightowls' "2nd Line Send Off!"  Made popular in Louisiana, the band and horn section lead the bride and groom away from the reception to their getaway vehicle with a traditional New Orleans blues march.