Reunion Band

The Best Experience

Plan your party correctly from the get-go and you'll have a bash worth remembering. Reunion has done this sort of thing for more than three decades, so we know a little about making your party the best possible. Here are a few suggestions.

The Dance Floor: The best way to do it

How many times have you been to a concert and sat so far away from Mick or Bono that they looked like ants on the stage? It seems up-front tickets for the big shows are always held by someone else who either knows someone in the band or put lots of cash in a scalper's pocket.

The lesson is simple: people want to be close to the band. Your party probably won't require an arena, which means everyone can get up-close and personal with the live music -- if you follow a very simple game plan and put the stage next to and right in front of the dance floor.

Putting the dance floor in proximity to dynamic personalities such as Andrew, shown, seems like a no-brainer, but you'd be surprised how many hosts break that band-audience intimacy by separating the two with tables, displays or other obstacles. So here's a little dance floor layout primer. Do this:

Simplistic? You bet. But it's a tried-and-true setup. Of course, Reunion has seen every possible stage configuration and can accommodate whatever your plans may be. But for the best audience experience, the stage-next-to-dance-floor configuration is ideal.

The Stage: A Vital Component

Reunion plays great music; that's a given. But there's also a wonderful show going on and your guests will enjoy it more if they can see it all. That's why a stage is recommended. At minimum, the stage should be 24x16-feet, as detailed above. That gives the band room for its dances and other stunts.

The most important part of that stage is good, available, nearby power. A decent dance demands it. Reunion recommends a minimum of three separate 20-amp circuits (three 30-amp circuits or four 20-amp circuits are even better) to ensure an uninterrupted performance. Those circuits should be in close proximity to the stage. When planning your event, be sure to ask about power well in advance of the date. Losing power in the middle of a hot set is discouraging, to say the least. And believe us, it still happens -- even in the new millennium.

The Band Room

The band needs a place to dress, prepare for the show, and recharge during breaks. Of course, Reunion is accommodating and will appreciate whatever amenities the host can provide. Our favorite hosts provide the following:

A nearby band room (known in the biz as a Green Room) to hold a dozen musicians and stagehands
A variety of drinks, ice, and glasses
Food is appreciated, unless the band is invited to eat with your guests. Food can range from sandwich trays to full-blown meals. A vegetarian option is appreciated, as well
For the safety of our members, hotel rooms are recommended for performances that take place more than 100 miles from Austin

So What Have We Learned?

1. Stage should be 24X16 minimum. Reunion is an active band, and there's a show in every song. The guys need room to make it happen.

2. Stage should be adjacent to the dance floor. We know: that seems obvious. But you'd be amazed at how many supposedly savvy party planners get that vital detail wrong.

3. POWER, POWER, POWER! Reunion's amplifiers and state-of-the-art lighting need lots of juice. Please make sure there are at least three functioning 20-amp circuits near the stage.

4. If you want a GREAT party, book Reunion! Here's what you'll get.