Howdy all! Long-time, no speak! I hope you are all keeping healthy and happy! Wow, so much has happened in the world since my last post! Safe to say that every one of us has been affected by the pandemic by now, and The Benedicts are unfortunately just one of countless businesses across the globe that have suffered. From a personal perspective, the bands forced hiatus from performing has in fact allowed me to direct my attention towards other areas of my music career that had perhaps gone somewhat neglected over the years, and as a result, things have been admittedly rather quiet on The Benedicts-front; I do apologize for that! This band has been such a huge part of my working life for nearly 10 years (anniversary party anyone?!), so the opportunity to recalibrate, recharge and refocus, despite being entirely unplanned, has been rather welcome. The boys and I have of course been in regular contact throughout the pandemic and have long been preparing for the bands return (a couple times, actually, given the number of lockdowns and multiple false starts that we’ve all had to endure!), and I think it’s an understatement to say that we are all looking forward to performing on stage together again! Admittedly, the past 14 months have been a real test of character from an individual perspective, as we each desperately try to maintain our practise routines and to remain motivated and productive, all without having any real indication as to when we’ll be able to perform again. I’m sure the guys wouldn’t object when I say that we each pursued a career in music primarily due to our passion for performing, so being starved of that has left us feeling somewhat short of purpose. We are of course very aware that such feelings will not be limited to musicians and performers; people in every kind of profession will have been tested in similar ways, I’m sure. But things are now finally looking a little more positive, as the country cautiously follows the government’s roadmap out of lockdown. This is of course excellent news for all, and we are once again starting to receive enquiries as the events industry slowly begins to stir. Should the government’s roadmap proceed as planned without any further hiccups, then the band will be permitted to perform again as of 17th May, though under the terms below: Step 3 - 17th May The government will allow some larger performances and sporting events in indoor venues with a capacity of 1,000 people or half-full (whichever is a lower number), and in outdoor venues with a capacity of 4,000 people or half-full (whichever is a lower number). In the largest outdoor seated venues, where crowds can be spread out, up to 10,000 people will be able to attend (or a quarter-full, whichever is lower). Up to 30 people will be able to attend weddings, receptions, and wakes, as well as funerals. This limit will also apply to other types of significant life events including bar mitzvahs and christenings. This limit does not need to include suppliers and staff members. We fully understand that some folks will prefer to postpone their weddings and events rather than attempt to limit their guest lists to just 30 names. However, for those resilient souls who do choose to proceed during this period, it is important that we clarify that The Benedicts approach every single performance with the exact same level of professionalism, energy, and enthusiasm, and that the quality of the service that we provide never falters. We are 101% prepared, ready, and able to work with the proposed restrictions and fully accept that there may well be limitations on dancing and guest interaction. It is all perfectly workable, and I am fully confident that we can all still have a most excellent time celebrating together! Several of our clients are boldly choosing to proceed with their events during this period, so we do now have a confirmed start date, with rehearsals being scheduled imminently! Step 4 – 21st June All restrictions removed. The last step of the roadmap out of lockdown is scheduled to take place on the 21st June, where all remaining restrictions are expected to be removed (cue cautious yay!?). Admittedly this is best case scenario stuff, and it’s understandably difficult to look too far ahead. However, the band will nonetheless continue to prepare for this step, and we are now looking forward with a much greater sense of optimism. So, before I head off to reacquaint myself with the 200+ songs from our repertoire (!), I just wanted to thank those of you that do read my ramblings, particularly those that have supported and shown an interest in The Benedicts over the years and continue to do so; it means a lot to us and a great deal to me personally. I’d also like to send my best wishes to all the individuals, suppliers and other businesses that have been desperately trying to navigate their way through all of this; I genuinely hope to see as many of you as possible on the other side! Hopefully see you dudes on the dancefloor (in your bubbles!) very soon!

Howdy all! I hope you are all keeping healthy and happy enough during this rather rubbish time. The world is pretty unrecognisable, isn't it! There's likely not a business or individual on the planet that hasn't been affected by the pandemic in at least in some capacity, and The Benedicts are of course no exception to this, being unable to perform since March and essentially suspending most of our activity ever since! As performing in this band is a major source of income for all of our members, as well as providing each of us with a busy diary of gigs all year-round, these have been very testing times indeed, both financially and mentally, unfortunately. BUT... it appears there is finally some light at the end of this dim and dark tunnel!... As of the 13th August 2020, current government guidelines are now permitting live music both indoors and outdoors, which is of course incredibly positive news. We are very aware that these current regulations can change at any given moment and that not all venues are either capable or willing to host live music at this time, but still, this development will give performers such as ourselves the opportunity to get back to work. We are currently preparing various measures to ensure that we can comply with these guidelines and to help us operate in a safe manner by minimising contact between band members, venue staff and our audiences, and in turn helping to ease any concerns that many will understandably have. We want our clients, their venues and guests to know that we are doing everything that we can to ensure their safety while supplying the quality of entertainment that we've always provided. Things will, of course, be a little different, but by no means do they have to be less fun! Below we have listed the many actions that we are taking to encourage a COVID-secure environment for all during an indoor performance: - We will supply a large perspex screen to shield and separate the band from the audience/dance floor area, reducing all contact with band members and minimising any airborne transmissions. The screen will be thoroughly disinfected using antibacterial wipes before and after the performance, and audience members will be asked to refrain from interacting with the screen, as well as maintaining an acceptable distance from band members. - We will require a longer setup time so that can set up our equipment with minimal contact between band members. Members will also only set up their own personal equipment and will be required to wipe down surfaces/equipment that will be handled by others with antibacterial wipes. We are estimating that 1 hour 30 minutes + the standard 10-minute soundcheck will be sufficient. We will also require more time to dismantle the equipment at the end of the evening; approximately 45 minutes. - We will wear face masks at all times, except during the live performance itself, and will regularly wash our hands. - We will require more performance space than normal to separate individual band members and to maintain acceptable social distancing. We won’t be able to squeeze into any smaller spaces for example and will require as much width as possible (ideally at least 6m width x 4m depth, in order to maintain social distancing between band members). - The guidelines suggest limiting all audience participation during the performance, so we would be forced to tone down guests’ involvement, and no individuals other than the band will be permitted beyond the perspex screen. - Households must always remain socially distanced from each other during the performance (a single support bubble would count as one household). We will consistently communicate this throughout the performance. So, there's a couple of rules there to follow, but in general, it's very manageable and won't dampen any celebrations. As long as your venue is able to comply with the current government guidelines themselves and is happy to host a live band then we are 100% good to go! Like so many acts around the world, The Benedicts are desperate to get performing again and we will do everything we can to ensure that all parties involved, from the client to the venue, and from fellow suppliers to the guests themselves, are comfortable with the measures that we are taking. We are incredibly flexible and more than happy to adopt additional measures should you are your venue require so, so please, do get in touch should this be the case - we are super friendly (and admittedly a little goofy)! ;) Given that our 2020 diary has been near decimated following 5 months worth of cancellations and postponements, we do now have lots and lots of availability throughout the remainder of the year, with some dates still available for 2021 also, so do shoot us a message if we can be of any service to you and your event! Above anything else though, we sincerely hope that you are all coping and staying healthy, and that we really hope to see some of you very very soon! Catch you dudes on the dancefloor (socially distancing of course)! Baz =P

Yikes, what a start to 2020! In amongst all the uncertainty, I’m sure all of us would agree that we would love nothing more than to never read another article on the Coronavirus again; quite frankly we are sick (pun unintended!) and tired of it ourselves! So, in a perhaps feeble attempt to avoid regurgitating what you’ve already likely read or heard elsewhere, I’m going to try and focus on solely what to do when being forced to consider postponing your event, or as a last resort, cancelling altogether, and to offer you some support and advice. Hopefully it might be of help to a few of you, if not, it is preventing me from getting devoured by my sofa! · If you’re worried that your event might be at risk of postponement or cancellation, though are yet to hear from any of your suppliers, then get in touch with your booked venue first to see what the situation is on their side. In our current predicament, things are admittedly changing all the time, but venues will by now have a contingency plan in place and will be able to let you know their intentions moving forward. · Chat with your venue to discuss your options. All suppliers, including ourselves, are going to have to be very accommodating and flexible during this time and they will want to avoid any cancellations, so the chances are that they are going to be very keen to help you reschedule your event with minimal changes. · If your venue does request that you reschedule your event, ask them for a list of alternative dates. Most venues will offer you more than a few to choose from, though as they are all likely dealing with a whole bunch of postponements and cancellations, this will understandably vary. Do your best to stay open to all alternative dates, whether that be a weekday event, an off-peak date or a date that seems a little too far away for your liking, as the more options you have the better! · Once you have some potential dates to play with, take these to the rest of your suppliers asap. We anticipate that replacement dates will get snapped up rather quickly and some venues may well operate on a first come first served basis, so make haste to avoid missing out on your top choices! · There is, of course, the unfortunate possibility that some of your suppliers won’t be available on the alternative dates that were offered by your venue. It therefore may well become a case of opting for the date that most of your suppliers are available on! We know that this would be disappointing for many, as no doubt you took time and effort in choosing your suppliers, but on the positive side of this, there will be many amazing suppliers actively looking to fill their diaries once this whole situation settles down, so our guess is that you’ll be spoilt for choice! · In the event of cancellation, again your individual suppliers will likely have a contingency plan for this in place and I expect these vary somewhat. Most I’m afraid will charge a fee for a cancellation, though I imagine this would be significantly less than what is charged during normal circumstances. · Once you have confirmed your rescheduled date with all of your available suppliers and they have it firmly in their diaries, then you can take a deep breath and relax knowing that it’s all sorted… again! We are so very sorry to all of you who have seen your events be postponed and cancelled over the past few weeks, particularly knowing the amount of thought and planning that goes into organising each of them. Do your best to stay positive – your events will happen, as you imagined, eventually, and although it may mean even more planning and waiting before then, it does actually give you more time to plan and prepare, and that can never be a bad thing! If you booked The Benedicts to perform for you, then rest assured that we are here to help you; we’re only an email, call or text away! We will not charge for the rescheduling of any event during this time and we are willing to liaise with your other suppliers to keep the flow of communication…well… flowing – just keep us posted on your situations! It’s a difficult time for everyone, including self-employed people like ourselves, whose income is of course affected significantly. All we can do is keep calm and carry on… it’s actually the perfect opportunity to have yourselves a little rest! Wishing all of you good health and happiness over the coming weeks and months ‘til we see you again on the dancefloor! Baz =) #weddingbandshampshire #weddingbandsdorset #weddingbandssomerset #weddingbandswiltshire #partyband #functionband #coverband #bandsforhire #weddingbandsforhire #bandforhire #hampshire #dorset #partybandhampshire #partybanddorset #partybandwiltshire #partybandsomerset #liveband #livebanddorset #livebandhampshire #proseccoforbreakfast #ukbusinesses #selfemployed #Keepcalmandcarryon

Oh hello sunshine, long time no see! The Summer season is wedding season and one of the busiest and most enjoyable periods in our calendar. The sun is shining; the prosecco is flowing, and all of life’s little niggles seem to evaporate under the Summer sun. We've visited so many gorgeous wedding venues so far this season; some familiar favourites that we were delighted to revisit, and others we were entirely new to, such as Maunsel House in Bridgwater - what a place that was! Maybe it’s the fact that many folks are harbouring that festival spirit, but audiences just can’t seem to get enough of the dancefloor during the Summer months. But let us warn you, future audience members - Things do and will get sweaty. It’s an inevitable by-product of bouncing around on a seemingly airless dancefloor, made even more inevitable when surrounded by other sizzling bodies. We like to encourage our audiences to embrace the sweat. Every drip running down your shiny forehead is like a little salty badge, boldly revealing your commitment to the music and should be worn with absolute pride. Another warning - what was once a faultless looking group of stylish individuals, dressed head-to-toe in expensive looking ensembles, may well deteriorate into a cloth-less mass of flesh. Ok, that’s slightly over-the-top admittedly. What I’m trying to say is, during hot bouts of weather and in unventilated venues particularly, it can get rather hot. So, keep yourselves hydrated. No, not by drinking more prosecco! Have yourself a glass of water. Easy. Lads – Lose (not literally!) the tie and jacket; undo a shirt button or 2; have no shame. Ladies – Free your feet and lose the heels. Obvious stuff, sure, but it all helps. The Summer time is also a time for festivals, where the band can dress-down, ditch the ties and have a cheeky cider or 2 ourselves - Rejoice! This year we were thrilled to have been invited to perform at Westival 2019 – a delightful little festival on the South-coast, raising money on behalf of Amelia’s Rainbow, a local charity which supports children in Dorset and the surrounding areas who are suffering from any terminal, life-limiting, serious and chronic illness. Amelia and her families story is both heart-breaking and inspirational, so we were honoured to have been able to help support such a worthy cause, alongside Tunebox & Room13 – 2 very talented acts worth checking out! In what is infinitely less important, these public events are often the only opportunity that we have where family and friends, plus past, present and potential future clients, can come and see us do what we do. It’s always such a pleasure for us to be able to look out into an audience and see familiar faces smiling back at us. Keep an eagle-eye on our ‘Events’ page and Facebook to see when our next public appearance is – we would love to have you join us! Catch you folks on the dancefloor, Baz =) #awardwinning #weddingband #TWIA19 #theweddingindustryawards #weddingbandoftheyear #finalists #southwestweddingband #regionalwinner #thebenedicts #ameliasrainbow #charity #westival2019 #tuneboxmusic #room13music #maunselhouse #Leighparkhotel

It goes without saying that 2018 was a particularly special year for The Benedicts. Not only did we continue to be lucky enough to perform at so many of your beautiful weddings and events, but we also became an AWARD-WINNING BAND! Yup, you read that right! The Benedicts won The Wedding Industry Awards’ South West Wedding Band of the Year at a prestigious ceremony held at Rockbeare Manor in November! It was quite an experience to be amongst some of the South's most highly-regarded wedding suppliers, but to actually return home with a trophy in-hand was nothing short of an honour. Needless to say that the champagne was well and truly flowing in the Benedicts' camp! It was a real testament to the hard work that we've put in to the band over the past 7 years and each of us will wear the title with absolute pride! It meant so, so much to us that you, our wonderful clients, took the time to nominate The Benedicts as the South West's band of the year, giving us the opportunity to proceed further in the competition. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts - The whole experience was only made possible because of you. As a regional winner The Benedicts were then invited to attend the national finals in London to represent the South West by competing for the title of 'The UK's Best Wedding Band'! This was of course the perfect excuse to get together for a mighty celebration, and that we most certainly did! It really was the most fantastic of evenings! The band very rarely gets the opportunity to celebrate our own achievements together, so to be able to do so at such a fantastic venue and with those that have given us their unwavering support throughout our careers was unbelievable special. We hope that we can continue to be a part of your most special of memories, and cannot wait to see what 2019 has in store for the band! Catch you on the dancefloor, Baz =) #awardwinning #weddingband #TWIA19 #theweddingindustryawards #rockbearemanor #weddingbandoftheyear #finalists #southwestweddingband #regionalwinner #cafedesparislondon