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Hello, future wedding couples! Once a month, we’re having a big old chat with one of our lovely live acts. This month the spotlight falls onto one of our most popular and professional live wedding band trios, the Usual Suspects!
The Usual Suspects are one seriously experienced, entertaining and professional wedding band trio. Splitting their time between London, St. Albans and Birmingham they keep busy performing every weekend at gorgeous weddings across the country. Their varied and high-tempo live sets are loved by everyone and always leave wedding goers with a smile and spring in their step.
I’m sure you will find our interview with the Usual Suspects fun and informative plus it will help you see what a professional live wedding band are all about and who you are inviting to perform at your wedding. Who are these mysterious wedding musicians you’re paying a lot of money for and what makes them tick? What makes them the right wedding band for you? All will be revealed…
Ritchie is a very busy man but we managed to pin him down and have a great little chat with him. Enjoy!
For as long as I can remember I’ve wanted to be a musician who performs regularly and the Usual Suspects has been pivotal in helping me achieve this. I played guitar in bands all through secondary school and went on to study guitar at the Guitar Institute London where I attained a degree in popular music performance. Since graduating I have performed in several bands and also as a soloist, building a career gigging and teaching.
Every day is different and every gig is unique, but a typical Saturday begins with a bit of practice (guitar and vocal) to warm up, followed by checking my equipment (mics, guitars, amps, PA System and lights) and then loading all this into my car. I will usually be checking the route to the venue for traffic problems throughout the day so I know what time I need to leave.
Once at the venue I will contact the client and double-check details of timings, green room and band refreshments before beginning set up if I am able (often I am early due to leaving extra time for mishaps, so don’t always have access to the stage until the agreed arrival time).
Last steps of set up are the soundcheck, this is to make sure the band is the right volume for the room and crowd, but also to find a good balance between each instrument (Only guitarists like their guitar too loud!). Then comes the wait, during this time the band will often get their refreshments, gossip and double-check the plan for the gig. We are flexible with our setlists, so they are often a little different at each gig.
Once the waiting is over we will burst into song, playing and partying for two hours with a break in the middle. We usually perform a couple of extra songs as a thank you and then put some recorded music on while we pack down and head home.
The camaraderie between band members and our ability to have fun wherever we go.
I played a concert at school and enjoyed it so much I had no choice!
The best thing is the variety and the worst being unable to perform and the uncertainty in the industry right now
We once did a gig in the south of France, epic journey, amazing food, wine and a raucous party!
I once forgot to plug my guitar in and wondered why I was so quiet!
A lady once turned her back to her friends to adjust an undergarment, oblivious to the three of us performing right next to her. I think she thought we were on the telly!
I bet you look good on the dance floor by the Arctic Monkeys is great fun to perform.
Superstition, it’s a classic for a reason.
I’d be a professional athlete, probably a rugby player
I’d have to say American BBQ (ribs, brisket etc…)
I would love to visit Japan one day.
Going for a morning run followed by a big breakfast, walking with my kids, a roast dinner and then relaxing in the pub.
It’s got to be Woodstock 1969.
Put the wedding band in the same room as the bar!
I’m a dog person but have somehow ended up with a cat. This is Suki!
It’s always great to catch up with Ritchie. It’s been a while! Feeling like you’d like to know more about his band? Read on…
The Usual Suspects usually line up as a three-piece with vocals/guitar, bass/vocals and drums/backing vocals but they can add all sorts of musicians including keys players, female vocalists and sax and brass players. Booking options are plentiful with their bandeoke and daytime acoustic solo or duo sets being must-have add-ons. Their acoustic sets have proved great value for money and incredibly popular with wedding couples over the years.
Being the exceptional live wedding band that they are, the Usual Suspects offer top-of-the-range PA and lighting equipment and can even offer a full DJ’ing service late into the night. They aim to be a one-stop wedding entertainment package and plenty of glowing reviews from happy couples over the years would seem to agree. You can read all of our customer reviews here. The Usual Suspects have plenty of other booking options so come chat to us to find out more about this stunning live wedding band. Like all our bands, the boys can always supply PLI and PAT certificates and have vast experience with sound limiters in all sorts of indoor and outdoor venues.
Prices start from £800 for their popular three-piece and this includes a free DJ’ing service. Don’t forget that we are offering 15% off all bookings so come speak to us so we can design that perfect wedding entertainment for you.
Songs by Ed Sheeran and Mumford & Sons continue to be very popular as first dances with wedding couples and the classics keep coming back with Superstition, Mr Brightside, I Bet You Look Good on the Dance Floor and Johnny Be Goode being some of the most requested dance floor tunes! I strongly suggest you go look at the Usual Suspects profile and look at their huge repertoire. There’s a tonne of songs for anyone and everyone there!
Here is a selection of just some of the glowing reviews this popular live wedding band has. You can read all of our 528 happy client reviews here.
“Just a quick email to say that the Usual Suspects were absolutely amazing. All of our guests had a great time and they loved the wedding band. I had loads of people that want their contact details!”
Sarah and Steve Smith – Wedding, Cheshire 2018
“We had such fab feedback from our guests and we both thought you were fantastic! Music was perfect and the dance floor seemed busy all the time. The best live wedding band oh yer!”
Lucy and Rich Buck – Wedding, Wakefield 2016
“I know it’s been a few weeks now but Amber and I just want to say a massive thank you to the guys and you for the music on our wedding day it was awesome and it fitted so well with our day and everyone there really loved it! All the best.”
Simon and Amber Cowgill – Wedding, Loughborough 2019
“We did have a great time thanks! The guys were absolutely brilliant and here is our a 5* review. All our guests were wowed and my Dad (a keen guitarist himself) thought the bassist was very, very talented indeed. A great wedding band!”
Catherine Hutchinson – Wedding, Leeds 2015
Thank you to Ritchie for taking the time to chat with us, it was great fun as always. If you’d like to know more about this fantastic live band, click here and if you’d like to enquire about them for your wedding or event, click here.
As well as our 15% off offer, comprehensive booking contracts and 24-hour support you always get everything listed below and more with any wedding, function or party (including the Usual Suspects!) you hire with us. Grab those live band freebies while you can!
Are you struggling to find the perfect live wedding entertainment for your wedding or event? We have some amazing guides that will solve all your dilemmas below.
Otherwise, come and speak to us, we’re available 7 days a week 10 am to 10 am via live chat, phone, the usual socials, text and email. We can design the perfect live wedding band to blow your wedding socks off at a great price. Speak to us and come celebrate with Seventh Second!
Thanks for reading and check back in a month for our next showcase with the award-winning live wedding band Party Republic. Oh, and if you enjoyed this showcase or know someone who would love The Usual Suspects please consider sharing.
Thanks!
Oana and the boys and girls at Seventh Second
