Uptown Drive FAQs
About
About Uptown Drive
Who we are, the Certified Original Lineup, the band members and our reviews
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Choosing
Choosing a Live Band
How to compare bands, what a luxury band delivers and live band versus DJ
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Weddings
Wedding Band FAQs
Booking, cost factors, sets and breaks, emcee and the dance floor
Booking, cost factors, sets and breaks, emcee and the dance floor
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Music
Songs and Special Dances
First dances, must-play lists, song requests and the song catalog
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Holiday
Holiday Parties
Company Christmas parties, year-end celebrations and New Year's Eve
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Corporate
Corporate Events
Conferences, sales meetings, client events, planners and insurance
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Galas
Galas, Awards and Fundraisers
Black-tie galas, awards nights, auctions and donor events
Black-tie galas, awards nights, auctions and donor events
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Interactive
Live Band Karaoke
How live band karaoke works and where it fits
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Private
Private Parties
Birthdays, anniversaries, retirements and estate parties
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Travel
Travel and Destinations
Where we play, destination weddings and booking from out of state
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Production
Sound, Stage and Venue
Stage size, power, sound, lighting and venue sound limits
Stage size, power, sound, lighting and venue sound limits
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Booking
Booking and Payment
How to book, the deposit, payment methods and seeing us live
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About Uptown Drive
What is Uptown Drive?
Uptown Drive is an Austin, Texas live band for wedding receptions, corporate events, company holiday parties, galas and private parties. The six to eight-piece band plays high-energy dance music from Motown and funk to pop, hip hop and today's hits, with DJ music between sets and bandleader Greg Williams as emcee. Uptown Drive is rated 5.0 from 273 reviews.
Where is Uptown Drive based?
Uptown Drive is based in Austin, Texas. The band drives to events across Texas, including the Texas Hill Country, San Antonio, Houston, Dallas and Fort Worth, and flies to Colorado, California and destination weddings, with travel built into every quote.
What does Certified Original Lineup mean?
Certified Original Lineup means Uptown Drive rehearses and performs with the same core musicians at every contracted wedding and corporate event, never a rotating cast of substitutes. The band in Uptown Drive's videos is the band at your event, and the reviews you read were earned by the musicians you are booking.
Will the band at my event be the same band in the videos?
Yes. Because Uptown Drive is a Certified Original Lineup, the same core musicians perform at every contracted event and appear in every performance video, so what you watch is what you book.
Who is in Uptown Drive?
Uptown Drive's core is a six-piece band: two lead vocalists, Greg Williams on saxophone and guitar, guitar and keys, bass and drums. Add trumpet for a seven-piece or trumpet and trombone for the full eight-piece band with a horn section.
Who is Greg Williams?
Greg Williams is the bandleader, saxophonist and emcee of Uptown Drive. Greg studied at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, plans every timeline and emcee script with clients and plays live sax on stage and on the dance floor.
Who runs sound for Uptown Drive?
Jonathan Lounsberry is Uptown Drive's audio engineer and production manager. He runs sound from out front at every event and coordinates power, load-in and technical needs with venues and production teams.
How is Uptown Drive rated?
Uptown Drive holds a 5.0 rating from 273 reviews across Google, WeddingWire, The Knot and Yelp, and is an 11-time WeddingWire Couples' Choice winner. Every review was earned by the same Certified Original Lineup that performs today.
Where can I read Uptown Drive reviews?
Read Uptown Drive reviews on the Reviews page, on Google, WeddingWire, The Knot and Yelp. The band is rated 5.0 from 273 reviews across those platforms.
What awards has Uptown Drive won?
Uptown Drive is an 11-time WeddingWire Couples' Choice award winner, an award based on reviews from couples who booked the band.
What kind of music does Uptown Drive play?
Uptown Drive plays high-energy dance music across the decades: Motown, soul, funk, disco, classic rock, pop, hip hop and today's hits, plus the classics grandparents dance to. Every set is tailored to the crowd from a pre-show music worksheet.
Is Uptown Drive a cover band?
Yes. Uptown Drive is a live cover band that plays the dance floor hits guests know at weddings, corporate events, holiday parties and private parties. It is not a tribute act or a single-genre band.
Does Uptown Drive play public shows?
Most of our dates are weddings and corporate events, but you can request a “sneak peek” for select inquiries with client approval (of course).
How do I contact Uptown Drive?
Send your date, city and venue through the contact page on uptowndrive.com. Uptown Drive checks availability and sends a personalized proposal.
Choosing a live band
How do you choose the best wedding band?
Check five things: who will actually be on stage on your date, recent reviews earned by that same lineup, full performance videos, what is included (emcee, sound, lighting, DJ music between sets) and how the band plans your timeline with your planner. Uptown Drive answers all five in writing before you book.
What makes a luxury wedding band worth hiring?
A luxury wedding band is worth hiring when it delivers a polished show for a formal room: a consistent lineup of professional musicians, live horns, an emcee who runs the timeline, an audio engineer, professional sound and lighting, and DJ music between sets so the dance floor never goes quiet. Uptown Drive includes all of these.
What is the difference between a premium band and a cheaper band?
A premium band brings a rehearsed, consistent lineup, an audio engineer, professional sound and lighting, an emcee and a plan for every moment of your timeline. Cheaper bands often trim one of those, which shows up as dead air, poor sound or a rotating cast. Compare what is included, not only the fee.
What questions should we ask a band before booking?
Ask: Who will be on stage on our date? Were your reviews earned by that same lineup? What is included? Can you learn our songs? Who emcees? Are you insured? How long are sets and breaks, and what plays during breaks? What do you need from the venue?
Should we hire a live band or a DJ?
You do not have to choose. Uptown Drive brings a live band for the dance sets and DJ music for cocktail hour, dinner and every break, all from one team with one point of contact.
Is a band and DJ combination worth it?
Yes for most dance-focused events. A band and DJ combination gives guests the energy of live musicians plus nonstop music during breaks, toasts and dinner. Uptown Drive includes DJ music between sets with every booking.
What are good alternatives to a DJ?
A live band with DJ music between sets is the most popular alternative to a DJ for weddings and company parties. Live sax over a DJ set and live band karaoke are other options Uptown Drive offers.
How do we compare entertainment proposals?
Compare the same things in every proposal: number of musicians, who they are, set length and breaks, what plays during breaks, emcee duties, sound, lighting, audio engineer, travel and insurance. Uptown Drive's proposals spell each of these out.
What should we look for in band videos?
Look for full songs, not only highlight edits, with a real crowd and the same musicians you would book. Uptown Drive's videos feature its Certified Original Lineup at real weddings and corporate events.
How do we know a band's reviews are real?
Read reviews on independent platforms like Google, WeddingWire, The Knot and Yelp, check that they are recent, and confirm they were earned by the lineup you are booking. Uptown Drive's 273 reviews were earned by its Certified Original Lineup.
What is the best entertainment for a mixed-age crowd?
A live cover band with DJ music between sets works best for mixed ages because it plays Motown, classic soul, disco and current pop and hip hop in the same night and reads the room in real time.
What is a high-energy wedding band?
A high-energy wedding band keeps the dance floor full with nonstop sets, crowd interaction and music between sets. Uptown Drive's vocalists and Greg spend the night on the dance floor with guests and DJ music covers every break.
What is a showband?
A showband is a polished live band built for events, with rehearsed sets, multiple lead vocalists, horns and an emcee. Uptown Drive is a six to eight-piece showband for weddings, corporate events and private parties.
Is a bigger band always better?
No. Match band size to your room and guest count. Uptown Drive's six-piece covers most weddings and parties, and the seven and eight-piece bands add a horn section for larger ballrooms and galas.
Weddings
How far in advance should we book a wedding band?
Book a wedding band 8 to 14 months ahead. Spring and fall Saturdays at popular Austin and Texas Hill Country venues book first. If your date is closer, contact Uptown Drive anyway: the band often moves public shows to make room for private events.
How much does a live wedding band cost?
Live wedding band cost depends on the date, the city, the size of the band, travel and how much of the day the band covers. Uptown Drive does not publish set prices because every wedding is different. Send your date, city and venue for a personalized proposal that includes travel.
What affects the price of a wedding band?
The biggest factors are your date and season, the city and travel, band size, total performance time and whether you add cocktail hour, ceremony sound or extra hours. Uptown Drive quotes every wedding individually with all of these included.
Do you offer wedding band packages?
Every Uptown Drive wedding includes live dance sets, DJ music between sets, an emcee, an audio engineer, sound and stage lighting. Band size, coverage hours and add-ons are tailored in a personalized proposal rather than fixed packages.
What is included when you book Uptown Drive for a wedding?
Live dance sets, DJ music between sets, a curated cocktail hour and dinner soundtrack, an emcee, an audio engineer, a professional sound system, stage lighting, and planning of your timeline and emcee script with you and your planner.
How long does a wedding band play?
It depends on your timeline. Uptown Drive's live sets usually run about 60 minutes with 15 to 30 minute breaks, and DJ music plays during every break so there is no dead air.
Will the band emcee our wedding reception?
Yes. Greg Williams emcees the whole reception: grand entrance and bridal party introductions, toasts, special dances, cake cutting and the last dance, all on your timeline.
Can you do a live sax and DJ grand entrance?
Yes, and it is one of Uptown Drive's most requested moments. Greg Williams plays live saxophone over the DJ for your grand entrance, cocktail hour or a high-energy set between the band's dance sets.
Is the band interactive with guests?
Very. Uptown Drive's vocalists and Greg Williams leave the stage and spend the night on the dance floor with the couple, the wedding party and guests, pulling people in and keeping the whole room dancing.
How do you keep every generation on the dance floor?
Uptown Drive mixes eras, from Motown and classic soul to today's hits, reads the room in real time and gets off the stage to dance with guests. DJ music between sets means the floor never empties.
How do you avoid an empty dance floor after dinner?
Open dancing right after dinner with a high-energy set, keep music playing through every break and time toasts and special dances so they lead into dancing. Uptown Drive plans that flow with your planner.
Can our reception feel like a concert?
Yes. A full live band with horns, stage lighting, an emcee and vocalists who work the dance floor turns a reception into a concert and a dance party in one night.
Do you play cocktail hour and dinner music?
Do you provide wedding ceremony music?
Uptown Drive specializes in reception entertainment. For the ceremony, the band provides sound with a lapel mic for your officiant and a sound system set up before guests arrive.
Can one band cover the ceremony, cocktail hour and reception?
Yes. Uptown Drive handles ceremony sound with a lapel mic, a DJ set for cocktail hour, dinner music and live dance sets for the reception, so one team covers the whole day.
Can our guests use your microphones for toasts?
Yes. Speakers use Uptown Drive's microphones, each gets a quick mic tip if needed, and the audio engineer adjusts levels so every guest hears every word.
Do you play rehearsal dinners and welcome parties?
Yes. Uptown Drive offers a smaller lineup or a DJ set for rehearsal dinners, welcome parties and other events around your wedding weekend.
Do you play wedding after-parties?
Yes. Uptown Drive can extend into an after-party with a live set or DJ set. Plan it in your proposal so timing, volume and venue rules are covered.
What does a wedding band need from our planner?
A final timeline, vendor contacts, load-in details, power and stage location, meal plans for the band and any venue sound rules. Uptown Drive's team coordinates all of this with your planner ahead of time.
Do you work with wedding planners?
Yes. Uptown Drive works with wedding planners on the timeline, emcee script, load-in and vendor coordination, and keeps the planner updated through the day.
Can the band do a black-tie wedding?
Yes. Uptown Drive performs at black-tie weddings in formal attire with a polished show built for ballrooms, estates and luxury hotels.
What does the band wear?
Uptown Drive performs in wedding attire at weddings and matches the dress code of corporate and formal events.
Songs and special dances
Can the band learn our first dance song?
Yes. Uptown Drive regularly learns first dance, parent dance and anniversary dance songs and shapes them to your timing through your pre-show music worksheet.
How much input do we have on the songs?
As much as you want. Uptown Drive's pre-show worksheet captures your favorite styles, a must-play list and a do-not-play list a few weeks before the event.
Do you take song requests at the event?
Yes. Uptown Drive takes requests from the couple, hosts and guests when they fit the moment, and the DJ between sets can cover songs the band does not play live.
Do you have a song list?
Yes. Browse Uptown Drive's song catalog on the website for first dance songs, entrance songs, ceremony songs and dance floor hits.
Can you play our grand entrance song live?
Yes. Uptown Drive cues the band or DJ for bridal party and couple introductions, with Greg emceeing every entrance.
What songs work for a father daughter dance?
Choose a song that fits your relationship and your timing. Uptown Drive plays or DJs father daughter and mother son dance songs and can shorten any song to keep the moment focused.
Can you shorten a special dance song?
Yes. Uptown Drive shapes special dance songs to your timing using song structure, for example ending after the second chorus, so the moment stays short and sweet.
What is a do-not-play list?
A do-not-play list tells the band which songs to avoid. Uptown Drive collects yours in the pre-show worksheet and honors it all night, including during DJ sets.
Do you play country music?
Yes. Uptown Drive mixes in country and Texas favorites when the crowd wants them, alongside Motown, pop, rock and hip hop.
Do you play Motown and soul?
Yes. Motown and soul are core to Uptown Drive's sets, with live horns on the seven and eight-piece bands.
Do you play current hits and hip hop?
Yes. Uptown Drive plays today's pop and hip hop hits alongside classics so every generation has something to dance to.
Can you play a last dance or sendoff song?
Yes. Uptown Drive plans the last song with you, often a high-energy sing-along that sends the couple off on a high.
Company holiday parties
What is the best entertainment for a company holiday party?
A live dance band with DJ music between sets and an emcee gives employees a concert and a dance party in one night, with optional live band karaoke for guests who want the mic. Uptown Drive plays company holiday parties and runs the program, awards and toasts.
Who plays company holiday parties in Austin?
Uptown Drive is an Austin live band that plays company holiday parties, year-end celebrations and January employee appreciation events across Austin and Central Texas, with DJ music between sets, an emcee and optional live band karaoke.
Do you play holiday parties in Dallas, Houston and San Antonio?
Yes. Uptown Drive drives to company holiday parties in Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio, with travel built into the quote.
When should we book holiday party entertainment?
Book as soon as your date is set. December Fridays and Saturdays book first, and January celebrations are a good option if December is full.
How do we make an office holiday party feel like a celebration?
Book live music with a real dance floor, keep speeches short and early, and give guests a reason to participate, like live band karaoke. Uptown Drive handles the program and keeps the energy up from dinner to the last song.
What entertainment works for a large holiday party?
For large groups, a full live band with professional sound, an emcee and DJ music between sets fills a ballroom and keeps guests engaged. Uptown Drive scales from six to eight pieces for larger rooms.
Can employees participate without being forced?
Yes. Live band karaoke lets anyone who wants the mic sing lead with the full band, while everyone else dances or watches. Participation is optional and fun.
Do you play Christmas music?
Tell Uptown Drive in your pre-show music worksheet if you want holiday songs in the mix. Every set is tailored to your party, alongside the dance floor hits that keep guests dancing.
Do you play New Year's Eve parties?
Yes. Uptown Drive plays New Year's Eve parties with live sets, DJ music between sets and an emcee who leads the countdown.
Can you emcee our holiday party program?
Yes. Greg Williams emcees awards, toasts, raffles and announcements, with walk-up music for honorees, then opens the dance floor.
What should a holiday party timeline look like?
Most run cocktails and dinner first with background music, then a short program, then dancing. Uptown Drive builds the run of show with your planner so the program finishes before the energy peaks.
Do you play January employee appreciation parties?
Yes. January celebrations are a strong option when December is booked, and Uptown Drive plays them with the same show.
Corporate events
What corporate events does Uptown Drive play?
Company holiday parties, conferences and sales meetings, closing parties, awards shows, galas and fundraisers, client appreciation events, company anniversaries and brand activations.
Which companies have hired Uptown Drive?
Companies that have hired Uptown Drive include Cirrus Logic, Pearson, Goen South, Engel & Völkers and Captain D's, and the band has played the Austin Country Club's Independence Day celebration for more than 3,000 members and guests.
Who are good corporate event bands in Austin?
Uptown Drive is an Austin corporate event band with a Certified Original Lineup, an emcee, an audio engineer and DJ music between sets, rated 5.0 from 273 reviews. Compare bands on lineup consistency, production and program experience.
What is good entertainment for a conference closing party?
A live dance band with an emcee and DJ music between sets turns a closing party into a celebration attendees stay for. Uptown Drive travels to conferences nationwide and adds live band karaoke when the group wants to take the stage.
What entertainment works for a convention after-party?
A high-energy live band with crowd interaction and nonstop music between sets works best for out-of-town attendees. Uptown Drive plays convention and trade show after-parties with optional live band karaoke.
What entertainment works for a client appreciation event?
Live music that starts at conversation level for networking and builds to a dance party later in the night. Uptown Drive covers both with DJ music and live sets.
What entertainment works for a company anniversary celebration?
A live band with an emcee for the program, walk-up music for speakers and a dance party to close. Uptown Drive builds the run of show with your team.
Can the band work around speeches, awards and our agenda?
Yes. Uptown Drive builds the run of show with your planner, stays in contact with your show caller in real time, plays walk-up and bumper music for every honoree and stays flexible if the agenda runs long.
Do you work with planners, DMCs, production companies and in-house A/V?
Yes. Uptown Drive works with planners, DMCs, agencies, production companies, show callers and in-house A/V teams, shares a technical rider in advance and coordinates power, load-in and run of show.
Can you play sales kickoff events?
Yes. Uptown Drive plays sales kickoffs and national sales meetings with walk-up music for award winners and a dance party to close the night.
Do you play incentive trips and retreats?
Yes. Uptown Drive travels to resorts for incentive trips, President's Club celebrations and leadership retreats, with travel built into one quote.
Do you play brand activations?
Yes. Uptown Drive has played brand activations including SXSW, CMA Fest and F1 FanFest events, often with live band karaoke to draw a crowd.
Are you insured, and can you provide a certificate of insurance?
Yes. Uptown Drive carries a $2M general aggregate liability policy with a blanket additional insured provision and can add your company or venue as an additional insured.
Do you have corporate references?
Yes. Uptown Drive can share references from corporate clients and planners. Corporate client quotes are also on the Corporate Events page.
Galas, awards and fundraisers
Do you play awards shows and galas?
Yes. At awards nights and galas Uptown Drive works as a house band: walk-up and bumper music for every presenter and honoree, stingers and presenter banter, polished dinner music, then a full dance floor.
What is the best entertainment for a black-tie gala?
Elegant dinner music during the program followed by a full dance band once it ends. Uptown Drive covers both, with an emcee who keeps the program on schedule.
How do we keep donors at a gala after the auction?
Move straight from the auction into a live dance set with an emcee announcing it. Uptown Drive supports the auction with music cues, then opens the dance floor as soon as the program ends.
What entertainment works for a fundraiser or charity gala?
A band that can play quietly during dinner, support the program with music cues and then pack the dance floor. Uptown Drive plays fundraisers, charity galas and foundation dinners.
What is walk-up music?
Walk-up music is a short live music cue that plays as a speaker, honoree or award winner walks to the stage. Uptown Drive plays walk-up and bumper music live at awards shows and galas.
Can the band act as a house band for an awards show?
Yes. Uptown Drive plays a house band role with stingers, bumpers and presenter banter, coordinating with the show caller in real time.
Do you play country club galas?
Yes. Uptown Drive plays country club galas and member celebrations, including the Austin Country Club's Independence Day celebration.
How large a gala can the band play?
Uptown Drive's seven and eight-piece bands with horns fill ballrooms of 300 guests or more, and the audio engineer scales sound to the room.
Can you play a hospital foundation or nonprofit gala?
Yes. Uptown Drive plays nonprofit and foundation galas with polished dinner music, program support and a dance floor to close.
Do you provide music during dinner at a gala?
Yes. Uptown Drive plays a curated DJ set or a softer live set at conversation volume during dinner and the program.
Live band karaoke
What is live band karaoke?
Live band karaoke is karaoke with a real band: guests sing lead vocals while a full live band plays behind them instead of a karaoke machine. It is one of Uptown Drive's most popular options for company holiday parties, corporate events and private parties.
Do guests need to be good singers?
No. Uptown Drive's vocalists sing along and support every guest, and the band follows the singer, so first-timers sound and feel like rock stars.
How does live band karaoke work?
Guests pick a song from the live band karaoke song list, step up to the mic and sing lead while the full band plays. Uptown Drive's vocalists help with lyrics and energy.
Is there a live band karaoke song list?
Yes. Uptown Drive's live band karaoke song list is on the Live Band Karaoke page.
Can live band karaoke be combined with a regular band set?
Yes. Many Uptown Drive events mix live dance sets with a live band karaoke set and DJ music between sets.
Is live band karaoke good for corporate events?
Yes. Live band karaoke gets employees participating without forced team-building games, and it works for holiday parties, conferences, sales meetings and brand activations.
Do you offer live band karaoke in Austin?
Yes. Uptown Drive is based in Austin and offers live band karaoke for corporate events and private parties across Austin and Texas.
Do you offer live band karaoke in Dallas, Houston and San Antonio?
Yes. Uptown Drive brings live band karaoke to Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio, and travels nationwide.
Where has Uptown Drive played live band karaoke?
Uptown Drive has played live band karaoke at a Kansas City conference, the Salt Lick BBQ, a FloSports holiday party and brand activations at SXSW, CMA Fest and F1 FanFest.
Is live band karaoke good for a wedding?
Yes, for couples who want guests to take the stage. It works best as a set within the night, between live dance sets.
What are alternatives to ordinary karaoke?
Live band karaoke is the step up from ordinary karaoke: a real band, real sound and an audience that dances along.
Private parties
Do you play private parties?
Yes. Uptown Drive is an Austin party band for hire for milestone birthdays, anniversaries, retirement parties, reunions and private celebrations at homes, estates and venues.
What is the best entertainment for a milestone birthday?
A live dance band that plays the guest of honor's favorite songs, with DJ music between sets and an emcee for toasts. Uptown Drive tailors the setlist through a pre-show music worksheet.
What entertainment works for a 50th birthday with guests of all ages?
A live cover band that mixes eras, from Motown and classic rock to current hits, keeps a 25 to 70-year-old crowd dancing together.
Do you play anniversary parties?
Yes. Uptown Drive plays anniversary parties with special dance songs, toasts and a dance floor to celebrate.
Do you play retirement parties?
Yes. Uptown Drive plays retirement parties with an emcee for speeches and a dance party to close.
Can you play a party at a private home or estate?
Yes. Uptown Drive plays private homes and estates and coordinates power, setup space and neighborhood volume with the host.
Do you play reunions?
Yes. Uptown Drive plays class and alumni reunions with hits from the decade that matters most to your group.
Do you play rehearsal dinners?
Yes. Uptown Drive offers a smaller lineup or a DJ set for rehearsal dinners and welcome parties.
Do you play community events and festivals?
Yes. Uptown Drive has played city festivals and community celebrations, including the Grand Prairie City Festival.
Travel and destination events
Does Uptown Drive travel?
Yes. Uptown Drive drives to events across Texas and flies to events nationwide, with travel built into one quote.
Where does Uptown Drive play in Texas?
Austin and Central Texas, the Texas Hill Country including Dripping Springs, Wimberley, New Braunfels, Fredericksburg, Boerne and Horseshoe Bay, San Antonio, Houston and Lake Conroe, and Dallas, Fort Worth and Frisco.
Do you play weddings in Dallas and Fort Worth?
Yes. Uptown Drive plays weddings and corporate events across Dallas, Fort Worth and Frisco, including Omni Dallas Hotel and Frisco Hall.
Do you play weddings in Houston?
Yes. Uptown Drive plays weddings and corporate events in Houston, Lake Conroe and Montgomery, including Hotel ZaZa Houston.
Do you play weddings in San Antonio?
Yes. Uptown Drive plays San Antonio weddings and events, including JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country, Hilton Palacio del Rio and Tapatio Springs.
Do you play Texas Hill Country weddings?
Yes. Uptown Drive plays ranch, barn and estate weddings across the Hill Country, including Camp Lucy and Horseshoe Bay Resort, with sound and lighting that work outdoors and in barns.
Do you play weddings in Colorado?
Yes. Uptown Drive plays weddings and corporate events in Denver, Aspen, Vail, Beaver Creek and Wolcott, including The St. Regis Aspen and 4 Eagle Ranch.
Do you play mountain weddings in Aspen and Vail?
Yes. Uptown Drive flies to Aspen, Vail and Beaver Creek as a complete team with an audio engineer, with travel built into the quote.
Do you play weddings in Los Angeles?
Yes. Uptown Drive plays weddings and corporate events in the Los Angeles area, with travel built into the quote.
Where has Uptown Drive played destination weddings?
Aspen, Beaver Creek, Las Vegas, Amelia Island in Florida, Bentonville in Arkansas and Aruba, including The St. Regis Aspen, JW Marriott Las Vegas, Omni Amelia Island, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba.
Should we hire a local band or fly in a band?
Fly in a band when you want a proven lineup you have seen on video and one team that plans with you remotely. Hire local when travel costs outweigh the difference. Uptown Drive flies in as a complete team with travel built into the quote.
How does travel pricing work?
Uptown Drive builds travel, including flights, lodging and ground transportation, into one quote so there are no surprise add-ons.
We live out of state. How do we book a Texas wedding band?
Watch full performance videos of the exact lineup you are booking, read recent reviews and plan by phone or video call. Uptown Drive plans the timeline remotely with you and your planner.
What does a traveling band need from the venue?
Load-in access, power, a stage or performance area and the day-of timeline. Uptown Drive's technical rider lists everything and the team confirms it with your venue in advance.
Do you play a three-day wedding weekend?
Yes. Uptown Drive can cover the welcome party, reception and after-party with the right lineup for each, planned in one proposal.
Which Texas venues has Uptown Drive played?
The Arlo, Omni Barton Creek, Austin Country Club, Commodore Perry Estate, Laguna Gloria, Hotel ZaZa Austin and Houston, Hyatt Regency Lost Pines, Camp Lucy, Horseshoe Bay Resort, JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country, Hilton Palacio del Rio, Tapatio Springs, Omni Dallas Hotel and Frisco Hall.
Sound, stage and venue
How much space and power does the band need?
A 16 by 20 foot stage is recommended for the full band but not required, and Uptown Drive does not bring staging. The technical rider covers power, staging and load-in.
Does the band provide sound and lighting?
Yes. Every Uptown Drive event includes an audio engineer, a professional sound system and stage lighting.
Does your lighting light the dance floor?
No. Uptown Drive's stage lighting accents the band without overpowering your decor. Add uplighting or dance floor lighting through your venue or lighting vendor if you want it.
Can the band work within our venue's sound limits and curfew?
Yes. Uptown Drive's audio engineer keeps the mix within your venue's rules and the timeline is planned around any hard stop.
Can you play outdoor events?
Yes. Uptown Drive plays outdoor and tented events and plans power, weather cover and volume with your venue and planner.
Can you play in a barn or ranch venue?
Yes. Uptown Drive regularly plays Hill Country barns and ranch venues, where the audio engineer manages hard surfaces and high ceilings.
How long does setup take?
Uptown Drive sets up and sound checks before guests arrive, on a load-in time confirmed with your venue and planner in advance.
Do you need a green room or meals?
The technical rider lists green room and meal requests, which your planner and venue confirm ahead of time.
Can you work with in-house A/V?
Yes. Uptown Drive coordinates with in-house A/V and production companies and shares a technical rider in advance.
Do you bring a stage?
No. A stage is recommended but not required, and bands do not typically bring staging. If you add one, Uptown Drive requests 16 by 20 feet.
Booking and payment
How do we book Uptown Drive?
Send your date, city and venue through the contact page. If it is a great match, Uptown Drive sends a performance contract, a rider and a 50% deposit invoice. Your date is locked in once the contract is signed and the deposit is paid.
How much is the deposit?
Uptown Drive requires a 50% deposit with the signed performance contract to lock in your date.
What payment methods do you accept?
ACH transfer, Chase QuickPay, credit cards through PayPal, Venmo, Square Cash, checks and cash for both the deposit and the balance.
Is our date available?
Send your date, city and venue through the contact page and Uptown Drive will confirm availability and send a personalized proposal.
Can we see Uptown Drive perform live before booking?
Most of our dates are weddings and corporate events, but you can request a “sneak peek” for select inquiries with client approval (of course).
How quickly will we hear back?
Uptown Drive replies to inquiries with availability and next steps, then sends a personalized proposal for your date.
Can we book for a date less than a month away?
Often, yes, especially for corporate events. Contact Uptown Drive with your date, and the band will move public shows when it can to make room for private events.
Do you require a contract?
Yes. Every booking uses a performance contract and a technical rider so expectations are clear for you, your planner and your venue.
Do you work with booking agencies?
Yes. Uptown Drive works directly with clients and planners and with agencies, DMCs and production companies.
Uptown Drive Reviews
Rated 5.0 stars from 273 reviews on Google, WeddingWire, The Knot and Yelp
Rated 5.0 from 273 reviews on Google, WeddingWire, The Knot & Yelp