Cover band
A
cover band, is a band that plays mostly or exclusively cover songs. New or unknown bands often find the cover band format marketable for smaller venues, such as those taking place at pubs, clubs or parks. The bands also perform at private events, for example, weddings and birthday parties and may be known as a
wedding band,
party band or
function band. A band whose covers consist mainly of songs that were chart hits is often called a
top 40 band. Some bands, however, start as cover bands and then grow to perform original material. For example, the Rolling Stones released three albums consisting primarily of covers before recording one of their original material. Cover bands play several types of venues. When a band is starting out, might play private parties and fund raisers, often for little or no money, or in return for food and bar privileges, although many professional musicians refuse to do this. With enough experience a band will begin to "play out" professionally at bars and night clubs. Some cover bands are made up of full-time professional musicians. These bands are usually represented by an 'entertainment agency'.