How do I get to sing?

You can sign up on the night: once your name is on the main list, we guarantee you a singing slot. Please only sign up once, and check that the song you want to sing hasn't already been put down, as we don't do any song twice in the same night. It's worth arriving early, as there are a limited number of slots on the main list - there are only so many tunes we can fit into one night! We also run a reserve list, in case anyone on the main list drops out, but this doesn't guarantee you a slot in the same way as the main list.

We recommend that people who already know which song they want to sing contact us in advance, either by email or Facebook message. We'll get back to you, usually within 48 hours, to confirm your slot. (Please note, if you pre-book you will need to check in with us at the start of the show to ensure we keep your place on the list.)

What's it like singing with a live band?

You get all the lyrics up on a screen in front of you, with some directions (e.g. 'instrumental break - 8 bars', 'guitar solo'.) Our singer/compere Lou will be there singing backup and helping you keep in step with the musicians.

The band are used to adapting to singers, so if you miss your cue or get it wrong, they will try to follow you. That's part of what makes the experience special.

The other big feature is the excitement of being on stage with bright lights, a live, and (let's face it) pretty loud band behind you, and a crowd of excitable folk in front of you. Try and keep the mic pointed directly at your mouth, and look at Lou or the band for cues if you're unsure!

Do I need to be a good singer?

It obviously helps if you can hold a tune; but Live Band Karaoke is emphatically not an open mic night for musos to come and show off their chops. It's a celebration of live music - a chance for people who don't normally get an opportunity to front up a band to have their moment in the spotlight. And if you really can't hold a tune - there's always Parklife!

What are your top tips to make it a success?

Pick a song that you know well, and which fits your vocal range and singing style. Have a go singing along to the song in advance to try it out: we almost always play songs in the same key as the recorded version. Generally speaking, you'll be more comfortable singing something by someone of the same sex, but it's worth noting that a lot of rock vocal parts (e.g. Bon Jovi) are so high that they work better for women than men.

In general, it's better to shoot for something easier that you are confident in, than something more technically complex. We do have some more challenging stuff for more confident singers.

Once you are on stage - give it your all. This is your chance to work the crowd and unleash your inner Freddie Mercury.

Can I request a song not on the list?

Yes - we love learning new tunes! You can request a song not already on the list up to a week before any show, and we will do our best to accommodate it. Usually the only obstacle is if we already have too many new tunes on the list for our monthly rehearsal; generally we aim to add between 6 and 12 new tunes to the list every show.

Can I pick when in the night to sing?

You're welcome to express a preference, but we can't guarantee anything: most people prefer to sing later, but this isn't always possible for obvious reasons! We try to look at the tunes requested and create a balanced show over the course of our 3 sets. This means that the more mellow tunes are quite likely to be put on earlier.

Can I sing a song with my friend/friends?

Only if it's a duet (we have plenty on the list), or one of you is able to provide harmony backing vocals. Experience has shown that two people trying to sing the same melody line at once is not a recipe for success. If you're feeling nervous about getting up by yourself, talk to our compere Ciggy Stardust: she'll make sure she's on hand to help you through any tricky bits of the song.

Are you available for private hire?

Yes; we regularly get asked to play for private parties and functions in and around London. We can also offer a 'mixed package' that combines a band set with one or two karaoke sets. Please get in touch if you are interested.

I have special requirements

Please get in touch to discuss any special requirements. We want to make the Live Band Karaoke experience as accessible and inclusive as possible.

Book with confidence:

We are now taking private bookings from June 2021 onwards, and 2022 is already looking like a very busy year.

Any deposits paid in respect of future private gigs will be refunded in full if new government-imposed restrictions mean it becomes illegal for your event to proceed as planned.

A covid-safe environment:

We have experience delivering the show in venues large and small, and are comfortable working with your event manager or venue team to deliver the best environment for your event, to ensure everyone feels safe. This includes:

• Microphone changes between each singer and sanitising measures on shared surfaces
• Social distancing between band members and performers, in line with whatever restrictions are current at the time of event
• Compliance with any testing regime needed to make your event happen

Returning to the Ivy House

We can't wait to get back to the controlled chaos of a full-on LBK public gig night. Until that can happen, we have plans for 'showcase'-style events in the pub to make the most of the space until all restrictions are lifted:

• Reduced capacity audience
• Enhanced ventilation
• Pre-booking/website booking of songs
• Improved staging to enable better distancing between band and singers

Check back here, or with the Ivy House, to find out upcoming dates.