If you're looking into karaoke for a party, the first thing you want to know is what it's going to cost. Fair enough. The trouble is that "karaoke hire" can mean two very different things, and the prices aren't really comparable until you know which one you're looking at.
Here's how it breaks down, including what we charge and what's included.
Karaoke machine hire vs a hosted karaoke night
Machine hire means you hire the gear and run it yourself. Someone drops off a speaker, a couple of mics and a screen or tablet, and picks it up the next day. It's the cheaper option, and for a small family get-together it can be enough.
The catch is that somebody at the party ends up being the DJ. They're setting it up, sorting out the sound when it squeals, finding songs, keeping track of whose turn it is and fixing it when the mic cuts out. That person usually doesn't get to enjoy the party much.
A hosted karaoke night means the host brings the gear and runs the whole thing. They set up, look after the sound, keep the queue moving, get people up singing and pack down at the end. You just enjoy the party.
So the real question isn't only "what does it cost?" It's also "who's going to run it?"
What we charge
These are our prices for Brisbane's north, Moreton Bay and around:
- Birthdays, private parties and Christmas parties: $375 for 3 hours, then $100 for each extra hour, up to 5 hours. So $475 for 4 hours, or $575 for 5.
- Pub and club nights: $450 for a four hour night.
- Aged care sessions: $150 for a one hour session.
No GST, and no hidden extras.
What should be included
Whoever you book, it's worth checking exactly what you're getting. For our nights, the price includes:
- Both of us, Aaron and Rilda, hosting the whole time.
- A proper sound system run through a mixing desk, so voices sit well over the music.
- Wireless mics.
- A screen with the lyrics, or we plug into your big TV.
- Close to 90,000 songs. Guests scan a QR code, pick a song and see when they're up.
- Setting up beforehand and packing down afterwards.
- Public liability insurance.
If a quote looks cheap, check whether it includes the host for the whole time, the setup and pack down, and the insurance. Some venues won't let entertainers in without a certificate of currency, so that last one matters.
What changes the price
A few things can push the cost up or down, wherever you book:
- Length. Most hosts charge for a minimum number of hours, then by the hour after that.
- Distance. If you're a long way from where the host is based, there may be a travel charge. We're based in Sandgate, so Brisbane's north and Moreton Bay are no problem. If you're further out, give us a call.
- Day and date. Fridays and Saturdays in December are the hardest dates to get. Book early for those.
- Extra gear. If the venue's large or outdoors, you may need more speakers.
Is a host worth it?
For a small, low-key family night, a hired machine can do the job. For anything with more than about 20 people, a work function or a milestone birthday, I reckon a host is worth it. Not because I'm one, but because of what happens when nobody's running it.
Without a host, the same few confident people tend to sing all night, the quiet ones never get up, and there are long gaps while someone works out the next song. A good host fixes all three. They get the first songs going, look after the nervous first timers and make sure everyone who wants a turn gets one.
How to book
If you're thinking about karaoke for a party, a Christmas do or a regular night at your venue, give me a call on 0424 418 643 or send through a booking request. Tell me the date, roughly how many people and where it is, and I'll let you know if we're free.