The Matt Stedman Band played at our wedding and we could not have been happier with their performance. Very professional and very talented! The highlight of the reception!
-- Emilie M, Madison, WI, 05/04/13, Wedding
We hired the Matt Stedman Band for our big anniversary gala. They were very professional, extremely accommodating, and made things go as smoothly as possible. Our guests kept asking, “Where did you find this band? They’re amazing!” Everyone enjoyed the music and commented on the set list the band put together throughout the entire event. It was a huge relief to be able to rely on the band and trust their ability to make our anniversary celebration memorable! -- Nicole R, Brookfield, IL, 04/27/13, Gala
We loved working with the Matt Stedman Band leading up to our wedding and on our big day. They did a really nice job setting a beautiful tone for our ceremony, controlling the flow of our reception and generally playing a really good variety of music. Everyone was dancing and we received a number of compliments that it was the best wedding set list they've heard (including friends of all ages). Matt has good attention to detail and was very thorough in all of our conversations about the evening and in understanding our musical tastes. This is the band to hire if you're looking for good music for music lovers! -- Emily W, Buffalo Grove, IL, 03/23/13, Wedding The Matt Stedman Band performed at my February 2013 wedding. It was a blast! They style of music was easy to dance to for everyone and the quality was beyond my expectation. Matt was very easy to work with in the months leading up to the wedding. He made sure I had every detail of my ceremony and reception planned and set. When the day came, I didn't get a chance to talk to Matt before everything started so having everything planned left me stress free! Matt did a great job being the master of ceremonies and got everyone's name pronounced correctly! (That's a tough one to do!) My guests (including myself) never left the dance floor. I thought 3 hours of dancing time would be plenty but I could have went for a few more! -- Michelle W, Hobart, IN, 02/23/13, Wedding
How do I even start? We got married on New Year's Eve, which holds a lot of expectations for ourselves as well as our guests. It needs to be a party! Matt was very easy to communicate with for the year of planning that I did, he helped with anything I needed or asked. We had part of the band play during our ceremony processional/recessional, which unfortunately to me and my nerves I didn't get to enjoy the amazing music, although from a friend’s video was able to hear the very beautiful emotional music we picked out. We both chose different songs to walk down the isle to, and very non-traditional instrumental pieces-I regret not having a professional videographer for the ceremony to capture the music among everything else! After the ceremony, a band member played some low key music during cocktail hour, which was perfect, very unobtrusive, beautiful keyboard music. During the reception I was finally able to stop and appreciate the amazing band and their music! They played all the songs on my list, there was never a song I heard that I didn't like, the dance floor was packed, and most importantly, they were able to do two special things: Play the music for the Hora- yes they have their version, a surprise, yet traditional- I recommend going with that, you won't be disappointed :) and then to play Auld Lang Syne at midnight after they did a countdown. The party was a blast and I cannot imagine not having Matt and his band there, we were very happy with them!! Thanks Matt, you guys rock :) -- Kristin W, Milwaukee, WI, 12/31/12, Wedding
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Amazing!!! Extremely professional and flexible, easily accommodated our last minute booking. Most importantly, the group is very talented and was able to provide creative suggestions for the music selection. -- Jenny A, Skokie, IL, 12/10/12, Graduation Ceremony
The Matt Stedman Trio was AWESOME!! Everyone loved them. They knew exactly what to play and when to play it for our company holiday party. They are all great guys as well as amazing musicians. Friendly and down to earth. We are booking them for next year. I would recommend them in a heartbeat!! Matt, Kenny & Brian- Thank you so much! -- Ellyn C, Aurora, IL,12/6/12, Corporate Event
A friend of mine sent me the website for this band. Loved what I heard. My fiance and I went to see them at a gig and were immediately hooked. They ROCKED our wedding, pure and simple. They are so fun, they play amazing music, and they are TALENTED. I had a great experience all around with Matt, and all of the other guys in the band. I would use them again and again if I had reason to do so! -- Shelbee J, South Barrington, IL, 11/17/12, Wedding
I consider myself a pretty big music fan and finding a great band was one of the most important components of our wedding planning. We wanted to find more than just a cover band, and we found that in the Matt Stedman band. In my opinion, if a band will cover anything, then they are mediocre at almost everything. I found most wedding bands to fall into that category, but not this band! Each member of the band is a talented musician and their song list follows a clear genre and style. They still throw down wedding classics, but they also play some unexpected blues and rock songs that everyone will love. There were always people dancing. Matt is very open and easy to work with leading up to the big day. He likes to be clear on details and expectations so you both have no surprises. That being said, you can really trust the evening to Matt. He did a great job emceeing our reception. Andy and I didn’t have to think twice about anything. Highly recommended for people who don’t want a standard orchestra band, but want an authentic band that can jam and keep the night moving (in more ways than one). Great job guys! -- Kim C, Highland Park, IL, 11/03/12, Wedding
From the moment we first chatted with Matt Stedman we knew, this guy just gets it. He has an obvious passion for music that is only outmatched by his talents. Early on, he focused on understanding our personal music tastes as well as our guests and had it thoroughly documented to avoid unwanted surprises for either side. We took his professional suggestions each and every time and found them to be right on the money. Overall, the Matt Stedman Band knows how to deliver. His bands acoustic violin and guitar performance for our outdoor ceremony was delicate and romantic while the cocktail and post dinner tunes were upbeat and wildly energetic. Anyone who appreciates the purity of live music over mp3 recordings will find this band is worth every penny. We highly recommend the Matt Stedman Band for any and all occasions, but most credibly so, a wedding. --Terra G & Russell J, Rockton, IL 09/29/12, Wedding
I found the Matt Stedman Band when we were planning our daughters wedding. We live out of state and never had the opportunity to listen to them live. I booked them based upon their reviews and the music they have on line. The band played beautifully during the ceremony, cocktail hour and the reception. Matt coordinated the entire evening and he kept everything flowing. At the end of the night we had many, many compliments on the band. From the time the band started playing, the dance floor was packed. Matt and his band were phenomenal! I would absolutely hire the band to play at another wedding or event. I highly recommend this band and am glad we were able to get a true wedding band. Matt was very easy to work with during the planning phase and helped us choose a good mix of songs for all ages! Absolutely a fantastic time!! -- Beth M, Joliet, IL, 09/22/12, Wedding
My husband (Nick) and I were impressed beyond words with how wonderful the Matt Stedman band was. They received so many compliments from our wedding guests! We found the Matt Stedman Band through a Google Search, and we must say that we find it be a blessing. They were amazing in their professionality along with being so thorough in making sure our reception was worth it. If you want a band that will have your guests dancing all night and that is nothing but a joy to work with then we suggest that you definitely look into booking the Matt Stedman Band. You will not be disappointed. :) -- Lauren D & Nick G, Madison, WI, 09/08/12, Wedding
I am so happy that I listened to my sister when she told me that the Matt Stedman Band was the band that I needed for my wedding. She had heard them play at a friend's wedding, and could not stop talking about how good they were. The moment I talked to Matt Stedman, I understood that he and his band members are professionals, and could give us the best performance. And they did! All of our guests had so much fun dancing, and enjoying the great music. I was so happy with the music played during our ceremony, and loved the mother-son and father-daughter dances. The Matt Stedman plays such a wide variety of music, and we found the perfect songs for us. Not only that, but the band brings their own artistry to the music they play. They are all excellent musicians!!! -- Katie H, Decatur, IL 08/04/12, Wedding
I was reading these comments just a few months ago thinking the Matt Stedman Band must be too good to be true. Now I'm writing my own comment after having worked with Matt and having had the Matt Stedman Band play our wedding ceremony and reception. Matt and the Band really are "all that"!!! Matt is an amazing communicator, honest, helpful, entirely trustworthy and an amazing musician! He constantly went the extra mile to make our wedding music perfect and left us with no work to do! They are amazing. Seriously. -- Trip G, Glen Ellyn, IL 07/21/12, Wedding
We are so thankful to have had the Matt Stedman Band play for our ceremony and reception for our wedding on 7/21/12. We were so impressed with Matt from day one. He is honest, knowledgeable, accommodating, and an excellent communicator and musician. Once we booked with the band, our work on the music front was done! We trusted Matt and the Band entirely and were NOT disappointed. They took care of everything and Matt is so chill and flexible. Matt continually went the extra mile to make our wedding music perfect in every way. All the band members are wonderful musicians and very professional. We would definitely recommend them!!!!! -- Michelle M, Glen Ellyn, IL, 07/21/12, Wedding |
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My wife told me about the Matt Stedman Band when we were planning our wedding and we had never heard them live or even heard of them at all before that. In fact we were living in Georgia at the time so we never had the opportunity to go and watch them live prior to the wedding. Nonetheless we still decided to book them. Multiple people came up before the wedding, as the band was setting up, and asked how I found the band. I told them my wife just randomly found them online and decided she liked them. Everyone was astonished that we hired a band that we had never heard. The band played beautifully all the way through the ceremony, cocktail hour and the reception, coordinated the whole evening, and kept everything running very smoothly. At the end of the night we had more people come up and compliment/ask about the band then I had wishing us congratulations for getting married! The band was phenomenal and I would hire them again in a heartbeat. They kept everything flowing perfectly and had everyone out on the dance floor the entire night; they definitely took our wedding from ordinary to extraordinary! We highly recommend this band and we are so happy we spent the extra money instead of just getting a DJ. The Matt Stedman Band is not your run-of-the-mill wedding band. They are talented musicians who bring a wow factor to weddings - you will not be disappointed! Matt is extremely well-organized and detail-oriented, well-versed across diverse music genres, and works hard to ensure that everything goes smoothly from the ceremony through the reception. I knew after our first conversation that the band would be the least of my worries on our wedding day. Our guests could not stop talking about how much fun they were. Matt even got my dad, who I have never seen dance before, out on the dance floor. We could not have been more pleased! -- Hoyee L, Chicago, IL, 05/20/12 Wedding |
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It has been roughly 3 months since the wedding, and our parents, friends, and family are still talking about how great the band was! Matt was personable, adaptable, and offered great advice (that is backed by his years of experience). We came in not knowing how/why/when to do ANYTHING, and Matt walked us through the entire process. Our favorite aspect was how Matt tailored the music based on what was going on. When the band felt it was time to "kick it up" he would play something fast and fun. When it needed to calm down a bit, slow song! Along with this, each of our dances were more personal because they came from a live performance. Many are scared away from a live band thinking that they will isolate the dancing/music and it won't be for everyone. But let me tell you, everyone (not joking, EVERY SINGLE PERSON) loved the music. This includes our young friends, our middle aged cousins/uncles/aunts, our grandparents, and all ages in between. We cannot recommend the Matt Stedman Band enough. They are fantastic!
-- Lindsay D, Glendale Heights, IL, 03/24/12, Wedding Awesome Band! -- Sergio U, Downers Grove, IL 03/15/12, Corporate Event Very talented and really enjoyed their performance for the senior luncheon. -- Monika J, Niles, IL 03/14/12, Private Event Matt and the band were professional in all matters leading up to and during the event. Beyond that, their musicianship and performance were top notch. They were a perfect wedding band since they could do all ceremony music, emceeing, and reception music, but they are also more than "just a wedding band." They are professional quality, creative musicians with a lot of style and enthusiasm. Very much entertainers. They were even so cool to learn my favorite song (as a surprise to me - what a great moment). We got a lot of great feedback about them from our guests, and we could not have been happier. Rock on, guys. -- Ryan T, Fort Wayne, IN, 03/11/12, Wedding They were great. Very professional and talented. Nice guys. -- Karen S, Kankakee, IL, 03/03/12, Live Music Venue The Matt Stedman Band performed at our wedding on January 21, 2012. Matt is very professional and easy to work with. We loved the violin and guitar music played for the ceremony, piano/keyboard for the cocktail hour and the live 5-piece band for the reception. Everyone was dancing and had a great time! We would recommend the Matt Stedman Band for your big day or any live music event. -- Megan C, Wheaton, IL, 01/21/12, Wedding The Matt Stedman Band played at my wedding on January 7th, 2012 and were absolutely wonderful. From my initial contact with Matt, he was extremely professional and accommodating to my somewhat unconventional wedding. They provide an amazing song list to choose from and really know how to get your guests up to dance! Matt also played with his band's pianist at my wedding ceremony and were absolutely amazing. They made my wedding very memorable and guests are still commenting on how wonderful the band was! Book them for your event, you will not be disappointed! -- Kathleen T, St. Charles, IL, 01/07/12, Wedding I was very happy with the performance of the Matt Stedman Band. They are talented performers and played appropriate music for our event. All the feedback I have been getting from the other attendees has been very positive. The bartender from the venue said that he has heard alot of bands and that the Matt Stedman Band was one of the best. -- Sharon M, Oak Lawn, IL, 12/0911, Corporate Event
The Matt Stedman Band played our wedding and reception over the weekend, and we could not have been happier with way everything turned out. From day 1 of planning our big day, Matt was extremely helpful and professional, and always responded to our questions promptly via email or phone. Their knowledge and experience made the entire day run smoothly. It could not have been more perfect. The piano and violin at our ceremony was absolutely beautiful. Their interpretation of Elvis and The Beatles made wonderful wedding music. Our reception could not have been more fun. They played a little of everything, and everyone was dancing, including family members we've NEVER seen dance before! We highly recommend The Matt Stedman Band for your celebration, and we can't wait to head to Chicago to see them live again!! -- Crystal M & Justin H, Decatur, IL, 12/03/11, Wedding After seeing Matt and his band play at our friend's wedding, my husband and I knew that we wanted them to play ours as well. From the first e-mail, Matt was incredibly organized and thorough. He set great expectations for us so there were no surprises and made sure we were all on the same page. We had Matt and his keyboardist play the music for our ceremony, which was absolutely wonderful. We got many compliments from guests on our song selection and the violin and keyboard combination was perfect for our venue at the history museum. Matt did a great job Emceeing the wedding, from inviting guests to sit for dinner, to coordinating the toasts, to making sure we were in place for the first dance. We didn't have to remember (or worry about) a thing and were able to enjoy the evening, knowing that Matt was keeping us on track. The band during the reception was truly phenomenal! They played a great mix of old favorites, some newer hits, and a great celtic folk medley (loved the fiddle!). Our guests danced the night away and are still raving about the music. Overall, Matt Stedman Band was easy to work with, very professional, and truly delivered on excellent music for both the ceremony and reception. We would not hesitate to recommend them to other couples looking for something a little different than a typical wedding DJ. -- Lisa O, Chicago, IL, 11/12/11, Weddin |
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I didn't have a wedding planner, or a bridal party for that matter. So my husband and I we going into this (150 person wedding) with the only advice coming from the internet. Matt and his band not only played great the whole night, but his tips on scheduling and MCing for the night really allowed us to enjoy our special evening instead of worrying about venue details. TOP NOTCH!
-- Maureen C, Oak Lawn, IL 11/11/11, Wedding
Could not have been happier. Nothing but compliments from the staff and the attendees of the event. Great music selection. Matt and Neil were extremely professional and very punctual. Will definately hire again for next years event. -- Barbara E, Chicago, IL, 11/06/11, Corporate Event The Matt Stedman Band exceeded our expectations 100 times over! If you are looking for real musicians performing real music, look no further than the Matt Stedman Band. Matt is a very detailed and organized individual to work with...from asking all the right questions to controlling the flow of the ceremony and reception. The dance floor was full all night, from the youngest of guest to the oldest of guest - with everyone fully enjoying themselves. Nothing but complements from our guests about the stellar band! We would highly recommend the Matt Stedman Band for any type of wedding ceremony and/or reception. We look forward to catching them at one of their shows in the near future. They are incredible! -- Melissa H & Jesse J, Pontiac, IL, 10/29/11, Wedding Matt and his band played a big part in making our wedding day as special for us as it was for guests. From intimate acoustic sets for our ceremony, to the full five piece band playing songs WELL to a full dance floor. Their set list is extensive and covers many styles. At a wedding where many guests and vendors took time to tell my new wife and I this was the best wedding they had ever been to says a lot!!! ~ The band played a major part in that ~ -- Bryan S, South Bend, IN, 10/15/11, Wedding We chose Matt Stedman to preform at our wedding ceremony and couldn't have been more pleased! Matt was great to work with and even had samples of all of their ceremony songs on his website so we knew what each song we were choosing would sound like on the day of the wedding. We had a duo of violin and guitar and it sounded so beautiful, we will definitely recommend Matt Stedman to our friends! -- Lisa M, Grayslake, IL, 10/14/11, Wedding The Matt Stedman Band played at our wedding a few weeks ago and we could not have been happier with the way things went. From the moment we spoke with Matt, his communication was extremely helpful in so many aspects. Not only did he have a ton of knowledge and obvious passion for the music, he heard our thoughts and concerns about our day, shared his honest opinion, and helped in so many areas to make it go smoothly. He is much more than just the leader of this band and that will be evident and appreciated once you speak with Matt. We took his recommendations on everything from the music, to speech order, to timing of dinner service at our wedding and everything ran perfectly because of this. More than that, the band itself is extremely entertaining, talented, and reads a crowd of people incredibly well. Our guests were non-stop dancing our entire wedding to a variety of music styles and I cannot count the amount of compliments we received about the music. Our guests truly appreciated this fun band that got people moving and feeling good, but stood out by playing different music than a typical wedding band. I feel very confident recommending this band for a wedding, and we can't wait to go out and see them play again at another function with our friends and family! Enjoy! -- Stephanie Z, Chicago, IL, 09/24/11, Wedding Matt Stedman Band played for our wedding, and they did not fail to impress us and all guests. This band not only played music that made everyone have a great time, but the also made an agenda that kept everone, including other vendors, prepared and on time. Working with Matt, during the planning process, was thorough and wonderful. We absolutely loved Matt Stedman Band. I will recommend them to everyone. Thank you Matt and all the guys for making our day perfect! -- Taralyn D, Lemont, IL, 09/18/11, Wedding MATT STEDMAN BAND ROCKED THE HOUSE!!!! That should be the headline if this were a newspaper. On a serious note, the Matt Stedman Band was terrific and made our wedding very memorable. Matt personally accepted all of our calls, and was available 24/7 to answer any of our questions. So the service we received was exceptional, and the responsiveness was second to none. We thought the value for what we received was perfect. The band was so easy to talk to and had a geniune care for if we had fun. We actually stayed an extra 20 minutes after and spoke with the band about how incredible they were. We had multiple guests ask for the band's contact information. I think that proves how talented they were, and they even performed for the ceremony (violin and acoustic guitar). If you are truly looking for an ecletic band with great attention to detail, then Matt Stedman Band is your band. We couldn't have asked for a better band. -- Jerod D, Lemont, IL 09/18/11, Wedding I highly recommend the Matt Stedman band! I had a long engagement and Matt treated me with the utmost respect and always made time for me throughout the planning process. He made me feel comfortable and his expertise and experience with weddings comes in handy! Matt played at my ceremony and reception and I've received nothing but compliments. He kept people out on the dance floor all night - something that was very important to me. He did a great job and if you're looking for someone to help you with the planning and keep the party going, go with the Matt Stedman Band! -- Jamie C, Lansing, MI, 09/17/11, Wedding I contacted the Matt Stedman Band based on the hundreds of awesome reviews I read. My first phone call with Matt was over an hour of talking about what I can expect from them and what I wanted. Matt was so helpful and organized - I knew that I wanted him and his band at my wedding. My husband wasn't so thrilled at the time because he always thought DJs were the way to go but he trusted my decision. In the weeks and days leading up to our wedding, Matt and another member of his band experienced separate major personal emergencies that were unavoidable and unexpected. If they had called me to tell me they could not perform at our wedding, I would have been stressed but would have completely understood given the circumstances. But they did not do this. Matt and his band continued as planned and did an AMAZING job. They performed at the ceremony (where Matt learned a new song at our request and performed it beautifully) and the reception. Matt and his band also performed our first dance live - it was better than the original song (Crazy Love)!! Of the guests who loved to dance, they enjoyed the music so much and told me how this was one of the funnest receptions they ever attended. Of the guests who were not dancers, they too commented how great the music was to listen to. Many people I thought that were going to leave the reception early stayed until the end of the night - and I think a big reason was because of the atmosphere that Matt and his band created. Needless to say, I can't say enough great things about this band. My husband was blown away by their performance and was so happy that they performed at our wedding. They helped created the fun, intimate, laid back atmosphere we wanted. Thank you so much Matt and your musicians - you made our night perfect! -- Angela Z, Geneva, IL, 09/16/11, Wedding |
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Matt Stedman Band traveled from Chicago to my daughters wedding last September at the City Market in Indianapolis. We had booked him sight unseen through some videos we had seen on knot.com. We traveled to Naperville last January to see the band play live to reconfirm our decision. It was the right decision. Matt was great to work with/from changes in starting and ending time to music selection. Most importantly was the talent that he and his band members brought. Not only do I highly recommend the Matt Stedman Band, but we are heading to Chicago to see him play again!
-- John B, Indianapolis, IL, 09/03/11, Wedding Hiring this band was the best decision we ever made. First, they are surprisingly affordable. Matt was willing to work with our budget and even threw in ceremony guitar and violin for free when we couldn't afford it. They are so talented, know how to keep the party going, and are just pleasant to work with. Matt has so much experience, he knows all the right questions to ask ahead of time to ensure the event is perfect. We even had a 1.5 hour long phone call with him the week of the wedding to make sure we were all on the same page. He is extremely detailed and will take care of everything. If you don't have a DOC or wedding planner Matt can handle a lot of the "master of ceremonies" type responsibilities. Definitely a MUST if you want live music at your wedding. PS Before hiring the band we went and heard them play at a restaurant, they are SO good. Even if you already have a wedding band go hear them play - amazing night out! -- Liz M, Winnetka, IL, 08/27/11, Wedding My wife and I were totally unsure about looking at bands for our Michigan wedding (we live in CA), but came across the Matt Stedman Band website. We listened to every track they listed and were really impressed with their sound and fun approach to a variety of kinds of music. Matt was very professional, organized, and loaded with good advice for music selection and event flow leading up to the event. And on the big day? They were great!! The band could not have been better. They sounded fantastic for the ceremony on the beach, and even better in full arrangement under the wedding tent. They are obviously a talented group of musicians and a terrific band, but they also KNOW how to play at a wedding. They were very fun and our guests could not have been happier. Matt MC'd for us and kept the event moving along, and played just the right music at the right time for our guests. If you are planning a wedding and are looking for a professional, excellent sounding, very nice, band to play, you will not be disappointed with the Matt Stedman Band. -- Mike B, Holland, MI, 08/17/11, Wedding My husband and I danced along with our guests 90% of the night. We have been getting phone calls from our guests saying how much fun it was to dance at our wedding. They are a solid band and have a great range of music that they play. They are friendly and very organized and it's very apparent they have done this quite a few times. We will recommend The Matt Stedman Band to anyone in need of a band. -- Ali L, Milwaukee, WI, 08/14/11, Wedding From the very first time I contacted Matt Stedman he was incredibly enthusiastic and attentive. He was easy to get a hold of and quick to respond to any questions I had. Not only was he super personable and a pleasure to work with, the band was unbelievable. I had several people tell me that they were the best wedding band that they had ever heard and I couldn't agree more. The dance floor was full from the very first song to the end of the night! They totally made the party. -- Jenna W, Ann Arbor, MI, 08/13/11, Wedding The wisest investment we made at our outdoor wedding was not umbrellas, citronella candles, or even kegs of delicious beer. It was hiring The Matt Stedman Band. Matt was totally professional every step of the way and his experience was particularly helpful (and greatly appreciated) when it came to preparing the small details for the ceremony. Matt and the guys are AWESOME musicians and everyone had a blast at the reception. I know this for a fact because I had actually never seen my dad dance before, but on our wedding night he was out on the floor for almost every song. The Matt Stedman Band is worth every penny and I promise your wedding will be a fun one if you hire these guys. -- Ryan S, Freeport, IL 08/05/11, Wedding Matt Stedman was extremely courteous and professional during our consultations, during the performance, and afterward. He was very helpful in determining appropriate music styles for our event and the duo (violin and acoustic guitar) sounded great. He is a kind and talented professional musician who was on-the-ball with all of our musical needs for the event. I would highly recommend Matt and his fellow musicians for any event and look forward to working with him again. -- Jessica V, Chicago, IL, 07/24/11, Corporate Event The Matt Stedman Band played at our wedding this summer and we could not have been more pleased with how the entire evening went. Matt really set the tone for the night, starting with introductions of the wedding party and toasts, fabulous dinner music, and entertaining tunes all night. He kept everything organized and moving which is a huge help. Our friends and family absolutely loved this band and the dance floor was full all night. Matt was extremely professional to work with since the beginning and we felt very comfortable discussing the type of wedding and music were were looking for. Matt also performed classical music during the ceremony which we loved. The best thing about this group is the diversity, they can play just about anything so they appeal to the entire crowd. We especially loved the blues, Matt is amazing on the harmonica. And when we heard that electric violin we knew we had our band. Matt Stedman Band is extremely professional and highly entertaining. We can't wait to catch their next show! -- Lisa C & Ryan W, Three Oaks, MI, 07/23/11, Wedding This is a quality sound by quality performers, musically and personally. Matt and his band members are some of the nicest and most talented guys you’re going to find. They do whatever you ask in order to make sure all have a good time. This talented group can go from classical to rock to blues, playing each genre as it should be. They played for our wedding on a moving boat, on a wavy Lake Michigan, on a hot day. Not your normal reception venue, but it didn’t affect their professionalism or quality of music. All our guests commented on how good the band was. And they actually looked like they were having as much fun as the guests. You can’t do better. We lucked out when we found them. -- Jeanne W, Chicago, IL, 07/17/11, Wedding The Matt Stedman Band made our day extra special!! Everyone at the wedding enjoyed them. They are extremely professional and great to work with. After the wedding reception I had a lot of guests ask how I found such a great band and where were they from. The Matt Stedman Band is worth every penny!! -- Emily S, Galena, IL, 07/16/11, Wedding We knew we wanted a live band for our wedding and there were many options. After seeing the Matt Stedman band at a Chicago wedding in 2009 we were really impressed with the bands versatility and ability to match the style of wedding-something that would appeal to all ages. As a musician I was very particular about the songs for each part of the wedding day. I was so moved when I heard the violin and piano echoing through the church while I was in the brides room waiting to walk down the aisle. It sounded even better than a recording. I was so impressed with the number of songs to choose from. It was hard to pick songs because they were all so good. Matt did an excellent job managing the time of events and everything appeared flawless. We did not have to worry about anything, which meat we could really enjoy the night. Matt promised to keep the crowed dancing --and he did. People of all ages danced right to the very end. We received many many compliments on the band from guests who were musicians as well. We would highly recommend this band for any size wedding. We had 250 guests at our wedding. -- Cynthia T, Bolingbrook, IL 07/15/11, Wedding Matt is a consummate professional when it comes to how he presents himself, and how he organizes the music for the evening. When you're worrying about all of the crazy planning you need to do pre-wedding, the last thing you want to be worrying about is the music. Matt takes care of everything, and makes the night go by smoothly, and the band is great on top of that! He has an extensive selection of songs that sound amazing. One warning, just be ready to dance most of the night. =) -- Jacob K, Bolingbrook, IL, 07/15/11, Wedding The Matt Stedman Band was outstanding on our wedding day. He is very professional and organized. I completely put my trust in him and his band for taking care of all the logistics of music on our wedding day, and they came through completely! Our guests all loved the music and energy. We had just as many compliments on the band as we did the wedding itself. Thanks!! -- Paul M, Hillsdale, WI, 06/26/11, Wedding |
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The Matt Stedman Band was wonderful. They provided fabulous entertainment for our rehearsal dinner - I'd hire them again in a minute!
-- Carolee N, Chicago, IL, 06/17/11, Wedding The Matt Stedman band was on fire! The music was so hot I am surprised the fire department did not show up. They truly made our wedding a complete success. Our guests were blown away by their amazing talent and professional sound. Everyone at some point was shakin it out on the dance floor(even Grandma). Matt worked with us to make sure they played the music we requested to hear. Our wedding would have not been the same without the band, it was a truly memorable experience. If you can't get them booked for your wedding or event go see them live somewhere else. We will be forever fans! Thanks guys for a rockin' good time. -- Keith B, Westmont, IL, 06/11/11, Wedding The Matt Stedman Band was absolutely amazing! Working with Matt was an enjoyable experience. He went above and beyond our expectations to make sure our wedding night was memorable. The music they played was catered to our tastes and enjoyed by all of the guests. I would recommend this band for anyone looking to have a fabulous fun night of dancing, great tunes, and an all around great party. Thanks so much to Matt and the guys for making our wedding night perfect. -- Johanna V, Westmont, IL, 06/11/11, Wedding Matt is very meticulous in the way he helps plan and organize the performance and logistics of the weddings he participates in. We had so many compliments on the music, my only complaint is that I wish I could have devoted my whole attention to their performance! They offer a variety of styles and have a unique sound yet maintain the integrity of the pieces they perform. Having the Matt Stedman Band perform for us was the highlight of our wedding :) -- Megan M, Union Pier, MI, 06/04/11, Wedding At my recent wedding I asked the Matt Stedman Band to play for the ceremony and reception and I was very happy with my choice. The ceremony music was beautiful, Matt made sure that the reception ran smoothly from the introductions, to the toasts, to the first dance and everyone had fun on the dance floor. So many of our guests have commented on how much they enjoyed the live music and how great the band was. I would recommend the Matt Stedman Band to anyone looking for a very professional band with a fun, unique sound that guests of all ages will enjoy! -- Carrie S, Naperville, IL, 05/29/11, Wedding
We wanted to do just one thing that was different from other weddings, and this was our one big thing! Everyone loved the band. After the wedding I had several guests email me and ask who they were and where I found them. They definately made our wedding stand out. Matt was so easy to work with and our wedding day went very smoothly. I highly recommend them! -- Courtney B, Murphysboro, IL, 05/28/11, Wedding Great music and energy! I will definitely hire them again. -- Frank F, South Barrington, IL, 05/26/11, Live Music Venue The Matt Stedman Band was amazing. Everyone at our wedding loved them (from the 8 yr olds to the 80 yr olds)! In addition, Matt is wonderful to work with: he is extremely nice, professional, and obviously loves what he does. He is also a lot of help when it comes to organizing a wedding--no need to hire a wedding planner with Matt there! Anyways, I can't say too much without gushing b/c he and his band truly brought our wedding to another level. Thank you so much, Matt! And all the best to you and your upcoming wedding! ;) -- Denise A, Chicago, IL, 04/01/11, Wedding Five stars for the Matt Stedman Band! What a talented group!! Were so elated we choose them to play at our wedding. They helped make our special day unforgettable. Not only did they rock our wedding, but they played flawless classical music at the church and elegant jazz for cocktail hour! We were blown away by their performance through the day and night! and a BIG THANK YOU to Matt Stedman for helping so much with all of the details and who is a fantastic MC. He's well organized and always available, what a life saver. LOVE THIS BAND! -- Jessica M, Lisle, IL, 03/19/11, Wedding We want to send to you and the band the biggest Irish thank you for a fantastic job March 12, 2011, at our Lee County Irish Heritage Society Irish-fest. Everyone arrived an hour before the start and was ready to go by 6 p.m. We had requested Matt and the band to play a couple of songs that our group always sang, Matt told me they didn't know them, but would learn them, no problem. If you ever need a group that plays everything from Irish folk, to the blues, and everything in between this is the band. Looking forward to you playing next year. -- Kay M, Dixon, IL, 03/12/11, Festival |
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Awesome Band. Very talented and diverse in their music selections. Highly professional and talented. I could not have picked a better band.
-- John W, Carol Stream, IL, 03/10/11, Corporate Event The Matt Stedman Band played a Mardi Gras charity event for our organization. The music was perfect and truly added to the evening. The Matt Stedman Band was great at knowing when to turn it down (or pump it up) depending on event happenings and really played to the audience. We received great feedback regarding the band and highly recommend Matt Stedman Band for all types of event. -- Jennifer P, Hinsdale, IL, 02/26/11, Corporate Event We had the privilege of working with the Matt Stedman Band. From the beginning of our communication and to the end of the event, the entire group was very professional and easy to work with. We will definitely keep them in mind for any future needs and would highly recommend them to anyone. Good Job Matt Stedman Band!! -- Melanie D, Tama, IA, 02/22/11, Corporate Event I hired the Matt Stedman Band to play at a cocktail party for approximately 80 people I hosted in my home for Christmas. When the band showed up I was doubtful as to how it was going to work out as I thought a full 5-piece band might be overwhelming in a private-home setting. Matt assured me that they knew how to make it work. He was absolutely right and the band did a masterful job in playing the right music at the right time. They started out with soft background jazz, and as the party progressed they adjusted the music to fit the mood, actually feeling the vibe in the room and bringing the level of music up to not only match it, but actually lead it. By the end of the night everyone was out dancing. If you can get 60-year old bankers and lawyers out on the dance floor with abandon you've accomplished something. Their range and musicality of the group is truly impressive. Everyone raved about the band and they truly made the night a memorable one. I couldn't possibly recommend them more highly. -- Gary L, Milwaukee, WI 12/29/10, Private Party The Matt Stedman Band ROCKS!!!! They made our holiday party. The music and the energy from the group was contagious. I have hired groups in the past but none of them were as great at the Matt Stedman band. The violin was such a beautiful touch and I could not get over how it sounded like a guitar. Your passion for music was so evident. I would recommend Matt Stedman with 100 percent satisfaction guaranteed. I look forward to using you again at the 2011 RL Canning Holiday party. Thank you again for making our function great. -- Rachel C, Chicago, IL, 12/17/10, Corporate Event The Matt Stedman Band was the best money we spent at our wedding. They did such a great job preparing by asking for as much input as you wanted to give and even helping with the time line of the wedding. They made it so easy to choose styles of music or even specific songs for all the different parts of the wedding. We had the violin and piano for the ceremony and then piano for our cocktail hour and then the five-piece band for the reception. I don't think there was one song where there weren't at least 20 people dancing, and for a 100 guest wedding that is pretty impressive. They did a great job of making sure the flow of the evening went smoothly and they even pronounced all the crazy names in our families correctly!! During the wedding we got so many compliments on the band not only from our guests but also from many of the catering staff. Matt Stedman made it so easy to work with him as well as making great suggestions to help with the entire night. Thanks for an awesome night!!!! -- Colleen C. Oak Brook, IL, 11/13/10, Wedding From the moment we first spoke to Matt on the phone, we knew he was our man…he immediately asked questions as to what WE wanted, and told us how he worked, and how the wedding was to be “all about us” and not the other way around. Matt invited us to hear him play, so we would know if that was the sound we wanted. We heard him at more than one venue on multiple occasions. His sound is awesome! Depending on the venue, the crowd, the lateness of the evening, we always heard different coooooool licks coming out of the musicians! Throughout the process, Matt was regularly checking in to make sure all questions were answered, and that we had listed charts for him to play that were most important to us. We told him we had 2 things we wanted: 1) that we feed our musicians, and 2) he keeps the volume adjusted such that people can eat or have dessert without shouting at each other. Due to being musicians ourselves, we know how important it is to play at a gig and not be starving all evening, and we also have been to many weddings wherein the band never makes adjustments to the size/height/acoustics of the room, thus the evening is ruined, for guests give up conversing and go home. Matt was awesome about coming up throughout the evening and asking about sound level. We most appreciated that. We could write a book about all the wonderful things Matt and his band did to make our Wedding day and evening just PERFECT, but that is not for this venue. Matt is professional, organized, easy to talk to and work with and also eager to please. He and his band treated the Bride and Groom as a couple, yet as unique individuals who might want different things- which often required artful juggling to please both parties. Jim and I liked how he said that all we had to do was “…just show up, for I have the music covered.” That was hugely calming for us, because we had chosen special music for the Introductions, cake cutting, dinner, special dance tunes post-dinner and throughout the evening. Matt told us he had a surprise for us…and his last tune for the evening was “an original”- based on Copland’s “Rodeo”. He and his incredible band played for a minimum of 15 minutes straight- get-down, fiddlin’, Hoe-down music that had everyone dancing on the full-length, rectangular dance floor. Jim and his brother are both violinists, and they became the main attraction, for they “air-fiddled”, facing each other, squatting on their heels, spinning, turning…it was a blast! It was AWESOME MATT! THANKS A GAZILLION for making FANTABULOUS memories! We loved that from the moment you began to play, the dance floor was always FULL! We have spread the word, and many of our guests are still raving about “our band”…we will definitely hire you again for an upcoming event…stay tuned for more! --Debi S & Jim C, Addison, IL,10/17/10 2 members of the Matt Stedman Band performed for our wedding ceremony. They truly did a fantastic job! Matt spent a ton of time on the phone with me helping me decide the perfect music for our ceremony. Matt himself played such a beautiful classical piece as my wife walked down the aisle. Matt's guitarist also did such a great job on our recessional. I was so happy considering it was a special request we made and not a typical "wedding type" song. I highly recommend Matt to anybody looking for exceptional music and professionalism for their wedding. -- Steve N., Chicago, IL, 10/17/10, Wedding The band’s performance at my daughter's wedding reception, held at the Shedd Aquarium, was outstanding. It was a pleasure working with Matt Stedman during the entire planning process. In addition to a great playlist performed by the band, Matt also delighted us with a wonderful violin solo during the cocktail hour. The execution was flawless and our guests enjoyed a wonderful evening of music by the band. -- Geetha S, Chicago, IL, 10/16/10, Wedding The Matt Stedman Band blew us away! They came in and just knew what to do. They read the crowd to give them what they wanted. Our wedding dance floor was packed all night long. Upon arriving at the reception hall my dad greeted us at the door and his first comment was, "you got to hear this band". The Band was very professional, and so much fun. If I had to recommend a Band to do your wedding, or big event don't hesitate to book this Band! We owe a big THANK YOU to Matt and the whole band you guys rocked, and made our reception and absolute blast! -- Kat H & Paul Y, Decatur, IL, 10/09/10, Wedding |
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Matt Stedman Band played at our wedding in Madison, WI on 10/02/10. They provided music for the whole day, including working with a trombone soloist (that I added in) to learn new processional and recessional music. Matt was great to work with - after a few conversations he was comfortable enough with me and my tastes to make some executive decisions regarding what music would be played at the wedding...taking a lot of stress off of me. And I'm happy to say that he didn't guess wrong! Everyone - the guests, wedding party, and even the other vendors - loved these guys. They played a great mix of music that kept the dance floor full all night - the party actually didn't stop until after the band started packing up their equipment! Overall, we were really happy that we went with this group of highly professional and talented musicians. They definitely helped to make our wedding extra special.
-- Angela M, Windsor, WI, 10/02/10, Wedding The Matt Stedman Band was absolutely amazing at our wedding. Matt did a wonderful job as the lead singer and also as the MC. He spent a good amount of time with me getting to know the pronunciations of everyone's name in the wedding party, finding out what style of music we liked and also getting to know both me and my now husband!! We first heard them perform at a bar in Naperville and as soon as I heard them playing when I walked in, I knew they were the band for us. All of our guests had a great time at the wedding and that was mostly due to great music provided by their band. Thanks!! --Christy H, Winfield, IL, 09/25/10, Wedding We booked the Matt Stedman Band for our wedding (both ceremony and reception) and they were fantastic! We were looking for something unique and they definitely exceeded our expectations both with their outstanding musicianship and great selection of songs. We received multiple compliments from our friends and family. They traveled quite a distance to play for us and were very accommodating and professional, which we also really appreciated :) Next time we are in Chicago, we are definitely headed to one of their shows!!! -- Jennifer R, Cottage Grove, MN, 9/24/10, Wedding Matt did a great job keeping everything on track on our wedding day so we did not have to worry about the timing or flow. That was great. They have a lot of talent and are professional. They played our ceremony, cocktail hour, dinner via iPod and reception. It was great to have one band cover all aspects well. -- Nicole P, Appleton, WI 9/10/10, Wedding During the wedding process, my husband was on Pacific Time, I was on Eastern and Matt was on Central time. Matt Stedman really helped by openly communicating and adapting to our very chaotic schedule during the planning process. He was willing to conference call with us over Skype, which was extremely helpful since neither of us could meet him in person. Matt sent me a ton of suggestions and advice but was never pushy. He wanted to do what I wanted to do. It was a breeze to plan the schedule with him. A few weeks before the wedding he contacted me to finalize everything and see if I had any questions he could answer. The day of the wedding Matt took care of everything with regards to the schedule. He and the band easily adapted to our needs whether we were running early or running late (and we did both). Matt also took cue from the crowd as to what music to play and he gave me a list of songs that I could choose from before the wedding. We received many compliments about the band. They really have a spark and would be well worth hiring. -- Nicole W, Chesterton, IN 9/05/10, Wedding Couldn't have hoped for anything better. Great communication leading up to the party, arrived on time, very polite and professional, started on time played the entire 2 1/2 hours with one small break. They are extremely talented. We don't need to go to a blues fest or a Blues Bar, as this was better. We have already begun planning a repeat next year. Would recommend them to anyone who likes the Blues. -- Justin S, Oswego, IL, 8/28/10, Private Party Having the Matt Stedman Band play at our wedding was a highlight! With high level of professionalism we had one less vendor to worry about! They are very flexible, understanding, and very easy to work with. We are very happy that we found them. -- Katia D, Chicago, IL, 8/23/10, Wedding First of all, the wedding was super organized! We had a good idea going in what to expect, Matt provided lots of guidance without being overbearing at all (he has after all been to many more weddings...this was our first). Still, we had a difference of opinion on some minor details and it was "bride's way" without question from Matt. Secondly, the music at the church was OUTSTANDING! If you are looking for music that is peaceful, reverent, and different, go with the Matt Stedman Band. My daughter walked up the aisle to The Lover's Waltz, and it was lovely! Thirdly, they performed great music while waiting for the bride and groom to arrive AND at dinner (yes, they did take a break to eat a meal). There was a great selection of music and great musicianship. Matt and all did a wonderful job of introducing key participants in the day, very professional and again organized. One of my favorite memories is of seeing the band enjoy the toasts, as they had big grins on all of their faces. It seemed as though they knew the bride and groom and were happy to be there. To me that was very special. Lastly, I would like to mention the reception/dancing music…. All I can say is if people are not up and dancing at your event, then your people are duds. We are still getting feedback from friends and family about "the great band" at our daughter's wedding. The dance floor was packed all night long. They seamlessly infused music from an iPod so much so that when the band returned from a break, it was surprising to realize they had been gone. The day is all about the bridal couple - no showboating/look at me kind of antics...yet such a presence! The band is definitely more expensive than a d.j, but I think that it is money well spent. I told our daughter that choosing to have the Matt Stedman Band was the second best decision they made (the first was deciding to marry). You will be happy with your decision too! -- Debbie J, Linden, MI 8/21/10, Wedding Matt and Brian performed at our 8/20/10 wedding ceremony. They played the violin and acoustic guitar. They were wonderful! So happy with their music, and extremely happy to have had them play at our wedding. --Natalia M, Woodrige, IL, 8/20/10, Wedding Matt and the band were amazing. The sheer variety of music they're able to play is impressive, and they're able to tackle each genre with skill. The guests at our wedding all had a great time, and asked where we found the band. We feel extremely fortunate to have had them play at our reception, and would hire them again without a second thought. -- John C, Elmhurst, IL, 08/20/10, Wedding |
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Found these guys on some wedding band registry. Excellent musicians with an eclectic repertoire. Definitely would recommend them to anyone who has no interest in cheesy wedding bands but rather a group of talented and professional and unique musicians. I still have people asking me if they can purchase their music on CD. ... Violin solos were killer.
-- Drew R, Lake Barrington, 08/14/10, Wedding Matt Stedman and his band were absolutely amazing! We could not have asked for a better band to play at our wedding. Not only did they play for our reception, Matt and his guitarist also played at our ceremony. BEAUTFUL!!! :) They have such a wide range of music and our guests could not say enough good things about them. No one wanted the party to end and we would do it all over again! Throughout the entire wedding planning, Matt was great to work with and I know it made us less stressed about how the music would turn out. Thanks again for making it memorable!!! -- Megan P, Vernon Hills, IL 8/06/10, Wedding Matt was absolutely wonderful! He was great to work with during the planning phase, and even better the day of our wedding! He spent a lot of time with us to work through our playlist and song requests, and he did a great job mixing up live music with the iPod during our reception. I would highly recommend him! -- Jayme Z, Pontiac, MI, 7/31/10, Wedding Matt and the band helped make our wedding the party of a lifetime. They MC'd everything (including introductions of the wedding party with funk music), were super responsive and the band was AMAZING. We were able to choose our music -- between the band playing live, and DJ-ing during band breaks, we heard every song we wanted, and nothing we didn't. They really kept people moving and dancing, and they looked great. So many people told us after that wedding how much they enjoyed the band. I had no idea about bands vs. dj prices when we started this whole wedding planning thing, or where my priorities should lie in terms of where we should splurge or where we should cut corners, but its clear to me now. I am SO glad we hired a band, specifically THIS band. Definitely worth it. -- Allison K, Knoxville, IL, 07/24/10, Wedding We hired Matt Stedman Band for our wedding last summer and they provided great service and music. Matt took care of business both on stage and during the planning phase of our wedding. He was very detailed about planning and working with him was a pleasure. People keep telling us how good the band was; the dance floor was consistently packed for several hours. The choice of songs they offer demonstrates their skill and breadth as musicians, and almost certainly contains a wedding's-worth of songs that you like. I recommend songs that emphasize fiddling and foot stomping. You won't be disappointed because Matt Stedman band rocks hard. -- Walker W, Knoxville, IL, 07/24/10, Wedding The Matt Stedman Quartet (Band) provided the music/announcements for our daughter's wedding. Matt was awesome in terms of communication and professionalism. He was helpful with wedding/reception planning suggestions, which eased "mother of the bride" stress levels. He arrived early for the event dressed in the wedding color ;-). His duet played for the ceremony. At the very last moment, outdoor plans for the reception fell through due to weather and Matt's quartet graciously agreed to extend their stay and play later into the night to fill that void. Very accommodating. We received many compliments from guests of various ages. I would hire him again "in a heartbeat"! -- Colleen L, Potosi, WI, 7/23/10, Wedding Hiring the Matt Stedman Band was easily the best decision we made in planning our wedding festivities. A trained and talented group of musicians, the group plays a wide repertoire of music and makes great effort to tailor the play list to your tastes and those that your guests respond to. To my amazement, this band had EVERYBODY dancing and we received dozens of compliments from guests of all ages. Very professional and easy to deal with. Without hesitation I give this band 5 platinum stars. -- Leslie F, Chicago, IL, 07/17/10, Wedding The Matt Stedman Band IS the BEST band ever. We met Matt and his band at a local bar. We were not even engaged, but had said if we ever had a party, we'd hire them. Well, weeks later, Dave and I became engaged and decided to throw a backyard-wedding bash. This is a second marriage for both for both of us so there were only a few things we really wanted, and the Matt Stedman Band was #1. Because we had a limited budget and a small amount of time to plan, we asked Matt for his available dates. Basically, they were booked for the summer. However, he did say he had Saturday, July 3rd available, and this would be the last time EVER! You ask why, because in 2011 Matt will be married on July 3rd and they decided to no longer book on that day. Matt and Dave and I worked out an amazing playlist. They came to our house we discussed layout and attire. This band is original, charismatic and their sound is phenomenal. We have 5 children between us and a few nights before the weeding our 10 and 8 year old daughters decided to rewrite the words to Sound of Music's "lonely goat herder". Matt, generally, as a rule of thumb does not allow people to sing from his stage, as they are the entertainment. However, he allowed the girls to sing and once they realized what they were singing the band accompanied them. The Matt Stedman Band went above and beyond and I would promote their business again and again! -- Christie M & Dave S, Naperville, IL, 7/03/10 Wedding This band was fantastic. Matt worked with us leading up to the wedding to understand our musical tastes and helped put together our timeline for the event. He was very thorough going into it but on the day of our wedding we didn't need to do a thing. He knew what to do and when and it worked out great. They're eclectic styles of music kept everybody on their feet. They knew the music that would keep people entertained and happy and it was perfect for us. I only wish I had another excuse to hire a band and throw a huge party! I highly recommend Matt Stedman & his band for your wedding or other party. -- Ed S, Elk Grove Village, IL, 6/25/10, Wedding Matt Stedman and his band were truly incredible! Matt was instrumental in helping to find an incredible venue to have our wedding and reception (we live in San Diego and the wedding was in Chicago), his music is beyond what we can convey in a few short lines! Our guests were truly blown away and continue to comment on how good the band was. On June 19, 2010 Matt was our wedding MC, our wedding coordinator and our band leader (although he was only paid to be our band!) The diversity among the instruments and music he played and the level at which they performed was so far beyond our expectations we were literally left speechless. We interviewed eleven bands and are very thankful and lucky we chose Matt and he was able to accommodate our date. Thank you Matt and your incredible band! -- Lance & Mazie T, Chicago, IL, 06/19/10, Wedding |
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Matt Stedman and the Matt Stedman Band were fantastic! They played classical music with the violin and piano for our outdoor ceremony and cocktail hour. Then they switched it up for our reception and brought in the rest of the band and played a variety of music ranging from rock to jazz. They also compose some of their own music and we loved hearing their songs on our special day! They're all very professional and easy to work with. Their goal is to make your day perfect, and they truly made the evening. We heard so much feedback from our guests on how well they played and they were well worth the money! I would recommend them to anyone, and they are so much classier than a DJ.
-- Debra L, St. Charles, IL, 6/11/10, Wedding GREAT! I cannot recommend the Matt Stedman Band enough, not only are they all very, very talented musicians, but Matt goes beyond just doing music. He helped us greatly with wedding planning, smoothing out details and organizing - he was a big help for our wedding, he offered his advice and great wedding experience. His music was incredible, I'm 25, the young crowd loved it, my parents loved him, and he got my grandparents dancing also. Our crowd was very diverse, from college age buddies to the conservative Baptist crowd to older relatives, and everyone complimented us on how they enjoyed the Matt Stedman Band’s music. Thank You Matt, you did an amazing job and we are so happy! -- Andrew M, Okauchee, WI, 5/29/10, Wedding Matt and his band were outstanding--amazing musical abilities, great sound, and overall high energy. Matt's artistry on the violin was as much fun to watch as it was to dance to... highly recommended for an audience that knows good music and expects to see great talent -- NOT another cover band. -- Ann T, Mundelein, IL, 5/22/10, Private Party Matt's attention to detail helped to get us though our big day. When we first met, he gave us a generic outline with suggestions from his experience. We used this as a guide for our wedding day. Matt offered to provide a total music package, which was what sold us. We only had to work with one person to cover music at our wedding ceremony (two piece; fiddle and piano), our cocktail hour (keyboards) and our reception (5 piece band). He also acted as our MC to keep things moving along on schedule at the wedding. He was very flexible and accommodating, working with our desire to invite special performers to our reception. We knew Matt from his work at Irish festivals but also knew his band had the ability to play great rock and roll and get a crowd out on the dance floor. He didn't disappoint. We had a many compliments from our guests on the great music throughout. -- Tim S, Chicago, IL, 5/08/10, Wedding Matt Stedman is awesome. Like many engaged couples, we were a little nervous in all the events leading up to the wedding. We are in our late 20s and wanted a band that everyone of all ages could enjoy. Matt gave us peace of mind. He was very professional and detail-oriented, letting us know the timeline of the events for the ceremony and reception. He's played tons of weddings, and gave us some great tips and advice for the reception. He and his band are an incredibly talented and versatile group of musicians. He played both our church procession during the day and the wedding reception at night. Matt (violin) and his pianist played classical music perfectly during the processional at our wedding, and then the five-piece band brought down the house at our reception. They played everything from rock n' roll, soul, up tempo blues, funk, classic rock, and even upbeat Irish folk music. For those who think a violin might not work with blues and rock music--trust us, it does! All these people came up to us during the reception saying, "This band is great!" By the end of the night, everyone was worn out from dancing so much. Furthermore, Matt and his whole band are genuinely nice people. VERY friendly and down-to-earth. Matt is a great guy to talk to. It's your wedding day, and Matt wants to make sure that everyone is happy and that the day goes as perfect as can be for the bride and groom. Don't break your wedding budget on a 20-piece band; Matt and his band definitely make it a great wedding. (Just be aware, he is in high demand, so contact him early.) -- Kevin O, Evanston, IL, 4/17/10 I am so thankful to Matt Stedman for his outstanding performance at my wedding ceremony! His music is absolutely beautiful! He helped make my wedding perfect! -- Katie P, Huntley, IL, 3/12/10, Wedding I was very pleased with Matt during the pre-planning phase of our work together as well as the performance on the day of the actual event. I will use them again! -- John P, Wheeling, IL, 3/5/10, Private Party Matt and his crew were fabulous. All night, clients and guests were asking where I found him, asking for his card, and complimenting their music. He was a pleasure to work with and I can't wait to do so again, and again! I would highly recommend them to anyone in need of some fabulous live music to suit any type of event!! -- Nicole S, Chicago, IL, 2/19/10, Corporate Event |
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We decided that we would enjoy strings at our wedding about 2 weeks before, Matthew Stedman was the first person we called and absolutely wonderful to work with. Immediately he sent us a large variety of samples to listen to and worked with our budget we wanted to stay in. The day of the ceremony they looked great, and the music was beautiful. We never had a chance to meet, and the midst of all the craziness after the ceremony Matthew made a point to congratulate us and introduce himself. I would highly recommend his services as the final touch that just make the ambiance of the day so much more special.
-- Brandon Z, Algonquin, IL, 1/2/10, Wedding They were absolutely wonderful. Great and diverse music selection, professional, fun, extremely detailed, organized and they even gave me a gift and tailored the entire selection/party to what I wanted as the bride. Called several times to make sure I was comfortable and that everything was on track. -- Jenny M, Chicago, IL, 12/12/09, Wedding We were so pleased and felt extremely lucky to have the Matt Stedman Band play at our wedding. From the moment they were hired, Matt showed a high level of professionalism as he helped me plan and concentrate on the important details, which made the day run so smoothly (he's truly a "pro" when it comes to mapping out the progression). I also felt that finding a wedding band that could play not only the ceremony but the RECEPTION as well was extremely rare. The variety of music this band can play is unbelievable-from classical to rock, pop, Celtic, blues- you name it! The music at our ceremony was beautiful- we chose traditional, classical music however he had a large listing of available songs to choose from and we could have chosen more modern songs as well. The Matt Stedman Band was timely, reliable and noticeably professional and experienced (i.e. it was obvious that they've played many weddings and have been successful in doing so). I haven't even mentioned how much our guests enjoyed the music!! They really will gear the song choices to the "feel" of the wedding you are going for and because this band is truly talented (the musicians are not your typical "wedding band" musicians) the reception becomes almost concert-like as people are amazed by the skills of the band's members. They also truly look like they're having a blast while playing and it's contagious. Everyone danced, sang and really got into the music. If you're looking for an amazing, one-of-a-kind wedding band, you've found it in the Matt Stedman Band! My wedding was made more special because of its presence and we'll be forever grateful!! -- Holly Z, Chicago, IL, 11/28/09, Wedding Our overall experience was GREAT!! These guys were friendly, professional, and extremely talented! Our anniversary party was over a week ago and people who attended are still asking about who the band was and where we found them. Thanks guys GREAT JOB!! -- Kevin K, Davenport, IA, 10/24/09, Private Party We had a fairly large wedding and the Matt Stedman Band was able to play a variety of music that met the approval of all the guests. Matt even went so far as to put the song list in order knowing that certain songs that would be enjoyed by the older guests would be played earlier in the evening knowing that they would most likely leave earliest - reserving more modern music for later into the night when the younger guests who stayed late would benefit. I have followed Matt's band for years and I was thrilled that I was able to have them play for our wedding. The balance of the live band and the recorded music meant that I was able to have the best of both worlds and even over a year later we still have people tell us how much they enjoyed our wedding! -- Jacqueline M., Yorkville, IL, 10/17/09, Wedding I can't say enough about the Matt Stedman Band. Before the wedding day, Matt was thorough and detail-oriented. He asked all the right questions, made terrific suggestions, and was on the ball so we didn't have to sweat the details on our wedding day. At the reception, I can't remember a moment where the dance floor wasn't packed. This band has a huge repertoire and bases the set list on the mood of the crowd. We had several people comment that the band was a big highlight. I recommend the Matt Stedman Band highly! -- Bridie K, Grand Rapids, MI, 10/03/09, Wedding Matt and the band were awesome, so professional, flexible, and easy to work with. They were the nicest guys and everyone at our party LOVED them. Will definitely hire again! -- Tiffany T, South Barrington, IL, 9/28/09, Corporate Event Matt was awesome! We put this together at the last minute and he was a savior in making this happen and it turn making our weeding turn out better than we could have expected. I couldn't more highly recommend him and can assure anyone that is considering using him that he will do exactly what he says he will to make your event a success. I guess that's the difference in hiring a true professional. -- Kyle D, Kankakee, IL, 9/19/09, Wedding Matt Stedman Band did a fantastic job at our wedding. People came up to us all night and expressed how great they were! They were also very professional and easy to work with. I would definitely suggest them for any wedding! -- Kate S, Madison, WI, 9/19/09, Wedding The Matt Stedman Band did a fantastic job at our wedding reception, ceremony and cocktail hour. We had a duet for our ceremony and cocktail hour - violin and piano - and the full band for the reception. Matt takes charge with all his wedding experience and helps detail the timing of events. Without him we would have had to hire a planner to coordinate all the details like first dance, cake cutting, toasts and announcements. They are not your typical wedding musicians and play a variety of songs including bluegrass, jazz and rock. -- Lauren C, Wilmette, IL, 09/18/09, Wedding |
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We hired the Matt Stedman Band and were very happy with the band’s professionalism and energy that they brought to both the wedding ceremony and the reception. In preparing for the event, Matt Stedman worked with us to find the music that we believed fit the style of the wedding ceremony and reception that we wanted to create for the event. He also worked with us to organize the timing of the majority of the little events throughout the day. The Matt Stedman Band plays a lot of different types of music, and excels at it all. They play very well together and have great vocals. The Matt Stedman Band comes highly recommended from us and all of our guests!
-- Brea L, Bayfield, WI, 9/12/09, Wedding Don't think I'm his cousin or something because we're giving the Matt Stedman band five stars. They were amazing, above and beyond. It's been a year and a month since the wedding, and when we see old friends, they still tell us how incredible our band was. We were married Sept. 6, 2009 in Watervliet, Michigan -- at least a two-hour drive from Chicago, over a Labor Day weekend -- and you can get a taste of it here: http://bit.ly/aTneSE Matt and his band started months ahead, practicing new violin arrangements over the phone to see if we liked them. That impressed us. The day of, they showed up early, played beautifully in the ceremony, and had us rollicking and dancing all night long. They learned new songs for us, made new arrangements of a couple of our old favorites to fit his violin-led style, and made a wedding like nothing we'd ever seen before. You should have seen the 15-minute crazy hora we danced, even though they'd never played one like it before. They closed with a pulsing medley of different songs -- bluesy, a little Celtic, a little Jewish, everything that had meaning for all of us -- and left us spent and breathless after dancing all night. Their price was reasonable, so we tipped them lavishly afterward because we were so blown away. We never wanted to videotape our wedding -- we figured, who ever goes back and watches that? -- but the only reason I regret not taping it is that we can't hear them playing again. I'm serious. They were that good. I can't recommend them enough. -- Adam L, Watervliet, MI, 09/06/09, Wedding I HIGHLY recommend the Matt Stedman performing group. Matt's follow-up and communication prior to the event was great. He was also very helpful providing recommendations in choosing the band size according to what WE wanted in order to make everything affordable and professional sounding/appearing. I had originally wanted a trio or quartet, but Matt recommended a Duo to help save on costs -- he was correct! The piano/violin duo sounded great! I also liked that I was able to choose from dozens of the Matt Stedman duo’s recorded MP3's to help me make my music selections. -- Cheryl C, Grayslake, IL, 8/23/09, Wedding We had Matt Stedman and his band play for our wedding reception. They were absolutely amazing. Obviously they were professional and accommodating, but also very talented musicians. Our guests are still complimenting us on our band choice, even guests who are in the music business. The dance floor was full the entire night! We also received compliments from guests who said they usually leave with their kids shortly after dinner due to music getting raunchy, but they stayed all night because our music was fun and uplifting and their kids were having so much fun. You guys were great, and we appreciate the class and fun you added to our wedding! -- Faye C, Paxton, IL, 8/22/09 Just an all around great group! Was enjoyed thoroughly by all! -- Bob S, Las Vegas, 8/1/09, Casino I had an amazing time. The Matt Stedman Band was the perfect to touch to my wedding making it the perfect end to a perfect day. I would highly recommend them to anyone for any event. Matt was very helpful in the planning of my wedding reception with having done this before. His advice helped me greatly in scheduling the evening. He made sure that everything on his end was ready and perfect so I did not have to worry about anything. It was in his hands and I trusted him with it. They did a great job and I would gladly use them again a different event. -- Alyss M, Hobart, IN, 7/31/09, Wedding Matt and another performer played the violin and guitar at our wedding ceremony. We had different requests for our processional and recessional, but Matt did an awesome job meeting our requests. The prelude music was also perfect. He played a great mix of songs many of which were purely instrumental adaptations of rock songs. I would fully recommend his services to anyone needing a musical performer. -- Derek B, Madison, WI, 7/25/09, Wedding We really enjoyed having the Matt Stedman Band play at our wedding! Two members of the band played the ceremony and our guests loved it! Then, the whole band played the cocktail hour and reception. They didn't know the song we wanted for our first dance, so they learned it just for us! We had a great time at the wedding and would definitely recommend these guys! Very friendly, willing to go over all music for you, and affordable. Matt even played the wedding march to me over the phone so I could hear it! Great band! -- Lisa E, Elmhurst, IL, 7/19/09, Wedding |
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When I started planning my wedding I knew it would be on the smaller side and I had a pretty tight budget. I didn't think I could afford a band, but after disappointing research for DJ's (who put in very little work and charge a lot for it) I decided to look into some bands. I decided to take away some money from my flowers and put it into the entertainment, which definitely had a bigger impact on the wedding. The Matt Stedman band was GREAT to work with. They did our ceremony (outdoors) and reception. We had a lot of "different" songs that I wasn't sure the band would learn for us, but they did everything I asked. Everyone raved about our band long after the wedding... and they're all very good looking people so they looked nice in our pictures. WORTH IT!
-- Ashley T, Bristol, WI, 7/18/09, Wedding We were very pleased with Matt Stedman and unfortunately because of the weather we had to change the location and they were very accommodating. Everyone loved them and we will surely use them again. -- Karen S, Long Grove, IL, 7/17/09, Private Party The Matt Stedman Trio truly helped to make our wedding a wonderful event. Matt was very knowledgeable about planning a ceremony in a garden setting and helped us make sure every last detail was taken care of. We felt his involvement in planning went above and beyond what we had expected from the wedding musicians, and the whole event ran smoothly. All three band members played an impressive repertoire of Celtic, classical, and pop music throughout our ceremony, cocktails, and reception, and they worked hard to incorporate our personal requests for the first dance and otherwise. These guys are true musicians who love what they do, and this will show in any performance-including your wedding!! -- Anjali R, Glencoe, IL, 7/10/09, Wedding We hired Matt Stedman and his band for an anniversary event and were so pleased by their performance. What a diverse range of music they play...they are so very talented and enjoyable to listen to. We would use them again and recommend them as well. Matt was a delight to work with! We received so many compliments on the band by those that attended the event. We wish them much success. -- Sara M, Rockford, IL, 6/28/09, Private Party I hear great things about Matt and his group lots of complements, Loved your performance great job guys see you next time Bravo!!!!!! -- Oscar V, Beloit, WI, 6/26/09, Live Music Venue The Matt Stedman Band was not only the best wedding band ever, but also helped put my mind and worries at ease with his organizational skills. Matt acted as an "emcee" and helped with the timeline of the day and was willing to work with the other vendors to make sure the day ran smoothly. Everyone LOVED dancing to the sweet sounds of the super talented band, and I would recommend them over and over again to my friends and family. The dance floor was packed all night long and everyone kept telling me what an awesome band they were. Thanks for a memorable event. -- Kelly J, Saint Joseph, MI, 6/13/09. Wedding Matt Stedman is one of the most professional bands we have had. His talent and energy is incredible. What a great find! -- Amy H, Wheeling, IL, 5/8/09, Live Music Venue We had the Matt Stedman Band play at our wedding on May 3, 2009. I have to say they did an outstanding job. Matt was great to work with, he helped us set up a complete plan for the reception, which worked flawlessly. We were able to do everything the way we wanted it to be, Matt just helped to make it flow, and look professional. The music was great, everyone I talked to after our wedding made a point to say how great the band was. The music was very unique, and fun. I would recommend the Matt Stedman band to anyone who wants to have a live band, with music that is not your ordinary wedding music. Best of all the pricing is very fair; we got more than we paid for. They strive perfection, and to make their customers happy. Matt will be sure to make it work with your budget. -- Brad S, North Aurora, IL, 5/03/09, Wedding We we're extremely happy with Matt Stedman Band - We really felt that they made our event great - they engaged who they were playing to and what the event needed to feel like and the music could not have been more perfect - All of our guests, a very diverse crowd, loved them...we'd call them again in a heartbeat - Thanks again to the band!! -- Vicki P, Schaumburg, IL, 4/26/09, Private Party The Matt Stedman Band was awesome! I was in charge of planning a Silent and Live Auction for about 300 people. The Matt Stedman Band accommodated my every request from utilizing their microphone to taking breaks either ahead of schedule or a little behind schedule. I received at least 20 compliments on the band and would love to have them at another event in the future. -- Kerri C, Rosemont, IL, 4/25/09, Private Event |
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What a pleasure this band was and how wonderful that they were versatile in their music for our group. We would love to have them back.
-- Darlene S, Addison, IL, 3/16/09, Private Party Wonderful band! We could not have asked for a better group to perform at our Mardi Gras Celebration. -- Kristin K, Chicago, IL, 3/4/09, Private Party Extremely satisfied with the performance, professionalism & style. The violin/guitar duo sounded awesome & the music performed was perfect for the location, musical tastes (esp. the bride) & most appreciated was the considerable time Matt Stedman spent in music selection & getting to know us. They are truly talented musicians with a unique sound, classically trained & with a hint of Celtic flair left many guests saying the music set in motion the tears of joy before the appearance of the bride. They don't just play well - they make the strings sing! Bravo, I am confident that whatever ensemble you might select, they will accommodate your every need. -- Cheryl R, Lemont, IL, 2/28/09, Wedding I am not quite sure how to put it because I was so happy with their performance that I wish I had more affairs to put on in the near future. The Divan at Medinah Shrine Center loved them so much that I think they will get more gigs from them. If you read this and have an affair, HIRE THEM!!!! -- Jimmy D, Elgin, IL, 12/14/08, Private Event The Matt Stedman duo that we hired was excellent! They were great musicians and performers who did an amazing job with our bat mitzvah on very short notice. It was a pleasure to work with them and we would use them again in the future. We highly recommend them! -- Vicki F, Glencoe, IL, 12/13/08, Bat Mitzvah My (now) husband's one job in wedding planning given my Type-A personality was finding a good band. He succeeded: the Matt Stedman Band was amazing! They played a variety of songs - everything from Irish music (our wedding theme preceding a honeymoon in Ireland) to Van Morrison as our first dance song. It's been two years since our "big day," but we continue to get compliments on our wedding band. The members are super talented and totally wanting to make the music all about you as a couple; they get EVERYONE on the dance floor (even the bride's father who usually goes to bed early was dancing until the lights came back on...). I cannot recommend Matt Stedman Band enough! -- Molly H, Chicago, IL, 11/22/08, Wedding I sought this band out because of their versatility and range. From Zydeco to folk to rock, this band played across several genres and never missed a beat. They had the ballroom at the Drake packed until midnight. To this day, people comment on how it was the best wedding band they had ever seen. Matt and the band were even willing to learn the song for our first dance, which was a lesser-known Van Morrison tune. I definitely recommend this band. -- James H, Chicago, IL, 11/22/08, Wedding My husband and I just had our 2 year anniversary from our wedding 10/05/2008, I remember it like it was yesterday. At first it was a little overwhelming planning all of the small details that included choosing our music, but working with the Matt Stedman Band made it almost easy. My husband and I agreed that we wanted to have a band instead of the typical dj most people have. We had heard of the Matt Stedman band and actually had the privilege of heard them play live at a nearby venue and we were SOLD. Having the Matt Stedman band play at our wedding was one of the best decisions that we could have made. It made our day that much more special for both of us. We had our ceremony and reception all at the same location. The Matt Stedman band (portion of them) played during the actual ceremony and added the special touch that I will never forget. I will never forget the image I have walking down the aisle with my father, feeling beautiful, and hearing the live music (I choose) in the background. It was all just perfect. When it was time for the reception, not only did the band perform the songs we approved but they were absolutely fantastic! Family and friends commented to us over the next year about how much fun it was actually listening to live music playing. The music played kept our guests involved even if they were not actually dancing; they were still able to sit back and enjoy the music as well. Some of our older guests were thrilled about the "older/traditional" songs that brought back personal memories for them. I truly believe when you have someone singing/playing instruments with emotion then it makes everything else just a tab bit more special. Matt and the band were so professional to work with and made the process painless and easy. Throughout the planning process Matt was always prompt in getting back to me when I had any questions and also gave some helpful advice for different song selections that he had noticed in the past got positive attention from guests. He was so professional to work with and even came to my house to let my husband and I hear some of the songs he played on the violin, which he recommended for our ceremony. It was that special/personal touch that made us feel even more special during the planning process of our wedding. This same special/personal touch was also giving to us on our actual wedding day by the Matt Stedman band. I love going to weddings when everyone is up dancing and you can just feel the happy energy in the room. I believe that this band definitely helped to keep the energy flowing in the room on our wedding day. They were so professional, easy to work with, price reasonable and absolutely amazing musicians. I would recommend them to anyone and everyone!!!!!!!!!! -- Jackie L, Naperville, IL, 10/05/08, Wedding |
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We can’t say enough about Matt & the Matt Stedman band. From the 1st time we heard them play in Chicago, we knew we had found a jewel-and we’re not disappointed. We were looking for a REAL band, not wedding singers. They have an amazing amount of talent, & we were fortunate enough to have them play at our wedding. They learned songs that were special to us-talked to us on the phone on numerous occasions to get a feel for what we were looking for at our wedding-& he and the guys were right on. They played the ceremony beautifully, & totally rocked the reception-EVERYONE was dancing!! THANK YOU MATT AND FRIENDS! YOU WERE AWESOME!! Can’t wait to come see you play again!
-- Christa A, Kohler, WI, 9/20/08, Wedding Perfect...we couldn’t ask for more...very talented. I will be calling to book Matt again. -- Ginny S, Crystal Lake, IL, 9/19/08, Wedding Matt Stedman's Trio was the highlight of our event!! They created a fun, upbeat, exciting atmosphere - I can't wait to have another party and book them again. -- Lindsay T, Vernon Hills, IL, 9/18/08, Private Party My daughter's wedding was a beautiful, memorable day! Without a doubt, one of the highlights was the music provided by the Matt Stedman Duo. Matt and Brian, on violin and bass, created a joyful atmosphere for the ceremony and the cocktail hour that followed. Our guests loved their selection of music and were very impressed with their performance. They were professional, friendly and well prepared. I am so glad that Matt and Brian were part of our celebration! They were wonderful! -- Ruth L, Grayslake, IL, 9/14/08, Wedding The Matt Stedman Band was fantastic-everything I hoped for and more! We received so many compliments on the music at both our wedding ceremony and reception. Our guests were impressed by how versatile Matt & and band were. Matt played the violin so beautifully at our ceremony and then hit the harmonica for blues later that evening - truly a gifted musician. If you are looking for a band with talent, genuine personality and professionalism...then this is it. Thank you for being such a big part of our day! -- Lori K, Monticello, IL, 8/30/08, Wedding Everyone at the event enjoyed the performance. They are a great group. -- Susan D, Gurnee, IL, 8/23/08, Private Party One word, OUTSTANDING!!! Where do I start, the professionalism, the talent, the diverse music, the appearance, the communication, the vibe; This band accomplished what few bands can, which is entertain a multi-cultural wedding to where everyone raved about them. My new bride and I had the time of our lives on the most important day in us becoming one. The live jazz, the Irish, the blues, the funk, the classical, and soft rock music selections were perfect. Matt Stedman truly listened to my wife and I and performed perfectly at our wedding. Thanks Matt, you and your band performed superbly!!! -- Cornelius B, Milwaukee, WI, 8/10/08, Wedding The Matt Stedman Band provided the music for our daughters wedding ceremony as well as the dancing. He was extremely accommodating, learning a new ethnic song. He read the audience well. He adjusted his playlist to make sure the dance floor remained crowded. He gave good suggestions for both the ceremony and reception providing a good variety of music to satisfy everyone's musical interests. We have received glowing comments from many of our guests, some of whom are musicians and normally quite critical. Even our wedding planner thought they were very good and would recommend them to others. -- Joan Z, Madison, WI, 7/26/08, Wedding The Matt Stedman band was awesome! We had seen them for the first time at a wedding, and knew that we would be having them at ours too! Everyone had a blast! It's also a great "all-ages" band (meaning elderly people will enjoy them as well as all of your friends)! -- Mandy K, Lake Geneva, WI, 7/13/08, Wedding This guy knows what he's doing. Bow to the master - Matt Stedman. Everyone kept asking us where we found this band. They're amazing and Matt functions as not only a band director, but also a half-wedding planner. We hadn't thought through the details of our actual evening at all (in terms of when we'd cut the cake, when we'd do toasts, dance the first dance, etc.) but Matt walked us through it. Thanks so much! -- Rebecca R, Minneapolis, MN, 7/6/08, Wedding Each time we saw the band before our event, they were impressive. Matt and the band took time to speak with us about how our wedding planning was going and if we needed anything from them. Matt was always available to answer questions and was VERY organized with his questions for us. He had pre-made lists for songs and went over every detail. The wedding was amazing! They were fantastic! All our guests wanted to know who the band was and where we found them. There were even a couple people who wanted to book them soon. Long story short, if you want a fun band that plays great music, really reads a crowd, and is super accommodating, these are your guys! -- Ashley A, Brooklyn, WI, 7/5/08, Wedding |
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Matt was professional and easy to work with. He and his trio played exactly the type of music we had requested, and they played it beautifully. I would highly recommend them.
-- Jennifer B, Douglas, MI, 6/21/08, Wedding Matt was great to work with. His enthusiasm and love of music is priceless. It is obvious Matt and his band have done a lot of weddings, he help guide us through the process which made the event much less stressful. He really took charge and facilitated the reception nicely. The music for our ceremony was beautiful (Violin and Pianist), and the 5-piece band played at the reception was great too. The wide range of music kept the dance floor full until the very end. I would highly recommend the Matt Stedman Band to anyone who is looking for fun and lively music for their event. -- Beth S, Chicago, IL, 6/8/08, Wedding My husband and I have been married for about 2 1/2 years now. While planning the wedding I wasn't sure if I wanted a band or just a DJ. My husband insisted we got a band and that’s where he found the Matt Stedman Band. We went to Chicago to hear them play and at the first song I was sold!!!!! The range of music the Band could and would play was amazing! Matt was very professional and welcomed any of our questions and concerns. Matt helped make our wedding a lot let stressful and more enjoyable. In fact, just yesterday I was just talking to my mom about how great the band was and how I just needed to throw a party to have them play again!!!!!!!! Although it has been a few years, people still speak of how wonderful the wedding was and how great the music was! Thanks to Matt and the Band!!! I would recommend them for your wedding, in fact I would insist if you wanted to have a great time and hear great music you would book them!!!!!!!!! --Amy S, Bradley, IL, 6/07/08, Wedding Matt and the group were excellent, just the perfect touch to a perfect wedding. Matt was very professional all the way from the start and always welcomed our questions and concerns. The group was able to accommodate all the music styles that we requested and played wonderful. Thanks for such a great time! -- Ryan G, Bradley, IL, 6/7/08, Wedding The Matt Stedman Band was flexible and accommodating from the first phone call all the way to the event. They performed for our daughter's wedding and made the day a truly special one. Matt worked with the engaged couple to provide the music that was important to them. As weddings go there were some timing problems. Matt and his group of professionals adjusted to meet the changes without a hitch, allowing the reception to flow flawlessly so our guests never noticed. Thank You Matt Stedman Band! -- Lisa S, Carbondale, IL, 5/24/08, Wedding Matt Stedman was amazing. Matt was professional, kept on top of things and accommodated our every request. They set the backdrop for the elegant, simple yet multicultural wedding that we wanted, incorporating all sorts of classical and international music. It turned out perfect-we would recommend them any day!!! -- Elisabeth H, Carmel, IN, 5/17/08, Wedding I cannot even seem to find the right words to describe what a beautiful wedding reception The Matt Stedman Band contributed to. They blew our guests away and gave everyone an enjoyable evening. As a bride, I was able to put 100% trust into Matt Stedman and had no problem allowing him to help organize the music for the ceremony and reception...he was absolutely wonderful!!! I was satisfied with the price, their performance, and most of all their professionalism. We will most definitely recommend The Matt Stedman Band to our friends here in Northeast Ohio. Thank you guys, we had the time of our lives!!! -- Danielle D, Richmond Heights, OH, 5/10/08, Wedding I would work with Matt again anytime. He seemed just as interested in my wedding music as I was. He was easy to work with and the music was BEAUTIFUL!!! -- Christina S, Chicago, IL, 5/3/08, Wedding Matt Stedman was very accommodating. He followed up and called frequently. He wanted to make sure we were happy with what he had to offer. He was very open to discuss the needs of our event and had great suggestions. He was very nice and great to deal with. Also, he had a great website which attracted me in the first place. -- Kris V, Elmhurst, IL, 5/2/08, Private Event Matt was VERY flexible and helpful. Their music was outstanding and I received incredible feedback from the attendees. -- Shannon F, Chicago, IL, 3/1/08, Festival |
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We had the Matt Stedman Band play at our Mardi Gras Event for the Boys and Girls Club of Janesville. They were fun and just awesome!! From the start, it was easy to communicate our needs to Matt and he more than fulfilled them. I would highly recommend the Matt Stedman Band for any event, wedding or party.
-- Tricia L, Janesville, WI, 2/23/08, Private Party The group was absolutely wonderful! They did an amazing job and the people at the party really enjoyed the music. -- Kristin K, Chicago, IL, 2/23/08, Private Party He played our wedding and it was fantastic. On the dance floor, people would dance up and ask, "Where did you find these guys?!?!" And just when people would start to sit down and take a breather, they'd hit a song that would bring them all back. We wanted our wedding to be full of dancing, and we got it! -- Rob A, Beloit, WI, 12/28/07, Wedding They were wonderful! Everyone is still talking about how great and talented the band is. A lot of family members and friends requested cards. The music literally brought tears to my eyes b/c it was so good. I could go on and on, but I'll just end by saying the band made my wedding and reception perfect. I can't thank Matt and his band enough! -- Katie B, Clarksville, MO, 11/17/07, Wedding The Matt Stedman Trio was worth every penny! They were absolutely wonderful! We definitely will have them back for an encore presentation! They had everyone toe tapping. Nothing but positive feed back from our guests! -- Michele C, Greenfield, WI, 10/25/07, Private Event This band was incredible - very talented and played a wide variety of music very well. Many guests commented on how great they were and how they really made the event special. Thank you so much! -- Carolyn J, St Charles, IL, 10/20/07, Private Party Matt Stedman from the start was a professional and personable individual to work with. We actually booked him without ever seeing a performance. We did eventually see him before our wedding, but it was the performance at the ceremony and wedding that blew our guests and us away! The ceremony music was beautiful and the reception music was appropriate, unique and extremely well performed. One wedding guest is already talking about booking the band for her Christmas party, while another wants to know if they have a CD he can buy. Tons of compliments all around! Thanks Matt Stedman and the Band for creating the PERFECT tone for our wedding! -- Melanie D, Chicago, IL, 10/13/07, Wedding The Matt Stedman Band played at our wedding reception. We also had violin and keyboard play at the ceremony. Matt was easy to work with and we loved their music. We are really pleased we choose them to play at our wedding. We definitely recommend the Matt Stedman Band! -- Melisa B, Hanna City, IL, 10/07/07, Wedding Matt was extremely helpful with my situation. My daughter lives in Cincinnati, OH and I live in Columbia, TN. She got married in Indianapolis, IN. He actually called my daughter and played music for her and helped her pick out her music. Let me tell you the trio was great!! Their music was beautiful it helped to make our day perfect. My only regret is I didn't have time to talk to him and let him know how much he was appreciated! If you are looking for someone for you music needs he is the person! Matt is very reliable and easy to work with. I am so grateful. -- Susan H, Indianapolis, IN, 10/6/07, Wedding We had Matt Stedman Band at our wedding reception and they were wonderful!! They listened to what we wanted and provided music that everyone enjoyed from our friends to our grandmothers!! They have a great mixture of songs and were very helpful and easy to work with in all steps of planning. Our Guests loved them; one of my guests loved them so much they hired them for their own wedding in a different state!! And one of my uncles wanted their CD! I cannot recommend Matt Stedman band highly enough!! -- Angeline B, Chicago, IL, 09/30/07, Wedding |
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My wedding was over three years ago and people are still talking about the band! We wanted a band that could keep kids from ages 5 to 75 on the dance floor all night. They did that and left our guests wanting more...begging for an encore. It was truly a highlight of our wedding day. The entire experience, from my first conversation with Matt through the wedding day, exceeded my expectations. If they are available for your wedding day, hire them now!
-- Anna J, Verona, WI, 9/22/07, Wedding Matt Stedman is a very talented violinist; he made our daughter's wedding at the Hotel Monaco very special. We HIGHLY recommend him for any special occasion. -- Margaret S, Chicago, IL, 9/24/2007, Wedding I heard Matt's band at a local restaurant and immediately knew I wanted him to play at our wedding. He played at both the ceremony and the reception. The ceremony music was gorgeous and I got tons of compliments on it. At the reception he played some great dancing songs and also mixed in a few songs from his IPod. All in all, we loved working with him and were so pleased with the fun element that they added to our wedding! -- Lauren M, Wheaton, IL, 09/16/07, Wedding Matt is very professional and easy to work with. His band was great. I look forward to using him again. -- Kathy K, Chicago, IL, 9/12/07, Corporate Event Matt and his band members were extremely accommodating, very talented and an absolute joy to have at our wedding. I've always dreamed of having a string ensemble at my wedding and now I can say I have. They were wonderful. I'd recommend them to any one planning a wedding or special event in the Chicago land area. -- Jennifer H, Elgin, IL, 9/1/07, Wedding The Matt Stedman Band played at our wedding and it was truly a wedding to remember. They played great music that got everyone on the dance floor. From the classical ceremony music to the blues for dinner and the rock/blues for the reception, their diverse music selections were well suited for our guests. Matt was very friendly and easy to communicate with which helped make planning the wedding less stressful. Even three months after the wedding we are still hearing from guests about the great music that made such a memorable wedding night! -- Jessica K, Chicago, IL, 8/25/07, Wedding The Matt Stedman Band was great at our wedding reception. They were very accommodating, playing requests and even providing accompaniment to a bride/groom performance. The band's wide selection/style range, performance talent and ability to 'read the crowd' kept the dance floor full of enthusiastic participants all night. Several attendees commented on how much they enjoyed the band, and some requested information on how to book them for their own events. We highly recommend this group. -- Kim M, Benton Harbor, MI, 8/3/07, Wedding We hired Matt Stedman because of their ability to perform the “Ashokan Farewell” during our wedding ceremony. It turned out great and everyone was very impressed. Matt did an excellent job and we were very pleased. -- Cheryl C, Willow Springs, IL, 7/29/07, Wedding Matt was very easy to talk to and put on a very good performance. He made our ceremony go very smoothly. -- Kristin S, Elmhurst, IL, 7/6/07, Wedding The Matt Stedman Band was so much fun to have at our wedding! They were full of energy and kept us moving and singing and dancing all night. They have great talent and are able to play so many genres of music. Matt was a pleasure to work with, and was consistently kind, generous, and professional throughout the planning process and our event. We thank them for making our wedding an incredible success. -- Nicholas D, Lake Geneva, WI, 6/30/07, Wedding |
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Matt and his band were absolutely perfect for our outdoor, casual event. The music was perfect, and the guys were really friendly. I would definitely recommend them to anyone who likes live music. Next time we have an event, we're calling Matt first!
-- Anna G, Monee, IL, 6/16/07, Private Party They did a great job!!! They are very high quality and very high energy. I would recommend them to anyone! The entire crowd loved them as well, and we received a ton of compliments about the band. -- Jessica S, Green Bay, WI, 6/3/07, Wedding Matt Stedman was great. People loved their music. Matt was so easy and professional to work with - he did a great job and was most accommodating. Would definitely recommend them - they did a fantastic job! -- Jennifer S, Chicago, IL, 5/19/07, Wedding If ever there was an original band with a great attitude and talent to no end, it's matt's band. They made our convention booth into the coolest spot in the whole place. The passion and pleasure that they exude when playing is sure to get them opportunities to play with some the brightest rising stars and maybe some old heavies too. Dave Matthews, Coldplay, Rocco Delucca, this is your opening act. -- Ray C, Chicago, IL, 4/17/07, Corporate Event I searched for months to find the right band for my wedding. I wanted a band that would be enjoyable and fun for all ages but wasn't a cookie cutter wedding band. Somehow, I (thankfully) happened upon The Matt Stedman band website and decided this was the band I had to have. And I was right. From classical violin to contemporary rock and roll, and everything in between, everyone at your wedding will love this band's talent, energy and versatility! -- Peg M, Setuaket, NY, 04/14/07, Wedding The Matt Stedman Band played at my wedding and they are very talented. They played the songs and types of music I asked for and were very accommodating. They were on time and very professional. I highly recommend them! -- Jenny D, Des Moines, IA, 3/24/07, Wedding I was very pleased with their performance - Matt was so very congenial to work with. I would definitely consider them for rehire. -- Suzanne J, Medinah, IL, 3/11/07, Private Event We hired the band for our presidential inauguration and I can't tell you how wonderful it was! Everyone, including the new president and first lady were thrilled with the band and the energy they had. They were very talented and I would hire them again in a minute. A big thank you to the Matt Stedman Band for making our event great! -- Amy W, Crawfordsville, IN, 1/27/07, University Performance The band was fantastic. They played for our corporate "Mardi Gras" themed party and were just perfect. Great dinner music to start the evening, and then opened it up after dinner for dancing. Highly recommended! -- Rob D, Minneapolis, MN, 1/26/07, Corporate Event Truthfully, I was somewhat nervous on what to expect when hiring a performer I had never heard in person and, though, I listened to a few of their songs on the website, I was still "concerned" what to expect for the full evening. From the second these musicians came to my door, I felt a huge relief!!! They were dressed "GQ"-like and had great personalities. The song list was exactly what I wanted and Matt Stedman met every expectation plus so much more. I knew this band was something special when I had several of my musician friends ask, "Where did you find these guys" "their awesome"!!! To Matt and the other members who performed: I can't thank you enough for such a wonderful party - personally, I feel the most important part of throwing a successful evening is the music and I really hit it on the head hiring you. I hope you enjoyed our party! -- Pamela M, Menomonee Falls, WI, 12/9/06, Private Party |
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It was a pleasure working with Matt. He was nothing but professional from the start. The Matt Stedman Band played a great variety of music, from a Louie Armstrong instrumental to an Irish jig to the Violent Femmes! This extremely danceable music kept the wedding party on their feet all night long!! A++!!!
-- Sheila C, Chicago, IL, 11/25/06, Wedding Thanks for coming at the last minute! -- Sarah K, Peru, IL, 10/26/06, Corporate Event I cannot tell you how happy I was with Matt Stedman Band. Setting up the contract was easy, and Matt listened to my plans, and worked with me to make sure everything was what I wanted. They were early for set up, which was very important because I was having a surprise birthday party for my wife. Most importantly they sounded great and played great music. My wife and I still cannot believe we had such an awesome professional band right in our family room. I think the web site is great as well. Thanks again, and now I just need to figure out where I can go see the band play. -- Brian L, Downers Grove, IL, 10/14/06, Private Party Matt Stedman and his band were great to work with and we would book them again if given the opportunity. We booked the band for a corporate training event with people of all diversities. Their description offered a wide variety of musical talent and they executed to the fullest. Great Job! (Go Cards!) -- Stacey F, Saint Louis, MO, 10/13/06, Corporate Event Matt Stedman band was very talented and we really enjoyed working with them. Great sound! -- Leanne S, Glencoe, IL, 10/6/06, Festival On a scale of 1-5, the Matt Stedman band is a 10! This talented group of musicians has an eclectic repertoire that can entertain any audience. From classical to zydeco, there wasn't any genre that they did not seem able to play. Matt's electric violin added to the unique sound of the band. As a corporate event planner with limited time, I also appreciated the professional business manner in which Matt handled our event. Thanks Matt & the band for a great performance. -- Judy T, Chicago, IL, 10/5/06, Corporate Event The Matt Stedman Band came out and played for our corporate event, and they were fantastic! We had a theme of "Mardi Gras" and they definitely played the right music. The crowd loved them! We'd definitely consider this band for future events, and encourage people to consider them as well! -- Shar E, Waukegan, IL, 9/15/06, Corporate Event Strongly recommended. The Matt Stedman Duo performed at my wedding. Matt was very enjoyable to work with throughout the entire planning process. He was extremely nice and very accommodating. Their performance was perfect for my outdoor wedding ceremony. Thanks!!! -- Jenny F, Dyer, IN, 8/5/06, Wedding The Matt Stedman band played exactly what I was looking for and fit the theme of the event. Many people came up to me and asked me how I heard of the band, where I found them, etc. because they were so impressed! They were fun and extremely professional. I plan to use them again for future events. -- Becky L, Crown Point, IN, 7/27/06, Corporate Event I would definitely work with The Matt Stedman Band again. They were very professional, easy to work with, and accommodating to what I had requested. Thank you so much for making our company picnic one to remember! Jennifer Porter -- Jennifer P, Long Grove, IL, 7/15/06, Corporate Event |
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Matt Stedman and his band were awesome. They are excellent musicians, very professional, good mannered. Everyone had a lot of fun. People that never danced before were on the dancing. We had an unforgettable night. The party was a real success and Matt and his musicians were the main raison for. I would recommend them without hesitation to anyone who is looking for a great party. Thank you Matt!!!
-- Violeta A, Des Plaines, IL, 6/25/06, Private Party We asked for dance-able music and they played a great mix for us; everyone was very impressed with their talent & kept asking me where I got the band. -- Katherine L, Deer Grove, IL, 6/17/06, Wedding The Matt Stedman duo truly made our event an overwhelming success. (People are still talking about how great the music was.) Their talent is superb, presentation is very professional, and repertoire is amazingly diverse--even with just two performers. I can't say enough good things about what a positive impact his music made at our grand opening event. It was a beautiful day at our festival, and he maintained a steady crowd at the adjacent stage throughout the performance, while providing just the right ambience for our neighboring market. He was prompt, pleasant, and exactly what I had hoped for. Can't wait to have another opportunity to book his entire band! Thanks, Matt for making finding this needle in a haystack such a breeze. -- Lynne K, Frankfort, IL, 6/4/06, Festival Very tight band and tasteful musicianship! I asked the band to tone it down a bit prior to the wedding because of my highly conservative family and they were all asking for more by the end of the night!!! I am very pleased with Matt Stedman band! As a musician the music was the most important thing (besides the bride of course) and I couldn't be happier! Thanks a lot and hope to see you again at our next party!! -- Peter K, Downers Grove, IL, 05/26/06, Wedding Everyone was AMAZED by them. I've had several people ask for their information so they can hire them for their next event! -- Meghan O, Clarendon Hills, IL, 5/12/06, Wedding Matt and his band were absolutely fantastic!! I cannot stress enough that this was the best party band I have ever experienced in my life -- if only I knew about them for our wedding!! Matt's violin, combined with recording-quality vocalist and drums and mandolin combined for a completely unique sound and festive mood. We requested some bluegrass, some country, some funk and he combined all of them for a smashing, knockdown night of music. Everyone was raving about the band, and likewise, everyone was dancing and having an absolutely great time. We loved them, and actually want to go out and see them perform again!! -- Caroline V, Chicago, IL, 10/29/05, Private Party |
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