Live Band vs DJ: The Soundtrack to Our Wedding
I wouldn’t call myself a hardcore music head but as someone who loves to dance, I know that music is the heartbeat of any great party. My husband on the other hand is obsessed with live instrumentation, so we knew from the start that live music would be part of our wedding.
We had the kete drummers for our ceremony but when it came to the reception, we weren’t sure whether to go for a live band or a well-known DJ? Spoiler alert, we ended up doing both.
The DJ Dream and the Hunt for Live Music
We actually knew pretty early on which DJ we wanted. His Cultur FM set was legendary and I had high hopes of reliving a uni rave on my wedding night.
Meanwhile, we were scouting options for live performers. Suggestions ranged from the saxophonist at Eadn Lounge (thanks to my younger cousin, who is definitely on a different kind of time) to Derek Simpey, a talented Ghanaian steel pan player (seriously, check him out on TikTok) who sadly, was based in the Netherlands and flying him over wasn’t in the budget.
Eventually, we set our sights closer to home and discovered two bands: Interflow Crew and Ozimzim Band. Interflow Crew looked great but were based too far North (I’m not sure how far reaching this blog is yet but if anyone is reading from the Midlands and is looking for a band, you should check them out!). Then we came across Ozimzim, veterans in the scene and from the reviews alone, we knew they were the real deal.
Enter the Ozimzim Band
From our first conversation with their manager, Nii, everything was seamless. He was open to our ideas but confident in his expertise. When I found out their lead singer was Amarh Pino, the genius behind the Ga classic Maria, I was geeking out. Celebrity performance at my wedding? Yes, please.
On the day they brought the house down. From Daddy Lumba (may he rest in peace, his music forever the heartbeat of Ghanaian culture) to Amakye Dede, and from Fameye to King Paluta, they had everyone on their feet. Our guests couldn’t even wait for our first dance to “open” the dance floor, they beat us to it and we were glad they did. Even my grandmother, in her 70s, was out there moving like she was 25 again.
The band didn’t just play music, they created moments. Highlife during our entrance, jazz during dinner and some more modern tracks to keep the energy alive, it was a seamless ride from start to finish.
When the DJ Took Over
Here’s the thing, following the band was always going to be a tough gig. Their sound quality, energy, and sheer stage presence were on another level. Our DJ was great, his Candy/Jealousy mix was honestly sick and had everyone on the dance floor. When I say everyone, I mean everyone even our photographer and content creator dropped their cameras to join in. I couldn’t even be mad, it makes for a hilarious story and, if anything, proves just how unbeatable the vibes were.
But the truth is, the band had already set the tone and raised the bar sky-high. Their old-school set landed so perfectly that even our DJ leaned into the same vibe. By the time the band wrapped up, the energy they created carried the night. Our sunglasses afterparty turned into a joyful free-for-all of requests and the dance floor stayed busy. In the end, we didn’t need a star DJ to make it memorable, the band had already blown the roof off and given us everything we could have dreamed of.
ATW’s Final Thoughts
If you are considering having live music at your wedding: do it. It’s worth every penny and we would hire the Ozimzim Band a thousand times over. Just don’t feel pressured to get the “best” of everything. Spend big where it really matters to you, and balance the rest.
Also, pro tip, always prepare for potential tech hiccups in advance…
Our wedding day flew by, but the music still plays in my head. Below are some of the tracks that carried us through the day. Happy listening and happy dancing!
Track list
Ceremony
Brass Band Medley - Team Eternity Ghana
Reception (Live Band)
Koforidua Flowers – Ofori Amponsah, Kofi B
Akwadawesoa - Amakye Dede
Mansa - Bisa Kdei
Brother Brother - Bisa Kdei
Makoma - King Paluta
Aben Wo Aha – Daddy Lumba
Very Soon – Fameye
Maria - Amarh Pino
Reception (DJ)
First Dance (accidentally):Yɛ Nea Woho B3tɔ Wo [Yentie Obiaa] - Daddy Lumba
Father/Daughter: Bottom of My Heart - Lucky Mensah
Mother/Son: Sweetie Pie - Kofi Kinaata