'It’s so funny what people like, they’ll always surprise you'

By Finnian Cox

While weddings are always a jubilant affair, the enjoyment levels can rely on a lot of factors - what’s the food like? Are you at the table near the bathroom wondering if you offended the groom recently?

However, nothing makes or breaks a wedding like the band - after the bride and groom, they arguably have the most important job.

This week Mairéad O’Leary of The Aristocrats talked to the Cork Independent to give an insight into their trade. Formed in the early 2000s, The Aristocrats boast experience that many other bands can only dream of.

Playing countless weddings, their wide catalogue has seen hundreds of dancefloors filled, and even more ties wrapped around heads.

“We like to think we’ve always kept quite a high standard, and have always prided ourselves on that,” says Mairéad.

Playing to an average of 100 people per gig, she explains that word of mouth is where a lot of their advertising is done, so anything less than perfect simply won’t work in their favour.

“You’re gonna have a high percentage of people who are paying attention, so you can’t afford to be anything but good,” says Mairéad.

“You could put all the money in the world into advertising, but then at the end of the day if you’re not very good, you haven’t put your money where your mouth is.”

Though this statement shines a light on the pressure bands are under, Mairéad says it with an amusing casualness - I get the impression that for The Aristocrats, their experience means that a performance is no less stressful for them than frying an egg. While she is the band’s keyboardist (and backup saxophonist who can also play the guitar in a pinch), Mairéad also holds the crucial role of doing their administrative work. Emails and phone calls, yes, but more importantly, setlists.

“I’m officially the musical director, but I’d never refer to myself as that,” says Mairéad, laughing.

Whether she accepts the term or not, her job is still crucial to the guests’ enjoyment. With three weddings per weekend in the busy summer months, we ask Mairéad how they adapt their set so rapidly- what songs get the best reactions?

“We try and cover as much as we can, so we do a kind of over the decades kind of thing,” she says, after some thought. “The oldies always work”.

“We’ll do a bit of swing, and then go into Elvis. The ‘80s are always a big hit, and the ‘90s too,” she says.

“Even early ‘00s are considered oldies, which is kind of frightening in how old it makes me feel that it’s even considered to be nostalgic.”

This statement in itself shows their range, but also the range they have to appeal to - not many other social events will see ages 8-85 celebrating alongside one another. While the setlist is a wide net, they’re casting it with precision. Mairéad explains they’re constantly gauging the audience’s reactions, to see what they like.

While the setlist is a work of precise art, requests are still encouraged and can be met with the best reaction depending on the venue.

“It’s happened in the past where an old-time waltz has been requested, and that is what gets the floor jointed,” says Mairéad, laughing and shrugging through the mystery of it all.

“Last year, we had this young couple who requested a Joe Dolan song as their first dance. It’s so funny what people like, they’ll always surprise you.”

Though not varying as extremely as the music, the venues are also a big part of what they have to consider, as well as being something Mairéad has a great appreciation for.

“More recently, you’ve got more and more of the kind of boutique wedding locations, where it’s not that standard thing of being in a hotel,” she says.

“We did a lovely one just outside Mitchelstown, which was essentially in a big barn, that’s been reworked for beautiful kind of bespoke weddings.”

While she does voice her appreciation for the design and hospitality of these locations, Mairéad also points out that the band see a different side than say, the bride and groom.

“Most venues are gorgeous, but for us it’s more of a challenge than anything to get our stuff in,” she says. “You see a different side when you’re going in the backdoor, but most places are lovely.”

While she conveys the challenges involved with the trade, the passion and expertise that Mairéad speaks of her craft with is palpable, and can only come from a place of real love for performing.