Bull City Syndicate Reviews

Bull City Syndicate

Raleigh, NC

4.9 out of 5 rating, 53 reviews

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4.9 out of 5 rating

4.9

Excellent

53 reviews

Recommended by 98% of couples

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Claire Sent on 11/01/2022

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Book this Band!

Bull City Syndicate is absolutely the BEST wedding band ever. They had all our guests on the dance floor, played all the songs we wanted to hear, and are some of the most talented musicians around with great energy. Multiple guests told us all night that we had such an amazing band! Steve was also super easy to work with from start to finish with booking the band. Look no further--this is the best wedding band in the Raleigh area and beyond!

Bull City Syndicate's reply:

Thank you, Claire!

We had a great time as well. So glad you guys were happy with everything. All the best!

Steve
Evan Sent on 07/07/2022

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These guys ROCK!

We hired BCS Express (6 piece) for my wedding reception and it was so worth it! So much better than a DJ and one of the best wedding bands I’ve seen.

They kept everyone on the dance floor all night and really knew how to get everyone moving - what a party!

Steve was super easy to work with and the band has a large repertoire of songs to pull from almost any genre. We had guests coming up to us all night saying how good the band was. They are all very talented musicians and the were an integral part of throwing a successful party.

I would highly recommend BCS to anyone having a wedding and if I ever need a band for another event I would certainly hire them again.
Deb Sent on 08/14/2021

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BCS rocks the party

Nothing but the best. We hired BCS for both our daughters' weddings and they absolutely keep the party going. From ceremony music, jazz unplugged at cocktail hour, MCing speeches and ensuring a packed dance floor all night - they do it all. Steve is great to work with. They even learned two songs to accommodate my daughter's ceremony choices. All our guests were raving about the band!

Are you interested?

C G Sent on 05/19/2021

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10 out of 10

Bull City Syndicate performed for us in their other incarnation, Captain & The Keels last weekend in Va Beach.

Can't remember the last time we had so much fun - even prior to the last year we had. This band is the real deal, and anyone interested in having the time of their life need not look any further than than this band. Professional, fun, courteous, creative, cool, great song list, energetic...I've run out of adjectives.

Thanks to the band for bringing the funk, and for driving 3.5 hours both ways to create an evening we will never forget!

If you want a night like that, they will produce. If that's what you want, then look no further. Thanks a ton!
Grace Sent on 05/03/2021

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Best Wedding Band!!

Look no further for a band ... they are fantastic. Great songs, great energy and great people! Steve was very easy to work with, quick with responding to questions and knows how to keep your guests dancing! We had a packed dance floor from the moment they started till the last song!!
Joe G. Sent on 05/03/2021

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Energy and atmosphere

Cant say enough about the experience we had dealing with Steve beforehand and then the whole band during our big day. From early on, they were responsive and clear with their communication about details and service.
As the wedding day approached Steve made sure to reach out and discuss final details with myself and our coordinator.
They arrived on time and ready to rock. Full band, quality equipment, light show and tons of energy.
I even told them I wish I could have been a guest at my own wedding so I could stand back and take it all in. We recieved so many compliments and kind words on how great the BCS Express were.
I felt their cost was super reasonable at time of contract signing considering all they bring to the table. But after all has been said and done, I would say they are a tremendous value. A one stop shop for entertainment. Life cocktail hour, full reception sets, DJ between sets, MC for the event, light show etc all for one price. Truly a great time, and a pleasure to experience.
Jordan Sent on 07/01/2019

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Best Decision Ever!

Bull City Syndicate was everything that we wanted for our wedding. I had seen them at a previous wedding and knew that I just had to have them when our big day came. It was extremely important to us that guests would be able to dance the night away, and they did not disappoint!! Working with Steve was super easy, as he was extremely responsive and helpful leading up to the event. The set list was exactly what we wanted and the group really got the crowd moving and grooving all night long. Guests were commenting all night and for weeks after the event on how great the band was, and everyone stayed dancing until the very end of the night. Best wedding band ever!
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Wil W. Sent on 11/14/2018

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Rocked the House!

We can't praise BCS enough for the show they put on at our wedding reception in Smithfield NC. From the very beginning Steve was an absolute pleasure to work with. You'll be hard pressed to find a better sounding group who can perform so many songs.

I wanted a Horn Band, but we got more than a Horn Band. We got a group of true professionals with a wide ranging sound who rocked the house! If you want everyone dancing, book BCS. No way you'll be disappointed.

Thanks BCS! We'll forever remember the best night of our lives!
Peter Sent on 06/20/2018

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This band rocked. Our guests loved them and everyone had a blast. They read the crowd perfectly and got everyone dancing.

They were super flexible and easy to work with.
Alex Sent on 06/15/2018

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Bull City Syndicate was fantastic! The price included playing at the wedding, cocktail hour and the reception. Steve was fabulous to work with and their song list can't be beat. No one ever left the dance floor! They know how to engage their audience and they made our daughter's wedding better than we could have imagined. Still smiling!
Sabrina Sent on 06/14/2018

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Bull City Syndicate was the PERFECT choice for our Daughters Wedding. They were able to accommodate our song requests and had everyone on the dance floor the whole wedding! Our guests still tell us how great the band was and how much fun they had!
Matt Sent on 06/14/2018

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Bull City Syndicate was one of the BEST elements of our wedding! The ability for a band to sustain the energy of an event and its guests can’t be underestimated. BCS brings a level of experience and professionalism that allows them to read and gauge the crowd and adjust their playlist accordingly. They also accommodated our first dance song with flawless execution. We still have guests raving about how great the band was!
Luisa Sent on 06/07/2018

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The best decision we made for our school Gala was to have Bull City Syndicate band! It was the first time the school had a band at the auction Gala and it was a complete success! The music was amazing and we all had a blast! Thank you so much!!
Jean Sent on 06/07/2018

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If you want a top notch AMAZING band with a variety of songs that will have your guests dancing and having a blast, I GUARANTEE Bull City Syndicate is THE choice!! So impressed with their performance for our Ravenscroft School Gala! Steve is truly the BEST!!! THANK YOU AGAIN!!
Diane Sent on 06/07/2018

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WOW!! THIS IS THE WEDDING BAND TO HIRE! My daughter and son-in-law's number one priority when planning their wedding was to find a great band that would get everyone on the dance floor. Bull City Syndicate certainly delivered! From the first call with Steve through the final song of the night at the reception, they were amazing and in every conversation about the wedding there is mention of "THE BAND". THANKS BULL CITY SYNDICATE for an amazing evening!
Randy Sent on 06/07/2018

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My daughter and now (son-in-law) love music and wanted a powerful band that would cater to all ages and genre. Well, Bull City Syndicate came through "in spades"! Their song selection was perfect! I mean, the teens loved them! the adults loved them! Even the conservative non-dancers loved them and, Yes...danced! The floor was packed! It is a tribute to the professionalism they bring as a "top-of-the-heap" band! Impressive "Tower of Power" horns! Soulful lead vox "to write home about". One of the things I loved about the band is their ability to come through in emergency situations! I woke up to screams that our wedding planner was in the hospital! Was on the phone immediately with the band's manager and was like, "No problem. We'll be there early to setup." What?! They worked with the interim wedding planner (my wife) who had a million things going on, but they (the band) was there working with every detail...sound system, ceremony music, stage striking in-between ceremony/reception, and every detail thrown at them! The VALUE for this kind of talent is off the charts! You get what you pay for and...wedding bands are no exception! Without a doubt one of the best bands this side of the east coast. I've been to too many weddings where a DJ turns on his iPhone. Well, there is nothing like "live" entertainment and when people were not dancing, they were truly being entertained by the live performance! The bride & groom were very pleased and that makes the Father & the Mother of the bride gleam with pride! Hats off to Bull City Syndicate! If this is truly your special day...Don't do a DJ! Hire the best...Bull City Syndicate!
Meredith Sent on 01/24/2018

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Bull City Syndicate was one of the best decisions we made when it came to planning our wedding. From the very beginning, Steve was very responsive and easy to communicate with. The entire band was professional and talented, and there wasn't a moment when the dance floor wasn't full. We had multiple people remark that it was the best wedding band they had ever seen. We have absolutely no regrets about hiring them, and wish we could do it all over again! We are so grateful to BCS for helping us have the best night of our lives.
Jane Sent on 10/19/2017

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Bull City Syndicate did an EXCEPTIONAL job at our wedding on October 14, 2017. They were so easy to work with and they played every song I requested live during the ceremony perfectly! I couldn't recommend them enough!
K Sent on 09/06/2017

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Great experience and fabulous music!
Hillary Sent on 11/15/2016

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After researching multiple bands for our May wedding we decided to go with BCS based on their amazing reviews online, and boy did they not disappoint! Steve was great to work with throughout the whole process, taking the time to put together an awesome playlist that had the dance floor packed all night long! I can't even begin to count the number of compliments we heard (and are still hearing) from our guests! Bull City Syndicate was truly the life of the party! You will not regret hiring them for your next event.
Sofija Sent on 11/14/2016

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Bull City Syndicate made our night. They were such an incredible band, had a wonderful stage presence, and were able to really work our crowd. All of our guests said that they were the best part of the night, and really played music tailored around what guests tended to be responding to at the time.
User2857460 Sent on 11/09/2016

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We absolutely loved Bull City Syndicate. They played all types of music and got our friends and family up and dancing. All of our guests have told us how much they enjoyed them. Would highly highly recommend Bull City!!
Andy Sent on 11/09/2016

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Bull City Syndicate played for my daughters wedding and did a fantastic job. One person after another at the reception told me how awesome the band was. I'm still hearing great feedback a month later. I've worked with them in the past and will again a month from now for a future event. If you need a band that can deliver, Bull City Syndicate is the band!
Eric Sent on 11/08/2016

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These guys are the real deal. Professional, courteous, and downright rocking. No complaints.
C A Sent on 11/03/2016

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Steve and Bull City Syndicate made sure we all had a great time at my wedding this summer. They exceeded every expectation in professionalism and responsiveness. That's not something one should take for granted during wedding planning or even the event itself.

What set the band apart, for me, and created such a memorable experience was a surprise dedicated song in my favorite style of music. Little things like that make for a next level experience and that's why I'd eagerly recommend Bull City Syndicate to my friends and family.
Anthony Sent on 11/02/2016

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Awesome, awesome, awesome band!!! Professional, courteous, put-together, great sound.....the whole package. You can't go wrong with Bull City Syndicate!
Megan Sent on 10/31/2016

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Bull City Syndicate made our wedding THE BEST DAY EVER! If you are looking for a show-stopping band look no further. Steve and his team were amazing to work with and truly made our wedding so great. Everyone that was there is still talking about how great of a band they were. We did the 10 piece full band just because we said we should go big or go home and they did not disappoint. They even learned a very different song for the mother/groom dance which was something as the bride I wanted to surprise them with! Book this band for your wedding or any other fun event you have planned and you will not regret it!
Lisa Sent on 08/07/2016

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After my mother saw BCS at a wedding two years ago, she was set on having them play for ours, and we are so glad we listened to her! They are incredible! They are fun, energetic, and know how to get (and keep) the party going! Everyone at our wedding was out on the dance floor - even my 93 year old grandmother! Its been 2 months and our guests are still raving about this band and they fun that they had. Their song selection is huge, there was really something for everyone. And if you request a song before the wedding, they are happy to learn it!
We loved working with Steve and BCS Express! We are so happy with their performance, and hope to see them again sometime in the near future!
Ryan Sent on 05/23/2016

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They were awesome!! They had all of our guests up and out on the dance floor all night long! People loved the mix of old and new songs and all the mashups they did! I would definitely recommend Bull City to anyone looking for a fun and really talented band! Thank you all everything!
Lindsay Sent on 04/28/2016

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BCS played for my wedding reception, and as the Bride one the most important aspects of my reception was that it was a huge party with non stop dancing and I can say hands down that BCS rocked the house!!!! No one left the dance floor let alone the SIDES of the dance floor!! Everyone was dancing! From the horns, to the vocals, to the overall performance and song choice BCS absolutely blew it out of the water and made my reception exceptional! They even stayed an extra 30 minutes after my new husband and I left to keep the party going! You guys were AMAZING! Thank you so much for such a fun night!!!
User2455266 Sent on 12/06/2015

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Bull City Syndicate was amazing. Booking them was easy, Steve is easy to work with and very friendly. They played with a ton of energy, and they honestly were the talk of the wedding. Later everyone I spoke to said I had the best wedding band that they had ever heard. I agree!
298Bf72A94424596C29145B22F37E864110Eb3Be Sent on 10/08/2015

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Bull City Syndicate was first recommended to me by my friend/groomsman whom used to work with Steve (leader of the band) and told me that if I wanted an energetic band that would work closely with me to make the event exciting, then I need look no further. He was exactly right. After discussing the options with Steve we opted to go with the 7 piece band over the 10 piece, mainly due to the size of our venue. Steve pretty much told me from the beginning that if there was any song that I specifically wanted for the reception he would provide it. Throughout the year or so that we spent planning our wedding steve was always available for quick discussions and ideas about their performance. On the day of the wedding the music was phenomenal. People kept telling us that they had never been to a reception where the dance floor was so packed and energetic throughout the entire night. I myself and my wife hardly left the dance floor except for the obligatory mingling with our guests. They truly know how to read a crowd and are able to flow from song to song in a way that keeps everyone engaged and happy to dance endlessly. My wife and I are so happy that we went with BCS and couldn't imagine choosing anyone else in hindsight. If you are looking for a band that will make any event fun and exciting, you need look no further. Thank you again to Steve and the rest of the amazing band members for making our wedding so rememberable!
Shirley Sent on 06/22/2015

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Great band. If you want to have a rockin' good time and dance all night long give Bull City Syndicate a call. Great vocals.
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The most professional "show band" that we could have retained for a formal attire event which was attended by 230 people primarily between the ages of 25-65 years old. The music mix manuscript was perfect and the performance sound was bold and authentic to the period of the particular song being played.
We chose to book the entire band inclusive of heavy horns and it gave the full musical retinue needed for a "shock & awe" performance experience that you do not mind paying for, since memories of the attendees will always be the balance of a great band (which makes the party) and great food & beverage.
Bull City Syndicate is "the real deal" for those who insist on serious quality but try to get the best value for their money ... put your money down for their ride and you will want to go again.
Elliott Sent on 04/18/2015

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We had Cafe Mars (now BCS Express) play our wedding in Wrightsville Beach, NC in September 2012 and they were phenomenal. They were very experienced and professional, and Steve led the wedding announcements great. The music was incredible and we still get compliments on how good the music was two years later! I highly recommend them.
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This band is absolutely incredible! My husband and I got married this past weekend and I could no be happier that we chose BCS Express (6 piece vs 9 piece band) for the music. They played during our ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception. Steve, the manager, MC'd during the wedding, and he was professional and flexible. The ceremony/cocktail hour music was a perfect volume, and the pieces they chose were perfection. The reception was upbeat and fun, and there were always people dancing!! I could not recommend them any higher, I hope to see them at another wedding soon!!
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We engaged Bull City Syndicate to play at our daughter's wedding at Wrightsville Beach NC. It was a destination wedding with 120 guests. We wanted a band that was a little out of the ordinary and especially one with a lot of brass. Bull City Sndicate really delivered. They made the evening with their spectacular performance. They played an impressive selection of songs that kept the dance floor crowded all evening. They played songs that would be beyond the capability of most ordinary bands. The guests were blown away with the performance. We received compliments on the band all evening. If you're looking for a band that's beyond the ordinary you should consider Bull City Syndicate. The band is very experienced at playing weddings and the band leader, Steve Baker, is a perfect emcee. We were very pleased with their performance and highly recommend Bull City Syndicate
Robert Sent on 01/01/2012

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Where do I start! I was actually the father of the groom and charged with providing the entertainment for the reception. I searched on-line for several months and narrowed my choices to a few bands. Then I decided a road trip was necessary in order to hear the bands live. We live in Southern West Virginia and made a trip to Raleigh, North Carolina to hear Bull City Syndicate at a local night club. Within a few minutes we knew they were the one!! I signed my contract on the spot and wrote a check for the deposit.

On the day of the wedding at Glade Springs Resort in West Virginia a transformer blew and left the building without power. Glade Springs was totally unprepared for this disaster. Therefore, I sprang into action and contacted one of my friends who was a licensed commercial electrician. RW Electric quickly arrived on the scene with a diesel powered 100,000 watt generator and Bobby and I began the long process of providing power to the kitchen and to the band. The Glade Springs Resort staff provided candle lighting on all the tables and that was about it. Bobby and I completed the temporary power just in time for me to get to the church in time for the wedding. Keep in mind the resort had no power to any of their hotel rooms, the parking lot, or any of the grounds area. After the wedding, the band played softly in the background during most of the cocktail and dinner time. Then they took of their handcuffs and kicked the doors down!!!! The dance floor could not contain all the people - guests of all ages were shaking and moving till they dropped!!! I personally wore out my 53 year old wife, 71 year old aunt, and several of the college age young ladies!!! And the band kept on playing and playing and playing. No we were not just a bunch of dumb uneducated drunk hillbillies either. The party was made up many of my sons Ivy League classmates who had never been to West Virginia before. There were stockbrokers, doctors, teachers, consultants, bankers, accountants, contractors, electricians, Republicans, Democrats, Independents, Baptists, Catholics, and Jews. We all had an awesome time!!! I couldn't tell you how many people commented that it was the best reception they had ever attended!! Bull City Syndicate stole the show!! At the very end of the night they downloaded John Denver's County Roads and everyone gathered around the dance floor in a large group hug and sang the words "take me home to the place where I belong, West Virginia" What a night!!!! I enjoyed them so much I also have them booked for our high school 70's decade (1970-1979) reunion in June 2012!! They were the best part of the wedding!!!! P.S. Glade Springs Resort is highly overrated. They agreed to pay for the generator and labor for the temporary power but have yet to pay the invoice. Take my advice and spend the extra dollars and go to The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs.
Carolyn Sent on 09/20/2018

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They will not disappoint. I got endless comments about how great our band was. They were amazing. Highly recommend.
Stephanie Sent on 11/15/2016

4.9 out of 5 rating
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We hired BCS Express for our wedding reception and they truly made our event amazing! My husband and I are both graduate students and paid for our wedding by ourselves so I was very hesitant due to the cost and this definitely was a splurge, but my husband and I are so glad that we did. They far exceeded our expectations, their set list is amazing, we had guests from ages 23 - 70 and everyone loved their music and sound. They truly are musicians, beautifully transitioning between songs and even intertwining them, the dance floor was never empty and they are great entertainers! They even got my mom on the dance floor which I have never seen in my life! We got married over a month ago and our guests are still raving about the band! They are certainly not a traditional wedding band and we love that about them, their music is outstanding!
Molly Sent on 10/17/2016

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BCS played at our wedding last weekend (October) and was AMAZING! We looked everywhere for a band with a horn (or 3!) that played a variety of music (current, oldies, mo-town, beach music, etc.) and BCS hit the mark on all accounts. They were absolutely great to work with leading up to the event - Steve was very professional and easy-going and answered all of my questions. We got SO many compliments from our guests on the band - they kept the crowd dancing and engaged all night, which is exactly what we wanted! BCS also performed our ceremony music on a classical guitar. Finding a wedding band is hard, but I guarantee you will not regret choosing Bull City Syndicate!
User2444889 Sent on 11/28/2015

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Amazing band, every single guest commented on how great they were. Pretty laid back/flexible. Huge repertoire of songs.
Matthew Sent on 03/11/2020

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Wedding at Stockroom at 230

Steve and The Bull City Syndicate kept the dance floor bumping the entire night at our wedding. They had a killer live sound and a great playlist for all ages. I highly recommend them!
Alexandra Sent on 07/10/2019

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Absolute Rock and Roll

Not looking for someone with an acoustic guitar for your wedding? This band has you covered. Growing up with live music and a dad in a rock 'n roll ban, we knew we wanted a band with lot's of energy and mojo for our wedding. When we asked around, not one, but TWO people recommended Bull City Syndicate. By the end of the night we shot them an email, and we were on the phone the next day reviewing logistics. Steve and the band were great and flexible on so many things for us- and played an amazing two sets at our wedding!
Louisa Sent on 12/03/2018

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Great band!

We hired Bull City Express (6 piece band) for our wedding after having a negative planning experience with another band. We are SO glad that we decided to switch to them. They took our special requests into consideration and were willing to learn our first dance songs that weren't on their set list. We appreciated their advice regarding the flow of the events and also that they allowed us to use their microphone and speaker during our ceremony. Our wedding guests loved that we had a live band and the dance floor was packed all night! No one wanted to leave when the time came! Would definitely recommend to others.
John Sent on 04/25/2016

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the band was outstanding - told steve I didn't want anyone to sit down after 10pm - I don't think anyone sat down after 9pm - including the band! - good time had by all - they made my daughter's wedding reception very special - I highly recommend the bull city syndicate
Rachel Sent on 06/22/2015

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Absolutely loved this band! Everyone had a great time at our wedding and complimented the music. They were very fun and knowledgable and a did a great job of playing music everyone would love. My parents struggled with the idea of a band vs DJ but they loved the band so much too they rebooked them for an office party the next year. You won't regret booking this band!
Michelle Sent on 08/23/2012

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They are absolutely unbelievable! They know how to get the crowd going. They play every genre of music, so everyone enjoys them. I genuinely hope I get to see them at one of my friends weddings or an event in the near future!
Valerie Sent on 06/29/2011

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By far the best band in the Triangle area. Steve Baker and BCC made our wedding a night to remember. They allowed us to choose our Yes and "Heck No" song lists, and were talked about all night long. They knew how to use our event space perfectly, and their sound was a perfect fit for our style and musical tastes. This talented group of musicians really made our wedding extraordinary!
User896050 Sent on 08/12/2012

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Bull City Syndicate was amazing! We knew we wanted a big horn band and they were the ideal band for our Durham based wedding. They played to the crowd and got everyone up dancing by the end. The whole experience with them was great and Steve asked us to trust him, we did, and he proved to be great! The best thing that happened was during the Mother Son dance, the CD we made did not have the full song (???) so it cut off half way through My Wish by Rascall Flats and the female vocalist picked up and finished the song! The band even caught on and played too! I thought it was planned until we talked to the band and realized she literally saved the song and dance impromptu!!!! That there proved how great they are!
Caitlin Sent on 04/27/2022

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Great energy!

BCS made our wedding reception so fun! We knew we for sure wanted a live band instead of a DJ and working with BCS to curate a setlist for the night was great. Their reputation precedes them and they did a great job with classic songs, newer hits, and special requests. I would definitely recommend them!
Elizabeth Sent on 08/06/2009

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Bull City Syndicate was awesome!! The energy they brought to the reception made the perfect dance party and a night to remember for everyone!!! I just wish they would have played a little longer...
Jessica Sent on 09/12/2011

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We hired Cafe Mars, which is a subset of the larger band Bull City Syndicate.

I have mixed feelings about their performance. The singer has a great voice and the band are all good musicians. They learned 2 new songs for us for our 1st dance and father-daughter dance.

BUT they played the wrong kind of music. We wanted stuff that people would dance to (e.g. Twist and Shout), but they mostly played disco and songs that no one knew. At one point, we asked them to shift gears and play more stuff people could dance to. That helped a bit, but still people weren't inspired enough by the song choices to get out on the floor.

Go ahead and hire them because they're a good band but don't make the same mistake we did of leaving the play list up to them. Tell them what you want!

Bull City Syndicate's reply:

First of all, Cafe' Mars is NOT Bull City Syndicate. There is some crossover in song list and band membership, but Cafe' Mars is unique from the larger group. After only ONE song, the mother of the bride was insistent upon us playing "classic" rock tunes, which is simply NOT a substantial part of the band's PUBLISHED set list - which the BRIDE and GROOM chose the band from. This was not a case of "leaving" it up to the band to decide, has stated in this review. This was a case of the 'mother of the bride' not approving of what the bride and groom chose.

Frankly, I could dispute this review, and have it removed, as this is NOT a review of Bull City Syndicate. But, I think it's instructive to potential buyers to understand a couple of things as they make their own decisions:

1 - Every crowd is different. For a myriad of reasons, the 'personality' of one wedding to the next can differ greatly. As such, it can take a song or two, or THREE(!) to gauge the audience's overall expectations, and adapt to the prevailing personality of that group - all the while bearing in mind, FIRST, the already stated expectations of the BRIDE and GROOM - even when it differs from the preconceptions of another family member!

2 - In this case, the band was chosen by the groom and bride, NOT the bride's mother, who was most vocal in her displeasure of the first couple of songs - and was demanding tunes by the Rolling Stones. Fact is, you can't please everyone in a wedding audience, and not even every family member. The best approach is to choose the band FOR WHO THEY ARE, not for who you HOPE THEY WILL BE. Every band has a personality - even variety acts. In this case, Cafe' Mars, is NOT a Rolling Stones cover band.

3 - Finally - at this event, they danced, and they danced all night - right up to the last dance. The 'mother of the bride's' own sister came to me and apologized for her sister's behavior. Because of the mother's overtly expressed displeasure, I asked the groom, during the first break, if we should be doing something different. His exact quote:

"No. It's perfect. Everyone's having a great time."

Well, everyone, except his new mother-in-law, that is - who said to me after only TWO songs, "I'm paying you, and you'll play what I want you to play."

Uh . . . ma'am . . . that's something to be dealt with BEFORE the band is hired - not after they are already on stage. There are literally billions of songs, and thousands which work nicely for most receptions, but NO BAND knows them all. If your own special request is not played, it does not mean the band is being belligerent or uncooperative. Is could be, out of the hundreds of songs we know, THAT is not one of them. It could be that the BRIDE and GROOM have already given us their "preferred play list," and their "please don't play list," in advance - and your request was on the 2nd list.

In closing . . . Both Bull City Syndicate and Café Mars are highly rehearsed, professional bands, with a long resume of hundreds of successful wedding and corporate events. Unlike many bands, these are not 'pick-up' acts, with rotating players, who barely know half the songs. As a result, the informed buyer is getting a high-level of musicianship, professionalism, and EXPERIENCE.

You see, we do this every weekend . . . Not just once or twice in a lifetime. As with this event, we will know within a few songs which musical direction is needed to appeal to the largest portion of the crowd - while filtering that through the stated expectations of those who matter most: the BRIDE and GROOM. And believe me, to us, THEIR opinion matters the most. Ultimately, it is THEIR day. Don't you agree?

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