Ring of Music Band & Orchestra Reviews

Ring of Music did a FANTASTIC job at our fundraiser! Our guests had nothing but praise for the musicians and the genres of music they covered at the event. Everybody was dancing and having a great time! If you want a professional band and amazing music, look no further than Ring of Music!
— Ann Marie M, Vernon Hills, IL, 09/24/22, Corporate Event

They were very well organized and everyone loved the music!
Lara B, Libertyville, IL, 09/18/22, Wedding

Booked for a corporate event. From the moment they led off with a Black Crowes song I knew we were in for a great day of music. Fantastic vocalists and musicians, friendly and professional from the moment they stepped on our site to the moment they left, and musically they really did play a little something for everyone.
— Jerome G, Chicago, IL, 08/21/22, Corporate Event

I have never, ever written a review before, but Ring Of Music Band & Orchestra deserve to be recognized. If more than 5 stars could be given, they would received the highest rating. My fiance initially saw the band at another wedding 6-7 years ago and they made quite the impression. When we began our wedding prep process, he knew he wanted Ring of Music Band & Orchestra. From the beginning to the end, they were phenomenal. From the first phone call, they were incredibly professional, straightforward, and organized. During the music selection process, once again everything was organized and simple. The music selection is vast and there are various genres to choose from. Approval was a big component of their process. We loved that they only play what we approved, which meant we listened to all the songs we loved. When it came to wedding day, we were blown away. They made the whole reception so flow. Transitions were easy with introductions, cake cutting, speeches and right into dancing. They showcased their talent and had everyone on the dance floor the entire night! It would not have been the same wedding without Ring of Music! We got so many compliments on how great they were before the wedding was even over and the compliments continued days after the wedding! To quote some of our guests, “If people are not having fun, especially with this band, they are choosing to have a bad time!” If you want a fun, memorable wedding with amazing music, Ring of Music is for you!
— Angelica S, Wheeling, IL, 08/13/22, Wedding

Ring of Music delivered on ALL our wedding expectations! Our biggest fear going into the process was keeping our friends and family on the dance floor… ROM did NOT disappoint with their set list and everyone danced all night long! Big thanks to Matt Stedman and the ROM team! Would highly recommend!
— Nick C, Burlington, WI, 08/06/22, Wedding

Very thorough and clear booking process. Musicians were great and my corporate group really enjoyed the band.
— Angela K, Chicago, IL, 08/04/22 Corporate Event

Matt Stedman is an entertainment professional! He is knowledgeable, responsive, and determined to please his clients. We have used Ring of Music for several of our trade shows. He matches the event with just the right musician(s). They are top-notch, professional musicians. I highly recommend Matt Stedman and Ring of Music.
— Terre H, Wheaton, IL, 08/04/22, Corporate Event

Planning was extremely accomodating and painless. The RoM crew on the day of the event was prompt in their arrival and provided a service that exceeded all expectations. It was a huge highlight for our wedding and still talked about with our family and friends. Would highly recommend. Their professionalim from the administration to the musicians was excellent and their availabile repertoire you will find very enjoyable. A+
— Brian H, Orland Park, IL, 07/09/22, Wedding

Ring of Music played at out anniversary dinner and dancing celebration, and they were a hit with everyone who attended.
— Bob M., Saugatuck, MI, 06/25/22, Anniversary Celebration

The band was thorough, professional, and great to work with. From the first phone call – it was clear that they would be prepared and would anticipate things that I might not. They were so much fun and kept people out on the dance floor. Only complaint is that the night went by too fast!
— Mary Pat P, Joliet, IL, 06/25/22, Wedding

Amazing band! Matt was so awesome to work with!!! Great energy, cost and the guests loved them! We used them for a work happy hour and they did not disappoint!
— Alyssa B, Chicago, IL, 06/19/22, Corporate Event

Biggest Thank You Ever to RIng of Music for providing the Best Entertainment at a wedding reception in my whole Life! When we contacted Matt for our daughter’s reception you truly put us at ease with your explanation of the whole process. The music and vibe was everything you promised and more. Our wedding guests have been contacting us the last two weeks stating hands down best entertainment ever! Looking forward to planning another party so we can have the Ring of Music again!
— Peg S, Oak Brook, IL, 05/21/22, Wedding

Amazing band, amazing energy, and a memorable experience!
— Matt F, Milwaukee, WI, 05/14/22, Wedding

Thank you for a great event, our member really enjoyed your talents, and we appreciate your flexibility during the event with all our other activities going on. I highly recommend Ring of Music for any event and will definitely work with them again in the future.
— Royce B, Elk Grove Village, IL, 05/05/22, Corporate Event

I had the pleasure of working with Matt Stedman, Ring of Music – he was amazing to work with. We booked talent with his company in 2020 which never happened because of COVID-19. We finally hosted our event last week (April 2022) and Matt honored the 2020 contract – Thank you. The pianist/vocalist that performed at our evening event had amazing vocals, great musicianship and had a vast repertoire. His performance added to the overall enjoyment of the event. I would highly recommend working with Matt and his musicians… I will be booking talent again from him for our 2023 event. Carla Fuqua, CMP Senior Manager, Meeting and Conferences IREM – Chicago, IL
— Carla F, Chicago, IL, 04/25/22, Corporate Event

Matt was an absolute pleasure to work with.The musicians he put together for our event ROCKED! They kept the audience engaged and covered every genre and generation of music to please all of our attendees. Look forward to working with them again on future events.
— Katie S, Chicago, IL, 04/05/22, Corporate Event

We hired Ring of Music for our Sorority formal, and they were FANTASTIC! We have never had live music at one of our events before, so this was definitely a big risk, however Ring of Music absolutely killed it. I had so many people coming up to me telling me how awesome they were!! I absolutely recommend booking them for your next event. The talent is just spectacular.
— Julia C, Madison, WI, 04/08/22, Corporate Event

We enjoyed working with Ring of Music, they provided a fantastic Irish Duo for St. Patrick’s Day!
— Kirstin B, Glenview, IL, 03/15/22, Corporate Event

I personally guarantee you that this is the best group you can possibly hire to be your wedding band. This group is the best there is. I’ll break up my review (which you should read closely if you’re considering Ring of Music for your wedding band) into two parts: 1) the band/music/sound itself and 2) everything else.

1) There’s a certain minimum band quality threshold after which you can choose between several really good options and know that you’re going to get a great-sounding band. Of course ROM is way above that threshold…the baseline point I want to make is that they were the best-sounding, highest energy band I’ve ever seen at a wedding, and that was consistently what friends and family kept saying throughout the night. In my first phone conversation with the owner of ROM, Matt Stedman, I subconsciously brushed off his guarantee that the dance floor would be packed the whole night. Well, after reading the monotonously repetitive online reviews saying “we’ve never seen such a packed dance floor at a wedding!!!” I am reluctant to say it but I can’t resist. I’ve truly never seen a wedding dance floor look or be that fun the entire time. At one point during the reception, the violinist/fiddler (yes, that’s an option, and I highly recommend choosing it) and the guitarist were soloing back and forth during a song and probably 30 people (including my bride and I) stopped dancing and just stared at the band in a state of “wow they’re that good.” Yep, they really are “that good.”

2) Regarding everything else, I can honestly say that if you knocked down the sound quality of the band a few notches, knowing what I know after working with them, I would still pick ROM again because of how great they were to work with. If you choose ROM as your band, you’ll spend a lot of time on the phone with the owner, Matt Stedman. Matt is simply elite. He’s an expert at his craft, and you will be blown away by how much he genuinely wants you and your loved ones to have the best experience possible at your wedding.

Another thing worth noting: the song list. You may find with wedding bands that you’ll get to choose around 10 “must plays” but that, other than that, you’re forced to trust the “expertise” of the band to read the room and play the perfect songs to keep the dance floor fun. Of course you hate that design…you should. ROM’s design is perfect. You open up a massive well-organized spreadsheet with every song you can think of. You pick 12 “must plays.” Then you pick at least 50 (but as many as possible) songs from which the band will curate their setlist. This way, no song will be played that you as the bride & groom didn’t choose, guaranteeing that you won’t hear a single song you don’t like.

Okay, one more main reason why you should choose ROM. AT NO EXTRA COST, you can choose for ROM to be your day-of coordinator. Yes, you read that right. If you simply select the box, ROM will coordinate with all of your vendors weeks in advance and literally be your entire day-of coordinator to ensure that everything with the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception runs smoothly. It was extremely helpful.

Alright, if you’re still reading, book with ROM. I was on the fence with a few really high quality bands and I am so glad that we went with ROM. Notice how many 5-star reviews they have compared to the other bands you’re looking at…yes, they’re that good. I’m proud to join the chorus of insanely high-praising reviews for ROM.
— Brooks D, St. Louis, MO, 03/05/22, Wedding

Ring of Music is definitely your wedding band! Their talent was palpable and they kept everyone dancing the entire night – truly, the dance floor was not empty once. They did a great job with breaks with the DJ and Andrea was a great MC and organized our special dances without any concerns or issues. They also worked really well with our wedding coordinator.
— Madeleine & Jordan T, Chicago, IL, 10/30/21, Wedding

We can’t express enough how much the band made our night. Our expectations were high and they still managed to be exceeded. Matt, Holly and the entire team put us at ease through the entire process, and went above and beyond to ensure all of our needs were met. On the day, the band absolutely blew us away — and a month later we’re still getting compliments from our guests. Cannot recommend ROM enough — I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.
— Matt G & Allison H, Chicago, IL, 10/02/21, Wedding

When we planned our wedding, the band was one of our top priorities. And, let me tell you… Ring of Music was worth every penny and more. Not only were the musicians and vocalists phenomenal, but the pacing and song list was top notch. Even during the planning process, Matt Stedman was an incredible guide, ensuring our song list was perfect and that everything was organized to fit our vision. Another selling point with Ring of Music was the fact that we could coordinate other areas of music for the wedding day, such as the ceremony and cocktail hour. They made it so easy! If you like good music and dancing, then Ring of Music is a must for your wedding!
— Robert & Taylor M, Chicago, IL, 10/02/21, Wedding

Going with Ring of Music was one of the best decisions we made for our wedding. It was one of the top highlights for the night and we continue to receive comments on how the band made it one of the most memorable weddings for our guests. As for us as the bride & groom, I think ROM was a large part of what made that the best day of our lives. It was truly incredible to have a packed dance floor throughout the night and was better than we could’ve ever imagined. Plus Matt was so easy to work with. I couldn’t recommend ROM enough!
— Allison & David B, Chicago, IL, 09/25/21, Wedding

Ring of Music was phenomenal!!! I was very nervous before booking a band as we wanted the band to play the music we really liked and to get everyone at our wedding on the dance floor. They were GREAT – I had so many guests come up to me asking where I found the band. The band also threw in extra band members and a guitarist for my cocktail hour for no extra charge. They were great to work with – very detail oriented in terms of nailing down a feasible timeline for the night, emceeing to make sure everything went smoothly, listening to what type of music we wanted, and performing great music that everyone wanted to dance to. Highly recommend!!
— Grace W, Lake Forest, IL, 09/18/21, Wedding

We truly loved this experience. From planning it to the actual event, everything was professional. The music was great and contributed to being one of the best events we’ve had! Would recommend without any hesitation.
— Sejal C, Oak Brook, IL, 09/17/21, Private Event

For my wedding we did a nine piece band and it was AMAZING. ROM was great to work with the entire time, and offered a wide range of music to choose from. We gave them a list of our top songs but pretty much left it up to them, they are the experts after all, and we are SO glad we did. The dance floor was full all night and all of our guested loved it, even our bar tenders made comments on how special it was and how great the music was. Even the DJ music was on point. Also, ROM had great ideas to help us plan, giving us tip and trips to making the evening successful to other ideas we never thought of. One of my favorite memories from the night was the last song of the evening was the original version of our first dance song (we did a cover for the first dance), As me and my new husband danced to our song and reflected on the day knowing it was our last dance was really special. I was crying my eyes out as we slow danced to end the night. This idea was ROM’s and truly added another special moment that I will never forget. I cannot recommend ROM enough to anyone looking for a band. The team is amazing to work with and made the night so special.
— Megan & Kevin K, Benton Harbor, MI, 09/11/21, Wedding

Ring of Music is a phenomenal group to work with in every way! My husband and I hired Ring of Music for our September 2021 wedding and we couldn’t have been happier. From the very beginning of the process, and it was a long one, with four date changes due to Covid. Matt blew us away with his endless flexibility, understanding, clear passion for music, detailed questions and genuine interest in getting to know us as a couple and really understanding what we wanted for our wedding. Simply by discussing a few songs we liked Matt was able to make numerous suggestions on specific instruments that could be included in the band and songs to consider for that band composition. Unlike every other group we talked to that did the bare minimum – zero phone calls, and just emailed us a pricing sheet and a song list to pick from. The effort that went into making sure Ring of Music was a good fit for our budget and wedding was incredible. At no point did we ever feel pressured or left in the dark when working with Matt. He is extremely responsive, communicative and thorough and that’s invaluable in a wedding vendor when there are dozens of other things to be stressed about. After postponing for a year and a half, my husband and I could not wait to see if Ring of Music would live up to our expectations. They exceeded everything we had hoped for and truly was the highlight of the reception! Ring of Music provided music for us through out our wedding. We had a string quartet for the ceremony, pianist and cello for the cocktail hour and a 10 piece band for the reception. Not only do they offer an extensive song list but the variety of genres Ring of Music performs live was amazing. The band seamless transitioned from Lizzo, to Sublime to The Righteous Brothers and made it flow so the dance floor was packed all night. Every song they played sounded awesome and the talent among the band was insane. Aside from being fantastic, all the musicians were friendly and so obviously enjoy what they do. The energy Ring of Music brought to our wedding was unmatched. Matt and his entire team were unbelievably easy to work with, invested in our vision and 100% focused on providing the perfect experience. Let Ring of Music do what they do best as the really are industry experts and phenomenal performers, and your concept of a “wedding band” will never be the same. They really brought the entire experience up a level and we would choose them again for literally any event!
— Jess & Aaron K, Chicago, IL, 09/09/21, Wedding

Ring of Music did a fabulous job at our wedding. We cannot recommend them highly enough. They’ve done other family weddings and will continue to do so in the future. Matt is very helpful and responsive. When we needed to postpone our wedding he was incredibly flexible and we had no issues. He really got to understand us as a couple to make sure that he would give us what we wanted. Our ceremony was outside but none of the guests had an issue hearing anything. The music cues were perfect. The reception was a blast. The dance floor was packed the entire night, so much so that people were often dancing to the side since it was so crowded. The band also did a great job emceeing and making sure things moved smoothly. Many guests came up to us and told us it was the best wedding music they had ever experienced; one couple called their babysitter to stay out longer since the band kept playing songs they wanted to dance to.
— Amy & Matt D, Chicago, IL, 09/05/22, Wedding

The band we had was a huge hit! Everyone loved them. Matt was great, he was very thorough, very friendly and easy to talk to. Definitely recommend The Ring Of Music as your wedding band!
— Chelsey & Chad S, Wisconsin Dells, WI, 09/04/21, Wedding

This band is phenomenal!! We have seen our fair share of bands at wedding receptions and you Ring of Music was by far the best we’ve seen. Ring of Music coordinated with all of our vendors, emceed our reception, and put on a fantastic live performance. We have been hearing from all of our guests about how impressed they were with all of the performers, including the pianist for cocktail hour and the female vocalists. The dance floor was totally packed during the entire four hour set of live music and DJ sets. We seriously could not have been more impressed with this band and would hire them again.
— Sara & Patrick T, Madison, WI, 09/04/21, Wedding

I highly recommend Ring of Music for your next event! From my initial phone call, Matt could not have been more positive, organized and enthusiastic to get thing rolling for my father’s 100th Milestone Birthday! My dad is a young 100 and he, my mom and all the guests appreciated hearing all of his favorites from the 40’s jazz era. We arranged for a trio with band leader Dave Gordon, accompanied by a bass player and drummer to play during our cocktail hour. They really set the tone for the rest of the party! All three were amazingly talented, professional, punctual kind, and genuinely so excited to play for my dad and meet him. Thank you Ring of Music!!!
— Heather M, Wilmette, IL, 08/28/21, Private Event

We had Ring of Music at our August wedding and couldn’t be happier with how it turned out. Beyond their professionalism they created a dance floor atmosphere that had our guests and us dancing all night. 10/10 would recommend
— Petrina & Alex S, Chicago, IL, 08/28/21, Wedding

The guests voted and Ring of Music made our wedding the “event of the year”! Leading up to our wedding, we had to reschedule and were unsure about capacity restraints and ROM remained so flexible and helpful. They checked in, offered suggestions, and made a very nervous covid couple feel reassured. Our dance floor was packed the entire time and they knew exactly how to keep people engaged. We had the best time and a large part of that is because of the entertainment and music ROM provided!
— Tori & Alex K, Chicago, IL, 08/28/21, Wedding

I cannot say enough good things about Ring of Music. Working with them (through Covid) was seamless; they were able to accommodate our year postponement no questions asked. When it came time to choose songs, they had a clear process and helpful follow-up call to review everything. Most importantly, they were incredible day-of. From the emceeing, to keeping everyone on the dance floor all night (I mean ALL night even through the DJ sessions), we could not have imagined a better wedding band.
— Dorothy & Greg M, Chicago, 08/27/21, Wedding

ROM performed for my wife’s 60th birthday party last month and they were truly exceptional! I lost count of the number of guests complimenting the seven piece band. The entire process was seamless and Matt took care of every detail including song list and even learning and playing one of my son’s own compositions. BOOK THIS BAND! You will not be disappointed.
— John D, Lake Forest, IL, 08/27/21, Private Event

They were great, easy to work with, professional, and amazing live. Got a million requests for their information at our wedding. We can’t believe how great they made our wedding day.
— Katie & Brad S, Sycamore, IL, 08/07/21, Wedding

Matt and his team were phenomenal to work with! They were incredibly flexible and helped us choose music that would work well for our ceremony/cocktail hour so it flowed together seamlessly. The musicians were incredibly talented, and I would recommend anyone to use Matt and his team for their wedding.
— Emily M, Oak Brook, IL, 07/31/21, Wedding

Excellent cover band that provided wonderful entertainment for all ages at our family festival. We would definitely use again, Matt was very responsive and helpful every step of the way.
— Jennifer L, Floosmoor, IL, 07/31/21, Private Event

I hired Ring of Music to play at my sons graduation party. From the first phone call with them they walked me through everything. They explained the different choices I had about choosing the band size. They were up front and clear about the costs. The night of the event, they were on time, set up, and played exactly as we had discussed. Not only was the business side of it very smooth, but the music was fantastic!! I had asked for a wide variety of different types of music and they could accommodate all of it! From country, to hard rock. It’s hard to choose a band from a few videos online, but I hit the jackpot with this one! The event coordinator where we held the party said they were going to put Ring of Music on their referral list. I will hire them again in the future and I highly recommend them for any event! You will not be disappointed!!
— Shelby R, Hobart, IN, 07/31/21, Private Event

I booked a solo pianist last minute for an office event and Ring of Music exceeded our expectations. Matt was very responsive and made the booking process easy. Luca showed up early to the event and was very professional. Our crowd was very pleased with his performance!
— Vanessa O, Munster, IN, 07/30/21, Corporate Event

I hired ROM for an outdoor, corporate thank you luncheon and I am so happy with the show they put on! From the beginning, all communications were prompt and professional. This event was planned to be a 1000 person event planned in a little less than 2 weeks and ROM was quick to help out. They kept the music going and had a great sound that our attendees loved. I would hire them again in a minute!
— Rachel T, Indianapolis, IN, 07/14/21, Corporate Event

Ring of Music was PERFECT for our event!! They brought so much energy and connected with everyone at the event. HUGE success with a wide range of music! Everything from planning, to end of the event went extremely smoothly! Would definitely use them again!
— Kim S, Elmhurst, IL, 06/27/21, Corporate Event

This band was so professional and helping with planning leading up to the wedding. I could not have had a better experience getting to know them, watching them play at the wedding and dancing with my friends and family all night long to their amazing set list! They were perfect and made our wedding the best day of our lives!! We will forever be thankful.
— Rachel E, Indianapolis, IN, 06/26/21, Wedding

Ring of Music is wonderful! Each member is extremely talented. Even all of our guests mentioned how great the band was in the days following our wedding. My husband and I also particularly appreciated how thorough Matt is to understand how we envision the day going, the songs we want to hear (and those we don’t) and will even take specific song requests that they might not know already. The band’s amazing talent and Matt’s thoroughness definitely make this band stand out among the rest.
— Madeline & Ryan H, Glenview, IL, 06/19/21, Wedding

ROM was the perfect choice for our Celebration of Life event in honor of my father. From first contact, Matt S. was understanding of our hopes for this event and helped in planning out what turned out to be a very successful evening. The musicians/singers were amazing performers and very accommodating of our needs throughout the night. Everyone in attendance, without exception, wanted to know where we found ROM so they could keep them in mind for future events. The fact that the performers enjoyed what they were doing was obvious and only added to the joyful atmosphere we had wanted to inspire. An A+ on all counts!
— Chris D, Skokie, IL, 06/17/21, Private Event

Fantastic to work with and amazing music! Couldn’t have been happier with Ring of Music. They made our event!
— Lindsay S, Milwaukee, WI, 06/05/21, Private Event

Could not be more pleased with Ring of Music! They were so professional to work with and so friendly. I expressed the vibes and sound I wanted and they nailed it. Liz was amazing and Anthony was so wonderful and made sure everything went smoothly without a hitch. All of my guests commented how great they were. I didn’t want the night to end. I would highly recommend Ring of Music for your event!
— Erin H, Mokena, IL, 05/15/21, Private Event

Amazing band. Great musicians. Super great company to plan and work with. Hire them and you won’t have to worry about much. Just tell them what you like or don’t like and give them the reigns. They can take it from there. Bad ass!
— Derek & Renee M, Chicago, IL, 05/09/21, Wedding (1st review by Derek)

Super helpful and detailed in planning our day. On the big day itself they sounded awesome from Cannon in D Major to Johnny B. Goode by Chuck Berry. Ring Of Music is your answer for a live wedding band.
— Derek & Renee M, Chicago, IL, 05/09/21, Wedding (2nd review by Derek)

Amazing sound. Easy to work with. Very detailed. They know what they are doing. Just tell them what you like and don’t like and they can fill in the gaps. Let them play ’cause let me tell you, they will get the party going. Why are you even entertaining the idea of working with anyone else? Ring Of Music is the answer! We love the blues, harmonicas, violins, and rock so they helped our wedding at a brewery into a mini blues club and our guests raved about it. What a party. No doubt they can turn your wedding up to 11!
— Renee & Derek, Chicago, IL, 05/09/21, Wedding (1st review by Renee)

Everyone at the funeral including the multiple venue owners wanted your website and said the band was what made the “celebration of life” so incredible! Money so well spent during Covid-19 when the world needs uplifting desperately. My father and mother were shining from heavenly skies! All their 18 children and grandchildren were so happy. Everyone complimented on the wonderful transitions between genres! I was so glad to get you my father’s passionate playlist! As widower the past 4.5 years all he had was his music and Captain Morgan and Pepsi! He was a veteran and a life long States Attorney Investigator! The Ring of Music all did him great justice, Matt!” — posted on behalf of G. John Sheehy III
— John S, Decatur, IL, 04/10/21, Private Event

Absolutely great performance. Will definitely book them again. So many of our customers have asked us to have them play again. Entertainment plus!!!!
— IDA L, Fish Lake, IN, 03/17/21, Corporate Event

I was in a desperate situation when a band cancelled on me last minute. I heard about Ring of Music and called them up to see if they could help. Matt was able to find a band for me within minutes. Their contracting process is very easy and they were able to work with my budget. The band was great! Very high quality musicians. I had rave reviews from all my attendees. Thanks Ring of Music!
— Becki D, Lockport, IL, 02/25/21, Corporate Event

We love working with Ring of Music Band and Orchestra. The Breezy trio is fabulous, I highly recommend for your next celebration!
— Christina W, Chicago, IL, 10/24/20, Corporate Event

One of the best decisions we made for our wedding was to go with Ring of Music for our music choice. This was a difficult year for wedding planning and Matt was with us every step of the way. Matt went above and beyond to help us shift from our original vision (which involved a larger celebration) to a more intimate backyard wedding. He was detailed, flexible in working through our new plans, gave good advice (from day-of timeline to music) and made sure our wedding had great music/entertainment – from ceremony to reception. Also, big thanks to Andrea and the band. Andrea’s voice is beautiful and she and the band were great to listen to and dance to!! Many guests (and neighbors!) came up to us afterwards and complimented us on the band. They were also flexible in playing both pre-requested songs and guest-requests on day-of!
— Sandra and Eric O, Burr Ridge, IL, 09/05/20, Wedding

We had a petite wedding due to covid 19 last month and needed music that would be just perfect for our restricted reception. Ring of music, Matt specifically, helped coordinate a vocalist and pianist, nick, who was very talented and skilled. We could not have asked for a Better musician to sing and play the piano during our dinner reception. He played everything we asked for and beyond, classical jazz to modern pop. Definitely recommend and they work to meet your budget.
— Yazan and Gulperi A, Oak Park IL, 08/23/20, Wedding

Ring Of Music provided us with an outstanding guitar and violin duo to perform for our wedding ceremony. The players were prompt, professional, and — most importantly — sounded phenomenal. As a musician myself, I would recommend them highly to anyone looking to add some gorgeous ceremony music to their special day.
— Ben and April S, Arlington Heights, IL, 08/22/20, Wedding

Ring of Music was amazing and the perfect band for my event! They played some very chill music during dinner and had everyone on the dance floor the rest of the evening! They played a great mix of songs from various decades, so there was something for everyone, and everyone was very professional. I would definitely hire them again!
— Annie K, Willowbrook, IL, 03/07/20, Fundraising Gala

Fantastic music!! We had the perfect blend of Irish and Rock! The fiddle rocked!! We highly recommend them for any event. Scheduling with Matt was easy and personalized. Thank you for celebrating our mother’s life with all of us! You were awesome!!
— Rick & Ty, Quincy, IL, 01/10/20, Private Event

The blend of Irish music with Rock was amazing and everyone at my mother’s wake loved the celebration. I highly recommend utilizing the talent that “Ring if Music Band” offers. Scheduling with Matt was so easy and personalized. Thank you again for sharing our celebration!
— Rick & Ty, Quincy, IL, 01/10/20, Private Event (2nd Review)

I contacted Ring of Music for a jazz band to perform at a 1920s-themed casino night my place of work hosted. Matt and Dan were pleasant to work with and more than reasonable during the planning process. On the day of the event, the musicians were prompt and did a fantastic job. Their presence elevated the event and everyone loved them! I highly recommend Ring of Music!
— Latifa B, Chicago, IL, 01/06/20, Corporate Event

Matt was really detailed and helpful in planning our holiday event. His performers, the day of, were really accommodating, fun and very talented. Overall, it was a great experience and everyone at the party really enjoyed themselves.
— Maria M, Chicago, IL, 12/19/19, Corporate Event

My experience with Matt Stedman of Ring Of Music Band & Orchestra was smooth!!! He was easy to talk to and arranging our entertainment for our event was a breeze! Our pianist Luca was amazing!!! He was so talented and entertained us all night. Thank you so much for everything. We had a blessed evening.
— Carmen C, Chicago, IL, 12/13/19, Corporate Event

Incredible talent!!! We hired Ring of Music for a holiday gala last weekend and they knocked it out of the park. We had guests on the dance floor until the very last song! The vocalists are outstanding and the sound was just amazing. Anthony was our primary contact for the night and he was so helpful with making announcements to the guests and allowing us to quickly get through our presentation portion of the evening. This band is top notch and I would highly recommend!!!
— Tracy I, 12/07/19, Crystal Lake, IL, Holiday Gala

We cannot thank Ring of Music and Matt enough for everything they did for our special day. My husband and I knew from the beginning that the band/DJ was going to be one of the most important aspects we needed to pull off the wedding of our dreams. After seeing ROM perform at one of our friends weddings, we reached out to Matt where his initial phone call walked us through the entire process. We immediately booked with ROM and it was the best decision we could have made. Our contact Liz reached out to us a couple weeks before our wedding and after talking with her, she immediately knew the vibe we were going for and gave us amazing recommendations. During our cocktail hour we were able to have a pianist that truly made cocktail hour magical. ROM absolutely delivered the best night during our reception. My husband and I have never seen a dance floor so packed throughout an entire wedding until ours! This was one thing we knew we wanted from the very beginning, a packed dance floor, and everyone having a good time enjoying the music. ROM delivered this with ease. ROM truly was the icing on top of the cake for our day and we could not have been happier with working with their team. From the beginning to the end, Matt and his team made the process easy, fun, and exciting!!

Thank you to the entire team at Ring of Music, we cannot thank you guys enough!
— Nicole and Robert H, 11/23/19, Chicago, IL, Wedding

My experience with Matt Stedman of Ring of Music and Kenny, from The Friends Band, was truly fantastic. Matt did a great job assessing my client’s needs for their event and connected me with an extremely kind, professional, talented band. Kenny arrived early and went above and beyond the call of duty. Karla’s voice was incredible, and she a phenomenal job engaging the crowd and even encouraging guests to buy raffle tickets. It was a wonderful evening, due on great part to this fantastic team. I definitely recommend Ring of Music and The Friends Band for future events.
— Jen F, Addison, IL, 11/01/19, Corporate Event

My husband insisted on having live music for our wedding – I was on the fence, but we found Ring of Music and I am so glad we did. From the moment we first contacted them, I knew we were going to be happy with them. Matt was extremely helpful and professional in answering our questions, describing different packages, and working with our budget to make sure we could have the music we wanted. At our wedding, the emcee was fabulous and the music was incredible! Everyone was dancing and having a great time – they were able to use some of our special songs that weren’t on their playlist. Overall, I absolutely recommend Ring of Music – they were affordable, professional, and FUN!
— Amanda and Trevor O, Lisle, IL, 10/26/19, Wedding

We used Matt Stedman’s band for our wedding in 2011 and could not wait to have an excuse to use them again! We just had my parent’s 50th anniversary party and ROM performed piano with percussion for many of the same family and friends. EVERYONE enjoyed it and it made the party that much more special. They are professional, versatile, accommodating and offer an exceptional value. We highly recommend ROM!!
— Megan C, Naperville, IL, 10/20/19, Private Event

Ring of Music was the right decision for my son’s wedding! I love live music and love to dance. It was important to me to have a great band, variety of music and the dance floor packed. Matt delivered all of that! Matt was so easy to work with! He was very knowledgeable giving us great advice on song selection, etc. I thought having a live band and a Dj combo allowed us to hear all the songs we wanted played. I highly recommend Ring of Music-Matt and his musicians are talented and top notch.
— Connie T, Oak Brook, IL, 10/12/19, Wedding

WOW. WOW. WOW. Just hire this band. Do it now. THE END.
…just kidding. What a stellar group of personalities and skillful musicians. We hired this band, managed by Matt Stedman and they were easily the highlight of our reception. Working with Matt from the beginning was a breeze and we appreciated immensely, his *major* attention to detail. He was so above board in making certain that this portion of our event was perfect. No stone was left unturned, literally.
We cannot say enough about the band. The singers were major showstoppers and belters. I mean, they could sing anything and delivered their vocals like nobody’s business! They were amazing at leading the crowd and keeping everyone out on the dance floor. The guitarist shredded on his Les Paul and played even the most complicated riffs in various songs. with the ease of a total pro. The drummer, the backbone to the group, could pound out anything from hard-hitting rock to nuanced R&B; the bass player was locked in tight with the drums and could knock out a few bass solos to boot! The keyboardist was awesome and could play anything —-AND SING. We literally had our own Billy Joel in attendance. Overall, they presented extremely well and they’re a really tight sounding band. Their setlist is also created in such a way that it ebbs and flows nicely – picking it up where it needs to and mellowing out when it’s feeling appropriate. We will definitely be hiring them again for future events!!!
— Jodi and David S, Barrington Hills, IL, 10/12/19 Wedding

Matt was amazing to work with! He helped us assemble an entire season of fantastic music for our summer music series. All the bands we booked were professional and extremely talented. We would certainly recommend Ring of Music Band & Orchestra and work with them in the future!
— Michelle B and John K, Kenilworth, IL, 09/13/19, Park District Event(s)

Ring of Music was a top highlight from our amazing wedding weekend! Our guests, young and old, are STILL talking about how much fun they had on the dance floor. Liz, from Ring of Music, was very accommodating in the flow and timing of transitions between dinner, speeches, first dances and general dancing. I would highly recommend!
— Joey & Katie L, Glenview, IL, 08/24/19, Wedding

Ring of music killed it at our wedding!! One of the most important aspects of our special day was the dance floor. After attending previous weddings where no one danced, I wanted to be 100% sure that our dance floor would be packed. That is exactly what the situation was at our wedding! ROM learned the crowd quickly and after doing this for so long, were able to ensure my dance floor was packed. Matt was super helpful the months leading up and was always quick to respond to my several emails. You will NOT regret going with them! There’s a reason they have such ravishing reviews! So happy we went with them, and you will be too! 🙂
— Kassie & Joe W, Lake Geneva, WI, 08/24/19, Wedding

Matt Stedman and Ring of Music were a Fabulous choice for our annual employee event. The group was high energy, kept the guests dancing, and the band played additional encores per crowd request. The band members were very professional, and even participated in our theme with their attire, snapping photos with guests. Worth every penny! ~ Nicole Medical Company
— Nicole J, Peoria, IL, 08/10/19, Corporate Event

We could not have been happier with the Ring of Music Band & Orchestra! My husband and I are both musicians and it was very important to us to have an amazing live band perform at our wedding. We saw Matt’s band perform at a friend’s wedding and immediately knew that this was the the band we wanted to hire. Matt spent so much time making sure that the music they performed matched our tastes and included music that got guests of all ages to the dance floor. We received countless compliments on the band during and after our 7/27/19 wedding!
— Marie and Michael P, Naperville, IL, 07/27/19, Wedding

Wedding planning can be stressful and it can seem like no one has your best interest in mind during the process – but from the first time meeting Matt, to the bands actual performance at our wedding, it was almost too good to be true. To start, Matt takes the time to truly understand what you want for your big day and has the years of experience to provide all the advice and recommendations you want when planning your big day. We, like many, have never planned a wedding or big event and Matt made sure no small detail was overlooked leading up to the day. With all the stresses of wedding planning, he made the process relieving and FUN. Matt carefully makes sure that the event coordination and song selection will be perfect for what you have planned. One our big day, the band was ahead of schedule to our ceremony (Chicago Yacht Club) ensuring perfect set-up and sound. And once again, the band was there for cocktail hour and our dinner reception at the River Roast. Having Ring of Music coordinating and MC the reception made it near effortless and kept the event running smoothly all night leading up to dancing. Now to the music — every thought goes through your head no matter what band you book – will they bring their best? Will they care as much as you do that day? Will they keep the dance floor crowded all night? The Ring of Music Band without a doubt absolutely crushed it! Their years of experience shine through from the first song they start to sing, to transition and song selection throughout the night to the last dance. You want a crowded dance floor on your wedding day and that’s exactly what we got. It’s been over a month now and everyone still raves about the band and their music. It really made our wedding! Of all the wedding planning activities and all the things that actually happened, working with Matt and ROM band was the best. We highly, highly recommend!
— Steve and Meghan W, Chicago, IL, 07/20/19, Wedding

Great music and fun dancing!!! Our wedding was our third time hearing ROM play at weddings and every time was really enjoyable.
— Jamie M, Chicago, IL, 07/13/19, Wedding

As an Event Planner & Bride – HIRE THEM!!!! Matt Stedman & Ring of Music – Thank you for making my wedding!! As someone who has planned events for 15 years I was very cautious and analytical when it came to hiring my vendors. Matt Stedman exceeded my expectations (something I rarely am able to say). I will go into the live music in a moment, but the attention to detail and responsiveness that Matt gave to my wedding the 9 months leading up to it was profound. As someone who was very nervous about being unable to see the band live before hiring them, trust me when I say – DO NOT BE!!! They are amazing, professionals, and can work a crowd better than anyone I’ve seen. Music was very important to us and we wanted our 225 guests on the dance floor the whole time – they were! Thank you Matt for all your time and for delivering the perfect band for my wedding.
— Sarah B, Chicago, IL, 07/13/19, Wedding

From the initial contact to the last, they were a pleasure to deal with, thereby making this part of the event seamless to organize. More importantly, the musicians made our parents’ 70th wedding anniversary celebration so special. Their musicianship, amazing vocals, appropriate song selection, showmanship, and amazing attitude helped create a memorable atmosphere and experience. I would gladly hire them again and recommend them highly.
— Janine S, Buffalo Grove, IL, 07/09/19, Private Event

The Ring of Music Band & Orchestra absolutely ROCKED our wedding night. I had family and friends stopping me all night long (and for days to follow) to tell me specifically how much they LOVED the band! It was our number one priority, no matter what else happened, to make sure our wedding was just an amazing party for our guests with a non-stop packed dance floor – and the Ring of Music Band delivered! Without a doubt. My husband and I are pretty big music fans, and we cared a lot about what would be played and DJd throughout the night – making sure we had something for everyone there and that all of our favorites got some air time. And Matt was so thorough and thought through every last detail with such care, we both knew exactly what we would be getting – leaving me with absolutely nothing to worry about leading up to the big day. Which was really just the cherry on top of one of the best nights of our life. Thank you so much, Matt & Ring of Music team! I still tear up thinking about how perfect (and HOW MUCH FUN) the whole night was – which could not have been possible without you!
— Jessy and Alex D, Chicago, IL, 06/29/19, Wedding

Working with Matt was very easy. He helped me choose the ensemble’s size and instrument composition and select pre-wedding music. He also accommodated my daughter’s requests for processional and recessional selections. The two instrumentalists Matt engaged were perfect for the venue. They were talented and experienced, asked my opinions, and checked in with me as needed. Moreover, they were pleasant and delightful! Mother of the Bride
— Marti P, Chicago, IL, 06/29/19, Wedding

I had the opportunity to work with the Ring of Music Band & Orchestra for a corporate event and they were amazing. The energy and mix of music got the attendees on the floor dancing and enjoying the evening. Matt is professional and easy to work with.
— Deborah B, Chicago, IL, 06/13/19, Corporate Event

They were just wonderful! From booking to completion, they were dynamic and professional. They listened, allowed our input to add our favorites to their ample set list for the DJ portion of the night, arranged our favorite songs so no two were back to back from the same genre, and were engaging of our crowd. They were on pitch, did not overdo things, and dressed professionally. It added a lot to our evening and our memories of a special night. A man who lives across the river from us told us how great this band was, and multiple people at our gathering asked for the band’s card. It was fun and definitely enriched our evening.
— Maureen O, Bourbonnais, IL, 06/09/19, Private Event

This band was awesome! Super easy to work with prior to the event and very detail-oriented gathering all information prior to. Not to mention they are really good performers! Our event had a smaller turnout than expected, and they continued to play on as if the place was packed. Very impressive and appreciative. Would 10/10 book them again!
— Kristin V, Chicago, IL, 05/25/19, Corporate Event

Ring of Music Band & Orchestra went above and beyond our highest expectations! From the very first phone conversation that we had with the ROM coordinator my now husband and I were confident that we chose the right group. They are very professional, organized, talented, personable and detail-oriented. They made our wedding day S P E C I A L , S T R E S S-F R E E and just plain F U N. They provided our instrumentals for our ceremony, cocktail entertainment and were the highlight of our reception [our guests, ranging from 3-91, were on the dance floor ALL night]. There are a lot of entertainment companies that provide wedding music; however, there are not a lot of entertainment companies that can successfully satisfy the Bride & Groom’s preferences AND give their guests an evening to remember! ROM did just that and they are a one-of-a-kind band. We would give them 10 out of 10 stars given the option!! p.s. Our venue contact even complimented them on their respectfulness and professionalism!
— Sara and Tyler H, Streator, IL, 04/06/19, Wedding

The Ring of Music band members were truly professionals. They arrived on time and set up smoothly and the night went on without a hitch. The emcee was also really good about keeping a strict timeline (down to the minute) so that nothing spilled over into cake cutting time or first dance, etc. All of our family and friends were impressed by their performance and great vocals. We highly recommend them!
— Vickie and Alan H., Chicago, IL, 03/23/19, Wedding

We have used ROM for multiple events with various themes. They are always on target and the feedback is awesome! Highly recommend.
— Stacey C, Chicago, IL, 03/14/19, Corporate Event

Provided great entertainment for our Mardi Gras party. Great resource for anyone who needs to book different types of events, and it’s great to work with them!
— Jewel B, Vernon Hills, IL, 03/05/19, Corporate Event

The Ring of Music Band was awesome…thank you so much! The evening was perfect, with intimate ceremony music, a piano soloist for our family cocktail hour and the live band that rocked the house for about 100 guests. I’ve got to admit that the venue was great and food and bar was outstanding but by far and away, the music is what everyone has been talking about since Saturday night. Thank you again Matt and the team for helping our celebration be a party to remember.
— Brendan and Maureen C, Hinsdale, IL, 03/02/19, Wedding

We had the 8-piece band provide the entertainment for our 500-guest Motown-themed fundraiser. They created the perfect atmosphere, and tailored their set list to our theme. The guests had a great time dancing and singing along!
— Grace K, St. Joseph, Mi, 03/02/19, University Event

Fantastic! We hired them to kick off our opening night reception for our Director of Sales conference. They had great energy and we received great feedback from attendees.
— Suzanne Q, Chicago, IL, 02/27/19, Corporate Event

I first saw Matt and his band at the Eataly wine event three years ago. Since then I have used his band twice and DJ services once. I LOVE Matt and his band. If you want an amazing sounding band, easy process, no worries the day of the event, and your guests having an amazing time, Matt is your band. I always chose at least 6 members for the band, and I always trust his opinion on what we need for sound.
— Debbie F, Chicago, IL, 02/09/19, Corporate Event

Matt made it very easy for my company to get a band at somewhat short notice. Band showed up early, played some great sets, and would definitely work with again. Thanks for the help in throwing a great event.
— Jarrett B, Chicago, IL, 01/24/19, Corporate Event

Great sound and music. I highly recommend them for your next event!
— Jenna V, Vernon Hills, Il, 12/15/18, Corporate Event

Ring of Music played at our Company Holiday party for 250+ people and they did great. Exactly what we were looking for.
— Ryan and Jennifer K, Oak Brook, IL, 12/14/18, Corporate Event

This group of musicians and managers have delivered in making our fundraising event beyond entertaining. A+ experience.
— Steve H, Evanston, IL, 12/08/18, Fundraiser

Ring of Music Band were amazing. They played at our annual fundraiser for 200 guests, and the dance floor was crowded all night. They are dynamic, have a great sense of what the crowd wants, and were incredibly accommodating. Amazing experience!
— Vera P, Evanston, IL, 12/08/18 Fundraiser

The Ring of Music band that band owner Matt put together for our wedding rocked our wedding for solid 4 hours straight. They had the dance floor full that entire time. The planning went seamlessly. They are truly professional and know what they are doing. I discussed the sound and what I was looking for with Matt early on in our planning stages and he assembled the band according to that. It was perfect.
— Jackie B, Three Oaks, MI, 12/01/18, Wedding

Matt Stedman and the Ring of Music were an absolutely superb choice for our wedding! After experiencing them at another family member’s wedding, it was an easy choice as to who to pick for our own wedding. They worked very closely with us to set up the logistics, the schedule, and of course, the set list. Working with their team was one of the easier parts of planning the entire event. They sounded amazing, the dance floor was packed, and they had everyone up and dancing and having a great time!
— Eric N, Lake Forest, IL, 11/17/18 Wedding

Fabulous band and performance! We hosted a “ladies only” weekend and everyone loved the quality of the entertainment and high energy. The three female lead singers were wonderful with a great band. Would highly recommend – we will have them back for sure!
— Scott R, South Haven, MI, 11/10/18, Corporate Event

They are AMAZING!!! Matt was so easy to talk to, and was quick to advise on tips and information I should consider as I was on my search and interviewing bands, and why what he was advising was important. He was so easy to get along with and was actually excited when we told him some of the special request songs we had – and didn’t even flinch and said no problem – we’ll learn them for your wedding! We had a seven piece band, and they were absolutely perfect, they were so energetic and fun and kept the wedding dancing all night long. They knew when to slip in a slow song, and then liven the party up. We couldn’t have been happier. The music was exactly on point and their questionnaire definitely helped us and them tailor what we wanted our music to be like. We couldn’t have been any happier with the band and the energy they brought to our wedding, I only wish we could throw another event to have them come and play at!!
— Erin F, Chicago, IL, 10/27/18, Wedding

The Matt Stedman Band was phenomenal from our first meeting to the day of our wedding, Matt and his team were extremely passionate and dedicated to providing an exceptional experience for my husband and I and our guests. Our Emcee & Bandleader for our day was Andrea Miologos and she was nothing short of phenomenal! We received endless compliments of how amazing our band was! The group was incredibly talented. We also hired MSB for our ceremony musicians. We had a violin and guitar. The music was absolutely perfect! Our day was a bit on the colder side with our ceremony outside in 50 degree weather and they never complained. In advance of the wedding we received a full email of information that had thought through everything. Once we submitted our wedding day details we had a follow up call to review all aspects of the day so we were on the same page. The Matt Stedman Band is prepared and they will not stear you wrong. They came highly recommended to us and I can say without a doubt I would hire them again and again! You will not be disappointed!
— Linda T, Chicago, IL, 10/13/18, Wedding

Aside from the music being fantastic and my guests filling up the dance floor through the entirety of our wedding, Matt really went above and beyond for my husband and I to create the best possible musical landscape for our big day! From the ceremony to the cocktail hour to the reception, our wedding was filled with talented musicians. This was very important to me because I am a musician, and they did not disappoint! Our guests were very impressed and danced until the lights came on in our venue. P.S. “Wagon Wheel” will always remind me of the magic of that day!
— Brooke S, Chicago, IL, 10/06/18, Wedding

My husband and I loved this band! They did an amazing job performing for our reception. We liked that they had several options for choosing between the live music and the D.J. We also liked that we didn’t have to choose every single song we wanted them to play, but also had the ability to make sure they played the songs we wanted to hear. The live music was incredible and they did an excellent job at encouraging the crowd to dance. All of our guests absolutely loved the music and commented on much fun they had because of it. We highly recommend them!
— Rosa & Todd L, Arlington Heights, IL, 10/06/18, Wedding

So great to work with this band! Matt was very helpful with everything. We worked together to create a set list that reflected us as a couple. An incredibly talented band in every way. The guitarist/singer for our ceremony was a stand out! Many compliments from our guests about them.
— Michelle W, Chicago, IL, 09/29/18, Wedding

We saw Matt Stedman band live twice before our wedding. It was a no-brainer to have Matt and his amazing band perform for our wedding because we knew how much fun they were. The talent and energy of his musicians are better than any band we’d ever seen. Matt’s attention to detail leading up the wedding made us comfortable that everything would be perfect and taken care of. Since our wedding, many of guests have called me asking for Matt’s number because they had such an incredible time dancing to their music. Matt and his team can play a number of different genre’s and will cater to any event. I wouldn’t book anyone else!
— Brendan and Maddy C, Chicago, IL, 09/22/18, Wedding

The Ring of Music Band was awesome…thank you so much! The evening was perfect, with intimate ceremony music, a piano soloist for our family cocktail hour and the live band that rocked the house for about 100 guests. I’ve got to admit that the venue was great and food and bar was outstanding but by far and away, the music is what everyone has been talking about since Saturday night. Thank you again Matt and the team for helping our celebration be a party to remember.
— Brendan and Maddy C, Chicago, IL, 09/22/18, Wedding (2nd Review)

Because of this amazingly organized crew we didn’t have to worry about anything at all the night of our wedding. It was absolutely perfect and the dance floor was FULL the entire night. They played all of my favorite music and really did a good job of getting to know my taste in music. Thank you guys!!!
— Emily W, Wilmette, IL, 09/22/18, Wedding

Our company hosts the Earl G. Reubel Awards Gala within the healthcare industry and we appreciate having live music. Ring of Music gave a phenomenal performance with high quality inclusive content, sound and overall professionalism. All attendees spoke highly of the musicians and music.
— Danni G, Rosemont, IL, 09/24/18, Corporate Event

This band was awesome!! Matt was very communicative from the very beginning. He asked great questions and planned out our wedding to the minute, more-so than our wedding planner! For the wedding, we kept getting so many compliments about the band! They were awesome! And they were also great with the emcee portion. Overall–great performance, great experience!
— Amanda and Tim, Chicago, IL, 09/01/18, Wedding

Matt Stedman & the Ring of Music Band & Orchestra were truly the best decision my now husband and I made for our wedding day! I always knew a band would be the best choice for us, and once we heard Ring of Music at another family member’s event (plus the fact that they came highly recommended to us by several others), we knew we had to have them!!! Matt made the entire experience truly fool proof; he was clear, communicated well, explained everything in amazing detail, and honestly made our wedding day feel easy. I was never stressed or worried about timing, and the band was INSANELY great! I received many comments from guests later about how impressed they were with the level of energy and talent from the performers. Speaking as a professional musician myself, I could not believe the level of skilled musicians and singers we got to experience on our own special wedding day! Choosing Ring of Music was all I ever wanted and more for our day – if you aren’t using them, you’re making a mistake! Choose Ring of Music Band & Orchestra for your wedding and you will not regret it!! 🙂
— Erin E, Arlington Heights, IL, 09/01/18, Wedding

WOW! The Matt Stedman Band really deserves all of the high praise and awards because they are beyond amazing. Matt Stedman took the time with us to figure out the best possible schedule, and music for our wedding day. My husband and I have a unique taste in music. We do not listen to the radio hits and enjoy music like the Grateful Dead. The live and djed music played at the wedding was perfect for our jam band friends, and our family who have a variety in music taste. Everyone was dancing the whole night! I actually did not leave the dance floor once. It really was the best night of our lives. I originally did not even want music at the wedding because I typically do not enjoy wedding music. I am sooooo happy I did! We also had to pleasure of having the band perform at our ceremony. It was beyond beautiful. Our florist who works at many weddings could not believe how talented our band was. She stated that we had the best wedding band she has ever seen. We could not stop getting enough compliments on the music. It was truly a dream come true!!
— Stephanie N, Lemont, IL, 08/26/18, Wedding

This was our first time using Matt Stedman Band & Ring of Music Orchestra. I have to say I was thrilled with the outcome. I was planning a twentieth anniversary party for a senior living community. Our theme was the Roaring Twenties. When in contact with Matt he listened to my needs and was always willing to answer any questions. His professionalism throughout the whole process was outstanding. Matt’s five piece jazz band was perfect for our occasion. They arrived on time, were very professional, mingled well with the staff and residents. We also had one of the guys stay and play the piano during our dinner. It was a magical night! We will definitely use them again.
— Cookie E, Lake Forest, IL, 08/17/18, Corporate Event

I had an unusual request to match Jazz with wine and food as this is what I normally do with classical music in my business at WineScrpts Rx LLC
The band leader Andy picked up on the theme of the palate of salty, sweet, fatty, savory and spicy and turned it into to music with his vocals and instrumental ensemble! The band was great to work with and my audience loved them. I would highly recommend and Matt was super responsive and great to work with in every detail.
— Jerry S, Chicago, IL, 08/17/18, Corporate Event

They were very professional and easy to work with before the wedding. Then the night of the wedding they had a packed dance floor all night! Truly a great band and would highly recommend to anyone.
— Andrew and Emily W, Janesville, WI, 08/11/18, Wedding

Very thorough and accommodating. Matt is very helpful walking you through everything beforehand. We had nothing to worry about day of and EVERYONE gave us compliments of our band choice! You will not be disappointed!
— Dan and Miceala V, Harvard, IL, 08/11/18, Wedding

I am the mother of the bride. My daughter chose Matt by reviews and we Never heard them until our wedding! It was the best decision we made! They made my daughter’s wedding an event! I am still hearing about how much fun the wedding was! The dance floor was packed all night! At one point I watched as my guests were belling laughing they were having so much fun! I would book them again when my son gets married!!!!

(2nd review on another site)
Omg! We had the best time ever! They made our wedding an event! We actually never heard them play and booked the on the blind! My daughter bonded with Matt as did I just talking to him and reading reviews! I am the mother of the bride and when they played I never left the dance floor! At one point I was watching my guests dance as they were belly laughing having so much fun! They were worth every penny we paid the and then some! Love love loved them!
— Sue S, Oswego, IL, 08/10/19, Wedding

Needed a jazz combo for a work party I was coordinating – Matt was extremely professional and walked through every detail with me. It was extremely low stress and an amazingly talented group, with an amazingly low price tag! Will definitely find another reason to work with them again.
— Jay M, Chicago, IL, 08/08/18, Corporate Event

Matt Stedman and his band performed at our wedding this July and we couldn’t have been happier with the results. We received rave reviews from a number of wedding guests including the mother of the groom who was a bit dubious of having a live band perform. Not only did their performance exceed expectations, but Matt was all you could ask for from a professional perspective. He always made himself available and made sure to take the time to go over all aspects of what his band would be doing. He was incredibly thorough in laying out an itinerary for the day and provided helpful advice when it came to making sure we had a balanced song selection. Matt even saved the day when our priest was a no show at the reception giving the toast on the fly. When we asked to have two songs DJ’d at the end of the night he went above and beyond in chasing down someone from the venue to get the Wifi password so he could quickly download them. Matt Stedman and Ring of Music was all that we could have hoped for in a wedding band. He went above and beyond at every step of the process. It was very clear he takes his job very seriously and has perfected the craft which was clearly evident in their excellent performance. I would not hesitate in recommending them to anyone looking to book a fantastic wedding band for what is no doubt a very important day.
— Erik S, Chicago, IL, 07/28/18, Wedding

This is the name you want for your wedding!! Professional, responsive, and the dance floor was full ALL night. A must if you want a live band!!
— Elaine C, Naperville, IL, 07/21/18, Wedding

Hired them for a work event held at a private residence. Band members showed up on time and were very professional. They played excellent, upbeat music and kept the crowd engaged. We will use their services again in the future.
— Jason S, Libertyville, IL, 07/21/18, Corporate Event

We hired Matt Stedman and the Ring of Music Orchestra for my Mom’s wedding at the CityGate Grille in Naperville. As the matron of honor, I helped her with a lot of wedding planning. From start to finish, I was beyond impressed with Matt and his entire organization. Matt’s professionalism and attention to detail are absolutely unmatched in the Chicagoland area. Matt asked tons of questions so he had a very specific idea of what we wanted for the reception. He was very sensitive to things like the noise level of the music during dinner and the reception. We were given a specific song list to choose from so they’d get a very sharp idea of the type of music we wanted throughout the reception. He also emceed the evening and made sure that everything ran very smoothly and on time. Matt even took the time to personally stop by CityGate, scope out the space and get to know the venue coordinator. My mom and I were both so impressed and floored by Matt’s efforts. The music was perfect and the band kept guests on the dance floor all night. We were thrilled! The entire experience was seamless. No question – hire Matt and his crew!
— Leslie K, Naperville, IL, 07/21/18, Wedding

So much fun! I have never seen as many people on the dance floor as I did a our wedding with Matt and ROM! They played something for everyone, and we got compliments all night. They did an amazing and attentive job coordinating our reception schedule – Matt was a pleasure to work with. He seemed genuinely excited to play at our wedding, and was so engaged with making sure things went right for us! I wish we had a reason to get married again just so we could hire Matt and the ROM again 🙂
— Mary S, Davenport, IL, 07/14/18, Wedding

Ring of Music was just perfect. They made our wedding reception an amazing night for us. I can’t recommend them enough. They were kind, caring, and professional.
— Sara and Emmett C, Chicago, IL, 07/14/18, Wedding

Outstanding service and very professional. He made both me and my husband very comfortable and at ease. Never had to worry about a thing!
— Julie L, Chicago, IL, 07/07/18, Wedding

Matt and his group played a phenomenal party for us and our conference guests. Perfect fit for our corporate event. Also, very easy to work with leading up to the event. Thanks for a great evening!
— Alex L, Chicago, IL, 06/25/18, Corporate Event

Matt and his Band were awesome! Matt really knew how to make our wedding run smoothly and kept us involved in planning it all but basically took care of everything the day of so we could just enjoy! Would highly recommend Matt and the Ring of Music Orchestra! They play a variety of genres and can pull off every song with a high caliber of excellence and groove. 2 enthusiastic thumbs up!
— Joseph and Hannah K, Chicago, IL, 06/07/18, Wedding

We really enjoyed having ROM play at our reception and received many positive compliments from guests about the band. The dance floor was packed the whole night!
— Aubrey T, Milwaukee, WI, 05/12/18, Wedding

Matt was an absolute pleasure to work with from day 1! He was attentive and made all the music planning easy and stress free. Everyone was on the dance floor all night! I would highly recommend booking Matt Stedman Band & Ring of Music for your wedding!
— Clare W, Chicago, IL, 05/12/18, Wedding

We hired Matt Stedman Band & Ring of Music for a corporate function and they did an amazing job.

The entire team was professional (on time, great attitudes and fun) and they made planning and execution a breeze.

If you are looking for a band, i would highly recommend them.
-Adriene C, Rosemont, IL, 05/09/18, Corporate Event

STOP! You have found your band! Matt and his team are professionals and they will rock your wedding! Matt provided needed advice from his extensive wedding and event experience. They exceeded our expectations and we could not be happier with their performance. I could rave and rave about Matt and his team. Simply put, these guys will professionally entertain your group and you will not have a worry
— Tim C, Oswego, IL, 05/06/18, Wedding

Matt & Liz were a pleasure to work with through the whole process. They were extremely responsive and fairly priced. The real reason you pick a band tho is for the music and keeping people on the dance floor. The dance floor was never empty and they played everything we requested plus were dialed in to what we and our guests wanted. I got tons of compliments on the cocktail hour music too. Can’t go wrong with these guys! They rocked Proud Mary!
— Cassie S, Burr Ridge, IL, 04/21/18, Wedding

So many concerns when planning a wedding. Will the venue stay solvent? Will the photographer show up? Will the food, baker, and florist make your guests glad they drove halfway across the state to attend your daughter’s wedding. But mostly, will the band be so phenomenal that a week after the wedding, your friends are still saying that the band was the best they’ve ever heard at a wedding. And there it is…Matt Stedman Band and Ring of Music Orchestra is just such a band.

Not only were the members so talented, Matt became a bit of a pre-wedding mentor for me and my daughter. He calmed our concerns, spent hours going over the song list and learned several new songs that were important to us. During the various stages of the wedding, he transitioned from calming ceremonial music, to upbeat cocktail music, to rock them out of their chairs!! There are not enough stars to give Matt Stedman – he’s simply that good.

I am so glad I chose Matt Stedman. He made my daughter’s wedding a huge success. And one more thing, he takes his music and band very seriously. He wanted to make sure we were all having a good time, which we absolutely were. When the wedding ended, he spent quite a bit of time talking with me and my daughter. He personalized himself with us. By the time he left, I knew about his family, how he got started, and what music meant to him. By the time he was done, I wanted to adopt him.

Wonderful band, one that is worthy of 10 stars.
— Judith G, Elburn, IL, 03/03/18, Wedding

Matt was great to work with for our Event, he understood the audience and how to get them dancing…
— Terry O, Naperville, IL, 02/24/18, Corporate Event

My Husband and I booked Matt and the Band for our wedding as they came highly recommended by our venue, and boy were they right! Throughout the planning process, Matt made it so easy to plan every last detail, and stay organized and stress free. On top of that they were unbelievable – we had a packed dance floor all night and got so many fabulous complements from guests. We could not have had the party of our dreams without them!
— Brooke E, Chicago, IL, 02/17/18, Wedding

The Matt Stedman Band is amazing to work with! I have worked with him through years past at other jobs and continue to recommend him everywhere I go! Great to work with, quick response to emails and any questions you may have. Highly recommend to anyone looking for great music for any event.
— Abby F, Chicago, IL, 02/14/18, Corporate Event

Matt was an absolute joy to work with and could not have been more professional and accommodating. His attention to detail is superb. The Band delivered exactly what I asked for and was truly one of the most extraordinary groups we have ever had at the WAC. My experience with Matt Stedman and the Ring of Music was outstanding. Matt was extremely professional and on top of everything. The band members were also very professional, and were perfect for our event. I have already booked them for the same event next year and hope to use them again multiple times throughout 2018 for various different events.
— Susan M, Chicago, IL, 02/14/18, Corporate Event

Matt was wonderful to work with before and during our event. We had a live band in one room of the venue and a dj in another room. We were able to pick songs for both rooms. Everyone had an amazing time at our event, and I still have people telling me what a great job I did picking the band and dj. Matt worked with our budget and made sure the sound was amazing at the lowest cost.
— Debbie F, Chicago, IL, 02/10/18, University Event

The Matt Stedman Band was amazing and I would absolutely recommend them to anyone looking for a band! Throughout the entire planning process and during the reception, Matt was so much fun to work with and made sure the day was flawless. Matt was able to answer all my questions and help plan the reception so everything flowed smoothly. He even came up to me a few times during the reception to make sure I was happy and was very accommodating with any last minute changes. The band was professional, full of energy and made our reception a blast – the dance floor was never empty and I’m still thinking about their rendition of Proud Mary! Their song selection was perfect and I really felt they understood what I wanted. Overall, we had an amazing experience with The Matt Stedman Band & Ring Of Music Orchestra and our wedding was so much fun because of them!
— Danielle and Brian S, Chicago, IL, 01/27/18, Wedding

I have used them three times within the last year for large events, and they are fantastic! They are easy to work with, always on time, and their musicians play beautifully.
— Danielle C, Yorkville, IL, 01/11/18, Corporate Event

Amazing….absolutely amazing. You NEED the Matt Stedman Band at your next event. They have unbelievable talent, organization and I guarantee your dance floor will be filled! We owe the success of our party to the MSB! Thank you, Matt, for everything your group did for us, and for your integrity as a company!
— Elena C and Justin Z, Arlington Heights, IL, 12/31/17, Wedding

Matt and co are the best! The nonstop super fun music is what made the wedding. Great musicians and so much fun to dance to! Additionally, our venue was so disorganized and the venue wedding planner went MIA- Matt diligently collected all pertinent reception info, creating a detailed schedule, and essentially kept the wedding moving, saving it from a disastrous ending. Matt, my family and I cannot thank you enough for making my sister and brother in law’s evening so wonderful!
— Kathryn C and Zack, Arlington Heights, IL, 12/31/17, Wedding

Matt was the consummate professional from start to finish. He truly cares about his business and the music he makes and I was blown away by how fun it was to hire him. I’m in marketing and have put on many events and hired many vendors, and he was just fantastic to work with. Prompt with responses, detailed instructions and communications and planning, etc. He made the logistics less of a scary nightmare and actually somewhat fun!) He was high energy, gentle but firm in his suggestions about how to structure the day, and really CARED about us. I’m an audiophile and music was the most important part of our wedding (other than the love and getting married part, obviously!) and Matt took the time to know my taste in music over multiple phone calls. Wow! We hired a pianist for our ceremony, a saxophonist for our cocktail hour (both were lovely) and a full 11 piece band for dinner/the reception and they were INCREDIBLE. Our guests danced all night and were completely blown away by the quality, choice of songs, and just how FUN it was. We’re still being told how fun our wedding was and it definitely wouldn’t have been the same if we hadn’t invested in Matt and his amazing band. Can’t recommend him enough for any type of event and hope I get the opportunity to hire him in the future.
— Phoebe C, Chicago, IL, 12/30/17, Wedding

Amy & I were married 12-16-17. After serious due diligence, we choose Matt Stedman & the Ring of Music. Our experience from the 1st e-mail a year ago to the thank you texts sent last week has been spectacular. We dealt solely with Matt, & it began with hour long calls that were as much about our mutual love for music as wedding plans. I’m a music freak. 1,000+ concerts. Our band was important! Matt was the perfect fit. He understood his role is more than just the songs & music they play. Amy is very organized & even she was impressed with the thoroughness of Matt’s questionnaire. It put us on the same page from before the ceremony began to their final note. We had another hour + call to go over each piece of the doc. Matt had us phonetically sound out every name he would be announcing to ensure no mistakes. Every detail considered to ensure the perfect day. He takes great pride in being a mini-coordinator AND band leader. He’s a pro with every vendor/coordinator leading up to the day & more importantly on the day. It’s great to hear from the facility that “we have worked with Matt’s group before and those guys are great!” He was the perfect MC throughout the night. Never too much, & kept everything moving along as planned. THE MUSIC. For the ceremony, we had an acoustic guitar & Matt on the violin. Seating time was beautiful instrumental music. Including the sweetest Here Comes the Sun as I was nervously waiting to make my entrance with my groomsman. It gave me a feeling of peace to start the ceremony that I’ll never forget. The procession in &out included diversity of Pachelbel’s Cannon, Beatles’ My Life, Elvis’s Can’t Help Falling In Love, & a Irish reel. Also, my new sister-in-law sang Rachel Platten’s Better Place. Matt handled the mp3 of the instrumental version of the song to accompany her singing. This beautiful part of our ceremony went off smooth as silk. Our choice was confirmed once the dancing started. They were phenomenal. Matt actually provided an extra back-up singer (2 ladies in all) that we did not request or pay for. He said “after getting to know you & Amy, & your music love, I felt our 2nd female vocalist was needed to give you the experience you wanted.” Who does something like that? I am sure 1 would have been great, 2 were amazing! They knew what type of music we would want, but they also used their knowledgeable experience to keep a finger on the pulse of the crowd. Our dance floor was hopping all night with wedding staples: Up-Town Funk, Signed, Sealed, Delivered, Twist and Shout, Shut-up and Dance With Me… But knowing my love for the Grateful Dead, they played Lovelight & an Iko-Iko that transitioned into a nod to Xmas with a version of Rudolph. That is not planned wedding performance. It’s their all-out talent, versatility & full awareness of the night. For the final set, Matt asked did we want staples to end or would we like to go out jamming. We went jam, & got the Allman’s One Way Out into GD’s Franklin’s Tower into The Devil Went Down to Georgia. The floor stayed full til the end. Matt’s true concern is the bride & groom. His focus is always on them & their day. Our guests loved them too. We still get comments on how awesome OUR band was. Your wedding should be one of most special days of your life. The right band is huge. You can’t choose better to achieve that expectation. Put your faith in Matt and get that special day. We did & were truly rewarded with the night of our life.
— Tim K, Rockton, IL, 12/16/17, Wedding

We had Matt Stedman and the Ring of Music perform our wedding this year, Dec 10, 2017. Both my wife and I couldn’t have been more impressed by the job they did at our wedding! Matt was extremely easy to work with from start to finish, and he truly made sure that we got the experience that we truly wanted when we first told him what we were looking for. They even played a couple of songs that they hadn’t played, and learned for our wedding, and absolutely killed it! Long after the night was over, people were still talking about the band. The band is extremely talented, from the keyboard and percussionist, to the singers. We would highly recommend using Matt Stedman for your wedding if you want a truly awesome music experience!
— David and Stephanie S, Chicago, IL, 12/10/17, Wedding

Matt and his team were very easy to work with and incredibly talented. They really took the time to learn us and our musical preferences and then delivered at our wedding. Their sound quality was excellent and the female singers in particular were outstanding. They are true musicians…not your typical wedding band!
— Stephanie and David S, Chicago, IL, 12/10/17, Wedding

Matt Stedman was a dream to work with and the music at our wedding was better than we ever could have imagined. You will not regret hiring this band. They are talented, professional and extremely detailed. If I could give them 10 stars I would. The dance floor was jam packed the ENTIRE wedding! Our guests could not get enough that we even had them play longer than we originally planned. I could go on and on about how wonderful this band is but I think you can see how happy we were with them.
— Riley M, Chicago, IL, 12/09/17, Wedding

Matt and his band made our wedding day absolutely perfect! From the intimate ceremony music to creating our reception atmosphere and coordinating the day-we couldn’t be happier. I can’t recommend Matt enough and thank him for helping make our wedding day even more than we hoped for!
— Jenna W, Bloomington, IL, 11/18/17, Wedding

Matt Stedman and team area absolutely amazing to work with. Matt saved me with super short term requests on multiple occasions. One day I requested 3 bands for the following afternoon and he pulled together amazing talent without even blinking. Anytime I utilize Ring of Music and Matt, I get raving reviews about the talent and organization that goes into the entire process. A+++ Highly Recommended.
— Josh D, Chicago, IL, 11/07/17, Corporate Event

We had Matt Stedman Band & Ring Of Music Orchestra for our daughter’s wedding. We were so pleased with their part in making the day so perfect. Loved the music at church and what can I say about the reception? They had everyone up and dancing all night long. Exactly what you would hope the band do. What I myself liked the best, was that they didn’t announce their break which would’ve cleared the floor. Instead the music continued seamlessly. They did a fabulous job and were a pleasure to work with from start to finish.
— Kathy R, Wheaton, IL, 11/04/7, Wedding

Personable, professional, and extremely talented… Matt and his band are where it’s at. My husband and I were keen on hiring a live band for our wedding (this fall at Salvage One)… so we started with the knot, saw the rave reviews, dropped an email and heard back the very next day. Matt guided us through the process seamlessly, taking special time to get the timeline right, pronunciations of names spot-on, and ensure no stone was left unturned. Matt Stedman Band and Ring of Music Orchestra were the very first vendor we hired and I am so glad we did. They really helped us understand how all the moving pieces would intersect and most importantly, they provided the ultimate in entertainment and live songs for ourselves and our guests. We had a blast… they nailed every song requested (even learning some new jams). They play such a diverse array of music and genre’s! Our night included everything from beautiful acoustic sets during the ceremony to ACDC and Swing during the reception… to Polka (with my grandpa jamming with the band on his accordion). Special thanks to Matt for connecting with my grandpa in advance and helping make our night one we will never forget. Sidenote to the brides out there… I’m glad I brought sneakers to change into because the dance floor was where it was at. Cheers to all you do, Matt and Team! Rock on.
— Erin and Matt O, Chicago, IL, 11/03/17, Wedding

Matt Stedman is so easy to work with and he truly cares that your event is a success. He asks questions and listens to your exact needs so that he can deliver the best entertainment possible for your group.
— Dana M, Rosemont, IL, 10/25/17, Corporate Event

Matt Stedman Band & Ring of Music Orchestra were wonderful. They had all our guests up and dancing the whole time and were very accommodating to the genre of music we wanted.
— Jaime M, Chicago, IL, 10/28/17, Wedding

We worked with this group for a corporate event, and could not have been happier with the experience. They catered to our “Roaring Twenties” theme, and threw in the perfect mix of music to get our group dancing and having fun. We would absolutely love to work with them again in the future!
— Bridget L, Lombard, IL, 10/27/17, Corporate Event

Matt and the Band were unbelievable and made our wedding.! From the pre-planning months in advance to wedding day, to post-wedding followup, Matt was constantly involved. Not only was Matt always available via email and cell (sending emails at 1:30am some days!), but he was also in tune with what we were looking for, while providing his expertise on music, the flow of the cocktail hour and reception (which was VERY helpful), and timing. The night of the wedding, everything was executed flawlessly. Matt and the band arrived early with plenty of time to set up and ensure things were ready. Matt was also great with keeping us and the wedding party on track, and made sure that we had plenty of dancing time after dinner. Finally, speaking of dancing, the band was insane (in a good way)! They were fun, energetic, kept a good pace of fast vs. slow music, read the audience really well, and made sure we all had a great time. We would recommend Matt Steadman Band & Ring of Music Orchestra to anyone looking to get married – you will not be disappointed.
— Paul B, Bloomington, IL, 10/21/17, Wedding

We hired the Matt Stedman Band & ROM for our 9/2/17 wedding. It was a great decision! The band kept everyone on the dance floor the whole night. The musicians were very professional and timely. The preparation documents could have been a little more organized/easy to work through, but everything turned out great in the end
— Rachel L, Naperville, IL, 09/02/17, Wedding

Amazing band! Great up front coordination, asked all of the right questions, very professional, and most importantly a great band! Every guest loved the music and felt like they were at a live concert. High energy, great quality, and totally made our wedding. Would highly highly recommend this band!
— Jessica H, Milwaukee, WI, 08/05/17, Wedding

Matt Stedman Band & Ring of Music performed at our wedding in July, and all I can say is HIRE THEM AS YOUR WEDDING OR CORPORATE EVENT BAND – you will be so happy you did! I am in the event planning industry so I have a lot of experience with different vendors and Matt Stedman is seriously top-notch at what he does. He was so awesome at being in communication with us throughout the entire process, he was so flexible about timing and meeting us out in the city, and he is just so nice! He wrote our day-of timeline for us, and asked us questions we otherwise never would have thought of. I seriously don’t know what we would have done without their help in the day-of planning. And when it came to the wedding day and the band’s performance – we were all blown away!!! My husband & I are very into music and our wedding band was very important to us and Matt Stedman Band & ROM exceeded our expectations. They had everyone on the dance floor (including my grandma!) all night long! We are still receiving compliments about the band – and so many of my friends who are getting married are inquiring about them!
— Brooke and Jake W, Chicago, IL, 07/29/17, Wedding

Joel and I used the Matt Stedman Band & Ring of Music Orchestra for our wedding reception in July 2017. It is three months later and our guests still talk about about amazing the band was! Matt made sure every introduction and announcement was seamless and the dance floor was packed ALL NIGHT. We even had to extend the band an extra 30 minutes last minute because our guests would not stop dancing! Thank you for the perfect evening, Matt Stedman!!
— Rachel E, Chicago, IL, 07/15/17, Wedding

Everyone at my wedding would not stop raving about the Matt Steadman band! They provided the best atmosphere for our wedding! Form the beginning Matt was available anytime for questions and was awesome to work with throughout the whole process. And the price, very competitive and affordable compared to bands of similar high quality. Very talented group of musicians! Thanks again Matt!
— Lauren K, Chicago, IL, 07/09/17, Wedding

The Matt Stedman Band was great. From the first time we spoke on the phone, to the actual wedding day, they were on top of everything. They know how to keep a party going! I am really happy that we had such a great band for our weeding.
— Gabby C, Itasca, IL, 07/01/17

One of the things I will remember most about our wedding is that everyone was dancing – the entire night! Matt and his band are incredible and guests could not stop saying how amazing they thought the music was throughout the entire cocktail hour and reception. Our wedding would not have been the same without Matt’s unbelievable musicians, singers and professionalism. Not only did I feel great from the very beginning since Matt was extremely familiar with our venue (City Winery) and the lead coordinator from the venue, but Matt seemed to understand immediately the mix of music we wanted and exactly how we wanted our wedding to unfold. From coordinating with our day-of coordinator and reception venue, to having extremely thorough conversations with us, Matt knew just how to make our wedding stress-free and fun for everyone. Even a few days before, Matt texted me to ask my thoughts on a few songs last minute and also took my thoughts and opinions with extreme thoughtfulness and care. That same care showed on our wedding day when Matt came up and introduced himself to my new husband and I, letting us know that if we had any last minute music asks he’d do whatever he could to accommodate them that evening (which he did for a few songs during the DJ portion of our evening). I would recommend Matt and his crew to anyone looking for a band that fills up the dance floor for the entire night, can really play their instruments, sing and are just overall wonderful and professional people to work with.
— Kara M, Chicago, IL, 06/24/17, Wedding

The Matt Stedman Band was a blast to have at our wedding! They were energetic and played all of the classic songs that everyone loves. I received so many compliments on how amazing the band was for weeks after my wedding. I even had a few friends ask for the contact info of the band for their weddings. Matt was great to work with and provided a lot of insight into the flow of the reception and what songs really get people dancing. I recommend this band to any bride!
— Darien M, Chicago, IL, 06/17/17, Wedding

We recently hired Matt Stedman and Ring of Music for our parent’s 40th anniversary surprise party and we are so happy we did! This was the first time I have personally hired a band for a party and Matt was so wonderful to work with. He has a lot of experience and takes the time to walk you through the process to make sure you are comfortable with everything. Our party was a surprise and we couldn’t have pulled it off without Matt MC’ing it! It really was perfect. The music was exactly what we wanted.. the band is so talented and the singers were amazing. All of our guests kept on asking me where I found the band and they want to use them as well:) I would highly recommend hiring Matt Stedman Band & Ring of Music, you will be so happy you did!!
— Kim B, Joliet, IL, 06/10/17, Private Party

We hired Ring of Music for our wedding on June 3rd, 2017, and they gave us the greatest gift a bride and groom could ask for – A FULL DANCE FLOOR ALL NIGHT LONG! Having a band was a priority for my husband and I while we were planning our wedding. We knew that having band would leave a lasting impression of our special day.
Matt worked with us from the beginning to the end of our wedding planning process. He explained that Ring of Music has a wide collection of music artists – many of whom have received awards for their talents! He coordinated every minute of our reception to meet our needs and wants for the day. He was available via phone and email for any questions we had leading up to our day. Ring of Music has an extensive set list and offer you the opportunity to tell them what you do and do not like in terms of music. I should note that Matt will only be at your specific event if you pay to have a fiddle/harmonica player. We did pay to have him as the 6th piece of the band we were hiring because we wanted to have country and Celtic music within our set list. He is a very talented musician and a wonderful man to work with.
Every moment of our reception was perfectly timed thanks to Ring of Music’s expertise. We cannot say enough good things about our experiences with Matt and Ring of Music. They are incredible! The artists that performed at our wedding were all extremely talented. Our guests are still talking about how awesome the band was and how much fun they had dancing at our wedding. Our dance floor was full all night and we were overjoyed with how the entire night unfolded.
If you hire Ring of Music, you will undoubtedly have a wonderful event. It was the best decision we could have made for our wedding day planning. THANK YOU RING OF MUSIC OF MAKING OUR HAPPILY EVER AFTER EVEN HAPPIER!
— Katey P, Geneva, IL, 06/03/17, Wedding

Perfect experience. Matt and his team are super detailed and customize more than you’d ever expect. The music quality was outstanding and we still get compliments that we had the best band and dancing. We never worried about the process because it was clear Matt and his team have a personal drive to make the experience top notch and they surpassed our expectations in every way.
— Scott L, Saugatuck, MI, 06/03/17, Wedding

Matt Stedman and team are the MOST AMAZING musicians and people. Working with Matt was so easy and fun-you won’t find a more kind and down to earth person. He covered every detail of our wedding and made sure that it flowed according to plan. We had so many difficult to pronounce Polish names, and he put in the time and effort to learn each and every one so it was flawless. He and his team are EXTRAORDINARY!!! They exceeded all of our expectations and just made the whole event so much fun! They really are the full package and made our ceremony and reception better than we ever could have imagined. THANK YOU!!!
— Elizabeth S, Maple Park, IL, 05/13/17, Wedding

This is an excellent band! They were very organized and helped the event proceed perfectly. Their music was great (I received a lot of compliments about the band)
— Clayton C, West Bend, WI, 05/06/17, Wedding

We loooooved working with Matt for our wedding. He was so professional, easy to get in touch with, sincere and kind. He helped us with some day of coordination, too. And our guests all raved about how amazing the music was!!
— Jamie and David S, Chicago, IL, 05/06/17, Wedding

Matt has helped us beginning to end from the moment we had that first phone call. It was very easy going the whole way through and guided us step by step. The band had people on the dance floor from beginning to end. This band was by far, the highlight of our wedding!
— Nora B and Ashley D, Chicago, IL, 04/07/17, Wedding

The Matt Stedman Band was recommended to us by our venue and we are so pleased we had them perform at our wedding. Matt was very organized and that made my husband and I even more organized and thorough in our planning. They learned a new song for me to walk down the aisle to and did not hesitate to say yes when we asked if a friend of ours could play a song during the reception (and his band was amazing, listening to our friend play for a little and then jumping-in and accompanying him). The sound was amazing and we loved every song they played. Thank you for adding so much to our unforgettable night!
— Reba N, Chicago, IL, 03/26/17, Wedding

We chose to have our wedding in a music venue, so we knew from the start we wanted to work with a live band for our ceremony and reception. After researching several bands in the Chicagoland area, the Matt Stedman Band stood out to us because of their great reviews. Learning that an old college friend who is a great performer was in the band gave us faith in the caliber of their talent, too. Working with Matt prior to the wedding was a breeze; he provided us with a blueprint of the details we needed to think about for our ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception. We asked our guests for song recommendations on their RSVP cards, and the band was able to incorporate many of these into the day as well. On the day of the wedding, the Matt Stedman Band was flexible when we ran a bit behind schedule, provided beautiful accompaniment for our ceremony on the venue stage, and they were certainly the highlight of the night for our guests. Everyone raved about their performance and we had so many friends and family asking more about them even after the night was over. They truly made our wedding day everything we hoped it would be!
— Jennifer and Travis D, Berwyn, IL, 03/25/17, Wedding

My wife and I did an extensive research on wedding bands around Chicago. Matt Stedman Band stood out to us because of their sound quality, versatility in different song genres, professionalism, extensive knowledge in the industry and also Matt’s ability to do day of coordination. Matt was SUPER easy to work with. Also, they don’t charge a ridiculous price. My mother in law at the time had doubts at first because we weren’t able to see the band performs live. She was worried that this big wedding (230 guests) might have a lame dance atmosphere at the reception. But once the big day came, we were all blown away by their performance. My mother in law received heaps of compliments from her friends and she had a lot of fun dancing too. We highly recommend having Matt as your Day of Coordinator as he was the perfect point person and his timing as an MC is impeccable. To this day we still receive compliments from our guests for the awesome music at the ceremony, cocktail hour and reception.
— Denny W, Chicago, IL, 03/03/17, Wedding

We were thrilled with our experience with the Matt Stedman Band! They were extremely professional and fun to watch. All performers were full of energy and looked like they truly enjoyed their work. They worked with us every step of the way during the process of finding the right band for our function. Would definitely recommend!!!
— Bernadette R, St. Charles, IL, 02/28/17, Corporate Event

They were really great to work with! Matt does a great job of planning is filled with great advice and experience. The wedding was perfect because of them. They read the crowd well, and played nearly everything we wanted. I definitely recommend them to anyone.
— Tyler K, Chicago, IL, 02/18/17, Wedding

I was so pleased with the Matt Stedman Band. They did everything that we discussed. Played all the songs we requested. Also very patient when the program went longer that expected. Matt was so nice and easy to work with. The guests raved about the music, easy to dance, easy to listen to and all the guests favorite dance songs. I would definitely use this band again when the need arises. Thanks Matt.
— Julie D, Bloomington, IL, 02/10/17, Corporate Event

Matt and his team were great! Very professional and organized. Would definitely recommend them.
— Suzy S, Chicago, IL, 12/31/16, Wedding

I have hired Matt Stedman Band & Ring of Music Orchestra on 2 separate corporate occasions and both have been fantastic! Matt is professional, thorough, and a great musician. He and his band mates are energetic, lively, and are very interactive with the crowd. They are such a fun band and I would highly recommend for any occasion. My friend just booked them for her wedding!
— Andra T, Chicago, IL, 12/13/16, Corporate Event

We hired the Matt Stedman Band for a fun evening at The Carnivale Restaurant in Chicago. We had 125 staff and sales reps there and the band was perfect! Matt was very thorough in reviewing our group’s expectations ahead of time, and they are really great at playing to the crowd! I would highly recommend them!
— Lori L, Chicago, IL, 12/06/16, Corporate Event

Great Band, great professional MC, great facilitator of planning and event execution. (1st review)

Matt was an asset at our wedding. He helped us plan for the sequencing of speeches, dances, cake cutting etc. and made sure everything went smoothly on our big day. We really didn’t have to worry about much. And of course the music was great. Our guests loved it, and we had a great time. (2^nd review)
— Max R, Rockford, IL, 12/03/16, Wedding

Matt Stedman and his band were nothing but professional and reliable throughout our entire wedding process. He went through everything step by step with us many times. On the day of our wedding, his services were even better than I thought that they would be, if possible. Stedman MC’ed our wedding and did a wonderful job making sure that everything ran smoothly. Plus, the dance floor was packed all night!!
— Nicole O, Rockford, IL, 12/03/16, Wedding

Normally, I wouldn’t give 5/5 stars on everything.. but honestly, this was just an incredible performance. Choosing a band was much harder than I thought until I had my first conversation with Matt Stedman. His sincerity and knowledge of not only the music industry but the wedding industry in general just blew us away. Needless to say, it was an easy decision based on our extensive conversations and their stellar demos on their webpage. Leading up to the big day, Matt kept on top of us, checking in appropriately, making sure, to the last detail, that everything was the way we wanted it (checklists, checking in with vendors, coordinating with our hotel’s in-house wedding planner). The big day came and went in a flash but what everyone was talking about was how great the band was. We had a nine piece band but I feel confident it would have sounded just as good with 5 or 6. Matt and his crew are PROFESSIONALS. From our ceremony, which was beautiful played by Matt (violin) and crew (guitar) to our first dance (Belted by their phenomenal female vocalists) , and throughout the entire reception and beyond, they were incredible, flawless and professional. Don’t shop around if you are looking for a wedding band. Matt and his band are it.
— Ben and Laura R, Naperville, IL, 11/26/16, Wedding

In early 2016, we evaluated some highly rated bands on The Knot by reading others’ reviews and ultimately whittled the list down to just a few – including the Matt Stedman Band. From our first consultation, it was clear that Matt is the consummate professional. I mean this guy knows the ins-and-outs of what a wedding should be about: getting the mass audience, from the shy cousin to the rowdy uncle, out on the dance floor. Prior to the actual event in November 2016, we had more conversations with Matt about the logistics for the day and what musical accompaniments we were thinking about. He always provided us his expert opinion with examples on what he has seen work (and not work). And let me tell you…he was right every time. Feel free to read the other reviews and do your homework on other bands out there, but you won’t regret having Matt and his motley band of musicians play at your special event!
— Markie and Mark R, Barrington, IL, 11/19/16, Wedding

MSB played at our wedding October 22, 2016 and was amazing! My husband and I cannot say enough good things about Matt Stedman. He was so easy to work with, fun, and knowledgeable. Matt took care of all the details so we could just relax and enjoy our reception. Our biggest request was to keep the dance floor packed all night long. They did just that, and more! The instruments, vocalists, and quality of music were top notch. Our guests are still raving about how awesome the band was! If you are looking for an incredible band who knows how to entertain and have fun, MSB is it!
— Kelly S, Indianapolis, IN, 10/22/16, Wedding

Pre Event: Super easy to work with and very responsive At Event: Very professional, flexible and played music according to the ‘vibe’ of the room. Very classy and even allowed one of our guests to join in with them for a few dance songs Post Event: Followed up with a thank you. timely final invoice The next corporate or personal event I host in the greater Chicago area, this will be the only band I call!
— Marc C, Chicago, IL, 10/16/16, Corporate Event

The Matt Stedman Band & Ring of Music Orchestra performed at our wedding on October 8, 2016 in Chicago, IL. The whole process from booking, preparing and finally the performance was a great one. When I called to ask some details of Matt and the band he was very engaging, open and honest about what it is that he likes to do and how exactly he can best meet our needs/wants for our event. My husband and I were pretty open to anything for the reception and basically let Matt use his expertise to design what would work best for our crowd, space and the band. Matt took the time out of his day to really get to know us to get a better feel of our personalities and musical interests. The band’s performance for our wedding lasted for 7 hours including the cocktail hour. It all went better than either my husband or I ever expected! When you walked into the venue all of our guests were greeted with the beautiful sounds of a guitar playing (Matt’s idea). It was the perfect sound level of what is appropriate for a cocktail hour. The lead singer of the band also served as our MC for the reception and she did a marvelous job with pronouncing everyone’s names for introductions, special dances, etc. All night long the dance floor was packed! Our wedding had a variety of ages from 2-86 and everyone was either dancing or enjoying hearing the band play. It was a great night and a wonderful overall experience all thanks to Matt and the band!!
— Grace and Matt V, Chicago, IL, 10/08/16, Wedding

We have nothing but good things to say about the Matt Stedman Band. Our dance floor was filled the entire night! They were amazing and so worth it! Highly recommend them!
— Kaitlin S, Madison, WI, 10/08/16, Wedding

I booked Matt and the group for my wedding. I had the best time. Matt is so very helpful and is very engaging. I could not recommend this band enough! Their catalog of music is amazing. When they perform…they get the whole crowd going! Ours was a same sex marriage and we wanted to make sure the band played music that was inclusive…and they did. I danced all night!!! The dance floor was never empty. Book them and book them now! You will not be disappointed.
— James R, Chicago, IL, 10/01/16, Wedding

They were UNBELIEVABLY good! I can’t count how many people came up to me after the Wedding to tell me how much they enjoyed the band. They literally took care of the whole show and made it so easy for us to relax and enjoy. I would highly recommend them to anyone. They also were extremely cool to work with, and even allowed for a surprise performance of the Blues Brothers… it seemed like they had been working with them for years!
— Michelle & Dustin W, Chicago, IL, 09/10/16, Wedding

Matt Stedman was AMAZING. Getting the Ring of Music was easily one of the BEST wedding decisions we made. Matt was with us throughout the entire wedding process and walked us through everything. He helped us plan our wedding down to the smallest detail and was very responsive leading up to the wedding. I would HIGHLY recommend you let Matt act as your day of coordinator as well, as he was great in that role. On the day of our wedding, Matt was organized and on top of everything. I don’t think more than 15 minutes ever went by without someone coming by complimenting the music and how AWESOME the band was. They kept the dance floor packed and played one of the best horas I had ever been a part of. Long story short, Matt was great, music is amazing, highly recommended!
— Maria O and Alex D, Chicago, IL, 09/04/16, Wedding

Amazing band! Great up front coordination, asked all of the right questions, very professional, and most importantly a great band! Every guest loved the music and felt like they were at a live concert. High energy, great quality, and totally made our wedding. Would highly recommend this band!
— Sarah M, Chicago, IL, 08/27/16, Wedding

Where oh where do I begin! If you want your wedding reception or any event to go off without a hitch and have your guests constantly on the dance floor please use Matt Stedman band!! They went above and beyond for our wedding reception and made it absolutely perfect! They were extremely easy to work with and completely focused on making your visions come true. Matt Stedman band and the ring of music thank you so much for being so amazing! My husband and I and all of our guests absolutely loved you!!!
— Kate K, Plymouth, IN, 08/13/16, Wedding

They played at my son and daughter in law’s wedding recently. They are a very talented group of musicians. Their playlist had everyone dancing all night…..from my 86 year old mother and her sisters…..to the youngest 10 year old guest. I would highly recommend them!
— Karen L, Benton Harbor, MI, 08/06/16, Wedding

Trust Matt and let him and his band to their thing. They are amazing and will make your night the most perfect ever – talented, professional and the most fun. No one wants to leave the dance floor – truly perfect in every way!
— Karen J, Chicago, IL, 07/08/16, Wedding

We hired Matt Stedman and ROM to play at our ceremony/reception, which all occurred at River Roast. They did a fantastic job playing an extremely wide variety of music from instrumental to funk/soul to classics/dance (they have an extensive list!). Since we didn’t do a sit down dinner the band played for the entire evening and kept everyone on the feet enjoying the music, scenery and experience. While playing it was apparent that these guys love what they do; they were so into each and every song they played, which resulted in a happy crowd! What was even more refreshing is that Matt and his team are very genuine people. Many of family, friends and other vendors had conversations with band members during breaks, before and after they played, and really spoke highly of their character. I coordinated with Matt two-three months before the event and could not be more satisfied with his attitude and professionalism. He was great helping us make decisions on flow and sequence of events since we didn’t have a traditional wedding. Matt was responsive to my musical requests, but pushed back enough to get us to a middle ground where everyone could enjoy the entertainment. I highly recommend hiring this band for their talent, professionalism and incredible amount of experience.
— Ankita and Ryan J, Chicago, IL, 07/08/16, Wedding

We had Matt Stedman Band perform at our wedding at the Bridgeport Sculpture Garden on July 3rd and they were amazing! So many people commented on how great they were – both at the ceremony and at the reception and cocktail hour. The dance floor was packed the whole night! Matt was also wonderful to work with – super professional, and had lots of great recommendations for the evening as a whole. We are SO glad we hired them!!
— Nicole and Jacob C, Chicago, IL, 07/03/16, Wedding

This band totally delivered on our wedding day! We had booked them 18 months in advance so we felt like we had a lot of prep time with Matt, who is incredibly detailed oriented and does not hesitate to share his opinion on what he thinks will make your day run smoothly. The logistics of the day went smoothly and their range of music was fantastic. We felt like everyone had something they could dance to that evening but they amped up the energy towards the end of the night, which we wanted. They deliver a lot of sound with fewer musicians than I expected. We were happy that we got a sax player but Matt had said we would be fine without it (we were 200 guests in an outdoor tent). I really appreciated their flexibility in learning a new song for our first dance – it did the trick. Highly recommend!
— Sarah and Al N, Chicago, IL, 06/25/16, Wedding

Matt was so amazing to work with! Very personable and wanted to make sure everything was perfect for our big day. The band was a blast and kept everyone on the dance floor all night. Would recommend for ALL of my friend’s weddings!
— Bridget P, Chicago, IL, 06/25/16, Wedding

Matt Stedman and the Wedding Band that he provided were the crowning piece of our daughter’s and new son-in-laws wedding reception. Matt appreciated the musical background of the bride and groom. People were dancing from start to finish. People of ALL ages. The band can cover anything. It did not deteriorate to young people jumping about to hip hop tunes.
— Julie G, Chicago, IL, 06/25/16, Wedding

So glad we had Matt Stedman Band at our wedding! Not only did they obviously rock the reception by playing my favorite live requests and doing an awesome version of the Hora for us, but the ceremony and cocktail music was fantastic. What really set Matt apart was his willingness to hands on help me create my entire wedding day schedule months in advance and be my dependable partner the day of to make sure events and people were on time without me ever having to worry about it myself. Felt great to know that someone as organized and experienced as Matt was there to make sure everything was perfect. My friend also had them at her wedding and they still rave 5 years later! Highly recommended, you will not be disappointed! 🙂
— Amy M, Fontana-On-Geneva Lake, WI, 06/24/16, Wedding

Ring of Music performed at the Katy/Bryce wedding reception on Saturday June 18 at the Chicago History Museum and it was fantastic. The emceeing was perfect and the band was excellent and knew how to keep the dance floor rockin. A great time! Our son, the groom, is a musician himself, and pointedly requested your band. We were prepared to be amazed, but your band was second to none- absolutely blew us away! The dance floor was filled non-stop and both friends and family raved during and after the wedding. Ring of Music truly made the reception out of this world and memorable for all! Highly, highly recommended!
— Eric, Chicago, IL, 06/18/16, Wedding

Amazing. Incredible. Exceptional. I think those properly describe Matt Stedman Band and Ring of Music Orchestra. Matt and his Band was such a blessing to have at our wedding. I never spoke with Matt or met him until the night of our wedding, but I trusted my wife 100% and boy, i am glad i did. I know i could have spoken to him if I had wanted too, but my wife and I spoke, we got down what we wanted and I let her handle the rest. By the look in her eyes after their first conversation I knew it was going to be awesome. My personal favorite part was selecting all the amazing song choices and then hearing them live that night. And Talk about range of genres! Matt rocked the night away and our wedding guests are STILL talking about it a month later. Out of this world talent. They do not disappoint!
— Andrew S, Northfield, IL 06/04/16, Wedding

I honestly do not know where to begin! Matt was the best. I knew I had found the band for us within the first few minutes of my phone call with Matt. My Husband and I had an idea of what we wanted but we were more importantly wanting to be able to trust the Band to guide the day/reception and to lead us in the right direction for our Wedding. Matt did that and SO much more. We shared similar visions and I didn’t have to say much when it came down to it. He was an amazing coordinator working with our other vendors and working out the reception timeline. He was attentive, detailed orientated and bottom line, on top of his game all around. But more than anything else, the talent that Matt Stedman Band and Ring of Music has is out of this world! The range of genres of what they are able to play was incredible. We are lovers of all music, and we were able to convey that pretty remarkably with Matt and his band. We were married June 4th, and a month and a day later, we still have family and friends mentioning the band when the wedding comes up in conversation. I think its important to mention we got married in my childhood home, in the backyard under a tent. It was raining, hot, humid and a tad muddy, but you would have never known by the way Matt and his band directed the night. My guests has so much fun. It was the wedding of the summer and I am truly forever grateful for Matt! I honestly feel I will never posses the vocabulary to adequately express my gratitude.
— Virginia S, Northfield, IL, 06/04/16, Wedding

I highly recommend the Matt Stedman band to you! They are phenomenal musicians, perform with great professionalism and are down to earth friendly as well. We were “caught in a pinch” for a band for our son’s wedding and Mr. Stedman’s band came through for us. And how they did! We had a great night of dancing to their mix of live music and DJ tunes. Mr. Stedman is detailed and organized, and utilized these skills to help us plan an evening that ran very smoothly, leaving us free to just enjoy the wedding and our guests! I felt that Mr. Stedman genuinely wanted to make this a great evening for us, and he did! Thank You!!
— Marilyn H, Chicago, IL, 06/04/16, Wedding

My name is Jessica Bruno, I’m a wedding planner and I was hired for day of coordination by a bride and groom (Forever & Always Weddings). The Matt Stedman Band was awesome! My bride and groom had an issue 3 weeks before the wedding and needed music. The Matt Stedman Band was there and stepped in to help! Matt, the owner and Kenny, the band leader were phenomenal to work with. Both super nice and accommodating. Things got a little crazy at the wedding where it was running a bit off time. So I worked with Kenny and Andrea (singer) to get back on track. They sounded great and I can’t wait to work with them in the future! 🙂
— Jessica B, Chicago, IL 06/04/16, Wedding

We hired Matt Stedman Band for our wedding (05/29/16) at White Eagle Golf Club in Naperville, IL. I cannot say enough positive things about the band and about Matt himself. Throughout the process, he was extremely detail oriented and helpful and made sure each aspect of my day was planned to a T. I cannot tell you how many compliments I received from guests about how good the band was. Everyone raved about what a great time the reception was and everyone danced all night. In addition, the music for my ceremony was so unique and beautiful. Again, received so many compliments and for me as a Bride, the band was what made my wedding day what it was…..a beautiful, FUN party! 🙂 Would recommend to anyone in search of a wedding band!
— Reagen H, Naperville, IL, 05/29/16, Wedding

They are THE BEST! Fun, professional, organized, sweet, affordable and INSANELY TALENTED!!!!!!!
— Chris W, Chicago, IL 05/28/16, Wedding

This band was an absolute hit at our wedding. I am biased (of course), but I have never been to a wedding where the dance floor was so packed the entire night. We had people from all age groups comment that Ring of Music was the best wedding band they have ever heard. They were professionals from the first day we worked together to the last and I am so thankful we found them! We loved you guys!
— Sarah C, Bloomington, IL, 05/07/16, Wedding

Matt was an absolute joy to work with during our wedding process. He was organized and enthusiastic. He played for our wedding at Heritage Prairie Farm and we can’t say enough great things! The dance floor was packed and people kept coming up to me saying “this band is awesome. Where did you find them?” I would highly recommend them for your wedding. Incredibly talented and fun!
— Jeff N, Elburn, IL, 05/07/16, Wedding

This band rocks….literally!! We were so pleased with our whole experience! From start to finish, Matt and his band only wanted to provide the best service and tunes. Matt thinks and goes over every detail…(many we were not aware of) that makes the wedding reception flawless! Professional, fun, and artistic, you cannot go wrong. The band is amazing, and we had our guests compliment this band over and over again! If you want your guests to dance and have fun, this is the band you want to hire. He will not disappoint!! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
— Jody S, Elburn, IL, 05/07/16, Wedding

They were the best from beginning to end. They promised everyone would be dancing all night, and they delivered. They also kept everything on time during the night. They were easy to deal with before the wedding regarding planning and details. Best part: they learned our first dance song to be able to play it for us…it was spot on. They are the best!
— Joe O, Chicago, IL, 04/30/16, Wedding

We recently had the Matt Stedman Band perform at our April 30th wedding, and they were FANTASTIC! All the musicians and vocalists were top notch! We received so many compliments from our guests, and everybody wanted to know where we found this incredible band! Not only was their performance amazing, but Matt made the planning process super easy. He was always quick to respond to texts and emails even late at night. I’m usually lucky if I can get my now husband to dance to one song, and the band had him dancing for the entire reception. We had such an amazing time dancing the night away and would recommend the Matt Stedman Band to everyone!
— Jessica K, Naperville, IL, 04/30/16, Wedding

These guys are the BEST!! Every guest at our wedding asked who they were and how they could go see them again. Matt Stedman Chicago Wedding band is thorough, organized, thoughtful…and a wonderful musician! The rest of the band was also outstanding!!! We applied many of their suggestions to our ceremony, cocktail hour and reception – and everything was perfect, beyond perfect. If you like music, if music is important to you on your wedding day – then you need to hire this band!!
— Kate and JP R, Milwaukee, WI, 04/09/16, Wedding

We hired Matt Stedman band for our wedding in February, they were great! Matt spent a ton of time with us going over music selections and what our preferences were, they were over the top great to work with! Everyone danced from the minute they started until the minute they ended, it truly made the wedding so fun!
— Mary Anne F, Rosemont, IL, 02/13/16, Wedding

To Whom it may Concern: Last weekend my new wife and I got married at The Herrington Hotel and Spa in Geneva, IL. After interviewing many bands to perform at our ceremony and reception, we selected Matt Stedman Chicago wedding band and his Ring of Music Orchestra. Matt’s follow-up and attention to detail was amazing. He helped us design a plan and track for everything from the ceremony music, to the right music for the cocktail party and every song for the reception, including music for the breaks. One of the other huge benefits to working with Matt is that not only had he worked with the venue and the coordinators at The Herrington, but new all the vendors and had a relationship with them to make transitions and flow of the day go extremely smooth. The Day of the wedding, Matt was incredibly professional and his band was amazing with their musicianship and energy. They all dressed very professionally and had us all dancing throughout the night. I would highly recommend Matt and his band for your wedding or any other function that you may be considering a band to perform. You will be very happy with the level of follow-up and professionalism with Matt and with the quality of the band. They were truly amazing.
— Steve G, Geneva, IL, 01/23/16, Wedding

From the emceed introductions to the final dance, Matt Stedman & Ring of Music Orchestra was fantastic! Their pre-wedding discussions ensured our favorite music was played and a smooth flow to the whole evening; introductions, toasts, cake cutting, etc. They can play any style of music that you want and will work within your budget to create a band arrangement to suit your needs. Cross this off your to-do list, you’ve found the right band.
— Kevin and Kristen M, Chicago, IL, 01/16/16, Wedding

One of our tougher questions when planning the wedding was whether to use a DJ or a band. I cannot stress enough that a live band is the way to go, and that the Matt Stedman Band is the live band for you. The band sounded great all night. More importantly, Matt went above and beyond to make sure we had all of the information we needed and that we were comfortable from the start of the process all the way through the end of the reception. If you choose Matt and the Ring of Music Orchestra for your wedding, you will not be disappointed.
— Sarah W, Chicago, IL, 01/02/16, Wedding

Matt Stedman Band played at my sister-in-law’s wedding on January 2nd, 2016. They were AWESOME! Everyone was up dancing and singing along! They played a wonderful mixture of oldies and new hits. I was pregnant at the wedding and my husband was nervous I was getting my heart rate too high from dancing so much! Fantastic band! I would highly recommend for any wedding!
— Cece W, Chicago, IL, 01/02/16, Wedding

Great band, keep the dance floor packed. Would highly recommend!
— Bobby B, Chicago, IL, 12/31/15, Wedding

Both Matt and Brian we very professional, They showed up on time, and were very accommodating with music and helping with our drawing of a acoustic guitar which Brian played for a set . It was a wonderful time and great guys!!
— Mike F, Huntley, IL, 12/18/15, Special Event

We had so much fun rocking out to this band, and my husband and I have gotten tons of compliments on the awesome music at our wedding! They really made the night special, and they played a ton of great songs to get people up and dancing. The band was very professional and courteous, and they were good at determining the kind of music our group wanted to hear and what we wouldn’t like. Matt is so professional and thorough, and you can tell he really cares about your wedding and wants everything to be perfect. He made a lot of suggestions and was very helpful while I was choosing songs for our entrance, first dance, etc. I was having some trouble finding a song for our prelude that I loved. Matt convinced me that “Can’t Help Falling In Love” would be perfect, and now I tear up a little when I hear it because it because it makes me remember my moments before walking down the aisle. I have zero regrets about booking them, and I definitely recommend them!
— Leslie and Kristopher J, Burlington, IA, 11/14/15, Wedding

We recently had the Matt Stedman Band perform at our October 24th wedding, and they were AMAZING! All the musicians and vocalists were incredible! We received so many compliments from our reception guests, and the dance floor was packed the whole evening! Not only was their performance top notch, but Matt made the planning process easy. He was readily available with any questions and always returned my texts, phone calls, or emails promptly. At the reception, he also served as the night of coordinator making the night run smoothly, allowing for myself and my now husband to be stress free! I can’t say enough positive things about the Matt Stedman Band! They were our best wedding investment!
— Rae & Jake B, Oak Forest, IL, 10/24/15, Wedding

Everyone enjoyed them!
— Joy and Mark M, South Bend, IN, 10/24/15, Wedding

Matt and the whole band were such a pleasure to work with on our wedding. Matt provided us with a worksheet to fill out that helped him put a line up together for the reception as well as an opportunity for us to pick out songs we definitely wanted to hear and songs that we liked. About a month before the wedding we met with Matt to review everything. Day of, the band did our ceremony, cocktail, and reception and we’ve gotten great feedback from our guests about the music during all parts of the wedding. The reception ran really smoothly (i.e. toasts, dances, etc.) and we all had a fantastic time. I couldn’t think of anything I’d change about our experience with the band and I’d definitely recommend them to my friends for use in the future. Thanks Matt Stedman Band for such a fantastic day!
— Francie and David D, Chicago, IL, 10/18/15, Wedding

Jim and I could not have been happier with Matt Stedman Band! Our guests all raved about them! We have literally had 10+ people ask for the band’s information and how we found them. If you want a stellar performance, packed dance floor, and rockin’ professionalism, this is your band! Our only regret is we can’t go back and do it all over again!
— Anna and Jim M, Chicago, IL, 10/17/15, Wedding

ABSOLUTELY the very best band, and I have heard many. They kept the crowd dancing until 2am. Everyone commented that it was the best band they every heard at a wedding – they can play EVERYTHING perfectly!!!!! I don’t recall them even taking a break, which they certainly are entitled to do!
— Ruth S, Chicago, IL, 10/17/15, Wedding

Matt and the band were extremely awesome to work with! From the day we signed the contract with them to even a week after our wedding, Matt was there to make sure everything went off without a hitch. Oh, and they absolutely killed it the night of our wedding! The dance floor was packed all night and many of our guests came up to us with high regards to the band. Highly recommended!
— Jordan and Christina F, Sheboygan, WI, 10/10/15, Wedding

We were looking for a small jazz combo for music during cocktail hour and dinner, and found Ring of Music online. From the start, Matt was professional and easy to work with. The trio was likewise professional and their music was perfect. I appreciated their attention to volume, so as to be heard without being overwhelming. They negotiated the logistical challenge of needing to reset everything between cocktails and dinner within a short time frame. Feedback from our guests was very positive and I’ve already recommended them to two friends. Bravo!
— Claire and Anthony M, Elgin, IL, 10/03/15, Wedding

This band is beyond amazing! My guests were on the dance floor from beginning to end with wonderful tunes! Words can’t even describe how wonderful they are and so easy to work with! HIGHLY recommend!!
— Danielle and Vince B, Plainfield, IL, 10/03/15, Wedding

We came across the Matt Stedman Band while searching for a bluegrass-ish band for our wedding. We listened to a few songs on their site, and decided to get in touch. My wife the initial contact with Matt, and she was blown away by how genuine and personal their conversation immediately was – she knew right away that she wanted to work with Matt because he understood her wants/needs/vision for our wedding. We worked with Matt to make music selections from the band’s ready-to-rock live music selections, which was filled with music across all genres.
Matt worked hard to make it a very personalized event, and his effort shined through at the reception. He helped guide us towards great songs for the big moments during the ceremony and during the reception – like Mother/Son and Father Daughter dances. They rocked our wedding, sounded great, and everyone we’ve talked to absolutely loved it! Would definitely point our friends or family in his direction!
Side note – Matt even helped wrangle our enormous and unruly wedding party (24 total) before being announced to the crowd. This kind of help and attention to detail was a tremendous relief on our big day.
— Kassie and Daniel B, St. Louis, MO, 09/26/15, Wedding

Matt Stedman Band played at my wedding reception this fall and they were AMAZING, from the first phone call to the last song. Matt was very helpful when I first called to talk about my husband’s and my musical taste, priorities for the event, and pricing. He walked me through every detail, and made himself available by phone and email 24/7 for any questions or concerns. Their song list is gigantic, and they are incredibly organized when it comes to emceeing (again walking through everything, noting name pronunciations, making sure we pre-approve each component). The day-of, they were flexible when the caterer wasn’t quite ready to serve dinner at the scheduled time, Matt checked in with me before announcing anything major (e.g. special dances, dessert cutting), and they were so positive and wonderful to work with. And then the music started. Oh my goodness, there were guests tearing up the dance floor that I had never seen dance at a wedding before. They played exactly what we had hoped, and did a great job of gauging the audience — cutting a song or two shorter if people didn’t seem into it, and turning “Devil Went Down to Georgia” into a 15-minute epic jam that I thought might take the roof right down. Our guests still rave about how great the music was, and asking them to play at our reception was one of the best wedding planning choices we made.
— Maggie and Nathan S, Wilmette, IL, 09/12/15, Wedding

My husband and I enjoyed working with Matt and his ring of music chicago orchestra band. Matt is extremely detailed, and delivered a great night just as he promised they would. I would hire the Matt Stedman Band over and over again. Our dance floor was packed all night, and the guests loved the music! Thank you Matt-you were a pleasure to work with!!!
— Renee G., St. Joseph, MI, 08/15/15, Wedding

The Matt Stedman Band, not only incredibly talented but AWESOME to work with. I first heard of the Band by searching on Knot. After listening to their short music clips and my first phone conversation with Matt I knew it was a done deal. Matt is the epitome of professionalism. The first thing he said to me was “I am going to make this the best day of your life” and his talented group sure did. He is extremely organized, thorough and he is not afraid to take charge. My husband and I tend to have old souls and also we wanted crowd pleasing music for our guests (all age groups) who were traveling to Chicago to celebrate with us. We love all of the good Classic Rock songs especially our first dance song “Into the Mystic by Van Morrison” They nailed it!! Our guests absolutely had the time of their lives on the dance floor with this group. Matt had the whole evening planned out. It was amazing… he had his own timeline of how the evening should flow and he surely stuck to it. We had a conversation a few weeks before the wedding to make sure he was pronouncing names correctly and he was just so aware and on top of it. This Chicago Wedding Band is incredibly talented and I HIGHLY recommended to anyone if you are looking for a band for wedding . There is nothing I would have changed…other than having them play longer (The History Museum kicked us out at Midnight!). THANK YOU for making this the BEST day of our Lives!!!!!!
— Adriana and Anthony G, Chicago, IL, 08/08/15, Wedding

My daughter had her wedding at Salvatore’s in Chicago, we thought it would be a good idea to ask them who is the best band they have ever had to get the people out on the dance floor and without hesitation, Amanda the wedding coordinator for Salvatore’s said Matt Stedman Band. That was the best decision we made! They were extremely professional, kind and courteous. Matt and my daughter planned out every song and we knew exactly what was going to happen all evening long. We had a duet for the ceremony, music during cocktail hour and then music for the wedding. I danced every single song except for one because of pictures. My daughter and her husband wanted some Grateful Dead songs for the Dead Heads in the group and you should of seen their faces when they played those songs! They were so happy and they couldn’t stop talking about it! I feel they really made my daughter’s wedding a fun night for everyone, it’s been 2 months and I am still thinking about how much fun I had thanks to Matt Stedman and his band!
— Sharon M, Chicago, IL, 08/08/15, Wedding

(2nd review from Sharon)

We had the Matt Stedman Band for my daughter’s wedding at Salvatore’s in Chicago. They were the best wedding band I had ever seen at a wedding! I asked the wedding coordinator at Salvatore’s who the best wedding band was that she had seen and without hesitation she said the Matt Stedman Band. People (including myself) were out on the dance floor all night long! They were so kind and courteous and Matt was so nice to deal with. I think he was more concerned then we were about having everything being perfect which is saying a lot for Matt because the band was my main concern. Book them for your wedding, you will not be disappointed.
— Sharon M, Chicago, IL, 08/08/15, Wedding

I could not say enough good things about the Matt Stedman Band. We had our wedding reception at Revolution Brewing back in August and Matt was involved with the planning of the reception 3 months before the event. Matt is extremely passionate about his work and all of the planning and phone calls paid off in the end. It was truly an amazing experience working with him and his group. I highly suggest giving him a call for your own wedding or event.
— Matt and Laura M, Chicago, IL, 08/07/15, Wedding

— Matt Stedman was incredible to work with! He really brought our party to life and was so detailed and thoughtful through the entire process. He wanted to make sure the wedding was 100% what we dreamed of – he kept everyone dancing on the dance floor and received so many compliments (even from our friends in the music business in LA who were BLOWN AWAY with how awesome they sounded). He made the entire evening go by flawlessly and was a true joy to work with. He made the night one party we will never forget!!! Thanks for all his attentive detail, helpful advice, and positive attitude throughout everything!!
— Anna and Chris S, Lisle, IL, 08/01/15, Wedding

MSB was fantastic to work with! Thanks to their lovely music and MCing our guests had a blast at our wedding! Everyone enjoyed the array of songs, which varied from fun and upbeat to romantic. They thought of every last detail and were great at communicating every step of the way. It was clear that they were committed to making our day perfect from day one! I would highly recommend MSB for your event. you will not be disappointed! Matt Stedman best bands & orchestras Chicago.
— Stephanie and Patrick H, Glencoe, IL, 07/25/15, Wedding

Oh my goodness – this band rocks!!!!! Every person that I’ve talked to about the wedding has commented on how awesome the band was and that they’ve never danced so much at a wedding. From planning with Matt over the phone to the day of the reception, they were great to work with and kept everything flowing. They provided all the MC services and didn’t miss a beat (even when we were confused :). The dance floor was packed all night!
— Kristy and Dan W, St. Joseph, MI, 07/11/15, Wedding

We can’t thank The Matt Stedman band enough for performing on our special day. From the beginning Matt was extremely professional and took time to get to know us and to know exactly what we wanted. He had many great suggestions that we happily incorporated into our ceremony and reception. Matt is an expert at what he does from the beginning stages of planning, to coordinating with the venue, he even came to the venue ahead of time to ensure everything was perfect. We still have people coming up to us asking about the band because they were so impressed. Matt and his chicago wedding band really knows how to get and keep the party going! We couldn’t have had a better experience, we would highly recommend The Matt Stedman band!
— Dan and Ashley M, Lake Forest, IL, 07/10/15, Wedding

My wife and I had Matthew and his energectic band perform for our wedding July 10th. I couldn’t be happier with the professionalism and performance they provided for us. Matt was very detailed and made sure our wedding ran very smoothly. Not to mention the quality of music was excellent!!! I highly recommend them to anyone.
— Dan and Ashley M, Lake Forest, IL, 07/10/15, Wedding

Matt Stedman and the rest of the band were fabulous to work with. Matt is extremely thorough, and in the months leading up to our wedding, he made sure to keep in touch and spent a great deal of time working out the details with us to make sure the night was going to be perfect. He came out to our venue a few days before the wedding to scope out the space and determine the best setup for the band and sound system, which was so helpful and made us feel completely at ease before the big day. Matt and the band even learned some special songs for us, specifically, Arcade Fire’s “Wake Up,” and Weezer’s “Undone (Sweater Song).” People are still talking about it 6 weeks later! All in all, our wedding reception was absolutely fabulous thanks to Matt Stedman Band & the Ring of Music. I would HIGHLY recommend them, to anyone looking for great music at their wedding!
— Maura and Brian D, Chicago, IL, 06/13/15, Wedding

Matt Stedman was awesome, very organized leading up to the wedding making sure everything was laid out and planned so that I didn’t have to worry about anything the day of. We didn’t have a wedding planner so having Matt coordinate the event as well was a great bonus. The ceremony music was perfect, they even learned a new song to play because it was important to my husband and I. The reception music was great, appropriate amount of DJ mixed in with live music seamlessly. We had a blast at our wedding and most of our guests commented about how great the band was at keeping the energy going throughout the night. Would highly recommend!
— Netali and Landon G, Rockton, IL, 06/05/15, Wedding

These guys played my wedding this summer and rocked it!!! Matt is super cool as are the rest of the band members. Very easy to deal with. Learned how to play our special request song while my bride was walking the isle. Flat out awesome. Skip the dj and go with these guys. You won’t be disappointed.
— Colin L, Lake Barrington, IL 05/31/15, Wedding

From the very beginning Matt was fantastic. We found the Matt Stedman Band through a list of recommended vendors from our reverend and once we listened to their music we were hooked. Not only are they fantastic musicians, they know how to run a wedding. Matt was so organized and asked me questions about things I would have never even thought of!!! On top of everything they took the time to learn two songs, one for the ceremony and one for our first dance. I gotta say both songs sounded better than the originals. Matt made sure that when the band was taking a break they DJ’d awesome music so there wasn’t any down time at the reception. If I could give the Matt Stedman Band more than 5 starts I would. They were such a pleasure to work with and I couldn’t have asked for anything more perfect on our wedding day.
— Megan and Colin L, Lake Barrington, IL, 05/31/15, Wedding

The Matt Stedman Band and Ring of Music Orchestra was the perfect selection for our wedding. From our first call to them through the last song of the night, they were professional, organized, energetic and top quality. Matt is very focused on making the event perfect by organizing everything well in advance and providing easy to use forms to collect the who/what/how of the night so it goes off without a hitch. The bands selection of songs is huge and provides something for everyone. They are even willing to customize a song as they did for our first dance or learn a new song if it is important to you. As for the actual evening, the songs were performed wonderfully and even passed muster with our family musicians. But most important, they kept it lively and brought out the dancers in our guests and we received many compliments about the band. So, if you are looking for a great band for your wedding or other occasion, we highly recommend The Matt Stedman Band and Ring of Music Orchestra.
— Rudy and Vicki R, Deerfield, IL, 05/30/15, Wedding

Matt Stedman Band & Ring of Music Orchestra are amazing! We were so lucky to find them and have them play at our wedding. They knew exactly what songs to play, and had everyone dancing the entire night! They even had our 84 year old grandparents on the dance floor. We have been married almost a month now, and our family and friends are still talking about them! Matt was great at emailing/calling and pretty much coordinated everything for us! You most certainly wouldn’t need to hire a separate coordinator. They are very organized, professional, energetic, and are very detailed. I would highly recommend them. You would not be disappointed. We could not thank them enough for making our day so special.
— Leann and Mike C, Orland Park, IL, 05/30/15, Wedding

Matt Stedman Band played for our May 30th wedding. Matt was very professional throughout and was a great help. They have you pick out a certain number of songs from their very large playlist and they fill in the rest. They also offer to learn some new songs if you have a certain song that you have to hear. They planned the sets and the music line-up and could not have done a better job. The dance floor was packed the entire night and everyone said it was one of the best bands they had seen at a wedding and received nothing but compliments on the band and how great they were. Matt is great at reading the crowd and playing the right music at the right times. Thank you guys very much for making our wedding reception all the more memorable!
— Mike and Leann C, Orland Park, IL, 05/30/15, Wedding

I would have to say without a doubt, once of the best live bands I’ve seen. These guys were just amazing. Matt and his band are very professional and were able to cater for all of our music requests. There aren’t enough stars on the site to rate them. Great performance!! Thanks!!
— Marc B, Glenview, IL, 05/23/15, Wedding

I had to write a testimonial about this wonderful chicago wedding band, recently attended a wedding where the Matt Stedman Band and Ring of Music provided the music for the entire wedding including ceremony, cocktail hour and reception. i can’t say enough positive things about them! the music during the ceremony was both beautiful and quite moving. they played a wide variety for songs during the reception. songs that had everyone of all ages up on their feet dancing! they were professional, attentive and a very talented group of musicians and singers. i would highly recommend them if you are looking for a band that will get and keep your party moving!
— Georganne Z, Lake Forest, IL, 05/02/15, Wedding

Hands down, the best wedding band around. Including ours, we went to 8 weddings this year. Planning: Matt helped my Wife and I select the appropriate music for the ceremony and helped us create a set list for the night. He provided us with the right amount of direction and gave us suggestions where we needed. We loved the experience. I wish we had a soundtrack of the night! This was a masterpiece. Playing: The Matt Stedman Band & Ring of Music Orchestra were so outstanding in our early May Wedding, that three couples asked for their contact information. The dance floor was FULL with people of all ages over the course of the night. The Band is full of jaw dropping talent. If you want the best of the best experience during all planning and playing, look no further!
— Greta and Mike T, Lake Forest, IL, 05/02/15, Wedding

We used Matt Stedman band for our wedding on 4/25/15 and we could not be more amazed by their professionalism and performance. Everyone attending our wedding was head over heels for Matt Stedman Band and never left the dance floor! Matt is very involved in the planning process and extremely detail-oriented. He never misses a beat! I am in love with Matt Stedman Band and will recommend them to everyone I know!
— Miranda and Dominic T, Arlington Heights, IL, 04/25/15, Wedding

Like these guys even need another good review 🙂 So much talent, such an extensive repertoire, so much great energy. I can’t say enough good things. We had some off the beaten path requests, like an instrumental version of a ray lamontagne song for our professional and a children’s song for one of our first dances. Matt and crew learned these songs for us with such great enthusiasm and creativity. Amazing fiddle! Guests had nothing but, “this band is incredible” things to say. Worth every penny. And oh wait, for a live band they are pretty affordable. Awesome. Just awesome. The highlight of our wedding by far!
— Laura and Jared B, Chicago, IL, 04/18/15, Wedding

This band will make you never want to go to a wedding with a DJ again! First of all, like many young couples now a days, we were going to hire a DJ. Then, my sister’s wedding happened… The DJ completely ruined the atmosphere of the wedding. Well, we were not going to let that happen to ours. My father decided he would look into bands, and stumbled upon Matt Stedman Band. My then fiancé and I looked at their website, listened to a few songs, and instantly knew this was the right choice for our wedding. And we were correct! There was a mix of DJ’d music (that we got to choose for the most part) and live music. It was a good variety! They were lively and kept an upbeat atmosphere at the reception. The ceremony music was beautiful… not a dry eye in the house! They exude a level of class that every wedding should embody. I Highly recommend them!
— Megan and Pat C, Lake Barrington, IL, 02/14/15, Wedding

The Matt Stedman Band and Ring of Music Orchestra was incredible! My parents booked them after having heard them twice at other weddings. At both of these weddings, they’d ask, “Who are these guys? They’re great!” only to find it was the same band!
The band kept our dance floor PACKED throughout the entire reception. It was almost difficult to find space to dance! When the reception ended at 11, there were still over a hundred people dancing (none of whom were too pleased when the lights came on and it was time to go home)! The music was lively, upbeat, and appreciated by all generations (from my high school brother to our grandparents)!
Matt Stedman was VERY easy to work with, too. He is incredibly detailed, organized, and is very easy to communicate with. He made planning our music a simple and joyful experience.
If any bride is thinking of choosing the Matt Stedman Band, go for it! You won’t be disappointed! They music is phenomenal, their energy is excellent, and they are absolutely great to work with.
— Lindsay S, Lake Forest, IL, 01/10/15, Wedding

I cannot say enough positive things about the Matt Stedman Band! They did a wonderful job entertaining my guests and keeping the party going at my wedding in December! Matt was wonderful to work with. He walked us through every step along the way and was attentive to every detail we were concerned about. They absolutely killed it, and if I ever have occasion to throw a great big party like my wedding reception again, I would give these guys a call. Two thumbs, way up!
— Rachel S and Eric B, Chicago, IL, 12/06/14, Wedding

After reading so many wedding band reviews we decided that The Matt Stedman Band was absolutely amazing. They did a fantastic job, and I really couldn’t have imagined it being any better. We got many compliments on both the ceremony music and the reception music. Matt was very professional, and his attention to detail made everything go off without a hitch. I’d recommend him in a heartbeat!
— Megan and Preston S, Champaign, IL, 11/29/14, Wedding

The Matt Stedman Band performed with seven members at our recent wedding and completely delighted our guests. Their performance was spot on and kept everyone dancing all night. We couldn’t be happier with our selection!
— Chaz and Katie P, Chicago, IL, 11/08/14, Wedding

Matt Stedman Band & Ring of Music Orchestra were wonderful. We hired them for our November 1st wedding and they did a great job from the day we first talked to the end of the reception. Matt was very helpful and great to work with during the entire process. Kept everyone dancing, great selection of songs, and all very talented. Would definitely recommend to any couple looking for a band. Also used them for our ceremony and cocktail hour music and it was beautiful.
— Meghan and Michael R, Chicago, IL, 11/01/14, Wedding

The Matt Stedman band played at my daughters wedding and we could not be more pleased. The entire night was full of fun outstanding music and wonderful dancing.
They were able to keep the guests on the dance floor and entertained from ages 20 to 80. We even had them play an extra hour because the guests were having so much fun. The talented musicians in the band were talked about throughout the entire event. They are unique; instrumentally exceptional and very versed in all genres of music.
— Mary Jo S, Chicago, IL, 11/01/14, Wedding

I cannot say enough good things about Matt Stedman Band & Ring of Music. They were phenomenal from the start. Matt was incredibly organized, learned a song for us, and went over the itinerary multiple times from start to finish. We had a solo guitarist at our cocktail hour, which was wonderful, and the 5-piece band for our reception. The dance floor was packed all night and even played a song twice for us since I missed it the first time!! They know their stuff (I think Matt called it the “psychology of music”) to make sure the dance floor was full from start to finish. Thank you Matt and the entire band for making our night so memorable!!
— Meg & Bryce S, Chicago, IL, 10/25/14, Wedding

Ring of Music provided the music for my daughter’s wedding dance at the Deer Path Inn in Lake Forest. Their song selections and excellent sound kept our guests on the dance floor all night. From the first contact with Ring of Music to the last dance, they provided expert guidance and direction. Their experience, professionalism, and ability to act as the MC for the wedding festivities kept everything running smoothly. Fun songs, great sound, and wonderful memories!
— Deb R, Lake Forest, IL, 10/18/14, Wedding

We used Ring of Music for our wedding on September 27th, and they were amazing! Their energy, enthusiasm, and performance was a “Perfect 10” for our wedding day! From the planning process to the final performance, Ring of Music was extremely professional and reliable. The music on our wedding day was very important to us, but we wanted to entrust the play list to Matt ~ since they know better than anyone. His music recommendations and selections were spot-on and every guest enjoyed themselves. I would highly recommend Ring of Music to all future brides and grooms – especially, if you want to ensure your guest have a night they will remember!
— Lauren and Chris P, Geneva, IL, 09/27/14 Wedding 

There are so many positive things to say about the Matt Stedman Band that we don’t even know where to start! Matt was extremely organized and was in constant contact before our event. He was also quick to answer any questions. He went above and beyond and that showed on the day because everything went SO smoothly. We went off reviews and listening to the music on their website (we never heard them live) so we were a little nervous but WE WERE BLOWN AWAY! Matt Stedman Band truly did an AMAZING job from start to finish. We had the guitarist and violinist play at our ceremony and they were incredible! We had the guitarist play for cocktail hour (just perfectly!) and after cocktail hour Matt Stedman turned into our MC and introduced the wedding party and announced when speeches were going to happen. They played music during those little down times (before and after the speeches) which was the perfect touch.
We were so excited to hear Matt Stedman live and they did NOT disappoint. They had every guest on the dance floor for the ENTIRE night. Our grandparents (who were unable to dance) refused to leave until the very end because they were having so much fun listening to the band and watching our guests enjoy dancing so much. The band members are all incredibly talented vocally and play an array of instruments. The Matt Stedman Band exceeded all expectations we had for our wedding. Worth every single penny 🙂
— Alex and Matt H, Egg Harbor, WI, 09/27/14, Wedding

A class act from start to finish, Matt and his band are true professionals. As the groom, I could not have imagined having a more talented group of musicians play my wedding. They are incredibly versatile, which is proven by the fact that they can play everything from hip-hop to classic rock, and they sound perfect.
Easy to work with, open to learning songs for your day, and very responsive. I give the Matt Stedman Band my highest recommendation.
— Dan S, Chicago, IL, 09/06/14, Wedding

Matt Stedman was wonderful to work with. He was very professional and organized which can be very hard to find. He helped walk us through how to keep the party going and how we should coordinate our music. The song list he provided was exactly what we were looking for. We were overly pleased with all of the songs his group could perform. Throughout the wedding planning Matt was always available for questions and was very communicative and responsive to any concerns we had. He ensured we would be taken care of on our big day; and we were! On the day of the wedding Matt was very helpful coordinating with our other vendors. When we arrived he and group was on fire! They had us and our guests dancing till the end of the night. The dance floor was packed. His group exceeded all expectations and hopes we had for our wedding. The music was lively, organized and our guests couldn’t stop saying how much fun they were making the night. The talent his group holds is beyond comparison. Hiring Matt and his group was one of the best decisions we made for our wedding. Thank you so much Matt for all of your talent and coordination to make our day perfect. We couldn’t be happier with the party you helped make unforgettable.
— Molly and Dan B, Northfield, MN, 08/31/14, Wedding

The Ring of Music played our cocktail hour and wedding at the end of August. They did an INCREDIBLE job at everything leading up to the wedding and the actual wedding day. The Ring of Music exudes professionalism from the moment you engage them. They are not the cheapest band out there, but are extremely high quality. Matt Stedman was extremely organized from the moment we decided to go with them. We chose them based on their breadth of musical capabilities and a great sound across a myriad of genres. He sent over extremely detailed emails with all the information he needed. He provided his guidance where we needed it. He helped make sure that all the i’s were dotted and the t’s were crossed before the wedding. On the wedding day, the Ring of Music band showed up early, set up quietly and quickly, and were capable of going with the flow as a couple of delays happened at our wedding. Their guitarist played acoustic and solo for our cocktail hour. His Grateful Dead covers were a highlight! After the cocktail hour, the lead singer went into MC mode and made everything run really smoothly. From the entrances and the speeches to the cake cutting and firing up the crowd, she did a great job. Everyone at our wedding said that the band was one of the highlights. They played something for everyone and made it fun for every single guest! Thank you for being such a wonderful group to work with on one of the happiest days of my life!
— Molly and Chris P, Egg Harbor, WI, 08/30/14, Wedding

As the parent of the bride, my main concern, after the ceremony itself, was to make sure all of our guests had a great time. Ring of Music really made that possible, as I heard from NUMEROUS guest how fantastic the band was!! And not just the night of the reception….weeks later!!!! They they were FANTASTIC! They are very professional, easy to work with, and very talented. I could not have been more pleased.
— Kathy M, Egg Harbor, WI, 08/30/14, Wedding

Over the years, I’ve attended and been part of too many weddings count. When it was my time to get married, I knew the top components of a memorable event… plenty of delicious food throughout the night, an open bar, and a killer band. The first two are easy, because you have your tasting and can check a box for open bar, but selecting a band, unless you’ve heard them live before, is a little nerve-racking. I read reviews, listened to demo clips and then decided to go with Matt Stedman Band & Ring of Music. Throughout the process, from the chronological order of reception events to selecting music, Matt was there to help guide us to having the most perfect wedding reception. His amazing ability to read the crowd and keep transitions smooth, truly sets this group apart from others. Our dance floor was packed from start to finish. After our wedding, everyone, especially our music snob friends, raved about our band. Whether it’s a wedding, anniversary, birthday, etc… This is the band you want!
— Kallie and Dayton O, Sheboygan, WI, 08/23/14, Wedding

Matt Stedman was very professional and easy to work with. His trio sounded great, and I would definitely consider booking this band in the future.
— Heidi R, Libertyville, IL, 08/21/14 Corporate Event

Matt Stedman Band played at our wedding this past August in Chicago. Before the wedding, Matt went above and beyond to work with my husband and I on wedding details. I really felt like he took the time to get to know my husband and I. He added so many special touches that made the night even more special. I don’t think the dance floor was empty at ALL throughout the night. After the wedding, everyone was saying how amazing they thought the band was! I would highly recommend this band!!
— Katie and Anthony M, Chicago, IL 08/02/14, Wedding

Matt was amazing!! From the initial phone consultation to the last dance, Matt and the Matt Stedman Band delivered an absolutely perfect evening.
— Katie and Alex R, Chicago, IL, 08/01/14, Wedding

Matt and his chicago wedding band played at our wedding in July of 2014, and we couldn’t have been more pleased with their performance. The band members are all tremendously talented vocally and play an array of instruments. My husband is Irish and I come from a small town, so it was important to us to have a variety in our “set list,”– the band was able to play country, folk, and Irish tunes along with classics and crowd-pleasers. All of our guests raved about the music. In addition, Matt had a very organized and professional approach to our reception, making sure all parties involved knew exactly what to do and where to be, when. Matt has a tremendous amount of experience– he helped us sort our agenda for the evening, bringing up questions we hadn’t thought of and making the whole program operate flawlessly.
— Rozann and Sean L, Chicago, IL, 07/18/14, Wedding

Matt from Ring of Music was the emcee and dj for our wedding. We also had a piano player from Ring of Music perform live during the cocktail hour. They both did an amazing job! Matt was so well organized and kept us on schedule. I don’t know how he did it, but he was able to seamlessly blend my husband’s European customs into a traditional American wedding. He played the best dance hits and listened to our personal suggestions. The dance floor was never empty and our guests of all ages enjoyed the music and the party Ring of Music had to offer!
— Erin and Chaz O, Long Grove, IL, 07/04/14, Wedding

One of the best chicago wedding bands I’ve ever experienced that wasn’t famous. Matt is a great guy and a straight shooter with a cool band. Unlike other acts we interviewed Matt didn’t try to BS us with his “packages.” Actually after interviewing other band leaders we could tell he was a straight shooter–and that’s what we wanted. So he got the gig and we were better off for it. His band listens to your wants and needs or doesn’t if you want him to take over. The band has great range and can play just about anything. Aunt Thelma can get an old blues number while Cousin Kyli can get her favorite top 40 song…if you want to go that route or you don’t have to go that route. All the guys were cool and professional and I would highly recommend them for any occasion.
— Kim and Augie B, Chicago, IL, 06/29/14, Wedding

The Matt Stedman Band made our wedding so special from the music at our ceremony to the cocktail hour to dancing all night! They did an amazing job keeping us on track for the reception and made everything run so smoothly! We had dreamed of a live band to create a special atmosphere for our wedding and that is exactly what they did! We highly recommend the Matt Stedman Band to anyone wanting to have a special personal touch to their wedding or event!
— Jill and Drew T, Wheaton, IL, 06/22/14, Wedding

Booking the Matt Stedman band was the best decision we made while planning our wedding. We could not have been happier with their professionalism and their talent as musicians. Every single guest at our wedding could not stop complementing how great the wedding orchestra and music selection was. Matt was a great MC and he was there for our every need. The Matt Stedman Band is a must have at your wedding or special event!
— Michelle and Andy N, Watervliet, MI, 06/21/14, Wedding

It was really important to my dad, my husband, and I to have a live band at our wedding instead of a DJ. My husband did some searching online for bands in the area and came up with the Matt Stedman Band. We decided to hire them after watching some of their YouTube videos and talking to Matt over the phone. Our wedding was very DIY, it was not at a banquet hall but at the county fairgrounds, and we didn’t hire a wedding coordinator so I was a little worried that things wouldn’t run smoothly at the reception. Little did I know that when you hire Matt Stedman, you aren’t just getting great live music, you are also getting an MC, DJ, and basically a coordinator in one. It really put my mind at ease and helped me relax on my wedding day knowing he had a whole itinerary planned out for how the reception would go, and he definitely knows how things work being that they perform at weddings pretty much every weekend! They have a very large catalog of music that they can perform and they let you choose which songs you really want to hear, and then they choose other songs to perform based on their experience of what will get people out on the floor. They also DJ during breaks so people can keep dancing. We received many compliments on the band, and everyone had a great time! The night ran very smoothly and we were so happy with how everything turned out. I would definitely recommend Matt Stedman Band to anyone who wants great live music and friendly, professional service!
— Rachel and Greg S, Yorkville, IL, 06/14/14, Wedding

We had the Matt Stedman Band play at our wedding reception in mid-June. We had the trio play at our cocktail hour and they provided excellent musical accompaniment while our guests were chatting and eating. We chose the six-piece band to play at our reception and we couldn’t have been happier with how they performed! This band was exceptional and we would highly recommend them! From the moment we decided to go with the band, they were so easy to work with and very helpful, honest and accommodating. Matt was an exceptional leader and made sure that we got exactly what we wanted. He went through every detail with us and walked us through the whole process, which made it so easy for us. We did not have to worry about the music at all because Matt and the band had it all under control! We absolutely loved Andrea’s singing and her performance of our first dance song. The band has a fabulous choice of music and was able to keep our guests dancing the whole night! We absolutely loved this band and would recommend it for anyone looking for a band. The best around! 🙂
— Rachel and Brad U, North Aurora, IL, 06/13/14, Wedding

Matt Stedman and his band played at our daughter’s wedding on 6/13. They were absolutely fabulous! The music during the cocktail hour was perfect. Matt did an excellent job of introducing the bridal party and organizing the before dinner activities. Once the band started playing, everyone was on the dance floor! Each member of the band was outstanding – both vocal and instrumental. The music selections were varied, fun, and well organized. During breaks, the music continued to be terrific. We have received so many compliments about the band specifically. Thanks, Matt and band for providing such wonderful music! We hope we can hear you play again. Please know that you have our highest recommendation!
— Ellie P, North Aurora, IL, 06/13/14, Wedding

Matt Stedman Band provided all music for our ceremony and wedding reception on 5/17/14, and they were amazing! Matt was very approachable and easy to work with from the beginning. I had never seen the band live in person prior to booking them, only through their music online, but an hour long phone conversation with Matt put me at ease and let me know this was the right band to book for our wedding. (I was luckily able to see them live at Navy Pier a few months later, which solidified my feeling of ease, as they were amazing and so much fun!) I have always wanted a live band vs a DJ, and The Matt Stedman Band is worth every penny! They provided a guitarist and violin for my ceremony, and it was perfect! Between the birds chirping as we walked down the aisle to the beautiful music, it just set this amazing atmosphere for the ceremony. And, the reception….you guys rocked it! From keeping everything running smoothly, with Matt as the MC, to the great music keeping people on the dance floor…they helped make our special day even more perfect and wonderful. My only complaint — I wish they played even more songs! Thank you all, especially Matt, for helping to make our day more wonderful and memorable!
— Alishia and Paul D, Wheaton, IL, 05/17/14, Wedding

Ring of Music was very easy to work with and made sure what all of our needs were. They should up on time and were very professional. I would highly recommend.
— Janna M, East Grand Rapids, MI, 05/17/14 Corporate Event

The reviews on Yelp, The Knot, Gigmasters, etc. all consistently rave about the Matt Stedman Band, and for good reason! We booked them for our 5/10/2014 wedding, and they found a way to exceed our very high expectations for them. We had heard them live before, so we knew they were great musicians… but, we were blown away by two things: (1) Their professionalism. Matt really has this down to a science. He knew *all* of the right questions to ask, and was really thorough to ensure everything went smoothly. He was quite helpful as we thought through the flow of things with details we might have overlooked had it not been for him. (2) The diversity of the music they played (and played amazingly well!). Having a live band play acoustic guitar + violin for our ceremony as my wife & her father walked in to Pachelbal, solo piano music for cocktail hour, a polka for the father/daughter dance, a great blend of familiar rock favorites & slow dance songs, and a 20 minute country music jam session to keep a crowded dance floor going until the very last minute of the reception… we got quite a few compliments on them, and we truly could not have asked for anything more from the band! They were exceptional!
— Jen and Matt H, Chicago, IL, 05/10/14, Wedding

They play more than Bluegrass, but that is what we wanted. Matt and the band thought we were a bit off when we picked so much Bluegrass music for our playlist. Matt called us and said the band thought he was playing a joke on them “nobody requests that much Bluegrass”. We explained that our guests would appreciate the music and they really did! We had guests that kept trying to leave and then the next song would start and they were back out on the dance floor. I reccomed the band highly.
— Richard F & Gayle C, Lisle, IL, 05/04/14, Wedding

Can’t say enough about Matt Stedman and his band. He kept the dance floor rocking ALL NIGHT LONG! He is also the most organized guy you could ask for. He was also our MC, and he kept the entire reception running smoothly and seamlessly! I highly recommend him to any Chicago area bride looking for a super fun band who will keep you stress free during your party 🙂
— Natalie and Chris K, Chicago, IL, 04/26/14 Wedding

The Matt Stedman Band was one of the highlights of our March wedding in Notre Dame, IN. They played wonderful acoustic guitar music during our cocktail hour and performed an amazing rendition of Wagon Wheel for our first dance. Matt and his entire team were easy to work with, professional and talented. Hiring Matt was one of the best decisions we made during the wedding planning process – he is detail oriented and thinks of just about any detail you could imagine when it comes to the flow and timing of the reception. I would highly recommend him to any bride in the Chicago area!
— Erin and Tom H, South Bend, IN, 03/22/14, Wedding

My husband found the Matt Stedman Band through some internet research. We were planning a Chicago wedding from Washington, DC and Matt made it so easy to work with him. Matt is the consummate professional and really knows how to runs party. He made us feel at ease about the wedding running smoothly and it went off without a hitch! From announcing us to feeling the crowd as to what song to play, he did great job. It was New Year’s Eve wedding and they really brought down the house at midnight. We had a number of people tell us the band was the best wedding band they had ever heard. Not to mention Matt gave us a really amazing wedding gift (a surprise, so I won’t ruin it for you). It was important to us to have the whole wedding dancing from grandmothers to tween cousins and Matt got the job done.
— Tamara and Brendan H, Chicago, IL, 12/31/13, Wedding

Matt, I just want to thank you and the band for a great job at our Holiday Party. You guys were great.
— Kevin R, Joliet, IL, 12/15/13, Holiday Party

We really enjoyed the band. We’d recommend you to friends…you did a great job.
— Maureen O, South Barrington, IL 12/14/13, Holiday Party

This was is terrific group! On all accounts… from professionalism and responsiveness all the way to talent and showmanship. I truly couldn’t recommend any band higher than this one. They listen, play what you ask and are exceptionally responsive to the audience. The audience members were truly fascinated with Matt’s violin, turned guitar turned bass. Hire them if you can…I promise, you won’t be disappointed!
— Susan H, Orland Park, IL, 12/06/13, Corporate Event

Matt and his chicago band were GREAT!!! They played excellent music, and were personable and professional. They performed their live music for the ceremony and cocktail hour and they were DJ’s for the reception. The live music was BEAUTIFUL and they were excellent DJs! Thank you Matt and Ring of Music Orchestra!!
— Sarah G, Lakeside, MI, IL 11/16/13, Wedding

Matt Stedman was wonderful to work with throughout the planning process and he and the band absolutely delivered the day of our wedding. Matt is super organized, offered helpful insights and suggestions and was very responsive and proactive throughout the planning process. He and the band were wonderful performers transitioning seamlessly from cocktail hour, to first dances to lively dancing later in the evening. We would highly recommend Matt Stedman Band.
— Peter and Laura V, Lake Geneva, WI, 11/02/13, Wedding

BEST WEDDING BAND EVER!! Matt and his crew were an absolute joy to work with, and i would gladly have them again at any parties or events in the future. His lines of communication were very direct and timely; he was always very courteous, professional, and helpful whether we used him or not (we definitely did!); they played beautifully at the processional/recessional at the ceremony; and our guests raved about them at the wedding, playing everything from rock to oldies to slow songs to our requested polkas. I remember going to see the Matt Stedman Band one night to check them out and immediately knew after hearing them and talking with Matt that they would be our wedding band. He also handled all of the emcee duties at our venue and made the whole process quite easy! Thanks so much again for a magical evening – you guys rock!!
— Jon and Melissa K, Lombard, IL, 10/26/13, Wedding

We were thrilled to have the Matt Stedman Band perform for our wedding. They are the perfect combination of being true professionals with outstanding talent and fantastic personalities. Each band member was so kind and friendly to our wedding guests, and we were impressed by the variety and quality of songs performed. Matt worked extensively with us to ensure that the music would reflect our individual style, as well as set the tone for our day. They were a joy to work with, and I would absolutely recommend them to anyone!
— Libby C, Hudsonville, MI, 10/12/13, Wedding

Our guests were so impressed by the performers. I have received many emails complementing the band. All the band members were so nice and accommodating. I only wish I could remember all of their names. Joe (John), who was the point person (band leader), was friendly, thoughtful, and pretty organized. I cannot thank them all enough for helping to make our event such a success. I will most certainly recommend Ring of Music to friends. Thank you again.
— Liz C, Chicago, IL, 09/21/13, Private Party

The Matt Stedman Band was the perfect choice for our wedding in Benton Harbor, MI (at the Blue Dress barn). Due to rain, we had to move the cocktail reception inside at the last minute. It was no problem – the band played the cocktail hour beautifully. By having different band members play at different times, they kept the cocktail hour music interesting and perfect for the occasion. After dinner, they really let loose. They had the whole place dancing all night. They really know how to read the crowd and play the right song at the right time. In addition, every musician in the band is extremely good and it really shows. If you have the extra budget, it is worth it to add the female singer and saxophone player – both were great. 

It should also be said that Matt goes above and beyond in making sure that the bride and groom have a special night. The band learned the song for our first dance and played it wonderfully. Also, when it appeared that the venue might shut things down earlier than expected, Matt was honestly upset and promised the staff that the band could get their gear cleaned out quickly so that we could get a few final songs in!

Overall, I can’t recommend the Matt Stedman Band enough.
— Pete L, Benton Harbor, MI, 09/07/13, Wedding

We used live musicians for ceremony and cocktail hour and then switched to DJs–it was a wonderful event. I believe they played what my daughter requested and we had a fabulous time!
— Linda W, Chicago, IL, 09/01/13, Wedding

The Matt Stedman Band was amazing to work with! We choose Matt Stedman Band because we were searching for a band that did not sound like your typical wedding band. My husband and I often visit Nashville TN and really wanted a band for our wedding that could play the fiddle – This band was it. The venue we had our wedding at even asked for their information for an upcoming event. Every guests has raved about how awesome they were. Matt helped me organize every minute of my day to ensure I could relax and enjoy my day as much as my guests. Ladies, trust his suggestions he knows what he is doing! Thanks for everything!
— Tera R, Maple Park, IL, 08/31/13, Wedding

Wow – I can’t possibly give these guys as much credit as they deserve. Working with Matt was so easy, he’s very organized and from our first call I could tell that this band truly knows how to help plan a wedding. Their level of experience is beyond any other vendor I spoke with and you will be lucky to have this band at your wedding! Everyone else was right, we had all of our guests dancing throughout the night and are still getting rave reviews from them on what a great time they had, which is a true testament to the entire band. Thanks again, guys!
— Caroline B, Chicago, IL, 08/10/13, Wedding

Matt and his band really do make everything easier on the bride. They are extremely professional and talented in what they do. Matt worked with me for a couple of hours on our agenda, making sure everything was perfect, every name was pronounced correctly, and to make sure there would be absolutely NO hiccups. He really delivered the bridal party entrance songs that we had selected. As you can read from other reviews, Matt Stedman band is the cream of the crop, but what really stood out to me was when our photographer (who has done many weddings from DIY weddings to EXTREMELY regal and costly weddings) came up to me and said “That is honestly the best band I’ve ever seen… they WILL be recommended to all of my future brides”.
— Morgan M, Long Grove, IL, 08/02/13, Wedding

The Matt Stedman Band took care of everything at our reception, Matt was so friendly and professional! I am sooooo happy that we had them at our wedding reception because they made the night unforgettable, it was perfect 🙂 Everybody at our wedding had a good time, the dance floor was packed all night long and it was because of the great vibe and music by the band! I received so many compliments on how wonderful the night was and how perfect the band was! Thanks again Matt Stedman Band!!
— Stephanie and Jeremy H, Normal, IL, 07/06/13, Wedding

Our experience with Matt Stedman Band was truly wonderful. With the wedding coming up, they made sure to contact us with details and any questions they had and were very open to answering our questions quickly. Out of all the vendors we worked with for our wedding, Matt Stedman Band was one that never left us with concerns. Even though they were not with us for the wedding rehearsal, we knew that everything would go smoothly and it did. The day of the wedding they were all set up right on time and had all our music choices ready to go. The ceremony music was perfect and right after the ceremony they had the set up for cocktail hour and were ready and playing. We had lots of people saying how much they loved the music at the ceremony and at cocktail hour. Matt was great about getting the wedding party in order and keeping us organized and on schedule throughout the reception. The reception was fantastic and it had everything to do with the band. Everyone was floored by their talent and had nothing but great things to say about how fun the band was and how much they enjoyed the experience. Overall, we couldn’t have been happier with Matt Stedman Band and the services they provided on our wedding day. We know that our guests will remember our wedding for a long time because of the energy the band brought to our reception. We only wish the night could have lasted longer. If you’re considering using a band for your wedding reception, you really don’t need to look any further than Matt Stedman Band. They were everything we could have wanted. Thanks guys!
— Keith and Martha F, Geneva, IL, 07/05/13, Wedding

We could not have been more happy with The Matt Stedman Band at our wedding. Not only did the band sound great and played excellent songs, they were very professional and paid attention to important details that we would have never thought of! After talking with Matt about the plans, song choices, etc… months before the big day, we knew we had nothing to do but relax and just enjoy the reception which is exactly what we did! The band had all of our guests up and dancing and when the guests weren’t dancing, they were listening intently to the superb musicianship and creative arrangements of the songs. The band was also very accommodating to our personal requests such as having a picture of bands to a friend singing to a backing track and having my father and myself “sit-in” with the band at the end of the evening. You don’t need a DJ, you need the MSB!
— JR and Kelly W, Joliet, IL, 07/03/13, Wedding

We listened to many possible bands before we selected the Ring of Music for our elegant evening wedding at the Chicago Park Hyatt and we made the best choice! The band was professional, well organized, and quietly ensured that we stayed on our “timeline” and the music we selected was played throughout the evening. Our guests were on the dance floor the entire time which is saying a lot since we and most of our guests are in our fifties! The band included 2 terrific singers, and we also had a saxophone that added a great late night vibe. WE highly recommend this group for your wedding or other event in the Chicagoland area. Book them early–they are worth the price.
— Pam R, Chicago, IL, 06/29/13, Wedding

We loved Matt Stedman and the band! From the ceremony, the cocktail hour, first dances, to the dancing at reception, they were able to meet and exceed our expectations! The music was beautiful and everyone was on the dance floor!
— Erin M, Lisle, IL, 06/28/13, Wedding

Matt was one of my top vendors to work with because he made great suggestions and was always upbeat and professional. He came highly recommended to us and we would like to do the same for him and his band members! Book them and their fee is well worth it. Live band is the way to go if you have it in your budget and if not make cuts elsewhere so that you can book a band. We had so many guests afterwards that told us they hadn’t danced in years until our wedding because the band got everyone up and out of their seats and out to the dance floor.
— Angela E, Libertyville, IL, 06/08/13 Wedding

The Matt Stedman Trio was truly accommodating, adjusting their sound for our small venue. The band members were handsome and professional. They made me look like a star event planner. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them.
— Theresa M, Chicago, IL, 06/05/13, Corporate Event

My husband and I could not have asked for a better experience with the Matt Stedman Band for our May 26th Wedding. Most people know that wedding planning comes with many stressors and headaches and of course, uncooperative vendors; however Matt Stedman was the complete opposite. Not only was he extremely friendly and professional, he was also very organized and detailed leading up to the day of our wedding. When we first showed interest in the Matt Stedman Band, he right away invited us to one of his shows, which my husband and I attended. During one of his breaks, Matt took time to talk to us about our upcoming wedding. We loved that he really showed interest in us and our big day. After booking our date with him, he right away sent us all the information we needed to know. His information was always extremely detailed and organized, which we definitely appreciated. Leading up to our wedding, we spoke with him many times, making sure everything was perfect. Not only did we want everything to run smoothly, but he did, too! We were also able to choose the music we wanted, from his selection, which was so great. Not only were we able to choose what we thought our guests wanted to hear, but he played everything we chose! Our guests, of all ages, were so complimentary of the Matt Stedman Band. We are so glad we decided to go with the Matt Stedman Band; it was definitely a highlight of our wedding.
— Kate L, Chicago, IL, 05/26/13, Wedding

I’m writing this review as simply as possible because honestly I know that’s what brides are looking for when it comes to making smart and efficient decisions for their wedding. I’ll break it down into small sections of what I felt was most noteworthy in my experience of using the Matt Stedman Band. My first words of advice: Don’t think too hard…..they are FANTASTIC! Simple as that, no question about it!

1) Making the Decision ~ Matt spent plenty of time with me explaining the services him and his band offered. He also performed at my sister’s wedding in 2007 and I remembered him 6 YEARS LATER so it wasn’t too difficult to make my decision! It was so comfortable to talk to him over the phone and I knew he’d by an absolute pleasure to work with right off the bat.

2) Time spent with me before wedding ~I never actually met with Matt in person, however if you are concerned about this, don’t be! He is a very thorough communicator through phone, email, and text. He literally spent hours with me over the phone to make sure EVERY detail was covered before the day of my wedding. He asked me what genre of music I prefer, any special music I would like played, and took the lead when I couldn’t make decisions for myself. He also wrote up an itinerary for me based on all our conversations so that I could go over every detail visually before the big day! I passed this itinerary out to my entire wedding party which was extremely helpful as I did not have a wedding coordinator and everyone depended on me for direction! Made the actual wedding day flow perfectly! I was confident before the wedding that he would take care of any issues that might pop up and also be a director that I could depend on if my brain froze haha, which is common with brides.

3) The Wedding Day ~ WOW! I could not have been more pleased :). The band played throughout my ceremony, the cocktail hour, and of course the reception. I even requested that they learn a song for the ceremony that I really liked for the processional. They learned it and played it beautifully, which made me feel so special; I was so blessed by that. Not only, did Matt act as the band but he also emceed the entire chain of events from beginning to end. The only portion that got confusing was the garter toss but that was based sheerly on miscommunication rather than the band error. And even with the miscommunication he still managed to work in the bouquet and garter toss gracefully, professionally, and without anyone knowing a thing! And the MUSIC! Holy Cow, can these guys throw down some jams. Even my photographer could not get over how good the band was. I didn’t have a huge crowd at my wedding but those I did have LOVED the dancing even those who normally wouldn’t have gotten out on the dance floor to dance. Lets be honest, music can make or break a wedding day and they definitely made my wedding day a success!

4) After the Wedding day ~ Many of you brides especially are probably wondering if I felt the same way about the band/music after the wedding as I did on the day of. My answer is: YES! Matt, was fantastic to work with and someone I feel like I could hang out with and have a great time. He truly cares about his brides and wants you to have the BEST day possible and will do what it takes to give you what you are envisioning. Like I said at the beginning: DON’T THINK ABOUT IT TOO MUCH! They are worth it!
— Megan L, Geneva, IL, 05/18/13, Wedding

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

They are the best band ever!!!! Our guests were dancing all night. I cannot say enough about this band. Everyone just loved them. They are totally worth every penny, so hire them. Your reception will be so memorable, it’s worth it.
— Mary S, Hobart, IN, 04/27/13, 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

Matt and his band performed at our wedding in April 2013 and they were AMAZING! Everything from the ceremony to the cocktail hour to the reception was perfect beyond all expectations. Matt was a pleasure to work with; he was very detail oriented and proactive. The dancing was amazing; the band played all of our requests and kept people dancing the entire night. We would highly recommend The Matt Stedman Band to any bride and groom looking for an unforgettable wedding. Thank you Matt for making our day special and memorable.
— Claire and Scott J, Naperville, IL, 04/13/13, Wedding

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

I used the Matt Stedman Band for my wedding in February. Matt was very timely and organized when it came to planning the music for my ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception. He had a variety of options and suggestions based on my personal taste. When I wasn’t sure about what I wanted, he was able to make great suggestions to further guide me. The band members where very talented, and my guests had many compliments about the band. These guys are not your typical “wedding band;” they are true musicians. One of the best things about having the Matt Stedman Band at my wedding was the fact that Matt basically ran the show when it came to the various events throughout the night. He smoothly transitioned from cocktail hour, to announcements, to cake cutting, to toasts, to dinner, to reception. He took all the pressure off me and my family to, in a sense, host the evening. I recommend the Matt Stedman Band, to anyone!!
— Cyndi S, Wheaton, IL, 02/09/13, 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 and Semyon S, Milwaukee, WI, 12/31/12, Wedding

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, 12/06/12, 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 and 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 and 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

Testimonials
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.
— Greg and Jennifer H, Chippewa Falls, WI, 07/06/12, Wedding

From the intital inquiry e-mail to the end of the reception Matt Stedman was extremely helpful and detail oriented! I was very impressed that every detail was covered and that nothing was left to chance. The band and ceremony were two things that I didn’t have to stress about. Matt and his band are professional and extremely talented! They Took requests at the reception and everyone was dancing the entire time. Everyone that I have spoken to that attended my wedding ceremony and reception has complimented me on the band and I have even passed on their contact info to a handful of people. I would Highly recommend to anyone who asks me for the name of a DJ, because a DJ just doesn’t compare to what Matt and his band bring to the table!
— Charlsie D, Merrillville, IN, 06/30/12, Wedding

The Matt Stedman Band was tremendous and exceeded our expectations. Many guest commented on the “fantastic band”. Matt is a great musician, very professional, highly organized with years of experience. I highly recommend you book The Matt Stedman Band for your wedding reception
— Judy B, Kankakee, IL, 06/22/12, Wedding

The Matt Stedman Band was amazing! Our guests absolutely loved them and we were very impressed with their level of talent and ability to get the crowd excited. We wanted a band that played real music – not just the current hits on the radio – and we found that with this band. They play a wide variety of hits ranging from the Beatles to Bluegrass and they allow you customize your song selections from their playlist. We hired the four person band (drums, bass, guitar, violin), but they also offer three person and five person options (with piano). They also played acoustic guitar and violin on the beach for our ceremony. Matt was great to work with. He was full of helpful suggestions and it was clear that he knew how to coordinate a wedding reception. He offered MC services as well so that we could just relax and enjoy the evening. He was always eager to discuss the details and we felt comfortable working with him from day one. Music is very important to us, so this was one of the biggest decisions we made. We would not think twice about hiring Matt and his crew if we were to ever have another big party!
— Rachael R, West Olive, MI, 06/15/12, Wedding

This is the second time I have had an opportunity to work with Matt. The first go around, after much planning and candid conversation with Matt, the guest of honor chose to go with alternative entertainment options. When another opportunity to book/find entertainment came around, I immediately thought of Matt and contacted him about the gig.
The Matt Stedman Band played for a private event honoring Cancer Survivors and their families. The guests ranged from young kids to the elderly–numbering almost 800! Matt and the band did not miss a beat in keeping everyone–young and old–entertained the entire time. As part of the planning committee, I appreciated Matt’s candor and willingness to work with what was available. Matt made himself extremely available and went above and beyond the hired needs. He made the event enjoyable for all and we will MOST DEFINITELY keep him in mind for our future events!
— Cindy K, Lisle, IL, 06/03/12, Cancer Survivor Event

We used the Matt Stedman Band with 5 pieces for our wedding on June 2 and it was wonderful. They were very organized and played great music. We had many musicians at the wedding and they were all very impressed by the bands ability to play many genres so well. Also many people at the wedding said they have never seen a dance floor so packed. We were very impressed but the band. Everything was fantastic and we would definitely recommend them. Thanks guys!
— Maggie K, Addison, IL, 06/02/12, Wedding

Matt and his band were tremendous ! The band exceeded all of our expectations. I cannot thank them enough for making our night one in a million. Through out the night I had almost every one of my guest come tell me how amazing the band was or how beautiful the guitar solo was during the cocktail hour. Matt knows his music and knows weddings, every song Matt recommended for us was on point whether it was for our first dance or guaranteed everyone will dance song! Book the Matt Stedman Band they cannot disappoint Ryan and Erica.
— Ryan K, Bloomington, IL, 05/28/12, Wedding

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

Professional, positive, talented, FUN, and more than just music! We appreciate it all and loved every mintue of it. Amazing music selection and great sounds for the more off-beat nontraditional couples. We heard that what people remember the most about weddings is the food, but we know that in our case it is definitely the band! Everyone loved it. Thanks Matt, we had a blast!
— Mandy N and Cale A, Grayslake, IL, 05/19/12, Wedding

We had the Matt Stedman Band at our 4/28/2012 wedding and we had such a great time. Working with Matt was easy-he is super organized and has a ton of experience. His advice of how to work the timeline during the reception was so great I pass it along any other bride I meet. Matt and the band kept everyone dancing as soon as the music started until the end of the night. Matt was a great MC and helped make sure everything went so smooth. Matt accommodated us in learning a few family favorites songs the band played during the reception and downloaded all the music we asked for on the ipod during the breaks. They played piano(keys) during out cocktail hour and 5 piece band during the reception. We thought the price was very reasonable for the band and the amount of time.
— Nora S, Chicago, IL 04/28/12, Wedding

The Matt Stedman Band was hands down the best choice we made in the wedding process – and they made it so easy for us! Between their excellent website with tons of audio samples, emails letting us know where they were performing, we were able to see them live and book them within a week of finding them online. They delivered 110% – people swarmed the dance floor all night long. Not to humblebrag, but many of our guests said that this was the best wedding they had ever been to, and I sincerely believe that The Matt Stedman Band was a HUGE part of those compliments. I would hire them again in a heartbeat – and crash any wedding where I heard they were playing!
— Caitlin K, Chicago, IL, 04/14/12, Wedding

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, 12/09/11, 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 and 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, Wedding

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 and 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

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 and 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

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

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 and 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 and Paul Y, Decatur, IL, 10/09/10, Wedding

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, 09/24/10, 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 09/10/10, 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 09/05/10, 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, 08/28/10, 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, 08/23/10, 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 08/21/10, 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, 08/20/10, 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

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 08/06/10, 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, 07/31/10, 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, 07/23/10, 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 and Dave S, Naperville, IL, 07/03/10 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, 06/25/10, 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 and Mazie T, Chicago, IL, 06/19/10, Wedding

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, 06/11/10, 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, 05/29/10, 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, 05/22/10, 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, 05/08/10, 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, 04/17/10

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, 03/12/10, 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, 03/5/10, 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, 02/19/10, Corporate Event

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, 01/2/10, 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, 09/28/09, 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, 09/19/09, 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, 09/19/09, 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

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, 09/12/09, 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:

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, 08/23/09, 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, 08/22/09

Just an all around great group! Was enjoyed thoroughly by all!
— Bob S, Las Vegas, 08/01/09, 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, 07/31/09, 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, 07/25/09, 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, 07/19/09, Wedding

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, 07/18/09, 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, 07/17/09, 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, 07/10/09, 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, 06/28/09, 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, 06/26/09, 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, 06/13/09, 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, 05/08/09, 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, 05/03/09, 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, 04/26/09, 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, 04/25/09, Private Event

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, 03/16/09, Private Party

Wonderful band! We could not have asked for a better group to perform at our Mardi Gras Celebration.
— Kristin K, Chicago, IL, 03/4/09, 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, 02/28/09, 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

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, 09/20/08, Wedding

Perfect…we couldn’t ask for more…very talented. I will be calling to book Matt again.
— Ginny S, Crystal Lake, IL, 09/19/08, 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, 09/18/08, 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, 09/14/08, 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, 08/30/08, Wedding

Everyone at the event enjoyed the performance. They are a great group.
— Susan D, Gurnee, IL, 08/23/08, 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, 08/10/08, 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, 07/26/08, 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, 07/13/08, 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, 07/6/08, 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, 07/5/08, Wedding

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, 06/21/08, 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, 06/08/08, 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, 06/07/08, 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, 06/07/08, 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, 05/24/08, 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, 05/17/08, 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, 05/10/08, 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, 05/03/08, 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, 05/02/08, Private Event

Matt was VERY flexible and helpful. Their music was outstanding and I received incredible feedback from the attendees.
— Shannon F, Chicago, IL, 03/01/08, Festival

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, 02/23/08, 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, 02/23/08, 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

My ceremony musicians learned Adelweiss the song my grandmother requested to be seated to. They also were able to improvise and play longer when we had an unexpected delay beginning the ceremony. Finally they worked closely with the church organist who played only the wedding march without turf wars or stepping on toes. They were talented professional and a dream to work with.;I have nothing bad to say about the Matt Stedman Orchestra. They were wonderful!
— Rebekka K, Kansas City, MO, 11/03/07, 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

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, 09/22/07, Wedding

Matt Stedman is a very talented violinist; he made our daughter’s wedding at the Hotel Monaco very special. We HIGHLY recommend him and his big wedding bands for any special occasion.
— Margaret S, Chicago, IL, 09/24/2007, 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, 09/12/07, 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, 09/1/07, 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, 08/25/07, 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, 08/3/07, 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, 07/29/07, 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, 07/06/07, 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, 06/30/07, Wedding

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, 06/16/07, Private Party

0They 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, 06/03/07, Wedding

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, 05/26/07, 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! just keep reading there music video reviews.
— Jennifer S, Chicago, IL, 05/19/07, Wedding

If ever there was an original chicago 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, 04/17/07, 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, 03/24/07, 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, 03/11/07, 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, 01/27/07, 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, 01/26/07, 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, 12/09/06, Private Party

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, 10/06/06, 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, 10/05/06, 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, 09/15/06, 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, 08/05/06, 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, 07/27/06, 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, 07/15/06, Corporate Event

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 reason for. I would recommend them without hesitation to anyone who is looking for a great party. Thank you Matt!!!
— Violeta A, Des Plaines, IL, 06/25/06, 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, 06/17/06, 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, 06/04/06, Festival

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, 05/12/06, 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