The Tofino Wedding (And Event) Band


Geoff Johnson and the Tara Lightnin' specialise in live music for outdoor wedding ceremonies as well as great entertainment for cocktail receptions, corporate functions, private parties, proposals, beach fires and back yard barbecues

Available as a solo act or duo. 
We can sometimes provide a full 4-piece dance band with enough notice 

Email TofinoWeddingBand@Gmail.com 
or call Geoff at (250)266-2400 

Scroll down for demos and more info:

Duo Audio Demo (more coming soon)



Full Band Demo Video From a Live Performance in the Spring 2018

 

Solo, acoustic guitar rendition of Pachelbel's Canon in D


About Us
Long time Tofino-Ucluelet resident Geoff Johnson has been playing guitar for decades. He's recorded albums, contributed to film scores, and played 1000s of gigs. Geoff's wife Tara is a diverse vocalist comfortable singing anything from classic show tunes and jazz standards to grunge rock. 

About Our Services:

Solo Guitar for Wedding Ceremonies
Providing music for outdoor wedding ceremonies, especially on beaches, presents special challenges. Speakers and other gear can be difficult due to the location and lack of electricity so acoustic guitar is an elegant solution. With the help of a high-quality battery-powered sound system an acoustic guitar player can be heard over the breeze and the lapping tide, providing additional ambiance for your ceremony while entertaining your guests as they gather before the ceremony starts.

In most cases Geoff performs for roughly 15 minutes before and after the ceremony while guests gather and mingle. The couple also requests specific songs (usually 3) for the processional, signing and recessional. 

A live musician has many advantages over recorded music; Live people are easier to cue than an iPod as they can easily adjust what they are playing in real time. They can start playing a song at a point other than the beginning, replay passages to extend songs when a portion of the ceremony takes longer than expected, adjust their tempo to the bride's pace and other intuitive responses such as resolving a song appropriately when the ceremony calls for it. Most wedding ceremonies are performed instrumentally as vocals tend to draw attention away from the couple. If you really want vocals, no problem.  We also offer handheld wireless microphones and speakers for the ceremony at an additional fee.

Solo or Duo for Cocktail Receptions and Minglers
Great before or during dinner at weddings and other get-togethers. Musicians perform a broad mix of familiar music with an emphasis on ambiance as opposed to a full-on concert. Options include; Geoff performing solo with guitar and vocals or a duo with the addition of Tara's amazing voice and some percussion

This arrangement can be totally unplugged for smaller gatherings or amplified for larger rooms and groups.

Rock/ Dance Band
While focus these days is on the solo and duo offerings we can, in some cases, draw from a network of talented musicians to put together a female fronted four piece rock band playing classics the 60s through to modern dance hits. We've played all-ages BBQ's, sold out New Years Eve parties at the region's luxury resorts, bar shows and 70th birthday parties all with great success.

Unlike our other offerings this is a full-on electric dance-rock band so we need space for drums and a few plugs for our amps. You'll also want to make sure there's room for a dance floor! Booking the band locally includes sound equipment appropriate to the venue.

DJ Services
While not the primary focus of Tofino Wedding Band we can also provide DJ services for events including appropriate sound equipment for most venues in the region.

Rates
Every situation is unique; sometimes a specific venue, date, time or other request may require a lot of behind the scenes setup, special equipment or simply be in higher demand so it's always best to contact us and let us know what you have in mind so we can work out a fair rate and check our availability.

Because we don't require compensation for travel and accommodations for events in the Tofino/Ucluelet region, we are generally much more affordable than other options around the island. We've also worked with all the venues and event planners in the region so we know what tends to work best for the various locations and event types. Discounts are calculated for multiple bookings (ie wedding ceremony and cocktail receptions). 

References
"We couldn't have picked a better band to come and play for our wedding at Blackrock! We had a mix of friends in their 30's and parents in their 60's. They were able to keep the dance floor packed all night by being able to play such a wide variety of songs. We had listened to some of their stuff online but the audio on the recordings doesn't come close to the really thing. They sounded way better in person and one of the things they did that we really liked was occasionally asking the crowd if they would like to hear one song or another. Whatever song got the loudest cheer was played next and kept the party bumpin'. We had multiple comments the next day about it being the best wedding they ever attended and that was mainly due to the band. The Tofino Wedding Band Rocks!!" 
-Sean McMann, Groom

"You guys completely rocked it and capped the beach event last June … people still talk about what a great night that was. I have no hesitation recommending you and am happy to endorse you, you have been great to work with over the past couple of years."
-Jonathan Buchwald, President and CEO of PR1ME - Extraordinary Experiences

"We are thrilled to have worked with you as much as we did! It started feeling odd when you weren't playing at a wedding! So look forward to many more weddings on the beach with you!
-Danielle Fox, Special Event Manager - Wickaninnish Inn

If You Have Any Questions Please Be In Touch:
Email: TofinoWeddingBand@Gmail.com 
or call Geoff at (250)2662400
Photo: Marnie Recker Photography

Photo:Marnie Recker Photography
Photo: Marnie Recker Photography