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A moment with 'Fonoti Band'

ABIA meets Noah and Yac Fonoti, the brothers behind this music and entertainment agency offering a range of live wedding music and DJ services to the couples of Brisbane and beyond.  

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Images courtesy Fonoti Band

It’s hardly surprising that brothers Noah and Yac Fonoti, of Brisbane-based Fonoti Band found their way into the wedding scene as singers, live musicians and deejays.

“Music runs deep in our family,” Noah explains.

He’s not exaggerating. Their father, Toni Fonoti, is a member of the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame, and frequently joins the duo onstage to play his saxophone at weddings.

The talented musical trio also collaborate to form a full six-piece band, when the occasion calls for it, and offer a range of lighting setups to complement their services.

ABIA sat down with the pair to talk acoustic vibes, wedding music trends and high-energy dancefloors.

Fonoti-Band-live-music-wedding-dj-brisbane

Tell us about your business and wedding music and entertainment services.

Fonoti Band specialises in creating unforgettable wedding experiences with live music and entertainment. We have more than 13 years of experience and more than 1000 weddings behind us, so we know how to craft the perfect soundtrack for each couple’s wedding day.

We offer flexible band setups to suit every wedding style and budget, starting with our soulful duo — which combines vocals and guitar — and expanding all the way to a six-piece band featuring incredible vocalists, guitarists, drummers and saxophonists.

We offer ceremony music, canapé entertainment and reception packages that blend live music with a deejay and, whether our couples are after an intimate acoustic vibe or a full party experience, we tailor our performances to suit their preferences, occasion and love story to help ensure each and every wedding is extraordinary.
Fonoti-Band-live-music-wedding-dj-brisbane

How did you get started in the wedding industry?

Music runs deep in our family. Our Dad, Toni Fonoti, is the pioneer of New Zealand reggae and a member of the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame with his band ‘Herbs’, and he inspired us from a young age. Not only did he pass down his passion for music, but he often also joins us at weddings, playing saxophone in many of our performances. His legendary talent and experience add a special touch to every live set, from romantic, smooth vibes to high-energy dancefloor moments. Working alongside him has been an unforgettable part of our journey, and couples love the unique flair he brings.

Fonoti-Band-live-music-wedding-dj-brisbane

Where are you based and what locations do you service?

We're based in Brisbane, but love travelling to various locations for weddings. We regularly perform at stunning venues across the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba, Byron Bay and beyond. We're also more than happy to fly to weddings — no location is too far for us to bring the music and make a celebration unforgettable!

What types of wedding entertainment do you offer, and which are the most popular?

Our most popular setup starts with our guitar and vocal duo, which creates a warm and authentic vibe, perfect for the ceremony and canapés.

For the reception, we offer popular trio options, with either drums or saxophone added. The trio with drums brings the energy and gets everyone on the dancefloor, while the trio with sax adds a smooth, romantic vibe that can shift seamlessly into a lively party atmosphere. We can also expand to a four-piece, five-piece or full six-piece band, to bring a bigger sound and elevate the reception. We also provide DJ services to keep the celebration going in between, and after, our live sets.

Fonoti-Band-live-music-wedding-dj-brisbane

Fonoti-Band-live-music-wedding-dj-brisbane

At what point in their wedding planning should couples consider music and entertainment?

Couples should consider music and entertainment early in their wedding planning process — ideally once the venue and date are secured. Music plays such a significant role in setting the mood for the entire day, so it's essential to lock in an entertainment provider early.

Booking early helps ensure a couple can secure their preferred band or deejay and also allows time to discuss their preferred vibe for each part of the event, from the ceremony to the reception, and tailor the music to suit that vision.

What should couples look for in a good wedding deejay?

Experience and reputation are important. A deejay with experience in weddings understands how to read the room, manage transitions and work with other vendors, so it pays to look for reviews and testimonials.
A wedding deejay also needs to know how to keep the energy up and get people on the dancefloor, so music knowledge and versatility are vital to cater to a wide range of musical tastes, take song requests and manage guest expectations.
Professional equipment and backup options are key too, as are good communication and professionalism. MC skills and exact package options are worth asking about too.

Fonoti-Band-live-music-wedding-dj-brisbane

Fonoti-Band-live-music-wedding-dj-brisbane

Do you see certain wedding music trends? What’s popular with couples at the moment?

Yes, we’re seeing a number of exciting trends in the wedding entertainment industry right now, from the popularity of live music/DJ combos to lots of interactive entertainment — particularly the inclusion of live saxophone players — and custom playlists with smooth, seamless transitions between musical genresParty lighting and visual effects are becoming major elements too, as are photobooths, and the popularity of micro weddings is driving a demand for smaller, personalised entertainment options like duo and trio set-ups.

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What makes your wedding entertainment service stand out?

We offer a seamless blend of live music and deejaying, tailored to every moment of a wedding — from acoustic harmonies during the ceremony to saxophone solos and dancefloor bangers at the reception, we’ve got all the vibes covered. Plus, with more than 13 years of experience we’ve mastered our mix of romantic soulful harmonies and crowd-pleasing dancefloor favourites, and top it off with ambient lighting options and personally-tailored wedding packages.

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