Live karaoke at Capel Manor College’s end-of-year staff awards party
On 3 July 2026, The Live Karaoke Band performed at Capel Manor College in Enfield for the college’s end-of-year staff awards party. With around 250 guests, a marquee on the lawn, stunning gardens, a BBQ, ice-cream van, doughnuts, a bar and crazy golf all adding to the atmosphere, it felt more like a mini festival than a standard staff event.
It was a brilliant example of why live karaoke works so well for staff parties. Even with plenty going on across the site, people gravitated towards the live music straight away. The crowd was buoyant from the beginning, and the mix of academic and administrative staff created exactly the kind of friendly, supportive atmosphere that helps a live karaoke event take off quickly.
Why live karaoke worked so well for this staff awards party
Capel Manor College wanted to try something new for this year’s event, and live karaoke gave them a format that felt interactive without feeling risky. One of the strengths of The Live Karaoke Band is that we can perform as a live karaoke band or, if needed, fall back into a more traditional live function band format. That gave the organisers reassurance while still giving staff the chance to take centre stage.
In practice, the live karaoke format suited the event perfectly. Guests were encouraging and supportive of each other from the start, and because everyone already knew each other well, the performances quickly became part of the wider celebration rather than a separate entertainment slot.
A daytime staff party with instant atmosphere
This was a daytime event, with the band arriving at 12:00pm and performing a single two-hour set from 2:00pm to 4:00pm. The outdoor marquee setup, decorated stage, flowers and balloons helped create a colourful, upbeat setting that made the whole thing feel special from the outset.
Knowing the show would take place in a marquee, we also brought Izaak, our sound engineer, to make sure the front-of-house sound was right for the space. That extra attention helped the performance feel polished and balanced while still keeping the atmosphere relaxed and fun.
The performances that helped define the day
The first song of the afternoon came from Zoe, who opened with Murder On The Dance Floor by Sophie Ellis-Bextor and set the tone immediately. From there, the performances kept coming, with staff backing each other, singing along from the crowd and making the event feel more interactive with every song.
One of the biggest singalongs of the day came from Annie and Adam performing Don’t Look Back In Anger by Oasis, which is always a guaranteed crowd moment. Other standout performances included Simon singing Suspicious Minds by Elvis Presley, Eliza singing Stand By Me by Ben E. King, and Tracey and Jeremy delivering one of the best duet moments of the day with Yellow by Coldplay.
One of the standout moments of the day was Simon singing Suspicious Minds, and we have shared a video of that performance on YouTube for anyone who wants a feel for the atmosphere on the day. It is a great example of how supportive and engaged the crowd was from the start.
Songs that helped bring everyone together
As ever, the song choices played a big part in shaping the atmosphere. Other notable performances included Jade and Tanya singing I Will Survive, Heather and Marianne taking on Mamma Mia, Kirsty singing Don’t Stop Believin’, Molly and Natasha performing Valerie, Helena singing Livin’ La Vida Loca, and Jessica performing 9 To 5.
That mix of pop favourites, singalong classics and party staples worked perfectly for a mixed-age staff crowd. It gave everyone something familiar to rally around and helped the event feel inclusive from start to finish.
What the client said
“We booked the band for our staff summer party, and they were brilliant! Communication was great from the start, and everything was really well organised.
They created such a fun atmosphere and were really encouraging, helping people get up and sing. It was the perfect entertainment because everyone could join in, and our team had a great time.
Lots of people have said it was one of the highlights of the day. We'd definitely recommend them!”
Leanne French
Executive Assistant to the Principal
Capel Manor College
Planning an end-of-year staff party?
If you are planning a staff party, summer celebration or end-of-year event and want entertainment that gets people involved, The Live Karaoke Band can help create exactly that kind of atmosphere. You can find out more about our corporate events, browse the song list, watch the promo video, read our reviews or get in touch for tailored advice.
If you like the idea of interactive live entertainment but do not want guests singing on stage, our sister band The Live Jukebox Band lets guests choose what the band plays there and then on the night, just like a real jukebox.
