Can we ask our wedding band to play more quietly without cancelling the party?

At the band's showcase, I leaned across the table to speak to my partner and gave up halfway through the sentence. He came out delighted. "That's exactly the atmosphere I want."

We've booked the band for our reception. I love the songs, but I want to spend some of the evening talking to people too. My partner thinks lowering the volume would make the room feel flat. The band has suggested speaking with the venue's sound technician before changing the set.

The [WHO's safe-listening advice](https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/deafness-and-hearing-loss-safe-listening) explains that sound level and exposure time both affect hearing risk, and recommends breaks from loud sound. I don't know what the levels were at the showcase and don't want to guess what would be suitable in our different room.

We have a separate lounge available, though I don't want conversation to mean leaving the celebration entirely. How do we agree on music we both enjoy while giving guests a real choice about the evening?