On a bright Saturday in June during the golden era of Cape Cod weddings in the 1980s, the band Majic was preparing for what would be an unforgettable day. With the sun high over the tranquil Atlantic, they set up their gear at the seaside Popponesset Inn in Mashpee. The venue was buzzing with anticipation—a 12 pm to 4 pm wedding where every note played would carry dreams of love and promises for the future.
The band arrived early, their instruments polished and their spirits high, ready to transform the inn’s porch into a vibrant stage. The afternoon gig under the tent was a labor of love: hours of soundchecks, intricate setups, and moments of quiet reflection amid the chaotic flurry of a wedding day. Yet, behind every well-timed chord, no one could tell just how hard Majic had worked; every piece of equipment, every rehearsal session over the winter, was a tribute to their passion for music and the joyous celebrations Rick, Tony, Candido and Charlie helped create.
After the happy send-off at Popponesset, with guests still dancing under the glow of the late afternoon sun, Majic packed up swiftly. There was barely time for Majic to catch their breath before they hit the road, their vans rumbling along the scenic Cape Cod roads. The next stop: Chatham Bars Inn in Chatham, where another enchanting wedding awaited their magic. This second performance, scheduled from 8 pm to midnight, promised a different kind of energy—one where the romance of the evening mingled with the soft hum of the ocean breeze and the magic of twilight.
Under a deepening sky, the band arrived at Chatham Bars Inn, greeted by a transformed venue bathed in the golden hues of sunset. Despite their fatigue, every member of Majic felt a renewed spark as they began setting up once more. The transformation from one venue to another was challenging; the hardest part of their day was always the meticulous setup and the heavy load of equipment that needed to be transported with care. Yet, this back-to-back schedule was part of the thrill—a testament to the band’s commitment and the seasonal fervor that made Cape Cod weddings legendary.
The evening unfolded like a well-rehearsed symphony. The couple exchanged vows beneath a canopy of twinkling lights, and as the band struck up their familiar tunes, the audience was swept away by music that captured both the energy of youth and the enduring spirit of the Cape. Each song was a celebration—a narrative of longing, laughter, and love—played with the kind of precision that could only come from a band that had rehearsed all winter for moments like this.
When the clock finally neared midnight, and the last chord reverberated through the air, Majic felt the weight of the day in every muscle, yet their hearts were lighter than ever. Tired but triumphant, they knew that every long winter had been leading up to nights like these, where the magic of music and love intertwined on the picturesque Cape. It wasn’t just about performing—it was about the shared joy of being part of a moment that would be cherished by couples and families for a lifetime.
As the band finally wrapped up their night, the cool ocean breeze whispered promises of more wedding seasons to come. And while the labor was relentless, the love for their craft, and for the fleeting magic of Cape Cod summers, made every set-up and tear-down entirely worth it.
-Candido Bretto
Founder and CEO of Party Bands, LLC
Former bass player of the Cape Cod wedding band, Majic