Guitarist

Allan Young

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(5.0)Read all 8 reviews
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About Allan Young

Acoustic/Jazz/Classical Guitarist. A beautiful musical backdrop to your event.
Guitarist
Glasgow

I am a professional solo guitarist with a BMus (Hons) degree in guitar from the prestigious Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. As one of the UK's most versatile guitar players, I am equally at home performing tranquil Classical Guitar repertoire, Jazz Guitar standards, as well as Acoustic Guitar renditions of your favourite pop/rock/film hits. I have over 20 years of performing experience, as well as professional-level gear and my own transport. I am more than happy to cater to special song requests to provide a personal touch to your wedding or event - no request is off-limits! My music will provide the perfect ambience, allowing the audience to enjoy the day, whilst captivating and mesmerising those who wish to listen. My professional experience includes an appearance on E4's Made in Chelsea with Jazz Band 'The Quartones', and I have played in many renowned venues across the UK including Royal Academy of Arts in London, Malvern Theatre, Glasgow Old Fruitmarket, Sage Gateshead, Birmingham Symphony Hall and many more.

Allan Young
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5 out of 5
6 verified reviews
Satisfaction
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5.0
Professionalism
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5.0
Communication
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5.0
Punctuality
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5.0

Allan Young's Reviews

From Encore customers:

KM
Kim M
3 months ago
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5 out of 5

Hi, Allan was a great guy easy to liaise with and fantastic musician enjoyed his playing immensely. 👍

AM
Andrew M
6 months ago
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5 out of 5

Done everything we wanted him to do. Great guitarist and great experience!

CE
Chris E
7 months ago
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5 out of 5

Allan was an excellent component of our wedding ceremony. Beautiful acoustic arrangements of songs we suggested and some in his extensive repertoire, which created a great atmosphere. Would highly recommend.

Reply from Allan Young
7 months ago

Thank you for your kind review! I’m delighted to hear that you enjoyed the music, I very much enjoyed playing for you all. Hope married life is treating you well!

EB
Eilidh B
1 year ago
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5 out of 5

Allan provided music for our wedding ceremony and drinks reception. From start to finish he was professional and we had very easy communication with him. We chose a setlist with his input and he also learned some extra music which was special to us a couple. We had multiple people express how much they enjoyed hearing a live guitarist at our ceremony. We loved it, thank you Allan!

Reply from Allan Young
7 months ago

Thank you so much for your kind words! It was an honor to play a part in your special day and I’m so glad to hear that you and your guests enjoyed the music. Thank you for choosing me to be a part of your wedding day!

Read all 6 reviews

From other customers:

BG
Ben (
3 years ago

Allan played a 3-hour set at our garden-wedding in August 2021. He is incredibly easy to work with and is a very skilled guitarist and musician. He took a loose set list from us, and then on the day he played a mixture of our favourites and others that he thought we'd enjoy. Overall it was an excellent set at a great price. Would recommend to anyone.

PM
Peter (
2 years ago

We were a fairly small company - not much more than 20 - and, on withdrawing after the wedding breakfast, we really wanted something that would create a pleasant and relaxing ambience. Allan’s excellent musicianship provided that perfectly. We would certainly seek his services again and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend him.

Encore badges
Top 10 booked musician of 2023
10 gigs
Experienced: 10 bookings through Encore
Saved the day!
Booked for an Encore gig with less than 24 hours’ notice
1st Anniversary
This act has been working with Encore for over a year
Member of the Encore community forum

Allan Young's Song list

Pop Sample Setlist:
Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
Ain't No Sunshine - Bill Withers
All of Me - John Legend
Always - Bon Jovi
At Last - Etta James
Baby One More Time - Britney Spears
Beat It - Michael Jackson
Billie Jean - Michael Jackson
Blackbird - The Beatles
Brown Eyed Girl - Van Morrison
Can't Help Falling in Love - Elvis Presley
Can't Stop the Feeling! - Justin Timberlake
Can't Help Falling in Love - Elvis Presley
Celebration - Kool & The Gang
Champagne Supernova - Oasis
Chasing Cars - Snow Patrol
Crazy in Love - Beyoncé ft. Jay-Z
Crazy Little Thing Called Love - Queen
Dancing Queen - ABBA
Don't Look Back in Anger - Oasis
Don't Stop Believin' - Journey
Don't Stop Me Now - Queen
Dreams - Fleetwood Mac
Every Breath You Take - Sting and The Police
Everywhere - Fleetwood Mac
Everything - Michael Bublé
Everything I Do (I Do It for You) - Bryan Adams
Footloose - Kenny Loggins
Go Your Own Way - Fleetwood Mac
Happy - Pharrell Williams
Happy Together - The Turtles
Heaven - Bryan Adams
Here Comes The Sun - The Beatles
Here, There and Everywhere - The Beatles
Hey Soul Sister - Train
Hey Ya! - OutKast
Ho Hey - The Lumineers
How Will I Know - Whitney Houston
I Don't Want to Miss a Thing - Aerosmith
I Heard It Through the Grapevine - Marvin Gaye
I Want You Back - The Jackson 5
I Will Always Love You - Whitney Houston
I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor
I'm Yours - Jason Mraz
Isn't She Lovely - Stevie Wonder
Islands in the Stream - Dolly Parton
Jolene - Dolly Parton
Just the Way You Are - Billy Joel
Just the Way You Are - Bruno Mars
Karma Chameleon - Culture Club
Kiss - Prince
Landslide - Fleetwood Mac
Lean on Me - Bill Withers
Let's Stay Together - Al Green
Live Forever - Oasis
Love Me Like You Do - Ellie Goulding
Love on Top - Beyoncé
Love Story - Taylor Swift
Lovely Day - Bill Withers
Lovin' You - Minnie Riperton
Mama Mia - ABBA
Man in the Mirror - Michael Jackson
Man, I Feel Like a Woman - Shania Twain
Marry You - Bruno Mars
Mrs Robinson - Paul Simon
My Girl - The Temptations
Never Gonna Give You Up - Rick Astley
Oops!... I Did It Again - Britney Spears
Papa Was a Rollin' Stone - The Temptations
Perfect - Ed Sheeran
Photograph - Ed Sheeran
Photograph - Nickelback
Proud Mary - Tina Turner
Respect - Aretha Franklin
Rhiannon - Fleetwood Mac
September - Earth, Wind & Fire
Shape of You - Ed Sheeran
Shut Up and Dance - Walk the Moon
Smooth Criminal - Michael Jackson
Stand By Me - Ben E. King
Sugar - Maroon 5
Summer of '69 - Bryan Adams
Superstition - Stevie Wonder
Sweet Caroline - Neil Diamond
Thinking Out Loud - Ed Sheeran
This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) - Natalie Cole
Thriller - Michael Jackson
Treasure - Bruno Mars
The Chain - Fleetwood Mac
Unchained Melody - The Righteous Brothers
Uptown Funk - Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars
Viva la Vida - Coldplay
What's Going On - Marvin Gaye
Wonderwall - Oasis
Working 9 to 5 - Dolly Parton
You Are So Beautiful - Joe Cocker
You Are the Best Thing - Ray LaMontagne
You Belong to Me - Bryan Adams
You Give Love a Bad Name - Bon Jovi
Jazz Sample Setlist:
Ain't Misbehavin' - Fats Waller
All The Things You Are - Jerome Kern
All of Me - G. Marks
Autumn Leaves - Joseph Kosma
Blue Bossa - Kenny Dorham
Body and Soul - Johnny Green
Darn That Dream - Jimmy Van-Heusen
East of the Sun - Brooks Bowman
Fly Me To The Moon - Bart Howard
Georgia on My Mind - Hoagy Carmichael
Have You Met Miss Jones - Richard Rodgers
How High The Moon - Morgan Lewis
In a Sentimental Mood - Duke Ellington
It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) - Duke Ellington
Lullaby of Birdland - George Shearing
Misty - Erroll Garner
Mr Sandman - Pat Ballard
My Favorite Things - Richard Rodgers
My Funny Valentine - Richard Rodgers
Night and Day - Cole Porter
On Green Dolphin Street - Bronisław Kaper
Pennies from Heaven - Arthur Johnston
Round Midnight - Thelonious Monk
Satin Doll - Duke Ellington
So What - Miles Davis
Stella by Starlight - Victor Young
Summertime - George Gershwin
Take Five - Paul Desmond
Take the "A" Train - Billy Strayhorn
The Way You Look Tonight - Jerome Kern
Classical Sample Setlist:
Bourrée in E minor - J.S. Bach
Canon in D - Johann Pachelbel
Capricho árabe - F. Tarrega
Cello Prelude - J.S. Bach
Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring - J.S. Bach
Lágrima - F. Tarrega
Ode to Joy - Beethoven
Prelude in C - J.S. Bach
Waltz in E Minor - F. Carulli
Asturias (Leyenda) - Isaac Albéniz
Recuerdos de la Alhambra - Francisco Tárrega
Romanza (Romance Anónimo) - Anonymous
Spanish Romance (Romanza) - Anonymous
Study in B Minor - Fernando Sor
Study in E Minor - Francisco Tárrega
Leyenda - Francisco Tárrega
Malagueña - Ernesto Lecuona
Adelita - Francisco Tárrega
Etude No. 1 - Heitor Villa-Lobos

Allan Young's Prices

Last updated: 2024

Note: prices may vary based on travel distance. For an exact quote, click “Check availability”.

Standard Prices
Performance durationPrice
Short performance (up to 15 min)£125
Up to 1 hour£250
Up to 2 hours£300
Up to 3 hours£350
Customer questions

What do your clients love most about your performances?

Clients love my ability to seamlessly integrate into the ambiance of the event. I understand the importance of setting the right mood, and I can adapt to either blend into the background or take centre stage when needed. I'm always open to learning special song requests, making their day even more memorable.

Which venues have you performed at in the past?

Royal Academy of Arts in London, Malvern Theatre, Glasgow Old Fruitmarket, Sage Gateshead, Birmingham Symphony Hall, Knockhill Racing Circuit, Perth Concert Hall, Band On The Wall, Nozstock Festival, How The Light Gets In Festival, Cheltenham Jazz Festival, Skinners' Hall London.

Which artists have you been most influenced by?

Ralph McTell, John Martyn, Joe Pass, The Beatles, Django Reinhardt, Neil Young, Cat Stevens, Joni Mitchell, Chet Atkins, Nick Drake, Bert Jansch, Leonard Cohen, Simon & Garfunkel, James Taylor, Tommy Emmanuel, Eric Clapton and Bob Dylan - to name a few!

What is the most high profile gig you've performed?

I made an appearance on E4's Made in Chelsea.

What if my timings change after I've booked you?

If your event timings change after you've booked me, please let me know as soon as possible. I'll do my best to accommodate the new schedule and make any necessary adjustments to ensure your wedding day runs smoothly.

Can you provide an iPod/DJ service before and between your sets?

Certainly! I can provide an iPod/DJ service before and between my live sets. My PA system is equipped with Bluetooth connectivity, making it easy to play background music seamlessly and keep the atmosphere lively and enjoyable throughout your event.

How much time do you need to set up?

I typically require about 20-30 minutes for setup before my performance. This time allows me to ensure everything is in place and ready to create beautiful music for your event.

Can I pick the pieces you play from the set list?

Absolutely! I understand that selecting the perfect music can be overwhelming. I'm here to assist you in curating a playlist that complements your event's atmosphere and your personal style.

Do you bring all the equipment you need to perform?

I provide my own professional-level equipment, including musical instruments and sound systems. My PA system has bluetooth connectivity for background music in between sets.

Can you learn specific pieces before the event?

If a song isn't included in my song list there may still be a chance I already know it. If there is a special song you'd like me to learn I am happy to do this for you.
Musicianship
Genres:
Easy listening, Acoustic, Classical, Jazz, Blues, Folk, Light music, Pop, Covers, Top 40, Vintage
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Instruments:
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Event types:
Wedding, Wedding proposal, Funeral / Memorial service, Church service, Hotel / Restaurant event, Private event, Corporate event, Birthday party
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Other skills:
Composer, Arranger, Producer, Transcription, Accompanist, Ableton Live, Fluent improviser, Fluent sight-reader, Perfect pitch, Instrumental teaching, Theory teaching, Composition teaching
See all skills