Percussionist

David Insua

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About David

"Versatile percussionist for weddings, private events & recordings. Played festivals, TV & top venues—let's bring on the groove!"
Percussionist
Todmorden
Public liability insurance of £10 million

David Insua-Cao – Percussionist David Insua-Cao is a dynamic and versatile percussionist known for his theatrical, larger-than-life, and humorous approach to rhythm. Whether bringing vibrant energy to a packed dancefloor, adding atmospheric textures to a recording, or captivating audiences with his expressive stage presence, David’s performances are as engaging as they are musically rich. A Life in Rhythm From an early age, David was drawn to the power of rhythm and its ability to unite people across cultures. His dedication led him to master a diverse range of percussion styles, spanning Latin grooves, world rhythms, orchestral textures, and contemporary beats. Over the years, he has refined his craft through formal training, live performances, and collaborations with renowned musicians and theatre companies. Experience & Expertise With a career spanning live performance, recording, and theatre, David effortlessly adapts his playing to suit any occasion. His experience includes: Weddings & Private Events – Performing at high-profile functions, including with the electrifying Mr Wilson's Second Liners, blending classic dance anthems with brass and percussion. Studio & Live Recordings – Providing percussive textures for brands such as Ted Baker, Alipay, and Tottenham Hotspur TV adverts. Touring & Theatre Productions – Performing with the multi-award-winning 1927 Theatre Company, combining percussion with immersive visual storytelling. Giffords Circus – Enhancing theatrical productions with bold and expressive percussion. Festival & Concert Performances – Bringing high-energy percussion to stages across the UK and internationally. Vibraphone Performances – Offering a more intimate, melodic alternative for special events and recordings. Performance Highlights David’s career has taken him around the world, sharing his infectious rhythms with audiences far and wide. Some of his standout moments include: Touring internationally with 1927 Theatre Company, captivating audiences with unique, visually stunning performances. Performing with Nick Hooper, the celebrated composer behind the Harry Potter film scores. Recording percussion for major brands, adding his signature touch to high-profile advertising campaigns. Playing at major festivals and private events, delivering unforgettable performances with theatrical flair. Theatricality & Personality What sets David apart is his distinctive stage presence. His performances are not just about rhythm but about storytelling, humor, and interaction. Whether leading an audience in a raucous drum breakdown or adding a touch of comedy to a percussion solo, he ensures that every event is filled with energy and excitement. Book David for Your Event Whether you need a percussionist to bring rhythm to a wedding, energy to a private function, or unique textures to a recording, David Insua-Cao delivers top-tier musicianship with passion, personality, and a touch of theatrical magic.

David
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5 out of 5
1 verified review

David's Reviews

From customers:

IV
India V
7 months ago, for a Birthday party in The Courtyard
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
5 out of 5

I hired David to play for my 40th birthday party, he was incredibly professional and played some amazing tunes, which got everyone dancing. I would definitely recommend him!

FR
Famous C
15 years ago

"You sounded great and it sounded like 'you'."

David's Song list

Soul & Funk:
"Superstition" – Stevie Wonder
"Get Down On It" – Kool & The Gang
"Uptown Funk" – Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars
"Le Freak" – Chic
"Brick House" – Commodores
"September" – Earth, Wind & Fire
"I Got You (I Feel Good)" – James Brown
"Good Times" – Chic
"Ain't Nobody" – Chaka Khan
"Blame It on the Boogie" – The Jacksons
"Kiss" – Prince
"Get Lucky" – Daft Punk ft. Pharrell Williams
"Play That Funky Music" – Wild Cherry
"Boogie Wonderland" – Earth, Wind & Fire
"We Are Family" – Sister Sledge
"Stayin' Alive" – Bee Gees
"Let's Groove" – Earth, Wind & Fire
"Pick Up the Pieces" – Average White Band
"Got to Be Real" – Cheryl Lynn
"Jungle Boogie" – Kool & The Gang
"You Should Be Dancing" – Bee Gees
"Get Up Offa That Thing" – James Brown
"Boogie Oogie Oogie" – A Taste of Honey
"Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)" – The Jacksons
"Funky Town" – Lipps Inc.
"Car Wash" – Rose Royce
"Ladies Night" – Kool & The Gang
"Disco Inferno" – The Trammps
"Get Down Tonight" – KC and the Sunshine Band
"Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof off the Sucker)" – Parliament
"Flash Light" – Parliament
"Dance to the Music" – Sly & The Family Stone
"Let's Dance" – David Bowie
"Rock with You" – Michael Jackson
"Treasure" – Bruno Mars
"Blurred Lines" – Robin Thicke ft. T.I. & Pharrell
"Happy" – Pharrell Williams
"Can't Stop the Feeling!" – Justin Timberlake
"Locked Out of Heaven" – Bruno Mars
"Moves Like Jagger" – Maroon 5 ft. Christina Aguilera
"Shake It Off" – Taylor Swift
"Wake Me Up" – Avicii
"Can't Feel My Face" – The Weeknd
"24K Magic" – Bruno Mars
"Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" – Michael Jackson
"P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" – Michael Jackson
"Billie Jean" – Michael Jackson
"Off the Wall" – Michael Jackson
"Raspberry Beret" – Prince
"1999" – Prince
"Little Red Corvette" – Prince
"I Wanna Be Your Lover" – Prince
"U Got the Look" – Prince
"Controversy" – Prince
"Super Freak" – Rick James
"Word Up!" – Cameo
"Funky President (People It's Bad)" – James Brown
"Sex Machine" – James Brown
"Cold Sweat" – James Brown
"Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" – James Brown
"Give It Up or Turnit a Loose" – James Brown
"The Payback" – James Brown
"Shining Star" – Earth, Wind & Fire
"Sing a Song" – Earth, Wind & Fire
"Fantasy" – Earth, Wind & Fire
"Boogie Nights" – Heatwave
"Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now" – McFadden & Whitehead
"Best of My Love" – The Emotions
Latin Tunes:
"Oye Como Va" – Santana
"La Vida Es Un Carnaval" – Celia Cruz
"Suavemente" – Elvis Crespo
"Bailando" – Enrique Iglesias ft. Gente de Zona
"Danza Kuduro" – Don Omar ft. Lucenzo
"Vivir Mi Vida" – Marc Anthony
"Despacito" – Luis Fonsi ft. Daddy Yankee
"Hips Don't Lie" – Shakira ft. Wyclef Jean
"Gasolina" – Daddy Yankee
"Bamboleo" – Gipsy Kings
"La Bamba" – Ritchie Valens
"Carnaval" – Claudia Leitte
"El Perdón" – Nicky Jam & Enrique Iglesias
"Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" – Shakira
"Bailamos" – Enrique Iglesias
"Macarena" – Los Del Rio
"La Gozadera" – Gente de Zona ft. Marc Anthony
"Te Boté" – Nio Garcia, Darell, Casper Magico
"Mi Gente" – J Balvin & Willy William
"I Like It" – Cardi B, Bad Bunny & J Balvin
Hip Hop:
"Uptown Funk" – Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars
"Can't Hold Us" – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis ft. Ray Dalton
"Hot in Herre" – Nelly
"Yeah!" – Usher ft. Lil Jon & Ludacris
"Empire State of Mind" – Jay-Z ft. Alicia Keys
"Gold Digger" – Kanye West ft. Jamie Foxx
"In Da Club" – 50 Cent
"Lose Yourself" – Eminem
"California Love" – 2Pac ft. Dr. Dre
"Hypnotize" – The Notorious B.I.G.
"Gin and Juice" – Snoop Dogg
"Hey Ya!" – OutKast
"Stronger" – Kanye West
"Nuthin' but a 'G' Thang" – Dr. Dre ft. Snoop Dogg
"The Way You Move" – OutKast
"Drop It Like It's Hot" – Snoop Dogg ft. Pharrell
"This Is How We Do It" – Montell Jordan
"Jump Around" – House of Pain
"Ride Wit Me" – Nelly
"No Diggity" – Blackstreet ft. Dr. Dre
EDM:
"Wake Me Up" – Avicii
"Titanium" – David Guetta ft. Sia
"Don't You Worry Child" – Swedish House Mafia
"Clarity" – Zedd ft. Foxes
"Animals" – Martin Garrix
"Lean On" – Major Lazer & DJ Snake ft. MØ
"Stay" – Zedd & Alessia Cara
"Something Just Like This" – The Chainsmokers & Coldplay
"Where Are Ü Now" – Jack Ü ft. Justin Bieber
"Stole the Show" – Kygo ft. Parson James
"Turn Down for What" – DJ Snake & Lil Jon
"Get Low" – Dillon Francis & DJ Snake
"Silence" – Marshmello ft. Khalid
"Faded" – Alan Walker
"The Middle" – Zedd, Maren Morris, Grey
"Firestone" – Kygo ft. Conrad Sewell
"Stay the Night" – Zedd ft. Hayley Williams
"Summer" – Calvin Harris
"How Deep Is Your Love" – Calvin Harris & Disciples
"Don't Let Me Down" – The Chainsmokers ft. Daya

David's Prices

Last updated: 2025

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)£150
Up to 1 hour£225
Up to 2 hours£312.50
Up to 3 hours£375

Add-ons

Skype Consultation and 3 New Songs Learned
+£125
Customer questions

What do your clients love most about your performances?

Clients love my energetic, theatrical approach to percussion, creating captivating performances. My sense of humor adds fun, and my versatility shines—whether on vibraphone or high-energy percussion. They appreciate my professionalism, attention to detail, and unique sound, making every event fresh and unforgettable.

Which venues have you performed at in the past?

The Lowry (Manchester), Giffords Circus, Spoleto Festival (USA), Edinburgh International Festival, Melbourne International Festival (Australia), Millennium Dome, Shanghai theatre (China), Southbank Centre (London), Multiple wedding venues

Which artists have you been most influenced by?

James Brown, Tina Turner, Parliament/Funkadelic, Prince, Amy Winehouse, Aphex Twin, Cyro Baptista, Tower of Power, Soul 2 Soul, De La Soul

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

A run at Edinburgh International Festival with the show Roots

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

I will do my best to allow for changes in the booking. If the event lasts longer than originally said there may be an additional charge.

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

Absolutely. This is a really popular request and we actually offer this service for free. If you'd like a DJ service via our PA after the final set until the venue closes, we provide this for an additional £100. Please send me a list of all your favourite tunes to be put on the set.

How much time do you need to set up?

This will depend on a few factors- If it's just myself and some hand percussion, then I would allow 30mins, positioning (for example) congas, and tuning them. If it's a larger set-up, and needs amplification, then 1.5-2hours would be recommended

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

To an extent yes! Some tunes will work well together, but a chat through the set would help you have a great time.

Do you bring all the equipment you need to perform?

Yes I can bring all my equipment, this can include instruments, microphones and PA. It might be that there are times where it is easier for us to plug into the current PA, but this is something we can chat about beforehand.

Can you learn specific pieces before the event?

Yes this is possible, but there would be an additional fee of approximately £30 per piece, to allow for practice etc.
Musicianship
Genres:
Funk, Christmas, Classical, Classical crossover, Contemporary classical, Film / TV music, Musical theatre, Opera, Ambient, Breakbeat, Electronic, Electro-Swing, 1920s era music, 1960s era music, 1970s era music, 1980s era music, 1990s era music, 1950s era music, Folk, Ceilidh, Irish rock, Folk rock, Traditional English folk, Traditional Irish folk, Jazz, Blues, Cabaret, Latin jazz, Modern jazz, Jazz fusion, Gypsy jazz, Ragtime, Swing, Avant garde, Experimental, Marching, Originals, Pop, Disco, Covers, Funk rock, R&B, Motown, Hip Hop, Soul, Tribute, Rock, Britpop, Classic rock, Indie, Pop rock, Rock 'n' Roll, World music, Brazilian music, Cuban music, Flamenco, Latin, Salsa, Samba
See all genres
Instruments:
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Event types:
Private event, Wedding, Virtual event, Charity event, Corporate event, Bar / Club / Venue event, Recording session, Theatre / Show, Cruise, New Year's Eve, Christmas party, Birthday party
See all event types
Other skills:
Drum technician, Actor, Musical comedy, Fluent improviser, Instrumental teaching, Theory teaching, Music therapy, Community music worker
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