Hire Karen Barnett | Singer in Southsea

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Karen Barnett singing The Joker and the Queen - 2023

Solitaire - cover by Karen Barnett

Tesoro Duo performing 2023

About Karen

A talented, fun and highly sought after vocalist and tribute artist, with songs for all occasions. Classical crossover duo available.

3 of 11 photos

Singer

Southsea

Public liability insurance of £5 million

A fabulous cabaret singer with songs for all occasions. Perfect for easy listening evenings, drinks receptions or an upbeat celebration of any type. Karen has a great knack for judging her audience and pulling a great tune out of the bag. Now one half of classical crossover duo Tesoro (more info through separate Encore listing - PERFECT for any function) Whether your celebration is an upbeat party or just a low key gathering, Karen will make it a night to remember. Karen travels throughout the UK with an Alto Trouper sound system which can fit into the smallest wine bar (one speaker) or a large hall/restaurant (two speakers and base bin). Karen also has a battery powered Bose S1 pro speaker for the smallest of gigs (care homes, wine bars, etc) which is perfect for small outdoor events requiring minimal setup time and space. 21years in the business has seen Karen travel the world, performing in some of the most incredible venues and settings. Karen has sung BV's for rock legends Foreigner and supported classical trio Blake as well as performed at countless weddings, parties, festivals and social nights.

Karen

5 out of 5

2 verified reviews

Karen's Reviews

5 out of 5

We had Karen at Queenie's Vintage Tearoom to sing at our Speakeasy evening. She was absolutely superb. Karen entertained everyone with a great mix of 'oldies' through the evening. Everybody was absolutely blown away by the opera she treated us to at the end of the evening... Just WOW!! There wasn't a dry eye in the house. We cannot wait to welcome Karen back!!

5 out of 5

Karen has performed for the HMS Lowestoft Association reunion on two occasions and each one has been a great success. She is a versatile and professional performer who is completely able to judge her audience and sing appropriate material that will resonate with the age groups concerned. The extremely positive feedback received after each occasion speaks for itself. It is an absolute pleasure to have her attend our reunions and we will not hesitate to have her do so again in the future. Ian Mackenzie HMS Lowestoft Association

Read all 11 reviews

Encore badges

7th Anniversary

This act has been working with Encore for over 7 years

Karen's Song list

Upbeat/Party Tunes:

Car Wash - Rose Royce

We are Family - Sister Sledge

Love Really Hurts Without You - Billy Ocean

Red Light Spells Danger - Billy Ocean

Don't Stop Believing - Journey

Just Can't Get Enough - Depeche Mode

It's a Sin - Pet Shop Boys

Man! I Feel Like a Woman - Shania Twain

That Don't Impress Me Much - Shania Twain

Don't Be Stupid - Shania Twain

Dancing Queen - ABBA

Mamma Mia - ABBA

Waterloo - ABBA

Gimme Gimme Gimme - ABBA

Hey Baby - Bruce Channel

Hi Ho Silver Lining - Jeff Beck

Do Wah Diddy - Manfred Man

Rock Around the Clock - Billy Hayley & his Comets

Runaround Sue - Dion

Little Biddy Pretty One

Do You Love Me - Blues Brothers & Contours version

Shake a Tail Feather - Ray Charles & Blues Brothers

Steamy Windows - Tina Turner

Proud Mary Tina Turner (Elvis Presley Version)

Right Back to Where we Started From - Maxine Nightingale

Mercy - Duffy

Castles - Freya Ridings

Bad Moon Rising - Creedance Clearwater Revival

The Best - Tina Turner

Valerie - Amy Winehouse

Saw Her Standing There - The Beatles

Get Back - The Beatles

Ob La Di Ob La Da - The Beatles

Shut Up and Dance

The Heat is On - Glenn Frey

Needle in a Haystack - The Velvelettes

Be My Baby - The Ronettes

My Guy - Mary Wells

Dance the Night Away - The Mavericks

I Love to Boogie - Marc Bolan

These Boots are Made for Walking - Nancy Sinatra

500Miles - The Proclaimers

Nutbush City Limits - Tina Turner

Superstition - Stevie Wonder

Crocodile Rock - Elton John

Reach (for the stars) - S Club 7

Puppet on a String - Sandie Shaw

Stuck in the Middle - Steelers Wheel

Somewhere in My Heart - Aztec Camera

Feel It Still - Portugal the Man

Summer of '69 - Bryan Adams

You Belong to Me - Bryan Adams

Happy - Pharrell Williams

Get Lucky - Daft Punk

I'm Still Standing - Elton John

Lambada - Kaoma

La Bamba - Los Labos

Moving On Up - M People

Young Hearts - Candi Staton

Uptown Funk - Bruno Mars

Locked Out of Heaven - Bruno Mars

Marry You - Bruno Mars

Out of Our Heads - Take That

Easy Listening:

Spooky - Dusty Springfield

My Baby Just Cares for Me - Nina Simone

I Want a Little Sugar in my Bowl - Nina Simone

Feeling Good - Nina Simone

Aretha - Rumur

Slow - Rumur

Cheek to Cheek - Doris Day

Que Sera Sera - Doris Day

The Joker and the Queen - Ed Sheran

Fly Me to the Moon - Julie London

Old Devil Called Love - Jazz Standard

C'est Si Bon - Jazz Standard

Songbird - Eva Cassidy

True Colours - Eva Cassidy

Wade in the Water - Eva Cassidy

Time After Time - Eva Cassidy

Make it With You - Bread

Stay - Rihannah

Summertime - Ella Fitzgerald

I Can See Clearly Now - Jimmy Cliff

Just the Way You Are - Bruno Mars

Make You Feel My Love - Adele

Someone Like You - Adele

Ain't Know Sunshine - Bill Withers

All Night Long - Lionel Richie

Angel - Sarah McLachlan

All of Me - John Legend

Closest Thing to Crazy - Katie Melua

Georgia on My Mind - Ray Charles

Heaven - Bryan Adams

Dream A Little Dream - Mamas & the Papas

Close to You - Carpenters

We've Only Just Begun - Carpenters

Solitaire - Carpenters

For All We Know - Carpenters

Rainy Days & Mondays - Carpenters

Goodbye to Love - Carpenters

Can't Smile Without You - Carpenters

Movies, Show Tunes & Classical

Skyfall

Goldfinger

Diamonds are Forever

Moonriver

Golden Slumber

Hopelessly Devoted to You

Send in the Clowns

O Mio Babbino Caro

Wishing you Were Somehow Here Again

Memory

As If We Never Said Goodbye

Don't Cry for Me Argentina

Feed the Birds

All I Ask of You (Duo/Duet)

E Piu ti Penso (Duo/Duet)

Time to Say Goodbye (Duo/Duet)

Hallelujah (Duo/Duet)

Pie Jesu (Duo/Duet)

Christmas Songs:

Step into Christmas - Elton John

Silent Night - Traditional or Eva Cassidy

O Holy Night

Rocking Around the Christmas Tree

Merry Christmas Darling

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Last Christmas

Winter Wonderland

Jingle Bell Rock

All I Want for Christmas is You

All Alone for Christmas

Blue Christmas

Wartime:

Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy

We'll Meet Again

White Cliffs of Dover

There'll Always be an England

Sentimental Journey

It's a Long Way to Tipperary/Pack Up Your Troubles

Country Songs:

Country Roads - John Denver

Annie's Song - John Denver

9 to 5 - Dolly Parton

Coat of Many Colours - Dolly Parton

Jolene - Dolly Parton

Man! I Feel Like a Woman - Shania Twain

That Don't Impress Me Much - Shania Twain

Whose Bed have Your Boots Been Under - Shania Twain

Don't Be Stupid - Shania Twain

Shook Me All Night Long - Shania Twain

Any Man of Mine - Shania Twain

Blanket on the Ground - Billie Jo Spears

Stand By Your Man - Tammy Wynette

Dance the Night Away - The Mavericks

Customer questions

What do your clients love most about your performances?

Engaging with and reading an audience and getting the vibe right.

Which venues have you performed at in the past?

O2 Arena Portsmouth Guildhall Portsmouth Historic Dockyard Numerous theatres and military establishments throughout the UK Rivoli Ballrooms BBC TV Centre Goodwood Racecourse and House All Butlins resorts Tribfest/Lee Victory Festival Numerous Parkdean and Haven venues Care homes, restaurants, pubs, social clubs

Which artists have you been most influenced by?

Too many to mention

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

Backing vocals at the O2 arena for Foreigner A number of festivals around the country Support for Blake at the Portsmouth Guildhall DDay75 Veterans Lunch at Historic Dockyard Portsmouth Christmas homecoming for HMS Queen Elizabeth in Portsmouth Dockyard

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

We always try our best to be flexible to help ensure your event runs as smoothly as possible. If timings change slightly in the run up to the event just let us know.

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

I always play background music before (approx 15mins) during the break and after my sets (approx 15mins at most whilst packing down)

How much time do you need to set up?

Depending on space, playing area and electrical access I can normally set up on my own in around 45 minutes. This will take longer if parking is further away.

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

Yes of course. It's normally best to let me know in advance of the gig, in case I need to look over the song(s) again, but I've been approached at many gigs and asked to sing certain songs and if I can (have the track) I will.

Do you bring all the equipment you need to perform?

With exception to a table and chair - this is all I ask for.

Can you learn specific pieces before the event?

As long as I have fair warning and I can source a backing track then this is never a problem. I would normally add another £10.00 to the fee, purely to cover the cost of the track and rehearsal

Musicianship

Genres:

Covers, Classical crossover, Film / TV music, Easy listening, 1960s era music, 1970s era music, 1980s era music, 1990s era music, Motown, Disco, Funk, Soul, Tribute, Rock 'n' Roll, Pop rock, Christmas, Classical, Contemporary classical, Musical theatre, 1940s era music, 1950s era music, Jazz, Cabaret, Light music, Vintage, Rock, Classic rock, French music, Italian music, Spanish music, Country

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Instruments:

Singer

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Event types:

Hotel / Restaurant event, Bar / Club / Venue event, Funeral / Memorial service, Wedding, Private event, Corporate event, Charity event, Recording session, Theatre / Show, Cruise, Birthday party, Christmas party, New Year's Eve, Virtual event, Wedding proposal, Church service, Concert

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Other skills:

Actor, Musical comedy, MC

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