Function band

OLD SKOOL

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(5.0)Read all 45 reviews
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About OLD SKOOL

Step back in time with the ultimate party band!
Function band
Colchester
Public liability insurance of £10 million
Verified profile

OLD SKOOL are a professional party band based in Essex that offer a unique experience to take you back to your youth! Our 7 piece line-up (complete with horn section) and fronted by an experienced female vocalist can be booked for parties, functions, weddings, pubs, clubs and even school reunions!

OLD SKOOL
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
5 out of 5
28 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

OLD SKOOL's Reviews

From Encore customers:

DC
Dylan C
7 months ago
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5 out of 5

Tracey was brilliant to deal with prior to the event, always open & enthusiastic about the upcoming performance. Very professional on the day & produce a really nice performance. Would highly recommend for anyone looking to deal with a stress free group & one who does a good performance.

SL
Stephen L
1 year ago
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5 out of 5

The Old Skool were absolutely fabulous I would highly recommend them to anyone. They simply made the party a really fantastic occasion. Really happy

Reply from OLD SKOOL
1 year ago

Thank you so much! We had so much fun with you and your guests! xx

HF
Hayden F
1 year ago
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5 out of 5

We booked Old Skool for a 'festival style' outdoor summer event and can not recommend highly enough. So much positive feedback received from our guests during and after the event, which included a number of professional musicians. They completely fitted the brief and got the party moving; an absolutely flawless service and performance. Many thanks Hayden & Hugh

Reply from OLD SKOOL
1 year ago

Thank you so much! We had the best time at your amazing event with you & your guests! Thank you so much for booking us to be part of your day! xx

MC
Marc C
1 year ago
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5 out of 5

Highly recommend this group, from start to finish they were superb , communication was spot on and gave us exactly what we wanted on the night for our party . Thank you

Reply from OLD SKOOL
1 year ago

Thanks for booking us Marc! We had so much fun with you & your guests! ☺️xx

Read all 8 reviews

From other customers:

J&
Jake L
1 month ago, for a Wedding in Norfolk
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5 out of 5

We booked Old Skool for our wedding and from day 1 they have been amazing. From set list choices, to learning our first song acoustically, Tracy’s vocals were phenomenal, and then to bring the whole band into the song at the end was amazing. All players in the band were brilliant, we really wanted a brass section because of how good they sounded. When performing live their transition from the song to song was seamless and kept the party going all night. We have received so many compliments about the band choice. Honestly if you’re considering booking Old Skool, do it, I promise you’ll be so happy you did it. And huge thank you to all of you for making our evening reception so brilliant, you really brought the party atmosphere.

IW
Ian W
2 months ago, for a Charity event in Brightlingsea
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5 out of 5

For the third time "Old Skool" came to Brightlingsea Scout Groups Classic Car Show and Family Funday, and once again they entertained the crowds as the sun shone down and earned the entertainer badge. They are not to high and mighty that they wont play certain venues and seemed to enjoy the high scaffolding stage challenge, giving a great vantage point and traditional canvas throw together "scouting" roof. This was our 14th annual show and the third time Old Skool have played, HOWEVER this is the first time i remember that every single chair in the bar area has been turned round to face the stage and people were waiting for them to start. Booking was really easy and and Tracy has a great sense of humour and a pleasure to deal with. Don't think about booking them... contact tracy and book them. Will i be using them again....do cub / scout wear scarves and earn badges?

Read all 37 reviews
Encore badges
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Experienced: 10 bookings through Encore
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Booked for an Encore gig with less than 24 hours’ notice
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This act has been working with Encore for over 5 years
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OLD SKOOL's Song list

1960s
Get Ready - The Temptations
I Want You Back - The Jackson 5
Dancing in the Street - Martha Reeves & the Vandellas
Uptight - Stevie Wonder
What a Man - Linda Lyndell
How Sweet it is to be Loved by You - Marvin Gaye
Baby Love - The Supremes
Do You Love Me - The Contours
Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
I Feel Good - James Brown
Tainted Love - Gloria Jones
Your Love Keeps Lifting Me Higher - Jackie Wilson
Twist and Shout - The Beatles
Beggin' - Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons
You Can't Hurry Love - The Supremes
Think - Aretha Franklin
Son of a Preacher Man - Dusty Springfield
Stand By Me - Ben E King
Sitting on the Dock of the Bay - Otis Redding
Land of  1000 Dances - Wilson Pickett
Reach Out - The Four Tops
Build Me Up Buttercup - The Foundations
Proud Mary - Ike & Tina Turner
I Heard it Through the Grapevine - Marvin Gaye
How Sweet It Is (To be Loved by You) - Marvin Gaye
Knock on Wood - Eddie Floyd
Midnight Hour - Wilson Pickett
My Girl - The Temptations
My Guy - Mary Wells
River Deep, Mountain High - Tina Turner
Stop in the Name of Love - The Supremes
Hit the Road Jack - Ray Charles
1970s
Shake Your Body - The Jacksons
Upside Down - Diana Ross
Love Train - The O'Jays
Everybody Dance - Chic
Yes Sir I Can Boogie - Baccara
It Feels Like I'm in Love - Kelly Marie
September - Earth, Wind and Fire
Play that Funky Music - Wild Cherry
That's the Way I Like It - KC & the Sunshine Band
Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough - Michael Jackson
Boogie Nights - Heatwave
Boogie Oogie Oogie - A Taste of Honey
Superstition - Stevie Wonder
Lady Marmalade - Patti LaBelle
Relight my Fire - Dan Hartman
Blame it on the Boogie - The Jacksons
It Only Takes a Minute - Tavares
Ain't No Stopping Us Now - McFadden & Whitehead
Celebration - Kool & the Gang
Dance to the Music - Sly and the Family Stone
You to Me are Everything - The Real Thing
Young Hearts (Run Free) - Candi Staton
Funkytown - Lipps Inc.
Signed, Sealed, Delivered - Stevie Wonder
Lady Marmalade - Patti Labelle
I Can Make You Feel Good - Shalamar
Thinking of You - Sister Sledge
1980s
Labour of Love - Hue & Cry
Don't You Want Me - Human League
Teardrops - Womack & Womack
We Don't Have to Take Our Clothes Off - Jermaine Stewart
1,2,3 - Gloria Estefan
Loco in Acapulco - The Four Tops
Rhythm of the Night - De Barge
Club Tropicana - Wham!
Bad - Michael Jackson
All Night Long - Lionel Richie
You Might Need Somebody - Randy Crawford
Let's Hear it for the Boy - Denice Williams
Never Too Much - Luther Vandross
I Wanna Dance with Somebody - Whitney Houston
Into the Groove - Madonna
I Feel For You - Prince
Walking on Sunshine - Katrina & the Waves
Never Gonna Give You Up - Rick Astley
Love Shack - The B52's
Lovely Day - Bill Withers
I Love Rock n Roll - Joan Jett
Sweet Love - Anita Baker
Breakout - Swing Out Sister
Ain't Nobody - Chaka Khan
Don't You Want Me - The Human League
I'm Coming Out - Diana Ross
Somebody Else's Guy - Jocelyn Brown
The Way You Make Me Feel - Michael Jackson
Rock With You - Michael Jackson
How Will I Know - Whitney Houston
Thriller - Michael Jackson
Master Blaster - Stevie Wonder
Footloose - Kenny Loggins
Faith - George Michael
Crazy Little Thing Called Love - Queen
Take on Me - A-Ha
Kiss - Prince
Word Up - Cameo
1990s
This is How We Do It - Montell Jordan
Poison - Bell Biv Devoe
Here Comes the Hotstepper - Ini Kamoze
Never Gonna Get It - En Vogue
Whatta Man - Salt-n-Pepa
Sing it Back - Moloko
I've Got a Little Somethin' for Ya - MN8
Remember the Time - Michael Jackson
Waterfalls - TLC
The Best Things in Life are Free - Luther Vandross & Janet Jackson
Together Again - Janet Jackson
My Prerogative - Bobby Brown
Groove is in the Heart - Dee-Lite
Return of the Mack - Mark Morrison
Step Back in Time - Kylie Minogue
Say My Name - Destinys Child
Bills, Bills, Bills - Destiny's Child
No Scrubs - TLC
No Diggity - Blackstreet
Finally - Ce Ce Peniston
Shackles - Mary Mary
I Love Your Smile - Shanice
Smooth - Santana
2 Become 1 - The Spice Girls
Horny - Mousse T
Save Tonight - Eagle Eye Cherry
Rhythm is a Dancer - Snap
2000s & Beyond
Uptown Funk - Bruno Mars
SOS - Rihanna
Shape of You - Ed Sheeran
Bang Bang - Jessie J, Ariana Grande
What Do You Mean? - Justin Bieber
Can't Feel My Face - The Weeknd
1 Thing - Amerie
Like I Love You - Justin Timberlake
Groovejet - Spiller/ Sophie Ellis-Bextor
Sax - Fleur East
Caught Up - Usher
Yeah - Usher
Low - Flo Rida
Beggin' - Madcon/Frankie Valli
Cake by the Ocean - DNCE
Crazy in Love - Beyonce
Toxic - Britney Spears
Just a Little - Liberty X
Moves Like Jagger - Maroon 5
Runaway Baby - Bruno Mars
Empire State of Mind - Alicia Keys
Don't Start Now - Dua Lipa
Levitating - Dua Lipa
New Rules - Dua Lipa
Don't Call Me Baby - Madison Avenue
Can't Stop the Feeling - Justin Timberlake
Shut Up & Dance - Walk the Moon
Crazy - Gnarls Barkley
Gotta Get Thru This - Daniel Bedingfield
Moving Too Fast - Artful Dodger
Million Dollar Bill - Whitney Houston
Juice - Lizzo
Spinning Around - Kylie Minogue
Treasure - Bruno Mars
Mercy - Duffy
7 Days - Craig David
Fill Me In - Craig David
Valerie - Amy Winehouse
She Said - Plan B
Havana - Camilla Cabello
Bad Guy - Billie Eilish

OLD SKOOL's Prices

Last updated: 2024

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

Standard Prices
Performance durationPrice
Up to 1 hour£1250
Up to 2 hours£1750
Up to 3 hours£2200
Packages
Drinks reception2 musicians
Two performances of up to 45 mins each during your drinks reception
£375
Wedding ceremony2 musicians
This includes music before the service begins, music during the signing of the register, and music as guests leave.
£435
Wedding ceremony + Drinks reception + Dinner2 musicians
- Music before the service begins, music during the signing of the register, and music as guests leave. - 2 x 45 min performances at the drinks reception. - 2 x 45 min performances as dinner is being served.
£800

Add-ons

Learn a Song
+£125
DJ Service
+£200
Acoustic Duo
+£375
Customer questions

What do your clients love most about your performances?

Our clients love our high-energy performances and our brass section bring that extra oomph! We always make sure the dance floor is filled and everyone always loves our song choices whether they love motown, disco or some 90s RnB!

Which venues have you performed at in the past?

We have performed at a huge range of pubs, restaurants, hotels and wedding venues. Too many to mention!

Which artists have you been most influenced by?

We love all the Old Skool greats! If you book us you can expect to hear some Michael Jackson, Prince, Luther Vandross, various Motown classics right up to the more modern Bruno Mars and Beyonce who still have that retro vibe.

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

Between us we have performed for so many lovely couples and wonderful clients. We have performed at corporate events for clients such as Rolex and ARM. Our guitarist has supported Frank Turner, performing at various O2 academies.

Will the singer be the same as who I see in the videos?

We strive to make sure the line-up you see is what you get on the night, especially our singer! We do have 'dep' musicians available in case a band member falls ill or is unavailable so that your booking can still go ahead. As a professional band our reputation means everything so you can be confident that all of our players are of a very high level.

Do you have different line-up options?

We do! We nearly always go out as our full 7-piece band. However, we can also add a saxophone! Or we can go out as a 4 or 5-piece band for smaller events. Our singer and guitarist also go out as a spin-off acoustic duo for more laid back events when the full band might be a bit too much! If you want an acoustic band, we can do this too! Just ask!

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

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

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

We offer to put a playlist through our PA system between sets for you, completely free of charge! You can even let us know if there are any particular songs you want played. We also have a DJ booth and offer a full manned DJ package with music before and after the band for an additional charge.

How much time do you need to set up?

We usually take about 1.5-2 hours to set up for the full 7-piece band. We can be quite discrete as we do this though and can even play music through our system for you to enjoy once we have the main speakers set up. Or, you may want us to set up before your guests arrive which we can happily discuss with you.

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

Our set lists are crafted from countless performances and learning what works best to ensure guests dance and have an amazing time. However, we're definitely happy to chat through and make sure we find what works for your event. If you want us to feature any particular decades then we can do that! Let us know if you have any favourite bands/artists as well!

Is all of the equipment (e.g. PA & lighting) included in your quote?

Of course! We have top quality PA equipment and lots of lighting to light up your dance floor!

Can you learn song requests before the event?

If a song isn't included in our song list there may still be a chance we already know it. If there is a special song you'd like us to learn we are happy to do this if we have enough time. We may sometimes charge an additional fee to take into account rehearsal times, etc.
Musicianship
Genres:
Pop, Soul, Motown, R&B, Funk, Disco, Covers, Acoustic, Hip Hop, Tribute
See all genres
Event types:
Wedding, Hotel / Restaurant event, Bar / Club / Venue event, Private event, Corporate event, Charity event, Birthday party, New Year's Eve, Christmas party, Wedding proposal
See all event types