Hire OLD SKOOL | Function band in Colchester

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From£1250

1 hour

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OLD SKOOL ACOUSTIC DUO - Live Footage, Upbeat Acoustic Covers

OLD SKOOL Acoustic Trio - Wedding, Party and Events Band Based in Essex

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About OLD SKOOL

Step back in time with the ultimate party band!

3 of 21 photos

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

5 out of 5

26 verified reviews

Satisfaction

5.0

Professionalism

5.0

Communication

5.0

Punctuality

5.0

OLD SKOOL's Reviews

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.

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

5 months ago

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

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

8 months 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

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

11 months ago

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

Read all 8 reviews

5 out of 5

Tracy & the Old Skool Band played at my husband's 50th birthday party. They were brilliant, really lively & upbeat songs, it's so nice to have the brass instruments in the band, it really does make a difference. There were loads of communication from Tracy prior to our event etc. I would highly recommend OLD SKOOL band!!!!

5 out of 5

Old Skool are brilliant. Led by singer Tracy but supported by excellent musicians. They delivered a brilliant atmosphere. They are professional, friendly and fabulous. They played wonderful party music to give us the best time. They sorted out everything from start to finish. They are also very polite, tidy and flexible. Highly recommended. Thank you.

Read all 35 reviews

Encore badges

Lightning fast responses

Average response time under 2 hours

10 gigs

Experienced: 10 bookings through Encore

Saved the day!

Booked for an Encore gig with less than 24 hours’ notice

5th Anniversary

This act has been working with Encore for over 5 years

Encore expert

Demonstrated expertise by completing the Encore Academy

Member of the Encore community forum

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”.

Performance duration	Price
Up to 1 hour	£1250
Up to 2 hours	£1750
Up to 3 hours	£2200

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

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

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Types:

Function band, Pop band, Soul & Motown band, Cover band, Disco & Funk band, Wedding band, Party band, Acoustic duo, Acoustic trio, Pop trio, Pop duo, 80s tribute band, 90s tribute band, 70s tribute band, 60s tribute band

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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