Hire Stephen James | Singing guitarist in Henley-on-Thames

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From£395

1 hour

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SJB Solo Promo

About Stephen

Warm, lively and engaging singer/guitarist.

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Singing guitarist

Henley-on-Thames

Public liability insurance of £5 million

Stephen has been playing professionally for over 20 years. At the last count he had played over 600 gigs across multiple countries. He cut his teeth playing to truck loads of party mad crowds, day in out, day out, whilst living in the French alps across several years. Since then, he has established himself as a popular entertainer in around the South East. His extenstive repertoire of crowd pleasing standards and modern hits, combined with his warm, lively and engaging style, make him a great choice for celebrations and parties. He also fronts a highly successful events band (The Loops, also on this site) but particularly loves the intimacy and flexibility of his solo performances

Stephen

5 out of 5

2 verified reviews

Stephen's Reviews

5 out of 5

I had no previous experience experience of booking live music, but Stephen was a complete joy to work with. I booked him for my parents 30th wedding anniversary and he completely nailed it. Great singer, great guitarist and just a brilliant all round entertainer. His mix of music was perfect for the crowd. Highly recommended

5 out of 5

Stephen came highly recommended from a recent wedding he had played. He was just so perfect for my birthday party - super friendly guy, very professional, fantastic sound. He was very engaged with the audience, taking requests and selecting a great mix of tunes. There were a lot of croaky voices in the morning from all the singing. Thanks again Stephen. Hope to see you again.

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4th Anniversary

This act has been working with Encore for over 4 years

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Stephen's Song list

I know hundreds of songs (and will take requests). But a good sample of songs that I am currently enjoying include:

Crazy Little Thing Called Love - Queen

Riptide - Vance Joy

Budapest - George Ezra

Mr Blue Sky - ELO

Mardy Bum - Arctic Monkeys

There Is A Light That Never Goes Out - The Smiths

Hallelujah - Jeff Buckley

Copacabana - Barry Manilow

Mr Brightside - The Killers

Hey Soul Sister - Train

Faith - George Michael

A Little Respect - Erasure

Pencil Full Of Led - Paulo Nutini

Belter - Gerry Cinnamon

Go Your Own Way - Fleetwood Mac

Town Called Malice - The Jam

Creep - Radiohead

Under The Bridge - Red Hot Chilli Peppers

Valarie - Amy Winehouse

Shut Up & Dance - Shoot The Moon

Crocodile Rock - Elton John

I Want To Break Free - Queen

Does Your Mother Know - Queen

Take It Easy - The Eagles

Proud Mary - Tina Turner

Dancing Queen - ABBA

Never Gonna Give You Up - Rick Astley

One - U2

Sunny Afternoon- The Kinks

Jumping Jack Flash - Rolling Stones

Piano Man - Billy Joel

Half The World Away - Oasis

Blackbird - The Beatles

Here Comes Sun - The Beatles

Shotgun - George Ezra

Take Your Mama Out - Scissor Sisters

She's Electric - Oasis

Don't Look Back In Anger - Oasis

Dakota - Stereophonics

Dancing In The Dark - Bruce Springsteen

Graceland- Paul Simon

Me and Julio Down By The Schoolyard - Paul Simon

Angels - Robbie Williams

Starman - David Bowie

Take Me Home, Country Roads - John Denver

As It Was - Harry Styles

Sweet Caroline - Neil Diamond

Stuck in Middle With You - Steelers Wheels

Don’t Stop Me Now - Queen

Times Like These - Foo Fighters

Sweet Child Of Mine - Guns and Roses

Living On A Prayer - Bon Jovi

Castle On The Hill - Ed Sheeran

American Idiot - Green Day

Wake Up Little Susie - Everly Brothers

Sex On Fire - Kings Of Leon

Mrs Robinson - Simon and Garfunkel

Back For Good - Take That

Make U Feel My Love - Adele

Teenage Dirtbag - Wheezer

Weather With You - Crowded House

Ho Hey - The Lumineers

La Vida Loca - Ricky Martin

Rock This Town - Stray Cats

Is This Love?- Bob Marley

Brown Eyed Girl - Van Morrison

Have You Ever Seen The Rain? - Creedence Clearwater Revival

1000 Trees – Stereophonics

20th Century Boy – T Rex

500 Miles – The Proclaimers

9 To 5 – Dolly Parton

Africa – Tot0

All The Small Things – Blink 182

American Idiot – Green Day

Are You Gonna Be My Girl? – Jet

Babylon – David Gray

Back To Black – Amy Winehouse

Basket Case – Green Day

Beautiful Day – U2

Billie Jean – Michael Jackson

Blackbird – Beatles

Blister In The Sun – Violent Femmes

Bohemian Like You – Dandy Warhols

Brown Eyed Girl – Van Morrison

Can’t Take My Eyes Off You – Andy Williams

Chasing Cars – Snow Patrol

Cigarettes And Alcohol – Oasis

Come As You Are – Nirvana

Come Together – Beatles

Crazy Little Thing Called Love – Queen

Dancing In The Dark – Bruce Springsteen

Dancing Queen – Abba

Daydream Believer – Monkees

Desire – U2

Devil In Disguise – Elvis Presley

Dock Of The Bay – Otis Redding

Don’t Dream It’s Over – Crowded House

Don’t Look Back In Anger – Oasis

Don’t Stop – Fleetwood Mac

Don’t Stop Believing – Journey

Don’t Stop Me Now – Queen

Down Under – Men At Work

Dream A Little Dream Of Me – Mama Cass

Dreams – Fleetwood Mac

End Of A Century – Blur

Every Breath You Take – The Police

Everybody’s Talking – Harry Nilsson

Fairy Tale Of New York – The Pogues

Faith – George Michael

Fast Car – Tracy Chapman

Fever – Elvis Presley

Fight For Your Right – Beastie Boys

Folsom Prison Blues – Johnny Cash

Footloose – Kenny Loggins

Good Riddance – Green Day

Graceland – Paul Simon

Half The World Away – Oasis

Here Comes The Sun – Beatles

Hey Jude – The Beatles

Highway To Hell – Ac/Dc

Homeward Bound – Simon And Garfunkel

I Believe In A Thing Called Love – The Darkness

I Bet You Look Good On The Dance Floor – Arctic Monkeys

I Want To Break Free – Queen

I Won’t Back Down – Tom Petty

I’m A Believer – Monkees

In Between Days – The Cure

Is This Love – Bob Marley

It’s Only Natural – Crowded House

Its Still Rock And Roll To Me – Billy Joel

Jailhouse Rock – Elvis Presley

Jumping Jack Flash – Rolling Stones

Last Nite – The Strokes

Livin La Vida Loca – Ricky Martin

Livin On A Prayer – Bon Jovi

Me And Julio – Paul Simon

Mrs Robinson – Simon And Garfunkel

Only Living Boy New York – Simon And Garfunkel

Respect – Erasure

Rock This Town – Stray Cats

Seven Nation Army – White Stripes

She’s Electric – Oasis

Should I Stay Or Should I Go – The Clash

Shut Up And Dance – Walk The Moon

Simply The Best – Tina Turner

Smells Like Teen Spirit – Nirvana

Song 2 – Blur

Space Oddity – David Bowie

Stuck In Middle With You – Stealer’s Wheel

Summer Of 69 – Bryan Adams

Sweet Caroline – Neil Diamond

Sweet Child Of Mine – Guns N Roses

Sweet Home Alabama – Lynrd Skynrd

Take It Easy – Eagles

Take Your Mama Out – Scissor Sisters

Teenage Dirtbag – Wheatus

Teenage Kicks – The Undertones

The Ace Of Spades – Motorhead

The Joker – Steve Miller

The Love Cats – The Cure

The One I Love – Rem

The Scientist – Coldplay

There Is A Light – The Smiths

Thinking Out Loud – Ed Sheeran

Town Called Malice – The Jam

Under The Bridge – Red Hot Chili Peppers

Video Killed The Radio Star – The Buggles

We Can Work It Out – Beatles

Weather With You – Crowded House

When You’re Gone – Brian Adams

Wish You Were Here – Pink Floyd

Wonderful World – Sam Cooke

Yellow – Coldplay

You Know I’m No Good – Amy Winehouse

You Never Can Tell – Chuck Berry

Stephen's Prices

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

Performance duration	Price
Short performance (up to 15 min)	£395
Up to 1 hour	£395
Up to 2 hours	£395
Up to 3 hours	£495

Customer questions

What do your clients love most about your performances?

My warm interactive manner. Plus my ability to flex and respond to what crowds what to hear in the moment.

Which venues have you performed at in the past?

Clardidges Hotel Du Vin John Lewis Newbury Race Course Henley Regatta Blenheim Palace

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

I've in many locations across UK, France, Finland, Sweden and Switzerland. Henley Regatta is probably the highest profile public event I've played.

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

I 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 me know

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

How much time do you need to set up?

45 minutes to set up. As soon as our PA is set up I can provide a free playlist service to help set the atmosphere and get your guests ready for my live performance

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

My set lists are crafted from countless performances and learning what works best to ensure guests dance and have an amazing time. However, I'm definitely happy to chat through and make sure we find what works for your event.

Do you bring all the equipment you need to perform?

Yes

Can you learn song requests 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:

Pop rock, Rock, Britpop, Classic rock, Rock 'n' Roll

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Instruments:

Singing guitarist

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Event types:

Wedding, Wedding proposal, Bar / Club / Venue event, Private event, Corporate event, Charity event, Birthday party, Christmas party, New Year's Eve, Hotel / Restaurant event

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Other skills:

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