Party band

The Boatmen

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About The Boatmen

We've performed to a private party for 6 up to massive festivals for thousands. You and your guests are sure of a great time if you book us!
Party band
Peterborough
Public liability insurance of £2 million

The Boatmen are a duo from Whittlesey near Peterborough. Dave and Steve have performed in various bands and as solo artists across the UK for as long as they can remember, including performing at high profile events with acts such as the Three Degrees and Toyah Wilcox. Both sing and play guitar, with Dave playing keyboards or cajon as well on some numbers.

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Lightning fast responses
Average response time under 2 hours
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
5 gigs
Experienced: 5 bookings through Encore
Musicianship
Genres:
Covers, Rock, Pop rock, Acoustic
See all genres
Event types:
Private event, Wedding, Wedding proposal, Hotel / Restaurant event, Bar / Club / Venue event, Corporate event, Charity event, Concert, Recording session, Birthday party, Christmas party
See all event types

The Boatmen's Song list

Track Artist
500 Miles The Proclaimers
Addicted To Love Robert Palmer
Alright Now Free
Babylon David Gray
Back In The U.S.S.R. The Beatles
Bad Moon Rising Creedence Clearwater Revival
BlockBuster Sweet
Born To Be Wild Steppenwolf
Breakfast At Tiffany’s Deep Blue Something
Breathe Pink Floyd
Brown Eyed Girl Van Morrison
Budapest George Ezra
Build Me Up Buttercup The Foundations
Cannonball Damien Rice
Come On Eileen Dexys Midnight Runners
Crazy Little Thing Queen
Dakota Stereophonics
Dance The Night Away The Mavericks
Dancing in the Dark Bruce Springsteen
Daydream Believer The Monkeys
Don’t Look Back In Anger Oasis
Drift Away Dobie Gray
Driving Home For Christmas Chris Rea
Every Breath You Take The Police
Everybody Blues Brothers
Everybody Wants to Rule The World Tears for Fears
Feelin' Good Nina Simone*
Faith George Michael
Folsom Prison Blues Johnny Cash
Get Back The Beatles
Gimme Some More Lovin’ The Spencer Davis Group
Going Gets Tough Billy Ocean
Handbags and Gladrags Stereophonics/Rod Stewart
Handle Me With Care Traveling Wilburys
Hi Ho Silver Lining Jeff Beck
Hotel California The Eagles
Hound Dog Elvis Presley
Human The Killers
Human Rag & Bone Man
I Feel Good James Brown
I wish it could be Xmas Wizzard
I’m a Believer The Monkeys
It Must Be Love Madness
Jean Genie David Bowie
Johnny B Goode Chuck Berry
Knock On Wood Amii Stewart
Keep on Running The Spencer Davis Group
Lay Down Sally Eric Clapton
Life Is a Rollercoaster Ronan Keating
Light My Fire The Doors
Little Wing Jimi Hendrix
Living Next Door To Alice Smokie
Long Train Runnin' The Doobie Brothers*
Losing My Religion R.E.M.
Make Me Smile (Come Up And See Me) Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel
Merry Christmas everybody Slade
Merry Christmas everyone Shaking Stevens
Midnight Hour Wilson Pickett
Minnie The Moocher Cab Calloway*
Mustang Sally Wilson Pickett
Need Your Love So Bad Fleetwood Mac
Nights In White Satin The Moody Blues
Norwegian Wood The Beatles
Paradise George Ezra
Perfect Ed Sheeran
Proud Mary Creedence Clearwater Revival
Purple Rain Prince
Rockin’ All Over The World Status Quo
Rockin around the Christmas tree Brenda Lee
Run Snow Patrol
Sex Is On Fire Kings of Leon
Shotgun George Ezra
Somebody Told Me The Killers*
Son of a Preacher Man Dusty Springfield*
Space Oddity David Bowie
Stand By Me Ben E. King
Step Into Christmas Elton John
Stuck in the Middle With You Stealers Wheel
Sultans of Swing Dire Straits
Summer Of 69 Brian Adams
Superstition Stevie Wonder
Sweet Caroline Neil Diamond
Sweet Home Alabama Lynyrd Skynyrd
Tainted Love Soft Cell
Take It On The Run REO Speedwagon
The Chain Fleetwood Mac
The One I Love R.E.M.
Up on the roof The Drifters
Use Somebody Kings of Leon
Valerie Amy Winehouse
Walk of Life Dire Straits
Wicked Game Chris Isaak
Wishing Well Free
With a Little Help From My Friends The Beatles/Joe Cocker
Wonderwall Oasis
You Know I'm No Good Amy Winehouse*
500 Miles The Proclaimers
Addicted To Love Robert Palmer
Alright Now Free
Babylon David Gray
Back In The U.S.S.R. The Beatles
Bad Moon Rising Creedence Clearwater Revival
BlockBuster Sweet
Born To Be Wild Steppenwolf
Breakfast At Tiffany’s Deep Blue Something
Breathe Pink Floyd
Brown Eyed Girl Van Morrison
Budapest George Ezra
Build Me Up Buttercup The Foundations
Cannonball Damien Rice
Come On Eileen Dexys Midnight Runners
Crazy Little Thing Queen
Dakota Stereophonics
Dance The Night Away The Mavericks
Dancing in the Dark Bruce Springsteen
Daydream Believer The Monkeys
Don’t Look Back In Anger Oasis
Drift Away Dobie Gray
Driving Home For Christmas Chris Rea
Every Breath You Take The Police
Everybody Blues Brothers
Everybody Wants to Rule The World Tears for Fears
Faith George Michael
Folsom Prison Blues Johnny Cash
Get Back The Beatles
Gimme Some More Lovin’ The Spencer Davis Group
Going Gets Tough Billy Ocean
Handbags and Gladrags Stereophonics/Rod Stewart
Handle Me With Care Traveling Wilburys
Hi Ho Silver Lining Jeff Beck
Hotel California The Eagles
Hound Dog Elvis Presley
Human The Killers
Human Rag & Bone Man
I Feel Good James Brown
I wish it could be Xmas Wizzard
I’m a Believer The Monkeys
It Must Be Love Madness
Jean Genie David Bowie
Johnny B Goode Chuck Berry
Knock On Wood Amii Stewart
Keep on Running The Spencer Davis Group
Lay Down Sally Eric Clapton
Life Is a Rollercoaster Ronan Keating
Light My Fire The Doors
Little Wing Jimi Hendrix
Living Next Door To Alice Smokie
Losing My Religion R.E.M.
Make Me Smile (Come Up And See Me) Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel
Merry Christmas everybody Slade
Merry Christmas everyone Shaking Stevens
Midnight Hour Wilson Pickett
Mustang Sally Wilson Pickett
Need Your Love So Bad Fleetwood Mac
Nights In White Satin The Moody Blues
Norwegian Wood The Beatles
Paradise George Ezra
Perfect Ed Sheeran
Proud Mary Creedence Clearwater Revival
Purple Rain Prince
Rockin’ All Over The World Status Quo
Rockin around the Christmas tree Brenda Lee
Run Snow Patrol
Sex Is On Fire Kings of Leon
Shotgun George Ezra
Space Oddity David Bowie
Stand By Me Ben E. King
Step Into Christmas Elton John
Stuck in the Middle With You Stealers Wheel
Sultans of Swing Dire Straits
Summer Of 69 Brian Adams
Superstition Stevie Wonder
Sweet Caroline Neil Diamond
Sweet Home Alabama Lynyrd Skynyrd
Tainted Love Soft Cell
Take It On The Run REO Speedwagon
The Chain Fleetwood Mac
The One I Love R.E.M.
Up on the roof The Drifters
Use Somebody Kings of Leon
Valerie Amy Winehouse
Walk of Life Dire Straits
Wicked Game Chris Isaak
Wishing Well Free
With a Little Help From My Friends The Beatles/Joe Cocker
Wonderwall Oasis
* = We only perform these songs with one of our female singers on lead vocals
Customer questions

What do your clients love most about your performances?

They tell us they love our music and our musicianship, and the banter between us and the audience.

Which venues have you performed at in the past?

Dave and Steve have performed at all levels in Theatres, Pubs, Clubs, Festivals and private events all over the UK, performing to small intimate audiences right up to crowds of many thousands.

Which artists have you been most influenced by?

People like Pink Floyd, Prince, Fleetwood Mac, The Rolling Stones. But we just love good music, any good music.

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

That would be when we supported the Three Degrees a few years ago.

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

Absolutely! The Boatmen are Dave Bailey on guitar and vocals and Steve Gibbs on guitar and vocals.

Do you have different line-up options?

We have several excellent female vocalists who join us from time to time, if you want a more compelling visual performance then they are a lot nicer to look at than Dave and Steve!

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?

If required, at no extra charge we can play popular tunes before/in-between the band sets. Alternatively, if you have a laptop, Ipod, phone etc. with music on it we can use that. We can also do the same after we have finished performing for the night, but as that means we need to be at the venue for longer there will be a small extra fee.

How much time do you need to set up?

Usually we require around an hour to set up all of our equipment and perform a sound check to make sure everything is working as expected. This is based on good, straightforward access to the performance area. We then require around 15-20 minutes to get changed and ready for the performance.

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

We're pretty confident that the set list we have evolved over many years of performing will please just about everyone. We're more than happy to discuss which numbers from our repertoire you'd like us to perform - and any you'd rather we didn't!

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

Yes, all we need from you is a suitable mains electricity supply and a performance area at least 3 metres by 2 metres - and ideally twice that size!

Can you learn song requests before the event?

We'd be delighted to add a few numbers of your choice, as long as there is enough time between when you book us and the performance date - we obviously need time to learn and rehearse new songs.

The Boatmen's Prices

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

Standard Prices
Performance durationPrice
Up to 1 hour£150
Up to 2 hours£300
Up to 3 hours£450
The Boatmen
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5 out of 5
5 verified reviews
Satisfaction
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5.0
Professionalism
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5.0
Communication
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4.8
Punctuality
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5.0

The Boatmen's Reviews

From Encore customers:

SM
Sarah M
7 months ago
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
5 out of 5

Really enjoyable entertainment. Everyone enjoyed their selection of music. Would highly recommend

Reply from The Boatmen
7 months ago

Many thanks Sarah, we're glad to have been a part of Margot's special day! Warm regards Steve and Dave The Boatmen

AS
Andrew S
7 months ago
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
5 out of 5

Fantastic performance, highly recommended

Reply from The Boatmen
7 months ago

Thanks for the kind words Andrew, we're glad Birthday Girl Lorna, you and all your guests enjoyed your evening. Warm regards Steve and Dave The Boatmen

AB
Amanda B
8 months ago
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4.8 out of 5

The Boatmen played for my dads 80th Birthday and both my dad and his guests had a great time dancing away to the duo.

Reply from The Boatmen
8 months ago

Thanks Amanda, we thoroughly enjoyed playing for your family and friends. Warm regards Steve and Dave The Boatmen

JD
Jodie D
1 year ago
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5 out of 5

Can’t fault these guys at all! Everyone had a great night and we’d definitely book them again.

Reply from The Boatmen
1 year ago

Thanks for the kind words Jodie. We had a fab time too, and many thanks for the warm welcome from you and your friends and family xx

From other customers:

CB
Christine B
1 year ago, for a Christmas party in London St
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5 out of 5

Thanks Dave. You and Steve gave us a truly enjoyable afternoon. Please thanks Steve when you see him. Christine on behalf of the u3a Friendship group.

JH
Jim H
6 years ago

Had such a fantastic day at St. Andrews Parish Hall for my 50th birthday party. David Bailey was fantastic, adjusting the playlist to our whims, helping with all the setup and equipment. Him and Steve are such talented writers, musicians and performers - we had a ball. If you love live music and fun then I can highly recommend getting David involved.

Read all 36 reviews