Indie band

The Instigators

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(5.0)Read all 34 reviews
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About The Instigators

Hailing from the South West of England, The Instigators travel far and wide to get the party started!
Indie band
Weston-super-Mare
Public liability insurance of £10 million
Verified profile

Having built up a sterling reputation with audiences over the last few years, these guys know how to make every wedding and party feel special. The band captures the best of rock and indie while combining it with polished modern pop and a songbook that stretches back through the entire history of popular music. They aren’t afraid to get off the stage and onto the dance floor. Past gigs have included ‘dance-offs’, rap battles and unexpected appearances from the guests themselves! You never know what might happen next! THE BEST WEDDING & PARTY BAND IN THE SOUTH WEST Bringing the sound and excitement of an epic concert that can be scaled to suit any venue, The Instigators don’t just turn up and play the songs. They do everything in their power to create a live show that jumps out and grabs you - from belting out anthemic choruses to getting stuck in on the dancefloor. From the first contact, right up to the day itself they will do everything they can to help everything run smoothly, and they pride themselves on being approachable and professional. Each one of them takes a huge amount of joy from their performance and it really shows! They aim to play every set like it is their last! FLEXIBLE RANGE OF PACKAGES With every band member able to sing they are capable of a huge sound. They also add extra keyboards and drum samples when needed to fill out the sound and give you the best experience possible. If you need additional music during the day The Instigators can provide a range of options, from an acoustic duo in the sun to your favourite song as you walk down the aisle. They can also offer background solo piano, or if you book the brass section finish the night with a sax and DJ performance! WHAT WE OFFER • Highly experienced performers who live and breathe music. Friendly and professional offstage, exciting and passionate onstage! Available as a duo, or 4-piece band or if you’ve got the space take advantage of the 6-piece lineup with our excellent brass section. • 2 x 60 or 3 x 40-minute sets as standard with additional sets available if required. • Completely self-sufficient - We bring all our own equipment including top-quality PA system and lights for a great night of live music! • Free DJ Service provided before, between and after the band sets. • Song Requests- your first dance with a live band. • Sound Limiter Friendly - we are capable of making a huge sound and filling the room, but also have a lot of experience working with limiters and keeping within any venue’s requirements. We are experts at delivering a full and punchy sound at low volume levels when necessary. We use up-to-date technology such as In-Ear Monitors and Digital Modellers to reduce on-stage volume and ensure an end to the 'Loudness Wars' common with bands in the past! • Acoustic Sets - daytime acoustic sets to suit your requirements. Wide range of options, from background music to walkabout acts. • Fully Insured - All our equipment is PAT tested and the band are covered by Public Liability Insurance. Up-to-date certificates can be provided on request. Drop us a line to discuss your Wedding or Party! Feel free to get in touch by clicking the "Checking availability" or "Message" buttons. We look forward to hearing from you!

The Instigators
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
5 out of 5
34 verified reviews
Satisfaction
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5.0
Professionalism
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5.0
Communication
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4.9
Punctuality
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5.0

The Instigators' Reviews

From Encore customers:

CC
Charlie C
2 months ago
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5 out of 5

The guys were absolutely incredible. Both the acoustic set and the evening sets were amazing and we had so many comments throughout about how talented they are, especially from our guests who are musicians themselves! They brought the party and were an absolute vibe! Such good communication throughout the planning process and so easy to work with. We cannot thank them or recommend them enough!

SW
Sam W
2 months ago
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5 out of 5

We were so so pleased with having the Instigators as our wedding band! They were incredible from start to finish and even learnt a couple fo Irish songs that were sentimental to us! Thank you guys for being amazing during the night, literally getting people up dancing and interacting with everyone! They made it a night to remember for us so thank you!!

CA
Chris A
9 months ago
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5 out of 5

Wow what a night it was with The Instigators at our wedding. They learned our first dance song flawlessly (Coheed and Cambria) as well as another request, and were absolutely superb in keeping the dancefloor packed all night with their setlist. We particularly appreciated all the communication in the run up and taking every suggestion on board (particularly what we didn't want to hear as well as what we did) and we really enjoyed closing the night with some more alternative requests through the DJing as well. It was a pleasure to have Ben and all four talented musicians with us, we've had loads of great comments from our guests and will be trying to catch them live again.

DS
Dawn S
1 year ago
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4.8 out of 5

Fantastic bad . Lead singer amazing. Will definitely have them again when needed.

Read all 17 reviews

From other customers:

ND
Nicola D
2 years ago, for a Birthday party in United Kingdom
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5 out of 5

The instigators played for my 40th. Amazing band, all my guests loved them. Highly recommend! Great lads. Thank you!

TD
Taylor D
2 years ago, for a Wedding in United Kingdom
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5 out of 5

The Instigators played at our wedding in Devon in July 2022 and they were excellent. I would 100% recommend them - great band and got the audience dancing all night long. Thanks guys!

Read all 17 reviews
Encore badges
3rd most booked musician of 2023!
Top 10 booked musician of 2022
Lightning fast responses
Average response time under 2 hours
25 gigs
Pro: 25 bookings through Encore
Saved the day!
Booked for an Encore gig with less than 24 hours’ notice
3rd Anniversary
This act has been working with Encore for over 3 years
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The Instigators' Song list

We are always updating our repertoire with new material, but here is a sample of some of our favourite dance floor fillers. We will work together with you prior to your event to plan the best possible sets for your audience.
• MODERN/POP
Happy - Pharrell Williams
Shake It Off - Taylor Swift
I Knew You Were Trouble - Taylor Swift
Locked Out Of Heaven - Bruno Mars
Treasure - Bruno Mars
24K Magic - Bruno Mars
Get Lucky - Daft Punk
Shut Up and Dance - Walk the Moon
We Found Love - Rihanna
Castle On the Hill - Ed Sheeran
Shape of You - Ed Sheeran
Sing – Ed Sheeran
Adventure of a Lifetime – Coldplay
Pompeii - Bastille
Bad Guy - Billie Eilish
Paradise - George Ezra
Shotgun - George Ezra
Chocolate - The 1975
Blinding Lights – The Weeknd
Gangsta’s Paradise - Coolio
What You Know - Two Door Cinema Club
What Went Down - Foals
My Number - Foals
Hold Back the River - James Bay
Many of Horror - Biffy Clyro
Valerie - Mark Ronson / Amy Winehouse
Little Lion Man - Mumford and Sons
I Will Wait – Mumford and Sons
New Shoes - Paolo Nutini
Jenny Don’t Be Hasty – Paolo Nutini
Everybody (Backstreet's Back) - Backstreet Boys
We Found Love – Rihanna
Wake Me Up – Avicii
Mercy - Duffy
• INDIE / ROCK
Are You Gonna Be My Girl - Jet
Naive - The Kooks
Last Night - The Strokes
Use Somebody - Kings of Leon
Sex on Fire - Kings of Leon
Buck Rogers - Feeder
When the Sun Goes Down - Arctic Monkeys
I Predict a Riot - Kaiser Chiefs
Mr Brightside - The Killers
Somebody Told Me - The Killers
Chelsea Dagger - The Fratellis
Dakota – Stereophonics
Everlong – Foo Fighters
Monkey Wrench – Foo Fighters
All My Life – Foo Fighters
Girl All the Bad Guys Want - Bowling For Soup
5 Colours In Her Hair - McFly
Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor - Arctic Monkeys
Fake Tales of San Francisco - Arctic Monkeys
Teenage Dirtbag - Wheatus
Beautiful day - U2
Take Me Out - Franz Ferdinand
Parklife - Blur
Song 2 - Blur
She’s Electric - Oasis
Wonderwall - Oasis
Don’t Look Back in Anger - Oasis
Place Your Hands – Reef
All the Small Things - Blink 182
Sit Down - James
Disco 2000 - Pulp
• CLASSIC HITS
Summer of 69 - Bryan Adams
500 Miles - The Proclaimers
Sit Down - James
Should I Stay or Should I Go - The Clash
Back in Black - AC/DC
Crazy Little Thing Called Love – Queen
Don’t Stop Me Know – Queen
Superstition - Stevie Wonder
Kiss - Prince
Sweet Home Alabama - Lynyrd Skynyrd
Proud Mary - Tina Turner
Play That Funky Music - Average White Band
Twist and Shout - The Beatles
Saw Her Standing There - The Beatles
Brown Eyed Girl - Van Morrison
Really Got Me - The Kinks
All Day and All Night - The Kinks
I’m a Believer - The Monkees
Hard To Handle - Black Crowes
Play That Funky Music – Wild Cherry
I Feel Good – James Brown
Jonny B Goode – Chuck Berry
Footloose – Kenny Loggins
Feeling Good – Nina Simone
• ACOUSTIC SONGS
Perfect – Ed
Lazy Song – Bruno Mars
Isn't She Lovely – Stevie Wonder
Budapest – George Ezra
Here Comes the Sun – The Beatles
Blackbird – The Beatles
Riptide – Vance Joy
Ho Hey.- The Lumineers
How Sweet it is (To Be Loved By You – James Taylor
Chasing cars – Snow Patrol
Castle on the hill – Ed Sheeran
Message in a bottle – The Police
Layla – Eric Clapton
The Cave – Mumford and Sons
Fast Car – Tracy Chapman
Sitting on the Dock of the Bay – Otis Redding
Let Her Go - Passenger
Is This Love – Bob Marley
Billie Jean – Michael Jackson
Hey Soul Sister – Train
I’m yours – Jason Mraz
Friends Theme – Reinhardts
Ain’t No Sunshine – Bill Withers
Someone You Loved - Lewis Capaldi
Say You Won't Let Go - James Arthur
L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N – Noah And The Whale
Dancing in the Moonlight - Toploader
Wonderwall - Oasis
Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) - Green Day
You're Welcome - Dwayne Johnson (Moanna)
• FIRST DANCES
Thinking Out Loud – Ed Sheeran
All Of Me – John Legend
Iiris – Goo Goo Dolls
Use Somebody (acoustic) – Kings of Leon
Everlong (acoustic) – Foo Fighters
Chasing Cars – Snow Patrol
I'm Yours – Jason Mraz
Perfect – Ed Sheeran
I Won't Give Up - Jason Mraz
Drops of Jupiter – Train
Green Eyes – Coldplay
Always Attract – You Me At Six
Just The Way You Are – Bruno Mars
Time Of Your Life – Green Day
Mr Jones – Counting Crows
How Long Will I Love You – Ellie Goulding
Just You & I – Tom Walker
Tenerife Sea - Ed Sheeran

The Instigators' Prices

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

Standard Prices
Performance durationPrice
Up to 1 hour£900
Up to 2 hours£1250
Up to 3 hours£1800

Add-ons

Skype Consultation and 3 New Songs Learned
+£50
Late Finish
+£250
Acoustic Set
+£250
Customer questions

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

We always strive to make sure the line-up you see is what you get on the night. However, we also have a network of pre-audititioned 'dep' musicians available in case a band member falls ill or is unavailable. As a band of professional musicians 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?

Our available line-up options are as follows: • 4-piece band (drums, bass, guitar, vocals) • 6-piece band with additional brass section • 2-piece acoustic duo

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

We will work with you to help ensure your event runs as smoothly as possible. If timings change in the run-up to the event just let us know.

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

We offer a DJ service as standard. This means we’ll keep the music going all night (we’ll discuss songs you want for this in advance) and play some awesome DJ mixes later on when you want to dance until the end of the night.

How much time do you need to set up?

Whenever you want. We can be set up easily within 1 hour, so this is best done just before the evening celebrations. However, if you need an early set up this can be done for a small extra fee, just let us know the plan and we’ll advise when to fit us in.

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

We are always happy to have a chat about likes and dislikes before the big day. We will of course include any requests when possible, but we know what fills a dance floor and will read the room on the night to keep things moving!

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

All equipment is included in the quote. We recommend a minimum stage space of around 3x4 meters to allow for all equipment and lots of room to rock out but can fit in almost anywhere if needed. We're an excitable and interactive bunch and can really perform at our best given plenty of space!

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 for you. There is a fee of £30 for this service to take into account rehearsal times etc.
Musicianship
Genres:
Indie, 1990s era music, 1980s era music, 1970s era music, 1960s era music, Pop, Acoustic, Top 40, Covers, Rock, Britpop, Alternative rock
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Event types:
Wedding, Charity event, Corporate event, Private event, Birthday party, Christmas party, New Year's Eve
See all event types