Indie band

The Pretty Ugly

Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
(5.0)Read all 19 reviews
Watch
Booking protection
Secure online payments
Free 48hr cancellations
Support available Mon-Sat
Like The Pretty Ugly?
Watch & Listen
Watch
Listen

About The Pretty Ugly

Your No.1 80s Pop/Rock young band in Yorkshire, playing shows across the country, in 2016 was voted best young band of Yorkshire.
Indie band
Dewsbury
Public liability insurance of £1 million

The Pretty Ugly are a 3 piece group based in Yorkshire. The 80s obsessed Indie rockers, once described as looking like they 'met at a bus stop' aren't your average pop/rock group. A unique blend of indie/rock and past decade nostalgia breathe a new breath of life into the 20s that comes just as unexpected as it is needed. "With soaring harmonies and catchy melodies these guys have done something really special with that 80s throw back trend that has been going around" (Christan Carlisle - BBC introducing DJ Sheffield) The band play a massive range of styles and genres, from ABBA to Bon Jovi, The 1975 to The Strokes, Cyndi Lauper to Elton John; The Pretty Ugly are proud to have an extensive style of play that stretches to ALL audiences, young or old(er). 3-Piece original 80s Pop/Rock band from Yorkshire that can also perform a variety of covers and originals. Formed as young teenagers and have been making original music and performing covers since that young age. 80s influenced in many aspects of their music style and performance, creating big sounding tunes. James, the front man, is the lead singer and plays rhythm guitar, Joe is the Drummer and Dan plays keys and lead guitar - sometimes both at the same time. The band played a unique 'Amp Awards' battle of the bands competition back in 2016 and were crowned Yorkshire's best young band after succeeding and advancing through several knockout stages. The Pretty Ugly have moved from playing mostly original gigs to showcasing their musical talent into playing as a cover band, focusing on their much loved 80s era soundtrack and well known Pop and Indie tunes. TPU have quickly adapted to the cover band scene, playing countless events around the country. The Pretty Ugly love the response they get from playing well known songs to a very high and accurate level, this is one of the main reasons they are now focusing more on their cover-act game, aiming to play to a wider audience and create memorable shows for all who listen.

The Pretty Ugly
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
5 out of 5
19 verified reviews
Satisfaction
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
5.0
Professionalism
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
5.0
Communication
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
5.0
Punctuality
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
5.0

The Pretty Ugly's Reviews

From Encore customers:

NL
Nick L
18 days ago
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
5 out of 5

Really good music, got everyone dancing all night

AS
Ashleigh S
25 days ago
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
5 out of 5

We couldn't have asked for a better band for our wedding party. Prior to the event the communication was great. Everything was so seamless, we didn't have to worry about anything. On the night Joe and they guys were great, they had everyone on the dancefloor. Would definitely book again!

GG
Gemma G
3 months ago
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
5 out of 5

What a fantastic band! The Pretty Ugly were everything we wanted for our wedding and more. They got everyone up and dancing - and our guests were full of compliments. They were also super easy to work with. Communication was great - and the band understood what we wanted immediately. We can’t recommend them enough.

DS
Danny S
9 months ago
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
5 out of 5

Great band, got people dancing and singing. Very professional.

Read all 11 reviews

From other customers:

GS
Graeme S
1 year ago, for a Christmas party in Hazlewood Castle
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
5 out of 5

The Pretty Ugly band played at our Christmas party recently and were amazing. With some covers and some of their own music, our staff loved listening, singing and dancing to their music. Definitely booking them again for next years Christmas do. Thanks TPU!

EA
Evie A
2 years ago, for a Bar / Club / Venue event in Doncaster DN2 4LT
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
5 out of 5

Lovely group of lads, entertained a crowd well and kept them engaged. Enthusiastic. Would definitely have them again.

Read all 8 reviews
Encore badges
2nd most booked musician of 2023!
10 gigs
Experienced: 10 bookings through Encore
Saved the day!
Booked for an Encore gig with less than 24 hours’ notice
2nd Anniversary
This act has been working with Encore for over 2 years
Member of the Encore community forum

The Pretty Ugly's Song list

60s
- SUSPICIOUS MINDS : Elvis
- I'M A BELIEVER : The Monkees
- SWEET CAROLINE : Neil Diamond
- BROWN EYED GIRL : Van Morrison
- CALIFORNIA DREAMING : The Mama's and Papa's
- HERE COMES THE SUN : The Beatles
- CAN'T HELP FALLING IN LOVE : Elvis
- AIN'T NO MOUNTAIN HIGH ENOUGH : Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
- MR TAMBOURINE MAN : Bob Dylan
- SOUND OF SILENCE : Simon and Garfunkel
-
70s
- MAMA MIA : Abba
- GO YOUR OWN WAY : Fleetwood Mac
- LONELY DAY : Bill Withers
- CROCODILE ROCK : Elton John
- I'M STILL STANDING : Elton John
- THE BOYS ARE BACK IN TOWN : Thin Lizzy
- AMERICAN PIE : Don Mclean
- DON'T STOP ME NOW : Queen
- MY SWEET LORD : George Harrison
- DON'T STOP TILL YOU GET ENOUGH : Michael Jackson
- HOOKED ON A FEELING : Blue Swede & Bjorn Skifs
- A HORSE WITH NO NAME : America
- CARRY ON WAYWARD SON : Kansas
- MR BLUE SKY : Electric Light Orchestra
-
80s
- AFRICA : Toto
- ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST : Queen
- LIVIN' ON A PRAYER : Bon Jovi
- HEAVEN IS A PLACE ON EARTH : Belinda Carlisle
- YOU CAN CALL ME AL : Paul Simon
- DON'T STOP BELIEVIN' : Journey
- FAST CAR : Tracy Chapman
- I WON'T LET THE SUN GO DOWN ON ME : Nik Kershaw
- WOULDN'T IT BE GOOD : Nik Kershaw
- POISON : Alice Cooper
- NEVER GUNNA GIVE YOU UP : Rick Astley
- TAKE ON ME : A-ha
- 500 MILES : The Proclaimers
- GIRLS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN : Cyndi Lauper
- SUPER TROUPER : Abba
- ANOTHER DAY IN PARADISE : Phil Collins
- EVERYWHERE : Fleetwood Mac
- I JUST DIED IN YOUR ARMS : Cutting Crew
- DOWN UNDER : Men At Work
- THE LAND OF MAKE BELIEF : Bucks Fizz
- SMALLTOWN BOY : Bronski Beat
- HUNGRY EYES : Eric Carmen
- HOW WILL I KNOW : Whitney Houston
- MATERIAL GIRL : Madonna
- YOU SPIN ME RIGHT ROUND : Dead Or Alive
- EVERY BREATH YOU TAKE : The Police
- ROCK YOU LIKE A HURRICANE : Scorpians
- DON'T YOU FORGET ABOUT ME : Simple Minds
- EVERYBODY WANTS TO RULE THE WORLD : Tears For Fears
- THERE SHE GOES : The La's
-
90s
- LIVE FOREVER : Oasis
- MORNING GLORY : Oasis
- WONDERWALL : Oasis
- DON'T LOOK BACK IN ANGER : Oasis
- SIT DOWN : James
- LAID : James
- TWO PRINCES : Spin Doctors
- SAVE TONIGHT : Eagle Eye Cherry
- IRIS : Goo Goo Dolls
- THIS CHARMING MAN : The Smiths
- ALL STAR : Smash Mouth
- BLUE (Da Ba Dee) - Eiffel 65
-
00s
- AMERICA : Razorlight
- I PREDICT A RIOT : Kaiser Chiefs
- DANCING IN THE MOONLIGHT : Toploader
- NAIVE : The Kooks
- SEX ON FIRE : Kings Of Leon
- STACEY'S MOM : Fountains Of Wayne
- UMBRELLA : Rihanna
- TEENAGE DIRTBAG : Wheatus
- LAST NITE : The Strokes
- REPTILLIA : The Strokes
- MR BRIGHTSIDE : The Killers
- SOMEBODY TOLD ME : The Killers
- READ MY MIND : The Killers
- MARDY BUM : Arctic Monkeys
- CORNERSTONE : Arctic Monkeys
- BABY I'M YOURS : Arctic Monkeys
- BREAKEVEN : The Script
- THE MAN WHO CAN'T BE MOVED : The Script
- CHASING CARS : Snow Patrol
- SHES SO LOVELY : Scouting For Girls
- LOVE STORY : Taylor Swift
- PARTY IN THE USA : Miley Cyrus
- CRASHED THE WEDDING : Busted
-
10s
- HEY BROTHER : Avicci
- WAITING FOR LOVE : Avicci
- MOUNTAIN AT MY GATES : Foals
- THE MAN : The Killers
- SHUT UP AND DANCE : Walk The Moon
- THAT'S WHAT MAKES YOU BEAUTIFUL : One Direction
- IF YOU WANNA : The Vaccines
- SOMEBODY THAT I USED TO KNOW : Gotye
- PRICE TAG : Jessie J
- DONT'T YOU WORRY CHILD : Swedish House Mafia
-
20s
- SEVENTEEN GOING UNDER : Sam Fender
- AS IT WAS : Harry Styles
- LATE NIGHT TALKING : Harry Styles
- OH CAROLINE : The 1975
- IT'S NOT LIVING IF IT'S NOT WITH YOU : The 1975
- YOUR GIRLFRIEND : Blossoms
- BRAZIL : Declan McKenna
- HOT TO GO : Chapell Roan
-
Originals
- ELVIS
- LEMON AND LIME
- I CAN BE YOUR NUMBER 1
- THE PUZZLE
- THAT'S SUCH A GIRL THING TO SAY
- DINNER APPOINTMENT
- INDIA
- CHEAT 123
- AGAIN
- ALL THE TIME
- HEAVEN'S NOT A PLACE IT'S A STATE OF MIND
- FRIEND
- FUTURE SONG
- ACT MY AGE
- JEEZ!
- DELIBERATE IRRITATION
- TRANQUILITY
- WHAT YOU DO
- CATCH ME A BIT OF LIFE
- I DON'T REALLY MIND
- SET ME FREE
- WHAT DO YOU SMELL LIKE?
- STILL 19
- A SIGHT FOR MY SORE EYES
-
Christmas Songs!
- LAST CHRISTMAS : Wham
- DO THEY KNOW IT'S CHRISTMAS? - Band Aid
- WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS TIME : Paul McCartney
-

The Pretty Ugly'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£1125
Up to 2 hours£1500
Up to 3 hours£2375
Packages
Wedding ceremony2 musicians
This includes light piano music before the service begins, music during the signing of the register, and music as guests leave.
£250
Playlist DJ3 musicians
Available also for PA sound system hire to play a desired playlist as an add-on to the band music itself. Charge per hour.
£250
Drinks reception3 musicians
Two performances of up to 60 mins each during your drinks reception
£1500

Add-ons

Skype Consultation and 3 New Songs Learned
Free
Acoustic-break set
+£500
DJ set
+£750
Customer questions

What do your clients love most about your performances?

From our point of view, our versatility and performing in such a way that creates crowd interaction. We believe our music is one that can get any crowd to bop as long as they drop.

Which venues have you performed at in the past?

Hazelwood Castle Huddersfield Chapel o2 Academy Sheffield The Cavern Liverpool The Dome Doncaster The Parish Huddersfield Cast Theatre Doncaster

Which artists have you been most influenced by?

The Strokes, The Killers, Arctic Monkeys, Queen, Michael Jackson

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

Headlining the Dome, Doncaster at a special awards competition for young musicians.

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

Yes, we almost always play shows with the same musicians. In the event of a band member falling ill last-minute we will have a technology system in place to replace that member of the band while the rest still play live. Our musicians are always striving for perfection so the quality can always be expected to be the highest level.

Do you have different line-up options?

Our line-up consists of : Vocalsx2, Guitarx2, Keys, Bass and Drums. Our acoustic line-up can alter depending on personal preferences.

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?

Absolutely. This is a really popular request and we actually offer this service for free. If you'd like a DJ service via our PA after the final set until the venue closes, we provide this for an additional £200

How much time do you need to set up?

We usually set up about 1 to 1.5 hours before the performance time. As soon as our PA is set up we can provide a free playlist service to help set the atmosphere and get your guests ready for our live performance!

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.

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

Our PA and lighting system is included in your quote. We usually require a minimum of 8m by 5m space to perform.

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. Just let us know with at least a months notice before the day of the event.
Musicianship
Genres:
Pop, Synth rock, Rock, Alternative rock, Indie, Pop rock, Acoustic, Top 40, Britpop, Originals, 1980s era music
See all genres
Event types:
Wedding, Private event, Bar / Club / Venue event, Hotel / Restaurant event, Charity event, Concert, Recording session, Corporate event, Cruise, New Year's Eve, Christmas party, Birthday party
See all event types