Function band

The Unswung Heroes

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About The Unswung Heroes

Top diverse London band, with everything from vintage covers to function classics. Over 20 lineups & nothing but 5* reviews, book now!
Function band
London
Public liability insurance of £10 million

The UnSwung Heroes are a versatile group of musicians based in London. Formed in 2017, UnSwung specialised in playing traditional Dixieland, Danceband and New Orleans music of the 1920s and 30s, hot jazz and big band, mixed in with new and exciting arrangements of pop and funk covers in a vintage style, plus some of our own original music. We are also excited to announce that we have now expanded now to include a whole range of modern classic function repertoire, meaning we can cover music from over 10 genres and over 100 years, catering for all tastes! UnSwung have played at over 200 events across the country, including for high profile clients such as The Museum of London, Barbican Centre, International Music Day and Chestertons property, as well as performing. at prestigious venues such as the Hackney Round and Layer Marney Tower. The band have also performed to some famous faces, Including Brian Blessed, Kate Moss, The Mayor of London and Anton du Beke! UnSwung are flexible, every member being a classically trained musician, and can provide package deals, events, or functions. This includes smaller band reductions (5-8piece), DJLive with Sax &/or percussion, cocktail piano and vocal background, jazz quartet, and classical solos for incidental or entertainment purposes- as well as the full 11-piece party band line up. Also available is a bespoke music service – have a song that you are desperate to be played that we don’t have in one of our sets, or have a first dance request? The Unswung Heroes will create a unique custom arrangement specifically for your event, crafted by a professional arranger, for an additional fee. Get in touch for a quote for a day of multi ensemble/personalised music, or just an individual set. Check out our videos if you need any more convincing!

Encore badges
6th Anniversary
This act has been working with Encore for over 6 years
5 gigs
Experienced: 5 bookings through Encore
Musicianship
Genres:
Covers, Jazz, Dixieland, Postmodern jukebox jazz, Ragtime, Swing, Barbershop, Blues, Cabaret, Pop, Disco, Funk, Funk rock, R&B, Vintage, Motown, Rock, Alternative rock, Pop rock, Rock 'n' Roll
See all genres
Event types:
Wedding, Wedding proposal, Funeral / Memorial service, Church service, Hotel / Restaurant event, Bar / Club / Venue event, Private event, Corporate event, Charity event, Concert, Recording session, Theatre / Show, Cruise, Burns night, Birthday party, Christmas party, New Year's Eve
See all event types

The Unswung Heroes' Song list

1. Just a Closer Walk
2. Don’t you know?
3. That Man
4. Alexander’s Ragtime Band
5. The Bear Necessities
6. Cheek to Cheek
7. Ory’s Creole Trombone
8. Mr Go
9. St James Infirmary
10. It Wasn’t me
11. Jump Jive and Wail
12. Ain’t Misbehavin’
13. The Heebie Jeebies
14. Gimme Gimme Gimme!
15. Here Come the Girls
16. Lazy River
17. Roar
18. The Charleston
19. Can’t Take My Eyes Off You
20. Down By The Riverside
21. Hot Stuff
22. Hotter Than That
23. Hips Don’t Lie
24. Oh When The Saints Go Marching In
25. Livin’ On A Prayer
26. Fidgety Feet
27. I Wanna Be Like You
28. Seven Nation Army
29. Hallelujah I Love Her So
30. Reet Petite
31. Go Down Moses
32. Lovesick Blues
33. Sing Sing Sing
34. I Kissed a Girl
35. Buona Sera
36. I Got Rhythm
37. Little Brown Jug
38. Swing Low Sweet Chariot
39. The Old Wooden Cross
40. This Little Light of Mine
41. That Man
42. Stacey's Mum
43. Toot Toot Tootsie
44. The Black Bottom Stomp
45. Love Fool
46. Uptown Funk
47. Choo Choo Ch'boogie
48. Ain't Got Nobody
49. Window Shopping
50. Give Me The Time Of Day
51. Sing Sing Sing
52. Everybody Loves My Baby
53. Joe Avery's Second Line
54. Ya Move Ya Lose
55. Mr Go
56. Havanna
57. Sway
58. Lonesome Heart Bandit
59. Ladies Night
60. Club Tropicana
61. Everything Changes
62. Something Stupid
63. God Only Knows
64. Can't Help Falling In Love
65. December 1963
66. Everybody Wants To Be A Cat
67. Everybody Needs Somebody
68. Greased Lightning
69. Great Balls Of Fire
70. I Ain't Gonna Tell Nobody
71. I Like To Move It
72. Jailhouse Rock
73. Johnny B. Goode
74. LOVE
75. Mess Around
76. On The Sunny Side Of The Street
77. Senorita
78. Shake Rattle And Roll
79. Straighten Up And Fly Right
80. The Greatest Show
NEW SONGS:
Price Tag
You Got The Love
Isn’t She Lovely
Feeling Good Muse
Dancing In The Street
Boogie Wonderland
I’m A Believer
Crazy In Love/Crazy
You Can’t Stop The Beat
Does Your Mother Know
Let Me Entertain You
ABBA Medley
Robbie Medley
Mr Brightside
Simply The Best
Happy
Titanium
Love On Top
Signed Sealed, Delivered
Let’s Get Loud
We Are Family
Ain’t Nobody
9 to 5
Livin La Vida Loca
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough
Respect
Walking On Sunshine
All Night Long
Blame It On The Boogie
Valerie
Shut Up and Dance
Uptown Funk
Get Lucky
Treasure
Thousand Years
Footloose
September
Celebration
Livin On A Prayer
I Just Wanna Dance With Somebody
Don’t Stop Believing
Africa
All Star
Put Your Records On
I'll Be There For You
Mamma Mia
In The Stone
Your Song
How Much Will I Love You
Brain Damage:Eclipse
My Little Girl
Lady In Red
BRASS SETLISTS:
Beyonce Medley
Daft Punk
Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You
Happy
I'm A Believer
Mr SaxoBeat
Party In The USA
Party Rock Anthem
Roar
Shut Up & Dance
Sweet Dreams
Take On Me
Talk Dirty To Me
Teenage Dirtbag
Treasure
Valerie
9 to 5
Bourbon Street Parade
Down By The Riverside
I Like To Move It
I Wanna Be Like You
Joe Avery's Second Line
Just A Closer Walk
Lazy River
Paul Barbarian's Second Line
Toxic
Uptown Funk
Oh When The Saints
Ya Move Ya Lose
ALL NEW PROMO MEDLEY!
Additional repertoire available for different sized bands - Just ask!
Customer questions

What do your clients love most about your performances?

High energy performances from a large band! Due to our size, it is a visual event having the main band perform. We are also well known for chatting with the audience in sets and getting everyone involved in the gig, to create an amazing atmosphere!

Which venues have you performed at in the past?

A few but not limited to: The Round Hackney The Museum Of London Tower Bridge Paper Dress Vintage Club The Islington Luna Lounge Brewery Tap Dorset Barn at Alswick The Star The Guildhall City Square Smithfield Street Party Beasts of London Chestertons Property International Make Music Day City Beerfest Guildhall Student's Union

Which artists have you been most influenced by?

The Jive Aces Louis Prima Frank Sinatra Louis Armstrong Big Phat Band Elvis Presley Earth Wind And Fire Benny Goodman

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

The Re-opening party of the museum of London for the 'Beasts of London' exhibition to over 1000 people throughout the evening. Played to Kate Moss and Brian Blessed!

Do you have different line-up options?

Yes! The full size party band can be hired as a 10 piece or a 7 piece for smaller venues. We also offer an 8 piece roaming brass band, 6 piece traditional dixieland band and a jazz vocal duo (piano and voice).

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

We will always try to accommodate timing changes, although within reason. 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.

How much time do you need to set up?

We usually set up about 1 to 1.5 hours before the performance time. This includes soundcheck so everything sounds great before we start. We can offer a playlist service whilst set up is happening to minimise disruption.

Can you roam around while you perform?

Yes - the 8 piece roaming New Orleans brass band is entirely acoustic and mobile, perfect for outside events! We also offer a roaming 5 piece washboard group for a more relaxed classic atmosphere!

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.

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 £125 per song for this service to take into account arranging a song for 10 piece band plus rehearsal times etc.

The Unswung Heroes' Prices

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

Standard Prices
Performance durationPrice
Up to 1 hour£2500
Up to 2 hours£2750
Up to 3 hours£3125
Packages
10 Piece Band + DJ10 musicians
Book our amazing 10 piece band and add our DJ on for a discounted price!
£3200
10 Piece Band +Washboard Wanderers10 musicians
Book our amazing 10 piece band, and have our roaming washboard group perform earlier in the day for drinks receptions, over dinner or any other part of your day for reduced rate!
£3625

Add-ons

PA use pre performance
+£125
Bespoke Arrangements
+£125
The Unswung Heroes
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5 out of 5
8 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 Unswung Heroes' Reviews

From Encore customers:

CE
Chloe E
5 months ago
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5 out of 5

Just the best band for our wedding, absolutely on point, enthusiastic, totally welcoming and professional. So many comments on the night about how good they were. Beyond highly recommended.

RH
Richard H
6 months ago
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5 out of 5

Excellent and Great Band Music was fantastic

LG
Libby G
6 months ago
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5 out of 5

The Unswung Heroes were the perfect band for our wedding. Everyone loved their performance and the dance floor was full from start to end. After a beautiful rendition of Ever Lasting Love as our first dance, the whole dance floor erupted when it was followed by I Like To Move It played with their swing twist. We opted for the sousaphone which along with the other horn instruments looked fantastic. Jordan was communicative throughout the planning process and always happy to answer any questions. I can’t recommend this band enough!!

MH
Matthew H
1 year ago
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4.8 out of 5

Great experience! Thank you for your fantastic entertainment for our party!

From other customers:

TC
Tom C
4 years ago, for a Wedding in Buntingford SG9
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5 out of 5

Phenomenal! Incredibly talented musicians who had no problems getting the crowd going. The music was fantastic and everyone had a blast. The group are a really lovely bunch of people too. Hope to see you again soon!

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Felicity C
5 years ago, for a Bar / Club / Venue event in Chiswell St
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5 out of 5

“The UnSwung Heroes are a joy to watch. Their seamless swing arrangements of modern-day tunes, combined with fabulous renditions of swing classics, are impeccably executed.

Read all 14 reviews