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Our musicians are happy to travel and we can provide artists in any part of the UK and Ireland. We regulary send artists abroad to perform accross Europe (and globally) for special occasions. Use the button to the right to get matched with musicians near you.
Recent reviews of our Bands
Helen hired The Good Night Club for a Private event
Cheryl hired The Inner Light for a Wedding
Karen hired W!RED Band for a Private event
FAQs about hiring Bands in the UK
Take the stress out of hiring musicians with Encore
Why hire a band?
Hiring a band for your event enriches the experience in numerous ways. Live bands infuse energy, creating a vibrant atmosphere that resonates with guests. Their adaptability allows seamless transitions between different moods, ensuring the perfect ambience throughout your event. Personalisation is a hallmark; bands tailor their performance to match your theme, incorporating special requests for a deeply personal touch. Moreover, live bands offer engaging entertainment beyond music. With charismatic stage presence and interactive performances, they captivate the audience, making sure the dance floor is always filled. Professionalism is a guarantee. Experienced musicians deliver polished performances, enhancing the overall atmosphere. Ultimately, live bands create an authentic, dynamic, and unforgettable experience, making your event not just an occasion but a cherished memory for you and your guests.
How to hire a band for an event?
The easiest way to book a live band is through Encore. On our website, you can browse through hundreds of profiles, read customer reviews, and watch videos of the bands to see what their stage presence is like and how they interact with the crowd. Once you've narrowed down your options, you can submit a request through our website and get quotes within a few hours. You can also contact one of our experts directly, answer a few questions and get recommendations tailored to suit your needs.
How many songs does a band play per hour?
The amount of songs a band performs each hour can vary greatly depending on the band's style, song length, and any other elements like crowd participation or extended musical improvisations. However, as a general rule, most professional party bands play between 13 and 17 songs per hour. This provides for a well-balanced musical blend and keeps the audience engaged and entertained throughout the performance. It's worth noting that bands frequently modify their setlist to the event's timetable and can adjust the quantity of songs based on the client's tastes and needs. At Encore, we have a wide range of bands, from rock and pop that perform classic ballads to cover bands that can play your favourite indie rock covers.
How long will the band play for?
Party bands performing usually play two 1-hour sets or three 40-minute sets, with a 15- to 30-minute break in between. Setup and soundcheck will take about an hour and a half for your band.
Is it cheaper to have a DJ or a live band?
While DJs offer a budget-friendly option for event entertainment, opting for a live band can provide a more enriching and memorable experience, often outweighing the cost difference. Live bands bring unparalleled energy, authenticity, and engagement to any occasion. They create a vibrant atmosphere, encouraging guests to dance and interact, making your celebration come alive. Live bands offer a unique level of personalisation that recorded music cannot match. They adapt their performance to the crowd's reactions so that whether they're playing at a wedding or a corporate event, the music perfectly complements the mood of the event. The emotional connection of live entertainment creates lasting memories, making your event more unique and special. In summary, while a DJ may be the cheaper option, the immersive experience that live music provides makes them a valuable investment, creating a celebration that will be cherished by you and your guests for years to come.
Do live bands need insurance?
All professional bands should have PLI (Public Liability Insurance), and your venue may require it as well. PLI protects another person's or their property against harm that occurs during your event, such as if a guest trips over the band's amplifier. Encore makes it simple to locate and book insured bands because all of our bands with PLI will have a badge on their profile.
Do bands bring their own equipment?
Bands frequently bring their own keyboards and PA systems (though they may occasionally use the venues). Aside from that, a wedding band will normally require: · A power supply to connect all of the amplification equipment. They may also require armless chairs. · Parking will be an issue because the band will be bringing a huge amount of equipment. If there is no nearby parking, they must be able to unload and then relocate the car. · If the band is not provided with a meal, an additional fee is asked to buy their own food.
How far in advance should I book?
We usually recommend making a reservation as soon as possible because the best musicians are frequently booked a year (or more) in advance. Particularly if you are booking a live musician for a wedding or during peak seasons such as Christmas, New Year's Eve, bank holidays, Oktoberfest, and Valentine's Day. However, at Encore, we manage last-minute reservations and can easily find a band on short notice. Have a look at our live bands for hire now.
Hiring a Band Near You
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How much does it cost to hire a Band in the UK?
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Our Most Popular Bands for Hire and What They Cost
At Encore, we have a huge variety of live bands for hire, from bands for private parties to wedding bands to bands for corporate events.
While most bands are versatile and fit into more than one category, you will often find that they tend to specialise in one style or genre. To help you understand what our most popular bands for hire offer and their average price, see below.
Please remember that these prices for wedding entertainment vary depending on the location of your event, the professional background of the band, the time of year, and other factors so use these figures as a rough guide only and get in touch with one of our experts for a specific quote.
Acoustic bands are groups of musicians that primarily use instruments that produce sound naturally without amplification and typically feature acoustic guitars, violins and/or percussion instruments such as the bongos.
Similar to a cappella groups, acoustic bands are perfect for creating an intimate and unplugged atmosphere and are perfect for cosy gatherings, weddings, and outdoor events.
Average price for a 2-hour performance with 4 members: £1,200
A brass band is a lively musical group using primarily brass instruments like trumpets, trombones, and tubas. They can play classical, popular, or even original music with a powerful and energetic sound, making them perfect for creating a festive atmosphere at various events.
Brass bands are great for creating an uplifting atmosphere and for drawing crowds. They're a popular choice for celebrations due to their upbeat tunes, striking uniforms and audience interaction.
Average price for a 2-hour performance with 4 members: £950
Ceilidh bands (pronounced "kay-lee”) are musical ensembles that specialise in providing traditional Scottish or Irish folk music for ceilidh dances such as reels and jigs. The band will typically feature fiddle players, accordionists, and sometimes bagpipes but always led by a caller who will lead the dances.
The interactive nature of ceilidh bands makes them the perfect ice breaker for larger events and the ease of the dances means guests of all ages and abilities can get involved. As such, ceilidh bands are perfect for weddings, corporate events and fundraisers.
Average price for a 2-hour performance with 4 members: £979
Folk rock bands are groups that blend elements of rock and folk music and typically feature both acoustic and electric instrumentation. We have a wide variety of folk-rock bands on offer who can play anything from folk-pop to psychedelic folk.
As a more mellow alternative to rock and pop bands, folk-rock bands are perfect for any event where you want a more relaxed and laid-back atmosphere.
Average price for a 2-hour performance with 4 members: £1,200
Function bands is a broad term that covers all groups that have experience performing at a variety of different private events (i.e. birthday parties, corporate events, weddings, bars, etc).
A function band can perform jazz, rock or party music, but pop bands tend to be the most popular option since they play mainstream hits that all guests will know and enjoy.
Average price for a 2-hour performance with 4 members: £1,100
Jazz bands is a term that covers a variety of styles, however, essentially means a group that plays jazz music and often features, lots of improvisation, and various rhythmic and horn sections.
Jazz bands are incredibly versatile and can play both mellower background music that doesn’t interrupt conversations and livelier, more energetic music when you want your guests to get up on their feet.
Average price for a 2-hour performance with 4 members: £1,041
Our luxury showbands are large ensembles, often featuring more than ten musicians, and are ideal for events that need to create a lasting impression, such as corporate events and weddings.
We have a wide range of showbands available who can do everything from pop to rock to soul & Motown, so have a look at our collection and see how you can take your live entertainment to the next level.
Average price for a 2-hour performance with 4 members: 2,500
Aside from the lively and upbeat music, the acoustic nature of mariachi music makes them particularly well-suited for outdoor venues as their instruments project well without any extensive amplification.
Average price for a 2-hour performance with 4 members: £1,035
Soul & Motown bands bring together two distinct yet interconnected musical styles that share a common thread: powerful vocals, infectious rhythms, and a focus on emotional expression.
Like Jazz, Soul & Motown music is incredibly versatile and our musicians can play softer, smoother songs for background music and then switch to more energetic, well-known hits when you want to get the party started. This versatility makes them well-suited for lots of different types of events. Still, the joyful and romantic overtones of the music make Soul & Motown bands particularly well suited to romantic events such as weddings and anniversary parties.
Average price for a 2-hour performance with 4 members: £1,500
Oompah bands are lively groups that are characterised by their distinct “oompah” rhythms, created by a tuba or bass. While primarily associated with Bavarian music and Oktoberfest, modern Oompah bands play a wide variety of genres and are popular all year long, particularly with weddings and corporate events.
Average price for a 2-hour performance with 4 members: £925
Pop bands, as the name suggests, are groups of musicians that specialise in playing pop music.
Pop bands are usually lively, energetic performers who provide a lot of audience interaction making them perfect for celebrations, such as birthday parties and weddings.
Average price for a 2-hour performance with 4 members: £1,100
Roaming bands (sometimes called “wandering bands”) are perfect for those who want to take their event to the next level. Roaming bands offer another level of audience engagement, by walking between the crowds and performing amongst the guests.
The nature of roaming bands makes them extremely adaptable and they perform great in all types of settings and for all types of events. Additionally, at Encore, we have roaming bands that can play all types of music and of all types of sizes, so browse through our collection today to find the perfect roaming band for your next event.
Average price for a 2-hour performance with 4 members: £1,100
Even though steel drums evoke a summery feel, their melodies are livelier and more dynamic compared to other tropical music styles. Likewise, despite their distinct sound, steel drum bands can cover various genres from classic calypso and reggae to popular hits and even jazz standards, making them incredibly versatile.
Average price for a 2-hour performance with 4 members: £1,200
Swing and jive bands have a unique ability to create a lively and upbeat atmosphere that is perfect for celebrating special occasions, such as anniversaries. The playful nature of swing and jive music sets a lighthearted and fun mood, encouraging guests to let loose and enjoy themselves.
Average price for a 2-hour performance with 4 members: £1,041
A tribute band, also known as a tribute act, tribute group, or tribute artist, is a musical ensemble specifically dedicated to covering the music of another well-known musician or band.
At Encore, we have hundreds of great tribute bands who cover bands from all different genres and decades, from Johnny Cash tribute acts to authentic-sounding ABBA bands.
Average price for a 2-hour performance with 4 members: £1,000
Wedding bands are professional musicians who specialise in providing entertainment for weddings. As our wedding bands have extensive experience, you can have total peace of mind that you will get a flawless performance on your special day.
Average price for a 2-hour performance with 4 members: £1,326
Why do prices vary between bands?
While most of our band's prices, for the same amount of members and performance time, are in the same range, you will find that some band's prices vary.
The main reasons that you’ll find a difference in band's pricing structure’s is due to their levels of experience and the location of the band and your event. The further away your event is, the higher the travel fee, making local bands the more affordable (and more sustainable) option.
Likewise, the time of year impacts pricing with weddings and the festive season being a particularly busy time for all bands and other seasonal events like Oktoberfest and St Paddy’s Day being peak times for others.
Encore makes booking a band easy with our secure bookings and unparalleled customer service, so contact us today and let us elevate your next event.
A guide to hiring Bands
Take the hassle out of hiring Bands with Encore Musicians
