Bands for hire in Preston

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

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

• Brass Bands

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 

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

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 

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

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

• Luxury Showbands

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

• Mariachi Bands 

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 

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

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

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 

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

• Steel Drum Bands 

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 & Jive Bands

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

• Tribute Bands

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 

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.