Steel Bands for hire in the UK

Hire a steel band near you to add a Caribbean flair to your party, wedding or event. We have over 17 fantastic steel bands for you to choose from, so the iconic sound of steel drums covering your favourite tunes isn't far away. Browse our acts and book today.

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Steel drums bandsinUKforany price, sort bybest match
All the bands below are available to travel to the UK
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Hire Caribbean Regals Steelband
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£550 - £900
Steel drums bandBirmingham

Let Caribbean regals steel band bring the fun and excitement to your events!!

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Hire Juma Steel Band
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£437.50 - £975
Steel drums bandLondon

With years of experience Juma Steel Band will transport you to an unforgettable caribbean experience. and bring a ray of sunshine .

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Hire Steel Pan Fusion
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From£1280
Steel drums bandWaltham Cross

A distinctive blend of drum & bass, funk, jazz and soca that is both eclectic and progressive, creating nationwide vibes.

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Hire Solid Steel (Steel Drummers & Band)
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£500 - £1500
Steel drums bandHigh Wycombe

SOLID STEEL - The No. 1 search engine's best reviewed steel drummers! From solo to full band performances for all weddings and other events

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Hire Steel Collective
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£750 - £1250
Steel drums bandLondon

'Sweet Steel Music'

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Hire Steeldrumbands
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£562.50 - £1375
Steel drums bandManchester

As Europe's most sought-after steel band trio, Steeldrumbands has provided entertainment for corporate heavyweights such as Nokia & Sky TV

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Hire Hurricane force
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£550 - £1100
Steel drums bandReading

SteelBand for all occasions Hurricane force SteelBand is the ideal selection for your function as you see in the videos

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Hire Rebekah and Graham, Steel Pan Duo
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Steel drums bandLittlehampton

Sharing joy, fun and friendship through music. Our unique style and personal touch help enhance the atmosphere of your special occasion.

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Hire Juma Caribbean Steel
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£437.50 - £806.25
Steel drums bandLondon

The Finest Steel band in the UK. Top entertainment for Weddings, Birthdays, Corporate Events and many more.

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Hire Xotic Steel Rhythms
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£350 - £800
Steel drums bandLondon

Xotic Steel Rhythms are an extremely entertaining band of talented steel pan musicians covering different styles perfect for all occasions

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Hire Acoustic Steel Duo
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£500 - £1200
Steel drums bandWhitley Bay

We are Acoustic Steel, a duo consisting of acoustic guitar and steel pans.

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Hire MELODIC PANMAN STEEL DRUM
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£180 - £400
Steel drums bandAddlestone

Warm friend amd entertaining ! Call me melodic panman ! Nothing but good music positivity, and most of all making everyone happy ! One love

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Hire True Steel Band
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£530 - £1000
Steel drums bandLondon

Soulful and harmonic London based steel band specialising in all private functions.

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Hire Steelasophical Steel Band
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£457 - £657
Steel drums bandHigh Wycombe

We bring the Caribbean to you with Music • Sound • Light to Vow, WOW, Mix, Mingle, Wine, Whine, Dine & Dance .. Modern day entertainment

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Hire Pantastic
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£250 - £562.50
Steel drums bandAbergele

A #steel pan duo creating a happy vibe in North Wales + North West! We’ve played 500+ events, also resident at an award winning restaurant!

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Hire True Vybez
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£850 - £1250
Steel drums bandLondon

True Vybez is an extremely entertaining band performing a variety of styles guaranteed to have audiences dancing and singing along.

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Hire We Be Jammin'!
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£750 - £2815
Steel drums bandLondon

The ultimate poppy reggae band you can hire for your party that play all the ska & reggae pop hits that you love! Make your event irie!

Find a Local Steel Drums Band Near You

England

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Hiring a Steel Drums Band Near You

Useful information

Popular genres:
Pop, Jazz, Electronic
Average response time:
3 hours
Busiest times:
June, July, August

How much does it cost to hire a Steel Drums Band in the UK?

The typical price per group member for Steel Drums Bands is:
£Budget£220
££Pro£330
£££High-end£400+

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2How many musicians would you want to hire?
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Bear in mind: musicians typically play for 45 mins with a 15 min break per hour.

Frequently asked questions

How many instruments are in a steel drum band?

How many instruments are in a steel drum band will depend on the number of players in the band, the musical style, and performance purpose. Here's a general overview: - Small ensembles (2-4 players): Often use tenor pans and maybe a double tenor or guitar pan for melody and harmony. - Medium-sized bands (5-10 players): Add bass pans, second pans, and cello pans for a wider range and rhythmic foundation. - Large bands (10+ players): Include multiple sets of tenor, second, cello, and bass pans, plus engine room percussion like drum kit and shakers. Some might have non-traditional instruments like wind instruments or keyboards. Remember, "steel drum band" can encompass diverse forms. All our steel drum bands will say on their profile how many members they usually play with but most will be flexible with their lineup to fit your needs.

Where does the steel drum come from?

The steel drum, also known as a pan, originated in Trinidad and Tobago in the 1930s. Although its musical roots can be traced back to West African drumming traditions, the instrument itself is based on everyday objects, such as metal oil drums.

When were steel drums invented?

The steel pan (also known as steel drums, or 'pan') was created in Trinidad and Tobago in the 1930s. This tradition traces its origins back to the enslaved Africans who came to the Caribbean in the early 1700s, when Carnival resistance was in full swing.

Are steel drums hard to play?

Whether steel drums are hard to play depends on your perspective and what you consider "hard." Here's a breakdown: - Relatively easier than some instruments: Compared to instruments like piano or violin, which require specific finger placement and coordination, steel drums might seem more intuitive. You get notes directly by hitting specific areas on the pan. - Learning basic melodies and chords can be easier than other instruments: The layout of the notes creates a melodic "panoramic" view, making it easier to understand scales and basic chord progressions. - Technique: You'll need to learn proper mallet grip and hitting techniques to produce clear, controlled sounds. This might take some practice but isn't inherently difficult. Overall, steel drums offer a low barrier to entry and can be incredibly enjoyable to learn, even for complete beginners. However, just like any other instrument, it takes practice and dedication to get to a professional level and our steel drummers have years of experience under their belts.

How are steel drums made?

Originally constructed from an oil drum, the steel drum is a tuned idiophone that is now manufactured of premium steel. The bottom of an oil drum is first pounded into a bowl, then hammers are used to shape and tune it to create unique resonant surfaces, creating a steel drum, also known as a pan.

How much is a steel drum?

The price of a steel drum in the UK can vary greatly depending on the reputation of the builder, the model, and your location but below is a rough estimate: Type of steel drum: - Steelpans (traditional, tuned drums): These instruments come in various sizes and ranges, impacting the price. Basic starter pans can start around £200-300, while professional instruments from renowned builders can easily exceed £5,000-10,000. - Steel tongue drums (modern, un-tuned drums): These tend to be smaller and simpler, with prices ranging from £20-50 for basic models to £100-200 for larger, higher-quality options. To find cheaper steel pans, try buying secondhand or from online retailers (however, be careful to research the seller’s reputation).

How are steel drums tuned?

Tuning a steel drum is a complex process involving three main stages: - Coarse tuning: Adjusts the overall pitch range of each note by "softening" the metal with specific hammer strikes. - Fine-tuning: Precisely raises or lowers the pitch of each note using a tuning stick and hammer to match a desired frequency. - Blending: Ensures all notes harmonize by refining their tuning, sustain, and volume for a consistent sound. It requires a trained ear, experience, and special tools, so consider consulting a professional unless you have proper training. Even "pre-tuned" steel tongue drums benefit from occasional adjustments for optimal sound.

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