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Wherever you’re having an event in the South East of England, we have the best live wedding music bands and party bands for hire. You can browse our hand-picked selection of top live entertainment, watch their amazing performances, and read recommendations from folks like you!
Find more live bands for hire near me in London, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East Sussex, Essex, Hampshire, Kent, Oxfordshire, Surrey and West Sussex
Planning a wedding or a party? Nothing beats the energy and excitement of live music. Whether you're looking for a band to make your wedding unforgettable or to bring your party to life, this guide will help you navigate the process of hiring a live band.
Why settle for the same old boring disco? Live bands for hire in the UK can transform your event into an incredible, interactive live music experience. The dynamic energy they bring is unmatched, engaging guests in a uniquely personal way for a once in a lifetime experience they’ll remember forever.
Wedding bands in the UK are a popular choice for music loving couples. With a broad repertoire that includes classic and contemporary chart hits, the best wedding bands cater to guests of all ages and musical tastes.
Party bands for hire are perfect for birthdays, corporate events, and other celebrations. They specialise in upbeat, danceable music that keeps the party going.
For a touch of sophistication, jazz bands can provide smooth, elegant background music or lively jazz standards to get guests dancing.
Rock and pop bands are great for energetic crowds. They perform a mix of rock classics and contemporary pop hits, ensuring everyone has a great time.
Acoustic bands are ideal for more intimate settings, offering a mellow, laid-back vibe perfect for cocktail hours and small gatherings.
Match the band’s style with your event’s theme. For a vintage wedding, consider a jazz band, while a modern party might benefit from a pop or rock band.
Set a budget early on and find bands within your price range. Expect to pay between £1200 - £2000 for a good quality 3-5 piece band, and around £4000 - £6000 for a premium quality 6-8 piece show band.
Ensure the band can accommodate the size and volume restrictions of your venue. If your venue has a small room or a sound limiter, you may need a band with an electric drum kit (which can be turned down to a lower volume than a real drum kit), or a quieter jazz band or acoustic band. You’ll need a space of at least 4x3 metres for a 3-4 piece band.
Review the band’s song list to ensure they can play your favourite tunes. Most bands will be open to learning a few special requests.
Look for bands with a good number of positive customer reviews, especially from similar events to yours.
Begin by browsing our website and reviewing the bands around your price range. You can watch videos, review photos and read previous customer reviews until you’ve created a short list of the bands you like best.
Click the ‘Request A Quote’ button on each band’s profile page, and this will send your details to the band or their agent - and they’ll reply to you with confirmation of their availability and price. You can ask questions, discuss their experience, highlight your preferences from their setlist, and get the reassurance you need that they’re going to be the right band for you.
When you’re ready to book, simply communicate this to the band or their agent, and you’ll be issued with a booking contract. Ensure you understand the terms of the contract, including the payment schedule, cancellation policy, and what happens if the band cannot perform. It’s usual to pay a small deposit to confirm the booking.
During the booking process, you can confirm exact timing and technical details. Coordinate the band’s arrival time, set-up schedule, and performance times to fit with the running of your event.
Costs vary depending on the band’s popularity, size, and duration of performance. Expect to pay more for well-known or larger bands.
Aim to book your band at least 6-12 months in advance to ensure availability, especially for popular dates.
Most bands are happy to accommodate a few special requests if given enough notice.
Ensure your contract includes a contingency plan. If you’ve booked with an agency then you should have comprehensive support and they’ll help you to find a suitable replacement.
Keep an open line of communication with your band to ensure they understand your expectations and any special requests. Give them a list of song preferences from their repertoire, detailing songs you like and songs you would prefer they don’t perform.
Ensure the band is kept informed about any changes to the schedule for your event, in particular any changes that might affect the contracted arrival time, set-up time, or finish time. Most bands will be flexible on when they perform between the contracted set-up time and finish time.
Allow time for a sound check before the event starts to ensure the best audio quality. Your contract will usually specify an ‘arrival time’ and a ‘set-up by’ time. Sound check happens within this window.
If you, as the party hosts, hit the dancefloor - your guests will follow! Lead by example and you’ll find the party gets started right away!
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We're a part of the Alive Entertainment Group. Registered address: Silk Mill Studios, Princess Street, Newcastle, Staffordshire, United Kingdom, ST5 1DD.
Registered number: 04084200. Registered name: Alive Network Ltd