Function bands
Background musicians
Function bands
Background musicians
Hire the very best live wedding bands in Kent. The county that gave us The Stones, Bowie and Kate Bush is a wellspring of musical talent.
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Prost Pop Brass play pop anthems a brassy twist, from Queen and Michael Jackson to Lady Gaga, Dua Lipa and John Legend. They can also perform a traditional oompah repertoire in lederhosen.
Americana Bluegrass trio with stunning three and four part vocal harmonies! Also available as a 4 and 5-piece (banjo and fiddle).
A sensational roaming band performing lively, feel-good swing, pop and soul classics. The band can perform completely acoustically making them perfect for outdoor events and venues which restrict the use of amplified instruments.
Party Club Brass is an 8-piece brass party group that delights audiences with old school classics as well as modern pop songs infused with a twist!
Offering jazz reworks of contemporary hits alongside classic Rat Pack repertoire, Postmodern Swing Club will take you by surprise with their reworked vintage versions of Katy Perry and Oasis to Nirvana and Radiohead! Larger line-ups also available.
A vibrant Anglo-Italian swing ensemble and renowned globetrotting YouTube sensations, performing a delightful repertoire that includes classic Italian tunes, gypsy jazz, swing, and timeless jazz standards.
Compelling bluegrass, Irish and gypsy jazz band serving up a lively blend of toe-tapping tunes. Available to book with DJ service and afternoon jazz sets for non-stop music throughout the day.
Fun and interactive, this acoustic roaming band delivers an unforgettable mix of pop, soul, and Motown, featuring musicians that have collaborated with legends like Tom Jones and chart-toppers like Little Mix.
Rocky Road Bluegrass Band play high-energy, foot-stomping Bluegrass featuring a fantastic line-up of renowned musicians from some of the UK’s best folk, Americana and festival bands.
Talented ensemble of steel pan musicians performing songs from traditional calypso and reggae to classical and R&B genres, and suitable for any indoor or outdoor events from wedding drinks receptions to birthday parties.
First-class female-fronted Balkan folk band with a varied collection of traditional songs ranging from Klezmer to Gypsy and Eastern European. Additional singer also available.
An incredible DJ and sax pairing with more live roaming musicians available, such as percussion and e-violin. The ideal choice for clients wanting to bridge the gap between a DJ and a live band.
London's finest lounge/jazz boogie organ combo, Gin & Tonic play a mix of current pop tunes and classic standards in their own inimitable style.
London's hottest pop and soul band, boasting top-notch musicians and a resume packed with star-studded gigs, including collaborations with big artists like Little Mix and Tom Jones.
With a splash of merry wedding tunes and a dash of melancholy lullabies, Klezmer Kapelye whip up a hearty brew of soul-stirring melodies that are sure to get your feet tapping.
Whether you need upbeat entertainment for a lively celebration or a relaxed atmosphere for a drinks reception, Daylight Duo can cater to your needs.
Tropicalia DJ Band is a DJ act with live musicians, bringing an exotic, vibrant performance to your event. The act performs floor-filling mash-ups and remixes of classics from the 70s to the present day.
Sensational jazz and swing band, blending timeless jazz classics, energetic swing tunes, and modern twists on pop favourites.
World class DJs and musicians team up to create an epic atmosphere for your special occasion.
Acclaimed ceilidh and barn dance band playing a mix of traditional Irish, Scottish, English and Americana for dancing or listening. Available with caller and extra musicians.
Since weddings are cross-generational events, our Kent wedding bands usually perform a wide range of music through the decades.
A typical wedding set-list will likely include a mixture of mainstream, uptempo rock, pop,
soul, Motown and R&B – music to appeal to all tastes and ages.
If pop music isn't your thing, fear not. Brass and drums bands for a popular alternative to the classic function band format. We also have festival folk bands in Kent, ideal for barn-based knees-ups and postmodern Jukebox style bands for a jazzy twist on pop covers.
For retro weddings, our decade-themed bands pay tribute to the 50s, 60s or 80s.
After we receive your enquiry, we'll send you a quote, inclusive of VAT and covering the following services:
Yes – all our function bands in Kent are fully self-contained with their own PA sound system, microphones, backline amplifiers and instruments. Most bands will also bring lighting for both the stage and dancefloor.
The band's PA system should be loud enough for most marquee or indoor weddings, but let us know if you're expecting more than 250 guests, so we can check this.
Check the act's individual profile for more details and optional add-ons to enhance the show!
Most of our Kent wedding bands are happy to learn and perform your first dance request free of charge – provided they think they can arrange it for their line-up and do it justice.
Check the act’s profile to see what they can offer and if they can’t do it live, they could just play it through their PA system using Spotify or an mp3 player.
Our Kent wedding bands will aim to arrive between 5pm and 6pm, and will need a setup and sound-check window of 60 to 90 minutes.
Since the band will need to make a bit of noise to test their sound levels, it's advisable to close off the room to guests during this time.
Although sound-checks are recommended, it's not always practical for weddings which take place in the same room. Let us know if you'd prefer a silent set-up (line-check only) instead, and we can arrange this.
Our Kent function bands usually play either two sets of 60 minutes each or three sets of 40 minutes each, with a brief break in between.
Our standard booking contracts specify a finish time no later than midnight, though this can be extended for an extra charge, if preferred.
No – interval music is provided free of charge with every booking, to ensure there's never silence. The band will put on appropriate music through their PA using a laptop or device.
You're welcome to hand the band a device containing a pre-prepared playlist of your favourite songs, if you prefer.
Many of our bands also offer their own DJ service, for a nominal charge. Usually this will be a laptop equipped with DJ software and manned by a band member all night.
If you're after more sophisticated lighting, or want to continue the wedding party beyond midnight, we recommend booking a separate DJ.
The aptly named Garden of England is the perfect base to celebrate your wedding. From its undulating hills and watery edges, to its magical cities and seaside towns, Kent has an enviably diverse character.
Our bands have performed in all major centres of the county, including Maidstone, Gillingham, Dartford, Chatham, Ashford, Sevenoaks and Dover.
A few Kent venues our bands have played at and which we'd recommend are: Sprivers Mansion, Bradbourne House, Eastwell Manor and The Hop Farm to Leeds Castle, Winters Barns and Hever Castle.
They've performed at venues within a stones throw of Rochester and Canterbury cathedrals as well as shabby-chic seaside venues in Margate, Folkestone, Herne Bay, Whitstable and Deal.
Our Kent wedding bands start as low as £850 for a 3-piece band, running into several thousand pounds for a world-class, 10-piece show band.
In 2022, the median (typical) price paid for a 4-piece wedding band was £1350.
The bands featured here are best suited as the headline act for dancing, later on in the evening.
However, we can also offer soloists, duos, jazz and other background musicians in Kent, for your ceremony or drinks party.
Our selection of string quartets, harpists, pianists, and classical guitarists can serenade you whilst you walk down the aisle, entertain guests whilst you sign the register and pose for photographs.
They're also a great ice-breaker at your drinks reception or wedding meal. Just browse the menus at the top of this page to find what you're looking for.
Our experts take the stress out of hiring a Kent wedding band and will recommend a fantastic choice of wedding music in every genre.
If
you're looking for entertainment to satisfy even the most discerning of
guests, rest assured in the knowledge that we only use the most
professional, outstanding acts, all of whom have been fully vetted by
our team.
Cancellations are rare. This is because each musician in the band will have several well-trained, deputy musicians who can replace them in the event of accident or illness.
In the unlikely event that your Kent wedding band is forced to cancel the booking, Function Central will offer suitable replacement bands of similar standard and style, at no extra cost.
If you're not happy with any replacements offered, Function will refund you all payments made to date to Function Central or the band.
Yes! We get that choosing a band can be overwhelming and we’re more than happy to help you out. Drop us a line message or give us a call on 0333 242 0560 and we’ll go from there.
You can also read this handy guide on how to choose a wedding band
In most instances, a sound limiter won’t stand in the way of you booking the band you want. If the sound limiter is set to a threshold below 95 decibels, let us know, as some bands will struggle to keep within this range and may need to make adjustments. For example, some bands may be able to substitute live drums for electronic drums, which will bring down the overall level of the band.
If the threshold is 80-85dB, things can get trickier. In this case, you may need to choose a duo or acoustic band.
On each band’s profile you’ll find a song list, you’re welcome to flag up any preferred songs from the list and ask that any you don’t like are left out. While your Kent wedding band will do their best to play as many of your requests as possible, they may need to change things up according to audience response. The best bands work with their audience and gauge the mood on the night. Trust us (we’ve been doing this for a long time!), this is the best way to keep feet on the dance floor all night long.
Booking time depends on when your wedding is taking place. For a Saturday wedding in the summer, some of the most popular bands will need to be booked 18 months in advance. Other bands can be booked 12 months before the day.
For low-season or weekday weddings, you can probably get away with booking six months in advance.
Whenever your wedding, we always recommend booking as soon as you can if you have your heart set on a particular band.
In most cases, bands are happy to play in the great outdoors. You will need shelter to protect them and their equipment and access to a power supply to make it happen. Give us a call if you’re unsure if your venue will fit the bill and we’ll be more than happy to advise.
Since 2008 we've provided bands and musicians for thousands of wedding receptions throughout Kent, from Dartford to Deal.
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Our Kent brides and grooms tell us why they chose their wedding band and how live music made their evening party. Read more local wedding stories on our blog.
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Function Central provide the best DJs. entertainers and bands for weddings in Kent and throughout the UK. We're the nation's leading wedding music booking agency, with 5-star rated customer service, unbeatable prices, secure contracts and outstanding quality.
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