Function bands
Background musicians
Function bands
Background musicians
Hosting a party? Whether it’s an anniversary, birthday, corporate or engagement party, our live party bands will kick the celebrations off in style.
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A supreme events band, performing globally since 2012, The Impressions offer vivid energy and musical brilliance, wrapped in a luxurious package.
Say yes to cheese, high energy & a totally rad repertoire! Totally Rad are an 80s tribute band like no other. Each member is wireless and will be in the crowd as much as they're on the stage.
High-energy pop and soul band with an enormous song list of almost 500 songs and featuring a world-class female vocalist! Book the band with optional 3-piece brass section or DJ!
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.
From pop favourites and feel-good funk to afrobeats and updated jazz classics, The DBs turn the traditional brass band format on its head and drag it kicking and screaming into the 21st century!
Compact in size but delivering a grand sound, The Slick City Swingers masterfully recreate the vibrant swinging tunes of the classic big band era.
Whether you need upbeat entertainment for a lively celebration or a relaxed atmosphere for a drinks reception, Daylight Duo can cater to your needs.
Unique throwback to the Jazz Age of the 1920s & 30s, when The "Charleston" was all the rage, and the swells were "Putting on the Ritz". Also available as a roaming option!
Fresh and talented, this acoustic duo will wow your guests with their silky smooth voices, heavenly guitar solos and melodic harmonies. Add in their loop pedal and you've got a mesmerising show!
Americana Bluegrass trio with stunning three and four part vocal harmonies! Also available as a 4 and 5-piece (banjo and fiddle).
Popular Scottish Ceilidh band featuring a charismatic caller and a former Scottish National Fiddle Champion! This internationally acclaimed group have performed all over the UK and Europe. Solo fiddle, accordion & fiddle duo, fiddle & guitar duo, string trio or quartet also available!
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.
North East based duo featuring male vocals, keys & guitar, and perfect for wedding ceremonies, dinner and background music. Option to add backing tracks for evening entertainment and DJ service available.
A dynamic brass and drums party band with a modern and exciting repertoire of pop and funk hits, performed in a New Orleans style.
Dynamic saxophonist delivering electrifying performances from UK festivals to global hotspots, mixing smooth jazz with Ibiza beats, R&B and hip-hop, with optional DJ for enhanced duos.
If you're hoping for the ultimate party experience then look no further! This collective of London's West End's best singers and musicians are set to take your event to another level!
Exceptional acoustic duo comprising two male vocalists, guitar, cello, and bass. Customise your set from over 200 songs covering different eras.
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.
Performing globally since 2010, an energetic and experienced act, creating musical performances for you to treasure, always!
We understand that this process may be new to you, and we're here to make it as stress-free as possible. Here are the most frequently asked questions about booking a party band.
Almost everything! Whether you’re commemorating a milestone or staging a one-off celebration, our party bands have got you covered.
Our bands have provided the soundtrack to Bar Mitzvahs, birthdays and retirement dos. They’ve helped surprise employees at annual office parties and brought in New Year in style.
Whatever the occasion, our bands will give your guests something to remember long after the music has stopped.
A complete list of songs is available on each band’s profile page but, typically, our party bands perform well-known pop music covers across all the eras, for dancing.
A typical band set-list might include: 1950s rock'n'roll music, 1960s Merseybeat, 1970s funk and disco, 1980s pop anthems, 1990s Britpop and R&B, 2000s garage rock and the latest chart-toppers.
So you can expect to hear songs by artists as diverse as Chuck Berry, Oasis, Stevie Wonder, The Killers and Dua Lipa. We find that this sort of mix is ideal for events with a wide cross-section of ages.
If you’d prefer your party band to stick to one genre, browse our dedicated rock and indie bands, soul and funk bands or swing and big bands, or 80s tribute bands.
Our party bands range from a 3-piece guitar bands (ideal for pint-raising rock and indie), right up to 12-piece bands with horn section, percussion and backing vocalists (recommended for bigger spaces and bigger budgets).
If you're into soul, Motown, contemporary pop or dance music, we recommend as large a line-up as possible, since the addition of keyboards, synths and brass will allow them to reproduce these genres with greater authenticity.
Feel free to check out the band’s song list on their profile page and send over any preferred song choices in advance. Party bands are unlikely to accept “on the fly” requests as they may not be part of their repertoire and the band may not have the appropriate musical or vocal arrangements to do them justice. Sticking to their song list and giving them chance to rehearse in advance will ensure your party band can give you their very best performance.
The bands on this page specialise in after-dinner and evening entertainment for events when the lights have dimmed, the dancefloor is lit up, and guests are in the mood for making some shapes!
But if you're looking for music for an afternoon cocktail hour, garden party or similar occasion, check out our roster of background musicians in the "browse acts" menu at the top of this page. You might also find what you need on our wedding bands page.
Yes! All our party bands bring their own PA sound system, microphones, amplifiers and instruments.
Do let us know if you're expecting more than 200 guests though, just so we can check that the band’s system is big enough.
Most bands also bring stage lighting to ensure they're not playing in darkness. Check the band's profile page for more details.
All you need to provide is access to a power source and a flat, level performance area. Shelter is essential if the band is to perform outdoors.
As a guide, it’s best to allow for 4m wide x 3m deep for a 4-piece band – then add an additional square metre for each extra band member.
A raised stage always helps a band make a bigger impact but isn’t essential.
Some acts require a changing room, where they can prepare for the performance. Others may ask for a basic meal as part of their "rider", depending on how long they're required to be at your venue. This is a standard industry requirement.
Party bands ask for a 60-90 minute window from 5pm or 6pm at the earliest in order to set up and soundcheck their equipment.
It’s ideal if your venue is free of guests at this point, although some bands are happy to do a noiseless ‘line check’ to test instruments and equipment instead of a full, front-of-house soundcheck, if you need them to keep the volume down.
Most of our party bands are booked for after-dinner dancing, and typically would perform 2 x 60 minute sets from 9.30pm through to midnight, with a half hour interval.
For performances later than midnight (whether band or DJ service), a later fee usually applies.
Yes! It's worth considering any of the following options:
Most of these bands also include popular songs in their repertoire, but arranged and performed in the style of their genre. (For example, a swing arrangement of Smell's Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana, or an Afro-cuban arrangement of Living On A Prayer by Bon Jovi).
For a vintage themed party, or just to avoid modern pop music altogether, you could also check out:
Before you book more musicians for afternoon background music, check whether members of your party band can provide this – it'll save you additional costs, such as travel.
If you haven't yet set the date for your party, consider booking a midweek or winter event to take advantage of the most competitive rates.
Always consider hiring a party band from your local area, to save on travel and accommodation costs. We have bands based in most major towns and cities across the UK.
Not necessarily – all our party bands will play recorded music during their interval, through their PA, free of charge. This means they'll be able to keep the music going until closing time.
Many bands are able to upgrade to a more advanced service using virtual DJ software so that they can mix songs and take your guests’ requests.
If you have specialised music requests, require extra lighting, or you're planning a very late finish, we'd recommend booking a professional party DJ.
As long as you have cover to protect the band and their equipment from the elements and a good power supply, your band should be able to play outdoors. Let us know when booking if you’re planning an outdoor event and we’ll be happy to provide you with a checklist of all you’ll need.
Having handpicked each and every band ourselves, we know them pretty well and so we’re perfectly placed to help you choose the right one for you.
If you’re not quite sure what you’re looking for, tell us what part of your day you need music for, and your musical preferences, using our quick contact form, and we’ll suggest suitable acts.
You can also read our handy guide on how to book a band for a wedding or party.
Function Central is the leading UK wedding band hire agency. Use the menu below to find outstanding local bands for parties nationwide.
Hiring a local party band can save money on travel and accommodation costs.
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