Function bands
Background musicians
Function bands
Background musicians
Our exclusive Essex wedding bands will entertain guests of all ages with the best rock, pop, soul & Motown songs through the eras.
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With a song list of sizzling samba and salsa, groovy cha cha and infectious Latin pop, Ritmo Latino are an all-star band who have entertained celebrities like Anthony Joshua and Tony Hadley.
Performing globally since 2010, an energetic and experienced act, creating musical performances for you to treasure, always!
Lively dance routines, dazzling costumes, and plenty of audience participation – this compact 80s tribute band will have your guests singing along to Whitney, Madonna, Tiffany, and more!
This versatile band brings the swinging 60s to life with their authentic tunes, covering everything from rock & roll to pop, and Motown to funk & soul, perfect for any event!
Acoustic Sunset Trio blends harmonies, acoustic guitar, and cajon to deliver live pop, folk, jazz, and dance music to any event. French and Italian songs also available on request.
Mumford & Sons inspired acoustic band with a wide-ranging song list from classic rock to the latest pop. The band can also offer roaming sets in the afternoon.
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!
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.
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.
Since 2008 we've provided bands and musicians for thousands of wedding receptions throughout Essex, from Colchester to Chelmsford.
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Essex wedding bands can cover a wide range of live music genres to suit your wedding reception and party. Our bands typically perform energetic rock, pop, soul and Motown classics, modern chart hits, and party favourites that keep guests of all ages dancing and singing along.
Our bands range from compact 3-piece guitar bands to 10-piece show-bands with brass section and backing vocalists.
All bands are fronted by a male or female lead vocalist and are experts in bringing guests of all ages together on the dancefloor!
Most Essex wedding bands can learn and perform your chosen first dance song live on your wedding day, as long as you let them know in plenty of time. Many live bands are happy to rehearse special requests that aren’t already in their repertoire, or can discuss whether your song fits their style and line-up before confirming.
Alternatively, all of our bands can play your first dance song on an mp3 or iPod through their PA system.
Yes, you can choose the style of music you want from your Essex wedding band, including genres like rock, jazz, soul, pop and more. Whether you’re after high‑energy party music or something more elegant and refined, many live bands in Essex specialise in a range of musical styles to suit your wedding vibe, from upbeat rock and soul to jazz ensembles for drinks receptions.
We can also provide acoustic duos and other musicians for your ceremony, drinks reception and wedding feast.
Most Essex wedding bands perform live music in clearly defined sets on your wedding day, typically totalling around 2–3 hours of performance. It’s common for bands to split this into two 60‑minute sets (or three 40‑minute sets) that fit around your evening schedule, starting in the early evening and finishing around your venue’s curfew.
Please note that late fees might apply if the band is required later than midnight.
You should aim to book your Essex wedding band as early as possible — most couples secure their preferred live band between 9–18 months before their wedding, especially for popular summer Saturday dates when bands are in high demand.
We recommend starting your search as soon as possible. This is especially crucial if you're planning a Saturday wedding during the peak wedding season of April to September.
If you're planning an off-season wedding between October and March, there will likely still be good options available at around the six-month mark.
Many Essex wedding bands welcome song requests and can tailor their live performance to include your favourite tracks, as long as you let them know in advance.
In most cases on-the-night requests won’t be accepted, this is so the band can ensure all songs have been properly arranged and rehearsed in advance, giving you the best experience possible.
Check out our favourite wedding party floor fillers for your playlist.
Professional Essex wedding bands come fully self-contained with all the sound, lighting and instruments they need to perform at your event, so you won’t have to provide technical equipment yourself.
You'll only need to give them access to a power source, as well as a flat, sheltered space to perform in.
The performance area should be around 3 x 3 metres for a three-piece band, adding a metre in width per band member, as appropriate. A raised stage isn't required.
All our Essex wedding bands who are booked for an evening performance will request a basic meal at the event. This is a standard requirement in the events industry.
Make sure you read through our other 20 essential questions for your wedding band before booking.
Essex wedding bands perform live throughout the county — from popular towns and cities like Colchester, Chelmsford, Basildon and Harlow to coastal locations such as Southend-on-Sea, Canvey Island and Clacton-on-Sea.
Some of our bands' favourite wedding venues in Essex include: Crondon Park, Parklands, Gosfield Hall, Leez Priory, Prested Hall, Braxted Park, Fennes and Botleys Mansion.
Many Essex wedding bands are able to perform outdoors at your wedding, provided there is suitable shelter and access to power so the musicians and their equipment are protected and can play safely.
If your Essex wedding venue has a sound limiter, your live wedding band can usually adapt their performance to work within those noise limits — but it’s important to tell us the limiter’s decibel level early so we can plan accordingly.
First, find out the limiter's threshold in decibels. If it's set to a threshold below 95 decibels, let us know immediately, as some bands will struggle to keep within this range. We can then find out if the band is able to substitute live drums for electronic drums, which will bring down the overall level of the band.
If the threshold is in the range of 80-85dB, things become more difficult. We might need to recommend a duo, or acoustic band.
Many Essex wedding bands provide recorded music between their live sets and can even offer a basic DJ-style service through their PA system, so you don’t necessarily need to hire a separate DJ unless you want extended music coverage or specialist mixing.
Some bands are able to provide their own "in-house" DJ service for before and/or after the performance but check out their individual profiles for more details.
There are a couple of instances where it might be worth hiring an Essex DJ as well as the band:
The quote we send you for your Essex wedding band doesn't just cover the performance. Typically included in the band's fee are:
We can help you choose the right Essex wedding band for you by matching your musical taste, event style and budget with bands that fit your vision and vibe.
Call us on 0333 242 0560 or send us a message to tell us what part of your day you need music for, and your musical preferences, and we’ll be more than happy to suggest suitable acts.
You can also read this handy guide on how to choose a wedding band.
There are several ways to save money on an Essex wedding band without compromising on the live music experience — from booking early and choosing smaller line-ups to taking advantage of a band’s DJ service instead of hiring extra acts.
Before you book more musicians for afternoon background music, check whether members of your wedding band can provide this – it'll save you additional costs, such as travel.
If you haven't yet set a date, consider booking a midweek or winter celebration to take advantage of the most competitive rates.
Consider hiring a local wedding band in Essex, to save on travel and accommodation costs.
Read our top ways to save money on a wedding band for more ideas.
If a member of your Essex wedding band falls ill or is unable to perform on the day, most professional wedding bands will arrange a suitable replacement musician so your live music can still go ahead as planned.
In the unlikely event of all band members are unable to attend (for example due to breaking down on the way to your event), we'll be able to offer replacement band options, often at very short notice, in a similar genre and for a similar price, from our collection of hundreds of exceptional wedding bands in the area.
Our Essex brides and grooms tell us why they chose their wedding musicians and how live music made their day. Read more local wedding stories on our blog.
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Function Central offers the very best wedding bands, DJs and entertainers in Essex. We are the leading local wedding music booking agency and offer 5 star customer service, competitive rates and a 24/7 emergency support line.
Browse live bands in almost every town and county in the UK using the menu below.
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