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Manchester bands for hire

Our experts have gathered together the best party bands in Manchester, Bolton and the North West. From rock and pop cover bands to jazz, swing and ceilidh bands for hire.

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from£1,975

Brooklyn Brass

  • 7
  • (24)

With a broad repertoire spanning brass classics and covers of contemporary pop hits, expect the likes of Robbie Williams, Lady Gaga, Ed Sheeran and The Jackson 5 all recreated in a bold brass sound!

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from£990

Atlantic Sky

  • 3-6
  • (22)

Experts at reading the crowd, Atlantic Sky are a high-octane 4-piece playing everything from Tina Turner to Kings of Leon, in a style that will keep everyone on the dancefloor.

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from£1,785

Brass AF

  • 5
  • (39)

Brass AF's huge sound - a melting pot of drum beats, pumping bass lines and roaring horn parts - will get even your shyest guests onto the dancefloor!

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from£1,660

Canal Street Swing Band

  • 5-7
  • (21)

Immersing their audience in the essence of New Orleans' "roaring 20s" jazz era, The Canal Street Swing Band have earned acclaim at numerous venues, from raucous bars to highly respected jazz festivals.

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from£1,540

The Mod Cons

  • 4
  • (68)

Exciting male-fronted wedding and party band, playing music from all decades but specialising in the swinging 60s! Stunningly authentic performances using incredible vintage equipment. Extra performances, low-season rates and DJ service available.

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from£985

The Hotsy-Totsies

  • 5
  • (22)

Delivering a diverse range of songs from many genres and decades, reinvented in a captivating vintage style from upbeat funk, jazz standards or Brazilian samba and Latin beats.

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from£1,480

Manchester Sky

  • 4-6
  • (17)

Edgy and energetic, this indie rock band brings weddings and events to life with hits ranging from '50s classics to today’s indie anthems, ensuring an epic night filled with fun and dancing.

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from£1,845

Acceptable In The 80s

  • 4-5
  • (28)

A superb 80s tribute band with male vocals and featuring retro-synth sounds, capturing the spirit and dubious fashion sense of the 80s. A retro show that's second to none! Available with female vocals.

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from£1,230

Purple Lemonade

  • 3
  • (23)

A diverse and lively party group currently regularly playing weddings and events - a small setup delivering a big sound and captivating party vibe.

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from£1,110

The Black Jacks

  • 4
  • (40)

This lively covers band are as comfortable playing student events as they are wedding receptions, and draw on a varied repertoire of 60s-00s floor-fillers. DJ service available.

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from£1,540

Mozarts Gokarts

  • 3-4
  • (28)

Entertaining guests with their luxury rock for over 13 years, Mozarts Gokarts have performed for royals, the army, heads of state, business tycoons and society's rich and famous - and now they're ready for you!

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from£900

Vinyl Heroes

  • 3-6
  • (22)

Lively and experienced rock and pop party band delivering high quality entertainment for weddings and parties! Afternoon sets, DJ service and additional musicians also available.

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from£1,045

Sax Beat Masters

  • 3
  • (16)

Electrifying trio specialising in all things electronic music, DJ, sax and percussion bringing Ibiza vibes to any event!

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from£1,230

Little Rebels

  • 3
  • (34)

Floor-stomping folk anthems from the likes of Mumford and Sons as well as floor-filler classics from The Killers, Queen, The Beatles and many more.

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from£1,110

The Remedy

  • 4
  • (21)

With infectious enthusiasm, exceptional talent, and a diverse repertoire that spans decades and genres, The Remedy play timeless classics to the latest chart-toppers – the perfect mix to keep the party going.

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from£1,150

Superted

  • 3-4
  • (30)

Experienced all-male wedding function band who have toured with Deacon Blue and The Sugababes. Expect danceable classics by artists such as Queen and The Killers! DJ service available.

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from£1,845

The Brass Animals

  • 8
  • (37)

Knock-out New Orleans style brass party band with drums for Mardi Gras parades, festivals, funerals, surprise entries and dancing! Larger line-ups available.

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from£1,595

Steamin Brass

  • 6
  • (48)

A brass band like nothing you've ever experienced before. Trumpets, sousaphone, group vocals and stilt-walking percussionists combine to belt out classic pop tunes from the last 50 years and create an audio-visual spectacle!

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from£1,550

Swing Easy

  • 4-6
  • (18)

A one-of-a-kind 5-piece jazz and swing band, specializing in a postmodern twist by performing pop standards with a classic jazz flair. If the mood calls for it, they effortlessly switch to funk and soul tunes to get everyone on their feet and dancing.

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from£1,085

The Heartbreakers

  • 4
  • (29)

Belting out classic and modern anthems from Summer of '69 to Mr Brightside as well as contemporary pop, these northern rockers know how to ignite a party vibe like no-one else, guaranteeing an unforgettable night of non-stop dancing.


The easy way to hire live bands in Manchester

  • The very best live bands in Manchester
  • Function bands, cover bands, jazz bands and more
  • Expert band hire advice, support and booking tips
  • Fast customer service and an easy booking process
  • 24/7 emergency band replacement and cover

Guide to booking party bands in Manchester

Why should I hire a live Manchester party band for my event?

Hiring a live Manchester party band brings high‑energy, crowd‑pleasing live music to your event that DJs and playlists simply can’t match, creating an unforgettable atmosphere rooted in Manchester’s rich musical heritage.

If you’re planning a wedding reception, hire a Manchester wedding band to play the very best, floor-filling covers from the last 60 years. They can play everything from The Beatles to the Bruno Mars, so they’re guaranteed to have something for everyone.

What music styles do your Manchester party bands perform?

Our Manchester party bands perform a wide range of live music styles — from pop, rock and indie to soul, Motown and chart‑topping dance hits — so there’s something to suit every event and keep your guests on the dance floor.

Whether you’re planning a high-end corporate gala or a raucous rock’n’roll band for a teenage birthday party, we have the Manchester band for you. And you can be sure that the dancing won’t stop between sets: our bands offer a DJ service which is much cheaper than hiring a separate DJ – and some bands even provide it for nothing.

Whatever your budget, you can be sure that we’ll only supply you with the most talented, reliable party bands available – all our bands have been hand picked by our experts, so whatever you choose, you’ll get a wonderful show!

Can I request specific songs from a Manchester party band?

Yes, when you hire a Manchester party band you can usually request specific songs from their repertoire or ask them to tailor part of their setlist to suit your favourite music.

While bands will do their very best to accommodate any requests that aren’t part of their current repertoire, it won’t always be possible.

Each of the songs on your band’s song list has been tried and tested. Trust us, your band knows what to play and when, to keep guests dancing all night long with epic floor fillers

How long do your Manchester party bands play for?

When you hire a Manchester party band, they’ll typically perform around two hours of live music — most often split into two 60‑minute sets or sometimes three 40‑minute sets with breaks — keeping your event lively and energetic.

How can we save money on our Manchester party band?

You can save money when booking a Manchester party band by choosing locally based bands, selecting off‑peak event dates, and making the most of package options like live music plus DJ service instead of hiring multiple entertainers:

  • Before you book more musicians for afternoon background music, check whether members of your band can provide this – it'll save you additional costs, such as travel.
  • If you haven't yet set your event date, consider booking a midweek or winter date to take advantage of the most competitive rates.
  • Always consider hiring a 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.

Check out our other top ways to save money on your wedding band

What happens if a band member is ill or unable to make it on the day?

If a member of your Manchester party band falls ill or can’t make your event, we’ll arrange a professional replacement act or musician so your live entertainment still goes ahead as planned.

At Function Central we offer out of hours customer service, ensuring that any emergencies are swiftly taken care of.

Are Manchester party bands fully insured and using PAT tested equipment?

Yes, all Manchester bands for hire are fully insured and have PAT-tested equipment. 

Do you offer other music genres like ceilidh, jazz, or acoustic bands in Manchester?

Yes, in addition to party bands, we also offer other live music genres in Manchester, including jazz bandsceilidh bands, acoustic musicians and more to suit every part of your event.

Can you provide Manchester background musicians or additional performers?

Yes, we can provide Manchester background musicians and additional performers for hire, including string quartets, guitarists, pianists and other live acts to suit your ceremony, drinks reception or daytime event.

For a wedding ceremony, you could hire one of our Manchester string quartets.

For the perfect accompaniment to a cocktail party and drinks receptions, we have Manchester-based guitarists and pianists.

Or for a summer garden party or outdoor event, our steel bands and Dixieland jazz bands in Manchester are much in-demand!

Where do your Manchester bands tend to perform?

Manchester party bands perform at a huge range of popular event venues across the city and surrounding towns — from elegant hotels and historic halls to trendy function spaces and large event venues — so you can hire live music wherever you’re celebrating.

Whether you have invited guests to Worsley Park, King Street Townhouse, Great John Street, The Castlefield Rooms, The Lowry, Albert's Restaurant & Bar or Didsbury House Hotel, our bands are ready to help you party well into the night. 

Our Manchester bands have played at events throughout the city, including Bolton, Sale, Rochdale, Stockport, Salford, Wigan, Oldham, Bury, Atherton, Altrincham, Trafford, Piccadilly, Hulme Rochdale, Glossop, Cheadle and Eccles.

You can hire a Manchester party band to perform anywhere in the UK wide and internationally.

Check out some of our favourite Manchester venues to perform at. 

Do Manchester party bands provide their own sound and lighting equipment?

Most Manchester party bands provide their own professional sound and lighting equipment when you hire them, including PA systems, microphones and stage lights, so you won’t usually need to worry about supplying gear for your event.

If you think your event will exceed 250 guests it’s worth getting in touch, as extra equipment might then be necessary.

You just need to make sure that the band has a power source to plug in to and a space to perform!

We recommend a flat and sheltered stage area of at least 3x3 meters for a 3-piece band – then add an extra metre squared per band member that you have booked.

A raised stage is preferable for maximum impact, but our bands are flexible to all kinds of set ups!

What happens during the band’s breaks at my event?

During a Manchester party band’s breaks, guests will still enjoy music — the band usually plays a recorded playlist or DJ-style set through their PA system so the atmosphere and dancing continue seamlessly. They can play their own playlist, or you can send your party song playlist for them to play, in advance.


Find local cover bands in Manchester and UK wide

Function Central is a leading covers band hire agency. We provide exceptional talent for private events, both in Manchester, throughout the UK and internationally. Hire a local band to save on costs – we have bands based in most major UK towns and counties.

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