Function bands
Background musicians
Function bands
Background musicians
Inject serious style into your wedding or party with our Motown, R&B and soul bands. Covering everyone from Marvin Gaye to Lizzo.
Excellent
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A high-energy live band that transforms iconic Ministry of Sound and Ibiza anthems into an electrifying, hands-in-the-air dance party experience.
Impressive and electrifying, this band features one of the largest function band line-ups in the business, ranging from 11 to an epic 18-piece ensemble, and guarantees a high-energy show packed with soul, funk, and pop classics.
Winners of the Prestige Awards 'Best London Party Band', The Chandeliers bring their youthful energy to a range a fresh medleys and rewrites of party favourites.
An unstoppable group of soulful musicians bringing you the finest pop, R&B, soul and dance tunes from across the decades with their show-stopping vocals and energetic, engaging performances.
A diverse and lively party group currently regularly playing weddings and events - a small setup delivering a big sound and captivating party vibe.
A young, energetic and professional party band bringing their well-loved, diverse repertoire to get your guests moving to tunes from Stevie Wonder and Earth, Wind and Fire to Beyoncé and The Weeknd.
Funk & soul party band in the South West featuring male lead vocals and a fantastic rhythm section and horns. Grand Central play uptempo, soulful tunes, from James Brown to David Bowie. Available with a two-piece horn section.
When The Shots aren't sharing the stage with the likes of Sting and Jamiroquai, they can be found playing soul, pop and R&B covers at some of the coolest parties in the country. Fronted by an alumnus of The Voice UK 2019.
With outstanding male and female vocalists, The Monophonics seamlessly blend artists as varied as Stevie Wonder, The Killers, Lizzo and Queen.
With vibrant stage shows and a skillful mix of classic cover band tracks and more far-out versions of numbers not often attempted by other bands in the industry, Paradise offer DJ-style mixes to their live performances to keep your guests partying.
Electrifying band bringing the best of pop and soul from every era – from Tina Turner to Bruno Mars – while also offering acoustic sets customised for any event size and style.
Bust a move to the coolest classics and the freshest new sounds – The Recollections comprise accomplished West End singers are backed up by a ridiculously talented collection of session musicians, who have performed hundreds of events together.
Richard Branson’s go-to band for live party music, the All Time All-Stars perform at the very highest level, entertaining some of the biggest names on the planet. For a spectacular show, book additional male and female vocals and brass section. DJ service available.
Top-flight rock and pop party band delivering exceptional value for money, female lead vocals and optional brass, rapper and string section.
Fun and fresh party and wedding band playing rock, pop, soul and funk hits. Additional musicians, love letters and photobooth hire also available.
Show-stopping party band playing a wide variety of hits by artists including Chic, Diana Ross and Bruno Mars that guarantee a night to remember! Additional musicians available.
Exciting sax and DJ duo playing up to date chart hits for a wide range of events and occasions. Percussion and female vocals also available.
Dr Funtimes mix the perfect amount of on-stage silliness with the highest levels of talent and professionalism! Expect party anthems from artists as diverse Michael Jackson, The Proclaimers, Kool & The Gang and The Weekend.
Accomplished and highly sought-after UK vocalist, known for her electrifying tribute to Whitney Houston, with an extensive career spanning from royal performances to festival stages and chart-topping gospel arrangements.
Slick and versatile, this band delivers a high-energy blend of soulful covers and original mashups, spanning from soul, funk, pop and R&B.
Our professional soul and Motown wedding bands deliver high-energy live covers of classic soul, Motown, funk and R&B hits from iconic artists such as Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye and James Brown, as well as timeless favourites from Stevie Wonder, The Supremes and Earth, Wind & Fire.
Most bands also include soul-infused pop, R&B and modern party tracks by artists like Whitney Houston, Bruno Mars and Lizzo, and many can tailor sets to include UK garage or dance favourites on request.
Yes, our soul and Motown wedding bands are happy to take song requests, as long as they have the right instruments to play them. You can choose tracks from the band’s pre‑arranged repertoire, which includes popular soul, Motown, and funk classics guaranteed to get the party started.
While we can't always accommodate every custom song request, we ensure that songs chosen from the band’s list are carefully selected and thoroughly rehearsed to guarantee an exceptional live performance on your big day. Some requests may not be feasible if they require instruments outside the band’s setup.
Yes, most soul and Motown wedding bands are happy to learn your first dance song and perform it live on your wedding day if you let us know in good time. Most bands will rehearse your chosen song so they can deliver a memorable and personalised first dance performance that fits your celebration.
If a song isn’t well suited to the band’s style or instrumentation, many bands will offer to play the original recorded version through their PA system instead, so your first dance still goes ahead beautifully.
Yes, our soul and Motown wedding bands can often perform live music during your drinks reception or wedding breakfast/dinner, giving your celebrations a seamless soundtrack from the early part of the day through to the evening party. Many couples choose to have their band play relaxed background sets or acoustic-style numbers while guests enjoy drinks and dinner, which creates atmosphere and avoids the extra cost of booking a separate act.
Professional bands can adapt their performance style and setlist to suit these earlier slots (such as softer soul, jazz or funk arrangements) and some will even tailor their day to include multiple music formats before the evening’s party starts.
Soul, funk and Motown band line-ups can vary widely depending on the style and energy you want for your event, from smaller 4–5 piece bands perfect for more intimate celebrations up to large 8–12+ piece ensembles with full horn and backing vocal sections that deliver a big live sound.
Professional bands may include anything from solo performers with backing tracks, to full rhythm sections (guitar, bass, drums, keys) plus multiple vocalists and brass players for that authentic Motown and funk experience — so check each band’s profile for specific lineup details and available add-ons.
If you want a bit more from the era, it's worth checking out our 70s-themed bands. For a broader range of genres including guitar-based rock and indie, see our wedding bands or party bands.
Our soul, funk and Motown band performances are two hours and usually split over 2 x 1-hour or 3 x 40-minute sets with short intervals – but the band can play for less time, or longer (for an additional cost) if it suits your event better.
Make sure you check out our must-ask questions for your wedding band to cover everything from set times to song choices.
When your soul and Motown wedding band takes a break between live sets, continuous music is still provided so the atmosphere doesn’t stop. Most professional bands will play a pre-prepared playlist through their PA system during intervals, keeping your guests entertained and the party flowing even when the musicians are offstage.
Many are also able to upgrade to a more advanced service using virtual DJ software. This means that they can mix songs and take guest requests. To find out if your chosen band can do this, check the band’s profile page.
Unsure whether to book a DJ or a band? We can help you choose.
Yes, all of our soul and Motown bands arrive fully self‑contained with their own professional sound system, instruments and equipment, including their PA system, amplifiers, microphones and lighting, so you don’t need to worry about hiring extra gear for your event. Most live soul bands also provide lighting for the stage and dance floor as part of their setup.
If you’re expecting a larger crowd (e.g., 250+ guests), just let us know so we can confirm that the band’s sound system is suited to your space and audience size.
Yes, all of our soul and Motown bands are fully insured and have PAT-tested equipment.
If a band member becomes unavailable before your wedding or Party, your soul and Motown band will arrange a fully-rehearsed substitute musician, so your event goes ahead without compromise.
In the unlikely case the entire band is unable to perform, we’ll work hard to find a replacement band (in a similar genre and price range) from our network of Cheshire wedding bands, musicians and DJs.
All you need to provide is access to a power source (a couple of standard domestic sockets is fine) and a flat, sheltered performance space where the band can set up and play.
As a guide, it’s best to allow for 4m wide x 4m deep for a 4-piece band – then add an additional square metre for each extra band member.
A raised stage always helps give the band more presence but isn’t essential as long as the band’s area is flat and dry. If you’re unsure, check the ‘performance information’ on the band’s page.
Performing can be tiring work! So please make sure that your band have the food and refreshments that they need during your event.
Most of our soul, funk and Motown bands will require a hot meal and depending on the venue, some bands will also need reserved parking, or a secure changing room so do check their profile for details if you can’t see it detailed on your booking contract.
If your wedding venue has a sound limiter installed, it’s important to find out the decibel threshold early in your planning, as these devices monitor and restrict volume levels to prevent noise complaints and can affect how a live wedding band performs.
Most professional bands can adapt to venues with sound limiters by using quieter instrument options (like electronic drum kits) or adjusting their setup, but if the limiter is set unusually low it can limit your choice of band or require a stripped‑back setup.
If it's set to a threshold below 95 decibels, let us know immediately, as some bands will struggle to keep within this range. If the threshold is in the range of 80-85dB, this may limit your choice of bands to duos or acoustic set-ups.
It’s worth taking a look at our things to check with your venue checklist to cover any other details.
To secure your preferred Soul, Funk or Motown wedding band, it’s best to book as early as possible once your venue and date are confirmed, especially for popular peak dates, because top live bands often get snapped up many months ahead of time.
For most summer weekend weddings (especially Saturdays between May and September), couples typically book their live band 12–18 months in advance to avoid losing out on their first choice, while off‑peak weddings or weekday events may offer a bit more flexibility with booking lead time.
Yes, many Soul and Motown wedding bands are able to perform live outdoors at weddings and events as long as there is suitable weather protection (like a marquee, canopy or tipi) and a reliable power supply for their sound equipment and instruments.
If you’re planning an outdoor reception or ceremony, just let us know your setup so we can confirm the specific requirements or recommendations for your chosen band and venue.
A soul and Motown band is the perfect choice for a festival themed party too.
Hiring a soul, funk and Motown band locally will save you money on travel and accommodation costs. Use the filter menus at the top of this page to narrow down the acts to ones based in your region.
Hiring a live Soul and Motown band doesn’t have to break the bank. Here are smart ways to reduce costs and still secure an unforgettable performance:
Choose a Midweek or Off‑Season Event Date
If your event date is flexible, consider booking your Soul & Motown entertainment midweek or during quieter months (e.g., winter). Bands often offer lower rates for non‑peak dates, helping you save on performance fees.
Hire a Local Soul & Motown Band
Booking a local Soul and Motown band near your event location can significantly cut costs. When you choose a band based nearby, you avoid hefty travel and accommodation fees, which can add up quickly. We work with talented Soul & Motown bands across major towns and cities in the UK to help you find affordable live music close to you.
Picking the perfect Soul, Funk or Motown band for your wedding or party can make your event unforgettable — and we’re here to help every step of the way.
We love talking about live music and helping couples and party planners find the ideal band for their celebration. Whether you’re planning a wedding, anniversary, corporate event, or private party, our expert team can recommend the best Soul and Motown bands to suit your style and budget.
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 suggest suitable acts.
In the meantime, you can read this handy guide on how to choose a wedding band.
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