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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Electric, high-energy trio delivering non-stop disco, pop, dance, and garage anthems from the 70s to now.
Great value party and wedding band in the North East who've supported The Klaxons and Turin Brakes and bagged the coveted XFM unsigned band award. Large rock and pop song list spanning seven decades of covers! DJ service available.
Dynamic soul, Motown and pop band covering all the soul greats from Al Green to Earth, Wind & Fire and Whitney Houston, as well as delivering fresh takes on contemporary hits by Bruno Mars and Amy Winehouse.
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.
Incredible soul, R&B and pop function band featuring joint male and female lead vocals, sax and keyboards, and performing five decades of floor-fillers.
Fun, talented and energetic party band, with a setlist jam-packed with pop, rock and indie hits, ideal for weddings and birthdays!
This highly talented DJ, saxophonist, and percussion trio is ready to kickstart your evening and set the party vibe with a dynamic blend of dance, pop, house, and R&B tracks.
Two exceptional vocalists bring their stunning soul and Motown tribute show to intimate weddings to international theatre tours and beyond.
Phenomenally popular party & wedding band in the North West, featuring outstanding male vocals, guitar synth and a large set list of danceable rock, soul, reggae and pop music, from The Beatles to The Weeknd.
A male-fronted, 4-piece band that offer the perfect mix between modern pop and indie with great variety in both their performance and set lists.
The Soul Stars bring the best of soul, Motown, and old-school R&B, with unmatched energy and huge vibes. Musicians in the band have featured on Jools Holland and on iconic stages alongside music legends.
Young and talented Welsh party band with female vocals and a repertoire of danceable songs everyone knows and loves - from the 1960s right up to modern classics.
All your favourite 80s chart-toppers, expertly reproduced with authentic synth sounds and a lot of energy. Vice City are guaranteed to set the dancefloor ablaze and get those sweatbands working overtime!
Offering a versatile range of line-ups from their acoustic duo to the full party package 8-piece, The Get Ups offer a modern repertoire delivered with bags of professionalism and charisma.
Fantastic all-female soul, Motown and pop band with a wide-ranging repertoire, who have performed with artists as diverse as Lady Gaga, The Noisettes, Corinne Bailey Rae and Fatboy Slim! DJ service also available.
London’s newest indie pop party group with a huge repertoire spanning decades of classics and a harmony-packed, polished live show to back them up.
One of the best funk and disco bands in London, The Natural Highs will bring floor-filling songs, wow-factor and raw soul energy to your party.
Upbeat and rousing new folk-infused acoustic pop band with joint male and female vocals – ideal for vintage and festival fans alike! The band have won plaudits from modern folk hero Seth Lakeman, as well as featured on the BBC.
Able to roam amongst your guests completely unplugged, this lively and charismatic 3-piece deliver modern twists on classic hits, seamless harmonies, and an unbeatable live music experience.
Slick, stylish, and bursting with feel-good vibes, Nova Soul brings Motown magic and modern soul to life.
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.
Our party bands bring the ultimate soundtrack to any event, performing a wide range of popular music across decades and genres to keep everyone 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 perform at a wide variety of events, from birthdays and weddings to corporate parties and milestone celebrations, ensuring every occasion is unforgettable.
Almost any celebration can come alive with live music! Our bands have provided the perfect soundtrack for Bar Mitzvahs, Christmas parties, birthdays, and wedding receptions. They’ve also helped surprise employees at office parties and set the tone for New Year’s Eve celebrations.
No matter the occasion, our professional party bands ensure your event is memorable, keeping guests entertained long after the final note has been played.
We can help you choose the perfect party band for your event, whether it’s a wedding, birthday, or corporate celebration, ensuring the music fits your style and keeps your guests entertained.
Having handpicked each and every party 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.
Party band line-ups vary from small 3-piece bands to full 12-piece ensembles, allowing you to choose the right size and sound for your event, from intimate gatherings to large celebrations.
If you're into soul and 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.
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.
Yes! All our party bands come fully equipped with their own PA sound system, microphones, amplifiers, and instruments ensuring top-quality audio and stage effects for parties of up to 200.
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.
To ensure a smooth performance, party bands usually need access to a power supply and a flat, level area to play, with shelter if the event is outdoors.
As a guideline, a 4-piece band typically requires around 4m wide by 3m deep, with an extra square metre for each additional band member. While a raised stage can help the band make a bigger visual impact, it isn’t essential.
Some acts may also request a changing room to prepare before the performance, or a basic meal as part of their rider, depending on how long they are required to be at your venue. These are standard industry requirements and help the band deliver the best possible show for your event.
Our party bands typically perform for two one-hour sets, making them ideal for after-dinner entertainment at weddings, parties, and corporate events.
Bands 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.
Party bands usually require 60–90 minutes to set up and soundcheck, ensuring top-quality performance for weddings, parties, and corporate events.
Set-up usually begins between 5 and 6pm. 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.
Our party bands can take song requests submitted in advance, helping you tailor the music to your wedding, birthday, or corporate event.
You can browse each band’s full repertoire on their profile page and send over your preferred songs ahead of time. Most bands are unable to accept spontaneous “on-the-fly” requests, as these songs may not be part of their repertoire or have the necessary arrangements to perform them well. By sticking to their set list and giving the band time to rehearse your chosen tracks, you’ll ensure a polished, high-energy performance that keeps your guests entertained all night.
Yes, all of our party bands are fully insured and have up to date PAT tested equipment.
Our party bands are selected for both their exceptional performance and reliability, so cancellations are extremely rare. If a band member falls ill or unexpected circumstances arise, we provide a 24/7 service to arrange a professional replacement, ensuring your live music for weddings, parties, and corporate events goes ahead as planned.
You don’t always need a separate party DJ, as our live bands can play recorded music during their intervals to keep your wedding, birthday, or corporate event 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.
Absolutely! If you’d like to avoid mainstream pop, there are plenty of fantastic alternative party bands to choose from:
Many of these acts also perform popular songs, but reimagined in their own style – for example, a swing version of Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit or an Afro-Cuban arrangement of Bon Jovi’s Livin’ on a Prayer.
Vintage and era-themed bands:
Whether you’re planning a vintage-themed party or simply want to avoid modern pop music, these options provide lively, memorable entertainment for all your guests.
Our party bands specialise in providing live after-dinner and evening entertainment for weddings, corporate events, and private parties, keeping guests dancing long into the night.
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.
Looking for tips on hiring a party band on a budget? We can help you save money on live music for weddings, birthdays, and corporate events without compromising on quality.
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.
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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