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Bristol bands for hire

Hire a high energy Bristol party band playing upbeat rock, pop and soul covers to fill your dancefloor. We also offer jazz, swing and ceilidh

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from£595

Marcel and Matt

  • 2
  • (65)

Stylish and soulful acoustic guitar and vocal duo combining high calibre musicianship with an uplifting set spanning James Brown to Beyonce. Incredible value and guaranteed to appeal to all ages! DJ service available.

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from£370

Wildwood Loops

  • 1
  • (11)

Eclectic solo singer-guitarist and loop artist, performing rich, layered arrangements of covers by rock, pop and folk legends, from Van Morrison and Joni Mitchell to Norah Jones, George Ezra and Tom Odell.

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from£775

Midnight Blue

  • 3-5
  • (87)

Experienced, sax-led jazz trio, performing jazzy takes on pop music from The Beatles to Sam Smith as well as classic jazz. Suitable for mellow background music at weddings, corporate events and more!

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from£1,250

Bloco Brass

  • 4-6
  • (30)

Exciting new brass and drums band playing danceable pop songs as well as some Latin music. With Brazilian musicians in their ranks, the band will bring the spirit of Rio and Carnival to your event!

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from£615

Nick Pauli

  • 1
  • (12)

Virtuoso singer guitarist, with a distinctive, unique and unforgettable voice who can perform a wide variety of instruments and genres.

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from£1,785

The Rubies

  • 4-8
  • (26)

Fun-loving party band who have worked alongside Jessie J and Tinie Tempah playing hits by legends from Tom Jones and Bon Jovi to Rihanna and Lady Gaga. Larger line-ups, acoustic duo and laptop DJ service also available.

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from£490

The Hotfoot Charmers

  • 2-5
  • (13)

The Hotfoot Charmers met jamming on the vibrant Bristol jazz scene and, together, inspired by artists like Ella Fitzgerald and Django Reinhardt they render their own interpretations of early jazz standards with all the radiance and intimacy of a fireside session.

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from£610

DJ Johnson

  • 1
  • (15)

Dynamic DJ covering everything from rock to EDM, with over 20 years of experience entertaining crowds at premier venues and events.

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from£295

Sean McConnell

  • 1
  • (13)

Experienced and talented singer and guitarist playing pop and rock hits for a wide range of events. Laptop DJ service and additional musicians also available.

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from£795

The Oompah Trio

  • 3-5
  • (15)

Riotously good fun oompah music and games for an Oktoberfest style party. Complete with costumes and traditional music plus classic pop songs, this is guaranteed fun for everyone! Various line-ups available.


The easy way to hire live bands in Bristol

  • The very best live bands for hire in Bristol
  • 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 Bristol

What styles of music do live Bristol bands perform?

Live Bristol bands for hire perform a wide range of music styles — from rock and pop to soul, funk, jazz and more — making them perfect entertainment for weddings, parties and events across Bristol.

Bristol is one of the most musical cities in the UK, so you’ve got no shortage of local bands to choose from. Our rock and pop bands play the biggest anthems from the last sixty years, from Chuck Berry to Bruno Mars. Our Bristol soul bands focus on Motown and funk as well as soul-infused pop by Adele, Justin Timberlake and Beyonce.

Our wedding bands in Bristol are made up of enthusiastic professionals who are young enough to love their job, but mature enough to know how to make your reception rock!

Our acts are suitable for any venue, budget and genre. We have Latin bands and steel bands as well as barn dance and ceilidh bands to fill your dancefloor with all ages.

Why should I hire a Bristol party band for my event?

Hiring a Bristol party band from Function Central means you get professional live entertainment for your event with secure contracts, reliable bookings, and our live music guarantee, giving you peace of mind when planning party band hire in Bristol.

If inclement weather or an accident prevents an act from reaching your venue on the day, we provide round-the-clock emergency support to make sure a replacement band gets to you as quickly as possible.

How much does it cost to hire a live Bristol band and how can I save money?

The cost to hire a live band varies depending on line-up size, dates and travel requirements. Here are some key ways to save money on your band:

  • 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.

Can I hire background musicians or jazz bands in Bristol?

Yes, you can hire professional background musicians or jazz bands in Bristol for weddings, corporate functions and daytime receptions, whether you need ambient live music or a swing ensemble to set the mood.

Our local jazz bands will play swinging background music which is upbeat enough to help break the ice at a corporate function or reception, but quiet enough to allow your guests to hear themselves talk!

If you want to take it up a notch later on, hire a swing band complete with vocalist to sing Rat Pack material or pop songs in a vintage style.

Do you offer other musical genres in Bristol, such as ceilidh, jazz, or tribute bands?

We offer a wide range of live music genres for hire in Bristol — including ceilidh bands, jazz ensembles and tribute bands — so you can find the perfect sound for weddings, parties and corporate events.

If you’re looking for something more refined, our jazz bands in Bristol cover a range of sub-genres including gypsy jazz bands, jazz trios, wedding jazz bands, background jazz bands.

All will play non-intrusive, sophisticated background music that your guests can talk over.

For the evening, consider hiring a swing band to get the party started.

Can your Bristol party bands take song requests and can we customise the set list?

Our Bristol party bands can usually accommodate song requests sent in advance and work with you to customise your set list when you book live band hire in Bristol.

While bands will do their best to accommodate requests sent in advance, it’s unlikely that they’ll be able to take on the night requests. Our bands want to do each and every song they play justice and need time to rehearse the songs in advance in order to do this.

Check out your chosen band’s song list on their profile for an idea of what they play best. Trust us, these tracks have been tried and tested and your band will know exactly which party songs to play and when, to keep the party popping.

How long do Bristol bands play for at events?

Most live bands in Bristol play around two hours of music at events — typically split into two 60-minute sets — but individual set times can vary by band and event schedule. Check each band’s profile for their individual set list times.

What happens on the band’s break?

When your Bristol band takes a break during your event, most live bands will keep the music going by playing a recorded playlist — either your own selection or theirs — through their PA system so there’s no awkward silence.

Do your bands have insurance and PAT-tested equipment?

Yes, all bands are fully ensured and have PAT-tested equipment. 

Do we need to provide any sound and lighting equipment for the band?

When you hire a live band in Bristol, you generally won’t need to provide any sound or lighting equipment — most Bristol bands come fully equipped for your event with their own PA, instruments and basic lighting.

It is worth getting in touch if you think your event will exceed 250 guests, as extra equipment might then be necessary. 

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!

Where do your Bristol party bands tend to perform?

Our Bristol party bands perform at a wide range of live music venues and event spaces across Bristol and beyond — from city centre locations such as Clifton and Redcliffe to popular wedding and party venues throughout the region.

The city that created music as diverse as Massive Attack and The Eagles has continued that artistic history with a musical scene today that is more alive than ever before. The eclectic, buzzing city of Bristol boasts bars, cafes and event venues to rival any other location in the country.

Our bands have played in all areas of the city – including Clifton, Totterdown, Temple Meads, Redcliffe, Montpellier and Stoke Bishop – and also travel far beyond.

We've already brought our world class entertainment to venues such as Old Down Estate, St Audries Park, Berwick Lodge, Manor By The Lake, Clevedon Hall, Aldwick Estate, Hamswell House, The Bishop's Palace and Farrington Park.

Our Bristol bands for hire are hand-picked, so that you can be sure you’ll get fantastic entertainment that your guests will remember long after the party has finished.

What happens if our booked Bristol party band can’t make it on the day?

If your booked Bristol party band is unexpectedly unable to perform on the day — due to illness, travel issues or other unavoidable problems — our team will arrange a replacement band or suitable alternative as quickly as possible, so your event still goes ahead with live music.  We provide round-the-clock emergency support to make sure a replacement band gets to you as quickly as possible.

Can we see the band live before we book?

On each Bristol band’s profile page, you’ll find videos from live performances as well as demo tracks that will give you the best idea of how the band looks and sounds. Trust us, watching these will leave you wanting more. 


Find local cover bands in Bristol and UK wide

Function Central is a leading Bristol covers band agency, providing exceptional talent for private events throughout the UK and internationally.

Use the menu below to find an outstanding local band – booking local saves on unnecessary travel and accommodation costs.

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