There’s nothing like the buzz and excitement that comes from Live music – it can really add atmosphere to any event. A live band provides entertainment in so many ways, from playing songs that everyone will want to sing and dance to, to putting on a great show and interacting with the crowd.
There are so many types live music and types of bands just ready for you to book in our entertainment directory – here are our top 15 most popular live band categories:
1. Function & Party Band
Function & Party bands have to be at #1 for live band entertainment! They are so versatile and perfect for everything from weddings, to pub bookings and festivals. You can search for and hire a party band near you through our directory – and if you can’t find exactly what you’re looking for in your area, just fill in our request form and we’ll find it for you!
2. Cover Band
This type of band is ideal if you’re looking for music that everyone will know and be able to sing along to! Hire a cover band to make a big Birthday really memorable, create a great pub or bar event night or for a wedding or Christmas Party.
3. Blues Band
Whether it’s a 2-piece or a 10-piece, when you hire a Blues Band they will play fantastic covers of Blues songs from artists such as Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, B.B King, Howlin’ Wolf, Buddy Guy, Eric Clapton, John Lee Hooker, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Ray Charles, Bo Diddley, The Rolling Stones and more…
4. Acoustic Band
Looking for something more authentic and stripped-back? Then an acoustic band is perfect for your event. When you search our directory to hire an Acoustic Band, you’ll find a wide variety of line-ups, from a singer and an acoustic guitarist, or a singer and acoustic guitarist with a bassist or more.
5. Jazz Band
Jazz bands are renowned for their smooth, laid-back sound. Their line up may consist of a jazz drummer, a double bass player, a jazz guitarist, a jazz pianist and a jazz singer in any combination and they will play anything from Traditional Jazz to Dixieland, Contemporary Jazz to Avant-garde or Bebop.
6. Rat Pack Show
Hire a Rat Pack Tribute Act and you will not be disappointed! They will not only sing amazing renditions of all the best songs of the Rat Pack era, but they will look the part and stay in character as the Rat Pack members through out the entire show.
Smooth, suave and sophisticated, perfect for every age group!
7. Rock Band
The great thing about Rock music is its versatility. Over the years, Rock music has branched out and transformed and now when you hire a Rock Band, you can find everything from Pop Rock, Heavy Rock, Grunge, Indie, Alternative or Acoustic Rock, Glam Rock and Brit-pop.
8. Country & Western Band
Think Dolly Parton, Ken Rogers, Johnny Cash, Garth Brooks and Tammy Wynette…Country really has some of the most classic, sing-along songs. It’s also a great excuse for some barn dance costumes and line dancing. Hire a Country and Western Band if you’re looking for something a bit different with a lot of heart.
9. Reggae Band
A live Reggae Band will bring the happy and laid-back vibes that are associated with Reggae music, covering Reggae songs such as ‘Police and Thieves’, ‘Get Up, Stand Up’, ‘Dreadlock Holiday’, ’Stir It Up’, ‘Uptown Top Raking’, ‘’Kingston Town’, ‘and ‘Red Red Wine!’. Hire a reggae band for your outdoor summer event, or bring the sunshine indoors at your wedding or Birthday celebration.
10. Barn Dance or Ceilidh Band
If you need a bit of high-energy, traditional music with a really authentic sound then you should hire a Ceilidh or Barn Dance band. Playing a mixture of Scottish, Irish and English folk music, a Ceilidh band is normally 2-3 people with a fiddler an accordionist and a ‘caller’ to help everyone keep moving and learn the dances. Sometimes they also include guitarists, drums, keyboards and whistles.
11. Soul, R&B and Motown Band
When it comes to smiling faces and crowd-pleasing, you really can’t beat a Soul & Motown band. Who doesn’t love pretty much every song that came off the Motown label? From Stevie Wonder to the Jackson 5, The Supremes to Marvin Gaye – every song a hit that everyone knows, loves and wants to dance to. Find a Soul, R&B and Motown band near you.
12. String Quartet
At the opposite end of the spectrum, if you’re looking for something sophisticated, calming and low-key, hire a string quartet to create the perfect musical backdrop to your wedding, party or corporate event. And if you’re looking for something classic, but a little different, hire one of our electric string quartets for a spectacular show.
13. Tribute Band
For major celebrations, big weddings, proms or a special Birthday, Tribute Bands offer nostalgia and fun on a grand scale. Our Tribute Bands cover music from the 50’s onwards, from Rat Pack, The Rolling Stones, Kiss or the Blues Brothers to Abba and The Beatles. If you can’t find exactly the right Tribute Band for hire near you, just fill in our request form.
14. Big Band or Orchestra
Looking for wow-factor, this is it. If you hire a Big Band or Orchestra for your next event, you can be guaranteed it will give your event that touch of sophistication, not to mention creating a big impact. Perfect for larger events, like big weddings and corporate parties.
15. Swing Band
And last of all, why not hire a Swing Band? These bands capture the essence of the 1940s and 1950s and also offer unusual arrangements of contemporary songs, so there will something there for everyone.
We hope you’ve found the perfect band for your occasion in our list of Best Band Types – you can also find plenty more entertainment inspiration in our blog to help you plan your next wedding, party or event. Or why not take a look at our 50 Musical Entertainment ideas.