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A guide to AMV Live Music bands to hire

At AMV Live Music, we’re proud to showcase some of the most talented bands and artists across the North of England and Scotland. No matter what kind of music you’re after, we’re sure you’ll find a fantastic band to hire.

Our catalogue has a wide range of bands and collectives covering everything from retro swing and 90s nostalgia to unique takes on current hits. Take a look at the artists available near you, or read on for an insight into some of the best bands you can book through AMV Live Music.

Find the perfect wedding band

Music has the power to move people — emotionally and on the dance floor. If you’re planning to hire a wedding band for your big day, both of these are areas to focus on.

And if you need a bit of inspiration, here are some of our favourite wedding bands to consider:

  • For walking down the aisle: A string quartet can provide an elegant sound like no other — perfect for walking down the aisle. With over ten years of experience, Aurora Strings can create a sophisticated aisle soundtrack. Whether you want a traditional rendition of Pachelbel’s Canon in D or a string take on a modern ballad, this quartet can provide the sound you’re looking for.
  • For your drinks reception: What better way to complement your drinks reception than some subtle and uplifting jazz? The Playhouse Trio can ensure a vibrant yet laid-back accompaniment to create a fantastic atmosphere as your guests toast and mingle.
  • For your evening party: To get everyone up and dancing at your Yorkshire wedding, look no further than Chris Stocks & the Guardians. This fun and charismatic band can perform best-loved wedding tracks and will learn your first dance song for free. If you’re getting married elsewhere in the North of England or Scotland, Ellen & the Funktones are available to fill the dance floor. Expect pop classics from across the decades.
  • For a traditional knees-up: To host an unforgettable Scottish celebration, why not hire a ceilidh band? Northern Lights Ceilidh and Keel Row Ceilidh each bring their own flair to classic and modern folk tracks to your wedding celebration.

The best party and function bands to hire

End-of-year uni celebration, work Christmas do, or charity fundraiser… Whatever the occasion, hiring a party or function band is a surefire way to entertain your guests. With so many genres available, there’s a function band for every occasion, so let’s explore some of the talented artists in our catalogue.

The Hamptons

We can't recommend The Hamptons enough for fans of disco, soul, and Motown. This party band is available to hire across all regions in the North and can perform in Scotland, too.

Since starting out performing weekly at a venue in Chester, the six-piece collective has delighted audiences across the country. These artists are poised and ready to showcase your favourite hits from Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, and many more iconic musicians.

Celtic Man

If you’re looking to hire a band for a festival, corporate event, or private function, Celtic Man is another excellent choice. The high-energy, female-fronted band plays crowd-pleasing pop and rock tunes from across the decades.

Plus, you can combine Celtic Man with our DJ hire service to keep the party going!

House Of Sax

For the ultimate party vibe, and an event where the dance floor is always full, House of Sax will provide an entertainment experience like no other. With House of Sax you can customise your performance line up, with one of our DJs accompanied by a live vocalist and percussion.

Talented cover bands and tribute acts available to hire

Are you putting on an event with a specific theme? What better way to bring a decade or genre’s spirit to life than with a cover band or tribute act?

Cover band hire is easy with AMV Live Music. Here are just a few of the incredible acts we have available to book:

  • Brit Pack: Take your audience or guests back to the heyday of Britpop icons with Brit Pack. Showcasing a repertoire of tracks from the 90s indie scene, this cover band will get everyone singing along to Oasis, Blur, Supergrass, and Pulp — best of all, they’re available to hire across all of our regions.
  • Viva: Sticking with the 90s era, Viva will take your guests on a trip down memory lane with tracks from the Spice Girls.
  • Helter Skelter: For a touch more rock and roll, hire a band like Helter Skelter. This leading Beatles tribute act can bring the sixties to life, playing a broad array of the Fab Four’s top hits to get everyone moving.
  • The Fu Fighters: The North East’s take on the Foo Fighters, this tribute band is available to hire for a range of functions and parties, playing tracks from all seven seminal albums. The Fu Fighters consists of four friends who are passionate about performing and faithfully recreating the alt-rock band’s post-grunge sound.

Classical ensembles for hire

Perhaps you’re in need of an elegant soundtrack for a celebration. From weddings to awards ceremonies, classical music can be the perfect balance of easy-going and sophisticated.

We mentioned Aurora Strings, a quartet offering a beautiful sound that’s perfect for wedding ceremonies. Armstrong Quartet is another string quartet of classically trained musicians available to hire for functions and celebrations — from corporate events to formal dinners. These four artists provide an elegant sound and can even arrange a custom piece of music to make your event truly special.

For a smaller venue, you might like to hire a duo rather than a full band. Take a look at Abbey Strings, two skilful violinists who create an impactful sound and can tailor their musical services to suit your needs.

Hire a live band with AMV Live Music

Ready to hire a band for a party or special occasion? It's a breeze with AMV Live Music. Our user-friendly process effortlessly connects you with talented artists. All you need to do is browse our artist catalogue, listen to samples, and shortlist your favourites. To make it even easier, you can filter by location! Explore bands for hire across northern England — from the North East and Yorkshire to Lake District and Cumbria, and the North West. We also work with artists in Scotland.

Once you’ve narrowed your list down, you can get in touch with the AMV Live Music team and enquire about the band you’d like to hire through our handy enquiry form, and you’ll receive a personalised quote.

If you have any questions along the way, our friendly team is on hand to assist, so please don’t hesitate to get in touch.