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We are an award winning live music agency based in Newcastle.

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How do you hire a band for an event?

Live music brings people together — and whether it’s a wedding, birthday party or another big celebration, hiring a band can create a truly unforgettable experience for all of your guests. But how do you actually book a band?

Our guide to band hire is here to help make browsing, choosing, and booking live musicians a breeze. Read on for all you need to know, and browse our artist catalogue to find local bands in the North of England and across Scotland.


How much does it cost to hire a band?


Before we explore the steps involved in hiring a band, let’s look at the costs so you can make sure your chosen musicians match your budget.

In a nutshell, the cost to hire a band for a private event varies depending on several factors.

  • The number of performers: For most bands, the price increases with the number of performers. So having a clear budget in mind will help you work out whether you want to stick with a duo or trio (like the fabulous Playhouse Trio) or if you can go for a larger line-up, such as the Strictly Smokin’ Band — available as an 8-piece or 12-piece ensemble for that vibrant big-band or party band sound.
  • The band’s experience and popularity: A well-established band who is in demand may charge more.
  • Potential travel costs and expenses: In general, we recommend looking for local artists. As well as providing musicians in your community with performance opportunities, sticking with local band hire also reduces the need for travel.
  • Set length: Are you hiring a band for a full evening of entertainment or a shorter set? Naturally, the longer the musicians play, the more you can expect to pay.
  • Event date: Like many party and wedding services, musicians tend to charge more at peak seasons or on certain days of the week. For example, you may find the cost to hire a live band for a weekend party is higher than a mid-week booking.

With so many elements influencing band hire costs, it can be tricky to pin down an exact average price. However, you can usually expect to pay anything from £800 for a trio to £2500+ for a band with six or more members.


How to book a band for a private party or event


Now you’ve got your budget planned, what steps do you need to follow to book a band for an event?


1. Determine the type of event and the atmosphere you want


A live band can be a great entertainment option for a whole host of events, and the occasion can help you narrow down your options and find the perfect group to hire.

Are you planning a big wedding reception and looking for an upbeat cover band to perform all of your favourite hits? Perhaps you’re hoping to hire a retro-style jazz band for a themed work celebration or a vibrant acoustic collective for a garden party.

Knowing what kind of atmosphere you’d like to create is a great place to start when searching for a party or function band.

2. Explore local bands available for hire


Once you have an idea of energy, genre, or atmosphere, you can start searching for a band that fits the bill.

At AMV Live Music, you’ll find an easy-to-explore catalogue of artists across the North of England. We work with bands and artists in the Lake District and Cumbria and Yorkshire, as well as across the North East and North West. We even collaborate with a selection of talented musicians in Scotland.

If you have a particular style in mind, you can also search by keyword to find artists who are sure to match your requirements. All of our artists upload showreels and performance examples so you can get a feel for their style and highlights of their repertoire all in one easy place on the AMV Live Music site.


Get in touch to discuss your needs

The next step is to get in touch with us. You can reach out using our quick and easy enquiry form. When sending an enquiry, it’s best to provide the team at AMV Live Music with as many details as you can, including:

  • Your event date and time.
  • The location.
  • What type of event you’re hosting.
  • How long you’d like the band to play for.
  • Any music requests (such as a first dance song if you’re hiring a band for your wedding).

3. Pay a deposit


When you enquire about a band through our booking system, you’ll receive a quote. To secure the band for your chosen date, you’ll need to pay a small deposit but you won’t need to pay the rest of the fee until the week before your event.


4. Finalise details


In the run-up to your party or function, you can always speak to the AMV Live Music team to discuss any final details — whether that’s letting them know where to park or a change to the event schedule.

The team at AMV Live Music is always on hand to help out with any questions and speak to the band on your behalf so you can feel confident knowing everything is covered.

On the run up to your event, you will be required to provide final details to the AMV Live Music team 4 weeks prior to your event date, this includes final timings, specific running order information, location details and anything the band you have hired may need to know.


5. Enjoy the show!


On the day, it’s time to enjoy the band’s performance. You may also send over a review which we can add to our site— testimonials can help other people hire the perfect band for their event.


Hire a live band with AMV Live Music


Hiring a band for your event doesn’t need to be stressful, especially with a platform like ours. At AMV Live Music, we help you connect with local music artists in Scotland and the North of England and make the booking process quick and easy. We’ll take on all the admin so you can book the perfect band for your party or function.

Take a look at our catalogue of talented musicians, and feel free to get in touch if you have any questions.