It’s officially party season! On that note, next in our series of giving the gift of recommendations (three instalments definitely constitutes a series!) we’re going to share some love for six of our favourite marquee wedding bands that are guaranteed to get everyone up on the dance floor all night long. These ensembles all know how to get the party started and will give you and your guests a legendary night to remember. All these bands have filled our iconic pole and canvas marquees with music, dancing, laughter and fun and have left our couples and their guests nothing short of elated.
In no particular order and in no way exhaustive, make some noise for six marquee wedding bands to dance the night away to.
The Function Band
What’s their jam?
Putting the FUN in function, The Function Band have been doing what it says on the tin and lighting up parties, from intimate gatherings to major events, all over the world for the past 14 years. So, it’s safe to say they know how to work a crowd.
Whatever your party needs, be it a DJ, a six person ensemble or 20-piece band playing whatever style of music you desire, this group of talented musicians will deliver a unique, classy and cool experience for you and your guests. The Function Band also has a production design team who can put together custom stage sets, light shows and more.
Even the original 24 hour party person himself (that’s a reference to his portrayal of Hacienda night club founder, Tony Wilson, not Alan Partridge) Steve Coogan is a fan;
“The Function Band played at my 50th Birthday celebration and they were brilliant! All of my friends and family were up on their feet for the whole night, dancing and singing along. It really was an incredibly special evening for me, one to remember, and the entertainment The Function Band provided ensured the evening was a great success. Thank you again!”
Steve Coogan, Actor & Comedian
Admit it, you read that in an Alan Partridge voice didn’t you?
Why we love them
We love how The Function Band interacts with the crowd and manages to get even the most reluctant dancers up on their chairs singing along. They create an enigmatic atmosphere and know how to hit the right note (pun intended) when it comes to playing the right songs at the right time. They'll set the scene with chilled out music for the cocktail reception and they'll end the night on a high with the best party bangers. You and your guests will be reminiscing about your epic night for years to come.
How to book
The Function Band’s headquarters are in Elstree, just a hop, skip and a jump away from the A1, so it’s easy for them to travel to wherever you may be. Not that travel is an issue as the band has played events in Europe, the USA and the Middle East. You can call them on 020 3971 0222. Or, if your wedding planning internet rabbit hole has led you here at 3am, when you really should be getting your beauty sleep, it might be best to get in touch via their website or drop them an email at hello@thefunction.band.
Red Hot Chilli Pipers
Video credit - Baxter and Ted
What’s their jam?
The clue is kind of in the name, pioneering their own musical genre of “Bagrock” The Red Hot Chilli Pipers fuse traditional Scottish music with rock and pop anthems to create ‘a show so hot, it carries its own health warning’.
They’ve played some huge events, won countless awards and have some big names amongst their fan base such as music royalty, Sir Paul McCartney, movie royalty, Samuel L Jackson, football royalty, Sir Alex Ferguson, actual royalty, Her Majesty the Queen plus the entire Scottish rugby team.
They also play regular gigs for the general public all over the world, so you can grab yourself some tickets and check them out before booking for your own event.
Why we love them
Their unique ‘feel good’ style is memorable, infectious and creates the best times imaginable. They appeal to people of all ages, no matter where they’re from. It’s physically impossible to stay in your seat from the second these guys launch into their rip roaring, foot stamping, absolutely phenomenal show. As one of our gorgeous grooms put it:
“When The Red Hot Chilli Pipers launched into their set, at that moment, the way I felt was the closest I'll ever get to winning the world cup final”
Alex Austin, P&B Groom
How to book
Book The Red Hot Chilli Pipers for your marquee wedding via the contact form on their website
Be sure to include the date of the event and where it is taking place
If you want to catch one of their gigs head to the ‘gigs’ section on their website, or follow them on facebook, or instagram.
Supatight
What’s their jam?
Supatight performs a timeless blend of Soul, Motown, Funk, R&B, Disco and Pop anthems. Based in London, Supatight are considered one of the best luxury wedding and event showbands out there. This talented and experienced bunch are well equipped to take your marquee wedding entertainment to the next level.
The group have been performing since 2007. Supatight is made up of top musicians who are passionate about what they do and have performed with big names such as Rudimental, Rag ‘n’ Bone Man and he with the sexyback, JT! They’ve also performed in West End shows including The Whitney Story, Motown the Musical and Jersey Boys, to name a few.
Supatight are available as a group ranging from a seven-piece all the way up to a 12-piece showband lineup.
Why we love them
Put simply, Supatight know how to bring the party, they also bring all their own top quality equipment, lighting and excellent sound engineers, so you don’t need to think about any technical details and you know they’re going to look and sound incredible (the sound being enhanced by the excellent acoustics of our pole and canvas marquees, we might add!)
Their repertoire is listed on their website here, and includes the most up to date dance floor fillers as well as iconic classics. But, they’re not above requests!
How to book
Fill out the booking enquiry form on their website, call 0345 647 7679 or email bookings@supatight.co.uk. Be sure to get in early though, to say they’re in demand would be an understatement!
Johnny and the Goodtime Boys
What’s their jam?
This is an eight-piece Soul and Motown act playing classics from the genre with a modern twist. Johnny and the Goodtime Boys are a slick and stylish group of talented musicians who exude glitz and glamour. They have performed alongside the likes of Ellie Goulding, Jay Z and Kings of Leon. Johnny himself was born in Puerto Rico and was raised by a blind street musician called El Campo, who lived until the impressive age of 105. How’s that for a back story?
The band offers a standard package.
Two 60 minute or three 40 minute live sets
Professional PA, stage lighting and sound engineer
Bespoke pre-mixed DJ service before and after live sets
Your choice of first dance or special request performed
PAT certified equipment and Public Liability Insurance
Dedicated booking manager on hand throughout the booking and planning process
They also have additional extras.
Live DJ before and after live sets
60 minute live lounge-set for drinks reception or during dinner
Why we love them
With a repertoire that includes Proud Mary, Cool Jerk and September, how could we not love Johnny and Goodtime Boys! When you book this band you can expect the dance floor to be full ‘all night long’, another from their setlist. You and your guests are guaranteed a party that will go down in the wedding history books as legendary. Johnny is a one of a kind frontman and together with his band he will create a buzzing atmosphere and deliver a show that will appeal to everyone from the greatest of grannies to the coolest of teenagers. Furthermore, they are ever professional and the booking manager will ensure everything runs smoothly.
How to book
Submit an enquiry form via the website to check availability. Or you can email the band at info@goodtime-band.co.uk, or give them a call on 0800 564 2240
Old Dirty Brasstards
Photo credit - Kate Lowe Photography
What’s their jam?
Formed in 2012, Old Dirty Brasstards (ODB’s) originate from Forest Hill in South East London (the coolest part of London IMO…sorry Hackney). They are a 10-piece brass band who play barnstorming interpretations of everything from 90’s club classics, to guilty pleasures to the most popular hits guaranteed to get everyone up on their feet. ODB’s have played major venues such as the Hammersmith Apollo, Ronnie Scott’s, the Roundhouse, Shepherds Bush Empire, and the historic Wilton’s Music Hall near London’s Tower Bridge. They’ve supported big acts like Basement Jaxx and The Hoosiers, and performed at festivals such as All Points East, Bestival, BST Hyde Park, Glastonbury, and Latitude. They are, in fact, a proper band with a back catalogue of albums, a full schedule of live dates and music available to stream on Spotify and the like.
Why we love them
Like the Red Hot Chilli Pipers, Old Dirty Brasstards are more than just a hilarious name, they offer a completely unique experience full of popular genre spanning hits that everyone can get down to. They look fabulous all in tweed with their brass instruments raised up high. With these guys bringing the energy and fun, you can expect a proper knees up and an extra special, unforgettable night!
How to book
You can book the Old Dirty Brasstards by submitting an enquiry through this form on their website.
Hale Zero
What's their jam?
Seriously cool DJ brothers, Karl, Greg and Rafael, are kind of a big deal. They are the go to DJs for the fashion industry and have provided beats for everyone from Armani to Louis Vuitton. The Beckhams are long time clients as well as Vogue, Frieze and many other cultural icons. They offer both chilled and party mixes, with a healthy dose of nostalgia thrown in.
Why we love them
We were lucky enough to meet Hale Zero when they played luxury brand Metier's birthday event, which we provided the pole and canvas marquee for. These guys are not only incredibly talented, but super nice as well. Hale Zero genuinely love playing for a crowd and keeping everyone dancing until the small hours. If you love strong vibes and magic all night long, Hale Zero are the DJs you need to light up your wedding.
How to book
You can book Hale Zero by emailing Natalie McCain.
Top tips for choosing the right band for your marquee wedding
Think about the atmosphere you want to create, the music you love and who your guests are. Look for a band whose repertoire resonates with those three key areas
Make like a record exec and dive into the band’s videos and recordings, if you like what you see/hear, sign them immediately!
Check the venue’s logistical aspects, like the performance area and access, if they can’t accommodate the 20-piece jazz orchestra you’ve booked, you might have issues. Of course, with a marquee you have much more flexibility when it comes to size and access
Book early, good bands can get booked up two, even three years in advance, so prioritise this in your wedding planning schedule
Read reviews to get a real insight into a band’s style and service and what you can expect for the biggest party of your life!
We hope this article has given you a place to start as you begin scouting for your dream marquee wedding band. If you’ve found them already, party on! Why not give us a call today to discuss which marquee they can set on fire (not literally!)