For Organisers & Private Bookers
Booking a band for a birthday, anniversary or private party? Browse 1,079 UK artists, hear them before you book, and get a signed contract with your payment protected by Stripe — no agency and no agency markup. Most private parties need no music licence at all.
Updated 12 November 2026
Organisers choose GigXchange to book like a pro without being one: they deal directly with the act, every booking is protected by a signed agreement, and the licence question is answered up front.
| Events and actsPlan Your EventA guide for each kind of event, then each kind of act. | |
| The appSee It in ActionFind an act, message them and book with a contract, on iPhone, Android or any browser. | |
| Idea to partyHow It WorksSet the date, compare real acts, then book with a contract and a protected payment. | |
| Your toolkitOne-Off BookingsDirect messaging, real prices, a digital contract and two-way reviews. | |
| Real pricesWhat Gigs PayWhat acts actually charge for parties, weddings and corporate events. | |
| The licence questionMost Parties Need NoneInvited guests and no tickets: no licence. Selling tickets: a Temporary Event Notice. A licensed venue: already covered. | |
| No agencyDirect Beats the AgencyNo agency markup in the price: you talk to the act and see what they charge. | |
| No sign-upFree ToolsFind an artist, the rate calculator and the licensing checker. | |
| Straight answersOrganiser FAQLicences, payments, cancellations and booking your first band. |
Find an act1,079
Hear them before you book them. Browse by genre, place and budget.
Artists across 80 UK cities — solo acts, duos, bands and DJs
Audio, video and verified reviews on every profile
Filter by fee and availability for your date
Message any act direct — no agency gatekeeper
Book with a contract and Stripe-held payment
| Browse profiles | |
| Find an Artist | |
| Genres | |
| Find out more | |
| Join as an organiser |
What it costsLive
Real UK rates, not agency quotes. Budget from real numbers.
Solo or duo: typically £150–£300 for a private event
Full band: £400–£1,000+, London at the top end
The GX Index tracks what acts actually charge
No agency markup baked into the price
Rate calculator by city, band size and event type
| GX Index | |
| Rate Calculator | |
| Find out more | |
| Join as an organiser |
The licence2 min
Most private parties need none. The answer to the question everyone asks.
Private party, invited guests, no tickets — no licence needed
Selling tickets? A Temporary Event Notice: £21, 10 working days, up to 499 people
Hired a licensed venue? Their premises licence covers it
The free checker gives your event a personal verdict
| Licensing Checker | |
| UK live music licence guide | |
| Find out more | |
| Join as an organiser |
ProtectionStripe
Contract, protected payment and a plan B. A handshake with paperwork.
Digital contract auto-generated on every booking
Payment held by Stripe until the gig is done
Automatic refund if the act cancels
Gig Rescue finds a replacement fast
Two-way reviews after every booking
| How It Works | |
| Gig Rescue | |
| Find out more | |
| Join as an organiser |
Join free5 min
A free organiser account in five minutes. One booking or one a month — same protection.
Free to join — 5% only on protected payments
No company or business required
Contracts and payments handled for you
Works on iPhone, Android or any browser
| How It Works | |
| Compare platforms | |
| Find out more | |
| Join as an organiser |
Start with the occasion: guides for weddings, birthday parties, charity events, Christmas parties, community events and garden parties say what to book and what it costs, then act-type guides cover wedding, function, covers and party bands, DJs and more.
| GuideLive music for a weddingCeremony, drinks, meal and evening - what to book. | |
| GuideLive music for a birthday partyA band or a singer for a 30th, 40th, 50th or 60th. | |
| GuideLive music for an engagement partyA singer, a duo or a band to celebrate the news. | |
| GuideLive music for a charity eventMusic for a ball, a gala, a fundraiser or a fun day. | |
| GuideLive music for a Christmas partyThe office party or the family do - book it before December fills. | |
| GuideLive music for a community eventA fete, fair, fun day or street party. | |
| GuideLive music for a garden partyA band or singer at home - space, power and neighbours. | |
| GuideAll the event guidesEvery kind of event, what to book and what it costs | |
| GuideWedding BandsThe UK's biggest live-music booking category | |
| GuideFunction BandsThe UK's default party-band format | |
| GuideCovers BandsThe UK's pub-circuit anchor format | |
| GuideParty BandsBirthday parties · milestone celebrations · themed events | |
| GuideDJsThe most flexible UK entertainment format | |
| GuideSolo ActsThe UK's most cost-effective live format | |
| GuideSaxophonistsSax for receptions, dinners and the dancefloor | |
| GuideSingersA voice for the ceremony, the drinks and the party | |
| GuideGuitaristsAcoustic guitar for the ceremony, the drinks and the party | |
| GuidePianistsPiano for the ceremony, the drinks and dinner | |
| GuideReggae ActsReggae, ska and dancehall for parties and weddings | |
| GuideTribute ActsGuaranteed audience recognition + theatrical commitment | |
| GuideString QuartetsPremium classical format — acoustic, elegant | |
| GuideJazz BandsSwing, standards and soul - the room-friendly band | |
| GuideCeilidh BandsCaller-led Scottish dance — the participatory format | |
| GuideRock BandsGuitars up - the room that wants a real band | |
| GuideBlues BandsSlow-burn to stomp - the late-night band | |
| GuideSoul & R&B BandsMotown to modern R&B - the floor-filling voice | |
| GuideOriginals BandsOriginal music — authentic atmosphere over hits | |
| GuideFolk ActsStories and singalongs - the room that listens | |
| GuideCountry & Americana ActsLine dances to Americana - the boot-stomp booking | |
| GuideEvery Performer TypeAll the act types, what each suits and how many are on GigXchange |
A look inside GigXchange Mainstage — the members app where artists, venues, agents and promoters manage bookings, messaging, events and payments. Scroll: the phone follows you through the app.
- 01 / 06 Your dashboard
The moment you log in, everything that matters is in front of you — what's booked, what you've earned, and what needs you next. No digging through tabs.
- Bookings at a glanceConfirmed, pending and upcoming gigs in one view — so nothing slips through the cracks.
- Earnings, trackedSee deposits held securely and payouts released, with a running total you can trust.
- Live activity feedNew messages, offers and event updates surface the second they happen — you're never the last to know.
- 02 / 06 Explore the scene
Find the right artists, venues and open gigs across the UK from one place — filtered by what actually matters to you: location, genre, date and budget.
- Search that fits youFilter by role, city, genre and availability to surface only the people and gigs worth your time.
- Smart Match suggestionsThe strongest matches rise to the top, so the right connection finds you — not just the loudest.
- Open gigs, liveBrowse gigs that need filling and apply in a tap — no cold outreach, no gatekeepers.
- 03 / 06 Bookings, end to end
Offer, negotiate and confirm a gig in a single thread — every date, fee and deposit agreed in one place and held to.
- One thread, start to finishThe whole deal lives in one conversation — no lost emails, no he-said-she-said.
- Negotiate with clarityCounter-offers, dates and fees are structured and tracked, so both sides always know where they stand.
- Held securelyThe deposit is held safely until the gig is done — performers get paid, bookers get peace of mind.
- 04 / 06 Messaging
Agree the details before you commit. Direct, real-time conversations with venues, artists, agents and promoters — with bookings built right in.
- Talk first, book secondSort the awkward questions — sound, timings, fee — before anything's signed.
- Bookings inside the chatTurn a conversation into a confirmed offer without ever leaving the thread.
- Share availability & filesSend your calendar, riders and posters in-line, so everyone's working from the same page.
- 05 / 06 Your profile & EPK
Your shop window to the whole UK scene — a profile and electronic press kit that does the selling for you, on the public web and inside the app.
- Built to be foundYour profile is a public page engineered for search and AI discovery — so people find you without you chasing them.
- A press kit that travelsMusic, photos, stats and past gigs in one shareable EPK that makes booking you an easy yes.
- Always currentUpdate once and it's live everywhere — no stale links, no outdated one-sheets.
- 06 / 06 Setlists
Build a polished setlist in minutes and share it with the room — songs, keys and running order, ready for the night.
- Drag-and-drop running orderReorder songs in a tap and see the whole set take shape, page by page.
- Share it anywhereSend a clean, branded setlist to the band, the venue or the sound engineer in one tap.
- Reuse and adaptSave sets per act or venue and tweak the running order for the next gig without starting over.
- 01 / 06
Your dashboardThe moment you log in, everything that matters is in front of you — what's booked, what you've earned, and what needs you next. No digging through tabs.
- Bookings at a glanceConfirmed, pending and upcoming gigs in one view — so nothing slips through the cracks.
- Earnings, trackedSee deposits held securely and payouts released, with a running total you can trust.
- Live activity feedNew messages, offers and event updates surface the second they happen — you're never the last to know.
- 02 / 06
Explore the sceneFind the right artists, venues and open gigs across the UK from one place — filtered by what actually matters to you: location, genre, date and budget.
- Search that fits youFilter by role, city, genre and availability to surface only the people and gigs worth your time.
- Smart Match suggestionsThe strongest matches rise to the top, so the right connection finds you — not just the loudest.
- Open gigs, liveBrowse gigs that need filling and apply in a tap — no cold outreach, no gatekeepers.
- 03 / 06
Bookings, end to endOffer, negotiate and confirm a gig in a single thread — every date, fee and deposit agreed in one place and held to.
- One thread, start to finishThe whole deal lives in one conversation — no lost emails, no he-said-she-said.
- Negotiate with clarityCounter-offers, dates and fees are structured and tracked, so both sides always know where they stand.
- Held securelyThe deposit is held safely until the gig is done — performers get paid, bookers get peace of mind.
- 04 / 06
MessagingAgree the details before you commit. Direct, real-time conversations with venues, artists, agents and promoters — with bookings built right in.
- Talk first, book secondSort the awkward questions — sound, timings, fee — before anything's signed.
- Bookings inside the chatTurn a conversation into a confirmed offer without ever leaving the thread.
- Share availability & filesSend your calendar, riders and posters in-line, so everyone's working from the same page.
- 05 / 06
Your profile & EPKYour shop window to the whole UK scene — a profile and electronic press kit that does the selling for you, on the public web and inside the app.
- Built to be foundYour profile is a public page engineered for search and AI discovery — so people find you without you chasing them.
- A press kit that travelsMusic, photos, stats and past gigs in one shareable EPK that makes booking you an easy yes.
- Always currentUpdate once and it's live everywhere — no stale links, no outdated one-sheets.
- 06 / 06
SetlistsBuild a polished setlist in minutes and share it with the room — songs, keys and running order, ready for the night.
- Drag-and-drop running orderReorder songs in a tap and see the whole set take shape, page by page.
- Share it anywhereSend a clean, branded setlist to the band, the venue or the sound engineer in one tap.
- Reuse and adaptSave sets per act or venue and tweak the running order for the next gig without starting over.
Booking music for a private event on GigXchange takes four simple steps, from the first idea to the party itself, and each step is shown below in the order you will meet it as an organiser.
| 01 | Your EventTell Us Your EventA 40th in a Clapham garden, an anniversary in a hired hall — set the date, location, vibe and budget, and see the acts who are free that day, ranked, with their fees. |
| 02 | CompareCompare Real ActsApplications arrive with profiles, audio, video and reviews attached. Message your shortlist directly — ask about setlists, timings and gear before committing to anything. |
| 03 | BookingBook & SignAgree the fee in chat and a digital contract is generated for both of you. Your payment sits safely with Stripe — the band can't be paid until they've played. |
| 04 | PartyEnjoy the NightEverything is confirmed and in writing. After the gig the payment releases automatically, and you both leave a review. |
Got a date in mind?
Free to join — 5 minutes to set up.Built for One-Off Bookings
GigXchange gives one-off bookers the same protection professionals get, built for people who book a band once a year rather than once a week: a signed agreement, clear terms and reviews you can trust.
Direct Messaging
Message any act before you book — no gatekeeper, no quote forms, no waiting for an agency to relay your questions.
Transparent Fees
See what acts actually charge — the live GX Index tracks real UK booking rates, so you know the going rate before you open a conversation.
Digital Contracts
Auto-generated for every booking and signed by both sides — date, times, fee, cancellation terms. No solicitor required.
Two-Way Reviews
Every act's reviews come from real bookings — and they review you back, so good organisers get acts saying yes faster.
Stripe Protection
Your payment is held securely and released 5 days after the gig. If the act cancels, it comes straight back — automatically.
Gig Rescue
Band pulled out the week before? Broadcast an urgent invite to up to 25 available acts near you — first to accept is booked.
Want to hear acts before you book them for your event? Step into GX Arena (beta) — real UK acts play their own songs back to back in a live 3D venue, and you can book any of them direct.
Got a quote for your party or wedding? Check it against what UK solo acts, duos and full bands are really paid for private parties, weddings and corporate events, with every range built from 5,063 recorded fees in the GX Index.
| Pub / bar | Solo£162–£330Duo£250–£500Full Band£275–£1,003 |
| Wedding | Solo£271–£500Duo£463–£810Full Band£812–£2,206 |
| Corporate | Solo£281–£474Duo£446–£1,275Full Band£669–£1,708 |
| Private party | Solo£250–£542Duo£250–£500Full Band£583–£1,353 |
| Festival (30–45 min) | SoloTBCDuoTBCFull Band£200–£1,783 |
Solo and Duo are the middle half of recorded fees (25th to 75th percentile). Full Band runs from the 3 to 4 piece 25th percentile to the 5+ piece 75th. Source: GX Index (CC BY 4.0).
The Organiser Licence Question
The licence question is the one every private booker asks first: do I need a licence for live music at my event? Here is the honest answer in plain English, with when it applies and where to check.
No Licence Needed
Invited guests, no tickets sold to the public? A genuinely private event is not licensable — your birthday, anniversary or garden party needs no music licence at all.
Temporary Event Notice
Open to the public or selling tickets? A one-off needs a TEN: up to 499 people, £21, at least 10 working days' notice to your council.
The Venue Has It Covered
Hired a pub function room, hotel or hall that's already licensed? Their premises licence normally covers the music — ask the venue, not the council.
Or go straight to your city — bands, singers and DJs with local rates. Booking for the company instead? Every city has a corporate entertainment page too.
Booking a band through an agency usually means commission baked into the quote and no chance to speak to the act. Going direct on GigXchange, you hear their audio, chat first, see the fee they actually charge, and the platform handles contract and payment.
What changes when nobody sits between you and the band.
Booking a band privately usually means an agency quote with its commission (typically 15–20%, some up to 25%) baked in, or a leap of faith on social media. You never talk to the band, you can’t hear them live, and the "contract" is whatever the agency says it is.
GigXchange is the direct route: browse 1,079 real profiles with audio and reviews, message the act, agree the fee you can see, and let the platform handle the contract and the money. One booking or ten — the protection is the same.
| The price you see | The act's actual fee, 5% only on protected paymentsAgency commission (typically 15–20%, some up to 25%) baked into the quote |
| Talk to the band first | Direct chat before you bookMediated through the agency |
| Hear them play | Audio + video on every profileA promo clip if you're lucky |
| Reviews | Two-way, from real bookingsTestimonials the agency picked |
| Contract | Auto-generated, signed digitallyAgency terms, or nothing |
| If the band cancels | Gig Rescue + automatic refundPhone the agency and hope |
| Cost to you | Free — an optional 5% booker fee on protected paymentsThe markup, always |
Everything an organiser needs to plan the music is free, with no card and no trial limits: rate benchmarks so you know what to budget, booking agreements, and guides to the questions people ask first.
| Start HereFind an ArtistTell us the date, place and vibe — get matched with available acts near your event in one search. | |
| Budget ItGig Rate CalculatorLive UK percentiles by city, band size and event type — know the fair price for a London party band before you ask. | |
| The Licence AnswerLicensing CheckerAnswer a few questions about your event and get a personal verdict — most private parties need no licence at all. | |
| In WritingContract GeneratorA UK-compliant booking agreement in under 2 minutes — 8 standard clauses, dual e-signatures, instant PDF. | |
| Get InspiredUK Gig DirectorySee who's playing near you — 8,900+ grassroots gigs across 80 UK cities. Catch an act live before you book them. | |
| The GuideHow to Hire a Band for a UK EventCosts, timelines and contract terms for hiring a band for a private UK event — the full walkthrough. |
Hiring music for a party, wedding or private do? These guides cover how to hire a musician in the UK, what to pay a live band, when a DJ beats a band, and which UK festivals run each month.
| GuideHow to Hire a Musician in the UKThe complete 2026 guide — where to look, what to ask, what it costs, and how to book safely. | |
| MoneyHow Much Should You Pay a Live Band?Real UK numbers by band size and event type, benchmarked against Musicians' Union rates. | |
| FestivalsUK Music Festivals by MonthEvery UK festival date we have checked, by month, region and genre — what is on near you and when the season peaks. | |
| PartyHiring a DJ for a PartyWhen a DJ beats a band, what they cost, and the questions to ask before you book. |
| Find an Artist | |
| Licensing Checker | |
| Gig Rate Calculator | |
| Booking Contracts | |
| All free tools |
One UK platform where artists, venues, agents and promoters book live music direct — no middlemen, no monthly fees.
| The marketplace | |
| Why we’re different |
What gigs pay across the UK — calibrated to real UK fee observations.
| Free rate calculator | |
| GX Index rates |
Create a free profile, or see who’s already on GigXchange.
| Create a free profile | |
| Browse profiles |
| What’s new | |
| About GigXchange |
See who is free on your date, compare real acts, and book with a contract and Stripe protection — from a Clapham garden party to a village-hall anniversary. Free to use, five minutes to start.
Book a Band for Your Party.
Without the Agency.
Booking a band for a birthday, anniversary or private party? Browse 1,079 UK artists, hear them before you book, and get a signed contract with your payment protected by Stripe — no agency and no agency markup. Most private parties need no music licence at all.
Last updated: 12 November 2026
Why Organisers Choose GIGXCHANGE
Organisers choose GigXchange to book like a pro without being one: they deal directly with the act, every booking is protected by a signed agreement, and the licence question is answered up front.
Actual app screens · Demo account
A guide for each kind of event, then each kind of act.
Actual app screens · Demo account
Find an act, message them and book with a contract, on iPhone, Android or any browser.
Actual app screens · Demo account
Set the date, compare real acts, then book with a contract and a protected payment.
Actual app screens · Demo account
Direct messaging, real prices, a digital contract and two-way reviews.
Actual app screens · Demo account
What acts actually charge for parties, weddings and corporate events.
Actual app screens · Demo account
Invited guests and no tickets: no licence. Selling tickets: a Temporary Event Notice. A licensed venue: already covered.
Actual app screens · Demo account
No agency markup in the price: you talk to the act and see what they charge.
Actual app screens · Demo account
Find an artist, the rate calculator and the licensing checker.
Actual app screens · Demo account
Licences, payments, cancellations and booking your first band.
See it in action
A look inside GigXchange Mainstage — the members app where artists, venues, agents and promoters manage bookings, messaging, events and payments. Scroll: the phone follows you through the app.
- 01 / 06
Your dashboard
The moment you log in, everything that matters is in front of you — what's booked, what you've earned, and what needs you next. No digging through tabs.
- Bookings at a glanceConfirmed, pending and upcoming gigs in one view — so nothing slips through the cracks.
- Earnings, trackedSee deposits held securely and payouts released, with a running total you can trust.
- Live activity feedNew messages, offers and event updates surface the second they happen — you're never the last to know.
- 02 / 06
Explore the scene
Find the right artists, venues and open gigs across the UK from one place — filtered by what actually matters to you: location, genre, date and budget.
- Search that fits youFilter by role, city, genre and availability to surface only the people and gigs worth your time.
- Smart Match suggestionsThe strongest matches rise to the top, so the right connection finds you — not just the loudest.
- Open gigs, liveBrowse gigs that need filling and apply in a tap — no cold outreach, no gatekeepers.
- 03 / 06
Bookings, end to end
Offer, negotiate and confirm a gig in a single thread — every date, fee and deposit agreed in one place and held to.
- One thread, start to finishThe whole deal lives in one conversation — no lost emails, no he-said-she-said.
- Negotiate with clarityCounter-offers, dates and fees are structured and tracked, so both sides always know where they stand.
- Held securelyThe deposit is held safely until the gig is done — performers get paid, bookers get peace of mind.
- 04 / 06
Messaging
Agree the details before you commit. Direct, real-time conversations with venues, artists, agents and promoters — with bookings built right in.
- Talk first, book secondSort the awkward questions — sound, timings, fee — before anything's signed.
- Bookings inside the chatTurn a conversation into a confirmed offer without ever leaving the thread.
- Share availability & filesSend your calendar, riders and posters in-line, so everyone's working from the same page.
- 05 / 06
Your profile & EPK
Your shop window to the whole UK scene — a profile and electronic press kit that does the selling for you, on the public web and inside the app.
- Built to be foundYour profile is a public page engineered for search and AI discovery — so people find you without you chasing them.
- A press kit that travelsMusic, photos, stats and past gigs in one shareable EPK that makes booking you an easy yes.
- Always currentUpdate once and it's live everywhere — no stale links, no outdated one-sheets.
- 06 / 06
Setlists
Build a polished setlist in minutes and share it with the room — songs, keys and running order, ready for the night.
- Drag-and-drop running orderReorder songs in a tap and see the whole set take shape, page by page.
- Share it anywhereSend a clean, branded setlist to the band, the venue or the sound engineer in one tap.
- Reuse and adaptSave sets per act or venue and tweak the running order for the next gig without starting over.
- 01 / 06
Your dashboard
The moment you log in, everything that matters is in front of you — what's booked, what you've earned, and what needs you next. No digging through tabs.
- Bookings at a glanceConfirmed, pending and upcoming gigs in one view — so nothing slips through the cracks.
- Earnings, trackedSee deposits held securely and payouts released, with a running total you can trust.
- Live activity feedNew messages, offers and event updates surface the second they happen — you're never the last to know.
- 02 / 06
Explore the scene
Find the right artists, venues and open gigs across the UK from one place — filtered by what actually matters to you: location, genre, date and budget.
- Search that fits youFilter by role, city, genre and availability to surface only the people and gigs worth your time.
- Smart Match suggestionsThe strongest matches rise to the top, so the right connection finds you — not just the loudest.
- Open gigs, liveBrowse gigs that need filling and apply in a tap — no cold outreach, no gatekeepers.
- 03 / 06
Bookings, end to end
Offer, negotiate and confirm a gig in a single thread — every date, fee and deposit agreed in one place and held to.
- One thread, start to finishThe whole deal lives in one conversation — no lost emails, no he-said-she-said.
- Negotiate with clarityCounter-offers, dates and fees are structured and tracked, so both sides always know where they stand.
- Held securelyThe deposit is held safely until the gig is done — performers get paid, bookers get peace of mind.
- 04 / 06
Messaging
Agree the details before you commit. Direct, real-time conversations with venues, artists, agents and promoters — with bookings built right in.
- Talk first, book secondSort the awkward questions — sound, timings, fee — before anything's signed.
- Bookings inside the chatTurn a conversation into a confirmed offer without ever leaving the thread.
- Share availability & filesSend your calendar, riders and posters in-line, so everyone's working from the same page.
- 05 / 06
Your profile & EPK
Your shop window to the whole UK scene — a profile and electronic press kit that does the selling for you, on the public web and inside the app.
- Built to be foundYour profile is a public page engineered for search and AI discovery — so people find you without you chasing them.
- A press kit that travelsMusic, photos, stats and past gigs in one shareable EPK that makes booking you an easy yes.
- Always currentUpdate once and it's live everywhere — no stale links, no outdated one-sheets.
- 06 / 06
Setlists
Build a polished setlist in minutes and share it with the room — songs, keys and running order, ready for the night.
- Drag-and-drop running orderReorder songs in a tap and see the whole set take shape, page by page.
- Share it anywhereSend a clean, branded setlist to the band, the venue or the sound engineer in one tap.
- Reuse and adaptSave sets per act or venue and tweak the running order for the next gig without starting over.
How It Works
Booking music for a private event on GigXchange takes four simple steps, from the first idea to the party itself, and each step is shown below in the order you will meet it as an organiser.
Click or tap the deck to advance. The corner button opens it full screen.
Got a date in mind?
Free to join — 5 minutes to set up.
Built for One-Off Bookings
GigXchange gives one-off bookers the same protection professionals get, built for people who book a band once a year rather than once a week: a signed agreement, clear terms and reviews you can trust.
Direct Messaging
Message any act before you book — no gatekeeper, no quote forms, no waiting for an agency to relay your questions.
Transparent Fees
See what acts actually charge — the live GX Index tracks real UK booking rates, so you know the going rate before you open a conversation.
Digital Contracts
Auto-generated for every booking and signed by both sides — date, times, fee, cancellation terms. No solicitor required.
Two-Way Reviews
Every act's reviews come from real bookings — and they review you back, so good organisers get acts saying yes faster.
Stripe Protection
Your payment is held securely and released 5 days after the gig. If the act cancels, it comes straight back — automatically.
Gig Rescue
Band pulled out the week before? Broadcast an urgent invite to up to 25 available acts near you — first to accept is booked.
Want to hear acts before you book them for your event? Step into GX Arena (beta) — real UK acts play their own songs back to back in a live 3D venue, and you can book any of them direct.
What Do UK Gigs Actually Pay?
Real UK fee ranges from 5,063 recorded fees in the GX Index
| Solo | Duo | Full Band | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pub / bar | £162–£330 | £250–£500 | £275–£1,003 |
| Wedding | £271–£500 | £463–£810 | £812–£2,206 |
| Corporate | £281–£474 | £446–£1,275 | £669–£1,708 |
| Private party | £250–£542 | £250–£500 | £583–£1,353 |
| Festival (30–45 min) | TBC | TBC | £200–£1,783 |
The Organiser Licence Question
The licence question is the one every private booker asks first: do I need a licence for live music at my event? Here is the honest answer in plain English, with when it applies and where to check.
No Licence Needed
Invited guests, no tickets sold to the public? A genuinely private event is not licensable — your birthday, anniversary or garden party needs no music licence at all.
Temporary Event Notice
Open to the public or selling tickets? A one-off needs a TEN: up to 499 people, £21, at least 10 working days' notice to your council.
The Venue Has It Covered
Hired a pub function room, hotel or hall that's already licensed? Their premises licence normally covers the music — ask the venue, not the council.
Or go straight to your city — bands, singers and DJs with local rates. Booking for the company instead? Every city has a corporate entertainment page too.
Direct Beats the Agency Route
What changes when nobody sits between you and the band.
Booking a band privately usually means an agency quote with its commission (typically 15–20%, some up to 25%) baked in, or a leap of faith on social media. You never talk to the band, you can’t hear them live, and the "contract" is whatever the agency says it is.
GigXchange is the direct route: browse 1,079 real profiles with audio and reviews, message the act, agree the fee you can see, and let the platform handle the contract and the money. One booking or ten — the protection is the same.
| GIGXCHANGE | Agency Booking | |
|---|---|---|
| The price you see | The act's actual fee, 5% only on protected payments | Agency commission (typically 15–20%, some up to 25%) baked into the quote |
| Talk to the band first | Direct chat before you book | Mediated through the agency |
| Hear them play | Audio + video on every profile | A promo clip if you're lucky |
| Reviews | Two-way, from real bookings | Testimonials the agency picked |
| Contract | Auto-generated, signed digitally | Agency terms, or nothing |
| If the band cancels | Gig Rescue + automatic refund | Phone the agency and hope |
| Cost to you | Free — an optional 5% booker fee on protected payments | The markup, always |
Free Tools for Organisers
Everything an organiser needs to plan the music is free, with no card and no trial limits: rate benchmarks so you know what to budget, booking agreements, and guides to the questions people ask first.
Find an Artist
Tell us the date, place and vibe — get matched with available acts near your event in one search.
Gig Rate Calculator
Live UK percentiles by city, band size and event type — know the fair price for a London party band before you ask.
Licensing Checker
Answer a few questions about your event and get a personal verdict — most private parties need no licence at all.
Contract Generator
A UK-compliant booking agreement in under 2 minutes — 8 standard clauses, dual e-signatures, instant PDF.
UK Gig Directory
See who's playing near you — 8,900+ grassroots gigs across 80 UK cities. Catch an act live before you book them.
How to Hire a Band for a UK Event
Costs, timelines and contract terms for hiring a band for a private UK event — the full walkthrough.
Organiser FAQ
The 7 questions answered below run from “Do I need a licence to have a band at my party?” to “Do you cover my area?”.
Your Party Deserves a Live Band
See who is free on your date, compare real acts, and book with a contract and Stripe protection — from a Clapham garden party to a village-hall anniversary. Free to use, five minutes to start.