Bands for hire
Bands for Hire in Plymouth
Hire a Plymouth band — Devon coastal venues, Royal Navy mess and corporate work, and the South West's most independent live calendar 100 miles from the next major UK market.
Updated 7 May 2026
Bands for Hire in Plymouth: the Short Answer
A band in Plymouth costs from about £350 for a 3–4 piece band at a pub or bar - the UK median fee acts take home, from 275 fees on the GX Index; quotes can run higher once travel, PA and set length are added. 2 Plymouth acts have a GigXchange profile and 20 Plymouth venues list live music.
| What it costs · £350 3–4 piece bandUK take-home median · 275 fees |
| On GigXchange · 2 Plymouth actswith a profile you can browse |
| Venues listed · 20 Plymouth venuesputting on live music |
| If they cancel · Rescue a replacement fastGX Gig Rescue invites available acts |
Bands You Can Book in Plymouth
Few acts list Plymouth as home yet, so these are the nearest on GigXchange. The circuit runs through Plymouth Hoe & Barbican, Royal William Yard & Stonehouse and Mutley & Plymouth University. Acts from Cardiff, Bristol and Southampton take Plymouth dates too. Each profile shows audio, reviews and a live availability calendar, so this is a list of acts you can actually book.
Bands Available for Gigs in Plymouth
Every act here is a band or musician available for gigs in Plymouth: the availability calendar on each profile shows the dates they are free. Listen to the audio, read the reviews, then message two or three and agree the fee in chat - the contract and payment are handled in one place. The full process is in how to book live music in Plymouth.
| Browse all Plymouth acts | |
| How to book live music in Plymouth |
Wedding, Function and Cover Band Rates in Plymouth
Expect about £290 for a solo act at a pub or bar and up to £1,230 for a 5+ piece band at a wedding in Plymouth, on South West take-home medians. Line-up, set length and travel move a quote above these; the figures update nightly from the GX Index.
| Pub or bar · solo actmiddle 50% £100–£325 · South West | £290 |
| Pub or bar · duomiddle 50% £250–£500 · UK | £325 |
| Pub or bar · 3–4 piece bandmiddle 50% £275–£600 · UK | £350 |
| Pub or bar · 5+ piece bandmiddle 50% £350–£550 · South West | £525 |
| Wedding · 3–4 piece bandmiddle 50% £810–£1,123 · South West | £910 |
| Wedding · 5+ piece bandmiddle 50% £773–£1,477 · South West | £1,230 |
| Submit your rate | |
| See the UK gig rates |
Hiring a Band in Plymouth — What You Need to Know
Plymouth rooms run from Bar Rakuda, Marina Bar and Millbridge Inn upwards, and each suits a different act. Match the act to the room size, the crowd and the night: covers fill a pub, originals bring their own following.
| Pubs & BarsLive music Plymouth Barbican venues run Friday/Saturday-firm year-round. Plymouth University term time firms midweek pricing; summer-tourist months see firmer Saturday pricing as the city centre fills. Browse acts on Explore. Most Plymouth weekend bookings come from cover bands and party-band specialists working the local pub-and-function circuit — filter by "covers" or "party band" on Explore to surface the working acts. |
| Weddings & Private EventsLimited supply of premium acts in the South West means peak summer Saturdays at top venues often book 9–14 months ahead. See live medians on the GX Rate Index. |
| Restaurants & HotelsBrowse Plymouth acts on Explore. |
How to Hire a Band on GIGXCHANGE
Three steps. About five minutes from signup to first booking.
| 01 | ListingPost your gigFill in five details: date, venue, genre, budget, set length. The listing is live immediately, visible to every artist in the GigXchange network. No agency handling the hand-off. |
| 02 | ShortlistReview applicationsArtists apply with profile, tracks, reviews and availability all visible. Start a direct chat with shortlisted acts to confirm details before committing. Compare them next to each other rather than tab-switching. |
| 03 | BookingBook and pay securelyOnce the fee’s signed off, a digital contract is auto-generated for both parties. Funds are held securely via Stripe until the gig is complete. Ratings post from both sides when the booking closes. |
Agree the Terms in Writing
| Agree the brief and the terms in writing - the date, set times, fee, deposit, cancellation and what the price includes. Who brings the PA, the stage space and the power - written into the contract so nobody guesses on the night. Many venues ask acts for public liability insurance. Musicians’ Union members are covered to £10 million each with their membership. If the act drops out: GX Gig Rescue sends an urgent invite to available acts near you. The first to accept is booked. |
Band Cancelled? Find a Replacement in Plymouth
Emergency band replacement without ringing round an agency out of hours.
Every GigXchange profile carries a live availability calendar, so you’re only ever looking at acts who can actually make your date. Message shortlisted bands directly, agree the fee in chat, and the contract and payment are handled in one place — realistic to turn around same-week, often same-day.
| Rescue this gig — broadcast to available bands | |
| Browse available Plymouth bands |
Bands for Hire — Platform Comparison
Filtering by Devon postcode on Explore surfaces actually-Plymouth-based acts at realistic local fees, and the maritime/corporate-event filter pulls up Royal Navy mess specialists. Compare with nearby BFH guides: bands for hire in Bristol, Cardiff, and Southampton — the next major south and south-west markets.
Side by side, feature by feature
GigXchange · Encore| What it costs (you pay) | 0–5% booker feeNo hidden fees; quotes all-inclusive |
| Talk to the band first? | Yes — message before bookingMediated through platform |
| Hear them play? | Audio tracks + videos on profileSample clips |
| See real reviews? | Two-way verified reviewsClient reviews only |
| Payment protection | Stripe — released after gigVia agency |
| Contract included? | Auto-generated, digitally signedAgency contract |
| Original music acts? | All genres — originals welcomeMostly covers / function |
| Best for | Direct booking, any budgetHigh-budget weddings |
Side by side, feature by feature
GigXchange · GigPig| What it costs (you pay) | 0–5% booker fee£15/gig or from £199/mo |
| Talk to the band first? | Yes — message before bookingAfter they accept |
| Hear them play? | Audio tracks + videos on profileVideos |
| See real reviews? | Two-way verified reviewsTwo-way |
| Payment protection | Stripe — released after gigVia platform |
| Contract included? | Auto-generated, digitally signedBasic terms |
| Original music acts? | All genres — originals welcomeMixed |
| Best for | Direct booking, any budgetRegular pub/bar slots |
Side by side, feature by feature
GigXchange · Alive Network| What it costs (you pay) | 0–5% booker fee~20% on top of the act's price |
| Talk to the band first? | Yes — message before bookingMediated through agency |
| Hear them play? | Audio tracks + videos on profilePromo videos |
| See real reviews? | Two-way verified reviewsClient reviews only |
| Payment protection | Stripe — released after gigVia agency |
| Contract included? | Auto-generated, digitally signedAgency contract |
| Original music acts? | All genres — originals welcomeCovers / function only |
| Best for | Direct booking, any budgetLarge corporate events |
Side by side, feature by feature
GigXchange · Lemonrock| What it costs (you pay) | 0–5% booker feeFree |
| Talk to the band first? | Yes — message before bookingYes — direct contact |
| Hear them play? | Audio tracks + videos on profileExternal links only |
| See real reviews? | Two-way verified reviewsNo reviews |
| Payment protection | Stripe — released after gigCash / bank transfer |
| Contract included? | Auto-generated, digitally signedNo |
| Original music acts? | All genres — originals welcomeStrong original scene |
| Best for | Direct booking, any budgetDiscovery / networking |
Bands by Area in Plymouth
Plymouth Hoe & Barbican, Royal William Yard & Stonehouse, Mutley & Plymouth University and South Hams & Devon Wedding Corridor are Plymouth's live music areas, with 20 Plymouth venues listing live music on GigXchange. Knowing the area tells you the sound - and which acts already play there.
| Plymouth Hoe & BarbicanThe waterfront entertainment cluster — the Hoe pub-circuit (the Dolphin, the Pilgrim) and the Barbican-area venues handle most pub-and-function bookings here. See the Plymouth scene page. |
| Royal William Yard & StonehouseWhere the city's most distinctive bookings happen. Filter boutique acts on Explore. Average lead time 3–6 weeks, with peak summer Saturdays often 8–14 weeks out. |
| Mutley & Plymouth UniversityMost term-time bands cover the wider Plymouth-and-South-Devon market (up to 25 miles) within standard fees, including Saltash and Looe. |
| South Hams & Devon Wedding CorridorLead times 9–14 months for top venues; supply is constrained by South West geography. South Hams premium venues run a 78% summer fill rate (May-September), dropping to 35% in November-February. Average band cost as % of total wedding budget here is 6–9%, lower than UK average of 8–11%. |
Plymouth Venues Listing Live Music
| Bar Rakuda |
| Marina Bar |
| Millbridge InnStoke · c. 100 capacity |
| Minerva Innc. 70 capacity |
| Sawan ClubBarbican |
| The Ford InnFord / Keyham · c. 80 capacity |
11 — Questions10 answersFrequently asked questions
Bands in PlymouthLocal
Browse and compare bands for hire in Plymouth. Find the right band for your Plymouth event.
Browse Plymouth artists and bands
Compare styles, set lengths and fees
Message and book direct — no middlemen
Two-way verified reviews
Free to browse — 5% only on protected payments
| Browse Plymouth bands | |
| Post a gig | |
| Find out more | |
| Post a gig |
Plymouth GigsLive
Upcoming gigs in Plymouth — the local directory. What's on in Plymouth — the local gig directory.
One-off gigs at indie venues and community stages
Sorted by date, refreshed continuously
Free and ticketed shows both listed
Every gig links its venue
| Plymouth gigs | |
| UK gig directory | |
| Find out more | |
| Join free |
Plymouth VenuesLocal
Grassroots venues, pubs and stages in Plymouth. Capacity, backline and booking contacts for Plymouth venues.
Grassroots venues, pubs and stages
Capacity and backline specs where known
Re-verified on a rolling cycle
Claim your venue to keep it current
| Plymouth venues | |
| Live music for pubs | |
| Live music for hotels | |
| Live music for care homes | |
| Live music for clubs | |
| Live music for holiday parks | |
| Live music for boats | |
| For venues | |
| Find out more | |
| Post a gig |
Plymouth Open MicsWeekly
Free stage time — Plymouth open mic nights. Just starting out? Plymouth open mic nights, re-verified on a rolling cycle.
Weekly open mic nights across Plymouth
Filter by night of the week
Free stage time — walk in, sign up, play
The grassroots pipeline to paid gigs
| Plymouth open mics | |
| UK open mic finder | |
| Find out more | |
| Join free |
Guides & RatesFree
How to book and what to pay in Plymouth. Everything you need before you book a band in Plymouth.
How to book live music in Plymouth
How to get gigs in Plymouth
Live median fees on the GigXchange Index
Written for venues and event planners
| Plymouth rates | |
| How to book | |
| How to get gigs | |
| UK gig rates | |
| Find out more | |
| Join free |
| Live Music in PlymouthThe full Plymouth scene, platform comparison, radar chart and venue intel. | |
| How to Get Gigs in PlymouthA guide for artists — where to play, what venues pay, and how to break into the Plymouth circuit. | |
| Bands for Hire in BristolSouth-west music capital, 2 hours north-east — biggest agency market in the region. | |
| Bands for Hire in CardiffSouth Wales — Celtic and function band scene across the Bristol Channel. | |
| Bands for Hire in SouthamptonSouth coast neighbour — strong wedding circuit and the New Forest hotel cluster. | |
| Plymouth Rate BenchmarkSee what UK bands actually charge by city and gig type. Median fees from the live GigXchange Index. |
| Live music in Plymouth | |
| How to get gigs in Plymouth | |
| How to book live music in Plymouth |
| Venues in Plymouth | |
| Open mics in Plymouth | |
| Upcoming gigs in Plymouth |
| NYE Bands & DJs | |
| Awards Night & Black-Tie Bands | |
| Festival Season Bands | |
| Summer Wedding Bands | |
| Valentine's Day Bands |
| How to book a musician in the UK | |
| Hiring a wedding band in London | |
| Booking platforms compared |
Share what you charged or paid — anonymous, under a minute. 3 rates unlocks 30 days of UK fee trends.
| Add your rate |
Ready to hire a band in Plymouth?
Post a gig for free, no card on file. Membership is free, and we are keeping it free permanently for the first 250 sign-ups. Open alpha, you’re early.
Bands for Hire in Plymouth
Hire a Plymouth band — Devon coastal venues, Royal Navy mess and corporate work, and the South West's most independent live calendar 100 miles from the next major UK market.
Last updated: 7 May 2026
Bands for Hire in Plymouth: the Short Answer
A band in Plymouth costs from about £350 for a 3–4 piece band at a pub or bar - the UK median fee acts take home, from 275 fees on the GX Index; quotes can run higher once travel, PA and set length are added. 2 Plymouth acts have a GigXchange profile and 20 Plymouth venues list live music.
Bands You Can Book in Plymouth
Few acts list Plymouth as home yet, so these are the nearest on GigXchange. The circuit runs through Plymouth Hoe & Barbican, Royal William Yard & Stonehouse and Mutley & Plymouth University. Acts from Cardiff, Bristol and Southampton take Plymouth dates too. Each profile shows audio, reviews and a live availability calendar, so this is a list of acts you can actually book.
Bands Available for Gigs in Plymouth
Every act here is a band or musician available for gigs in Plymouth: the availability calendar on each profile shows the dates they are free. Listen to the audio, read the reviews, then message two or three and agree the fee in chat - the contract and payment are handled in one place. The full process is in how to book live music in Plymouth.
Wedding, Function and Cover Band Rates in Plymouth
Expect about £290 for a solo act at a pub or bar and up to £1,230 for a 5+ piece band at a wedding in Plymouth, on South West take-home medians. Line-up, set length and travel move a quote above these; the figures update nightly from the GX Index.
- Pub or bar · solo act £290 median · 30 observationsmiddle 50% £100–£325 · South West
- Pub or bar · duo £325 median · 67 observationsmiddle 50% £250–£500 · UK
- Pub or bar · 3–4 piece band £350 median · 275 observationsmiddle 50% £275–£600 · UK
- Pub or bar · 5+ piece band £525 median · 20 observationsmiddle 50% £350–£550 · South West
- Wedding · 3–4 piece band £910 median · 65 observationsmiddle 50% £810–£1,123 · South West
- Wedding · 5+ piece band £1,230 median · 48 observationsmiddle 50% £773–£1,477 · South West
Hiring a Band in Plymouth — What You Need to Know
Plymouth rooms run from Bar Rakuda, Marina Bar and Millbridge Inn upwards, and each suits a different act. Match the act to the room size, the crowd and the night: covers fill a pub, originals bring their own following.
Pubs & Bars
Live music Plymouth Barbican venues run Friday/Saturday-firm year-round. Plymouth University term time firms midweek pricing; summer-tourist months see firmer Saturday pricing as the city centre fills. Browse acts on Explore. Most Plymouth weekend bookings come from cover bands and party-band specialists working the local pub-and-function circuit — filter by "covers" or "party band" on Explore to surface the working acts.
Weddings & Private Events
Limited supply of premium acts in the South West means peak summer Saturdays at top venues often book 9–14 months ahead. See live medians on the GX Rate Index.
Restaurants & Hotels
Browse Plymouth acts on Explore.
How to Hire a Band on GIGXCHANGE
Three steps. About five minutes from signup to first booking.
Post your gig
Fill in five details: date, venue, genre, budget, set length. The listing is live immediately, visible to every artist in the GigXchange network. No agency handling the hand-off.
Review applications
Artists apply with profile, tracks, reviews and availability all visible. Start a direct chat with shortlisted acts to confirm details before committing. Compare them next to each other rather than tab-switching.
Book and pay securely
Once the fee’s signed off, a digital contract is auto-generated for both parties. Funds are held securely via Stripe until the gig is complete. Ratings post from both sides when the booking closes.
Agree the brief and the terms in writing - the date, set times, fee, deposit, cancellation and what the price includes. Who brings the PA, the stage space and the power - written into the contract so nobody guesses on the night. Many venues ask acts for public liability insurance. Musicians’ Union members are covered to £10 million each with their membership. If the act drops out: GX Gig Rescue sends an urgent invite to available acts near you. The first to accept is booked.
Band Cancelled? Find a Replacement in Plymouth
Emergency band replacement without ringing round an agency out of hours.
Every GigXchange profile carries a live availability calendar, so you’re only ever looking at acts who can actually make your date. Message shortlisted bands directly, agree the fee in chat, and the contract and payment are handled in one place — realistic to turn around same-week, often same-day.
Compare Booking Platforms in Plymouth
Filtering by Devon postcode on Explore surfaces actually-Plymouth-based acts at realistic local fees, and the maritime/corporate-event filter pulls up Royal Navy mess specialists. Compare with nearby BFH guides: bands for hire in Bristol, Cardiff, and Southampton — the next major south and south-west markets.
| Feature | GigXchange | Encore | GigPig | Alive Network | Lemonrock |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| What it costs (you pay) | 0–5% booker fee | No hidden fees; quotes all-inclusive | £15/gig or from £199/mo | ~20% on top of the act's price | Free |
| Talk to the band first? | Yes — message before booking | Mediated through platform | After they accept | Mediated through agency | Yes — direct contact |
| Hear them play? | Audio tracks + videos on profile | Sample clips | Videos | Promo videos | External links only |
| See real reviews? | Two-way verified reviews | Client reviews only | Two-way | Client reviews only | No reviews |
| Payment protection | Stripe — released after gig | Via agency | Via platform | Via agency | Cash / bank transfer |
| Contract included? | Auto-generated, digitally signed | Agency contract | Basic terms | Agency contract | No |
| Original music acts? | All genres — originals welcome | Mostly covers / function | Mixed | Covers / function only | Strong original scene |
| Best for | Direct booking, any budget | High-budget weddings | Regular pub/bar slots | Large corporate events | Discovery / networking |
Bands by Area in Plymouth
Plymouth Hoe & Barbican, Royal William Yard & Stonehouse, Mutley & Plymouth University and South Hams & Devon Wedding Corridor are Plymouth's live music areas, with 20 Plymouth venues listing live music on GigXchange. Knowing the area tells you the sound - and which acts already play there.
Plymouth Hoe & Barbican
The waterfront entertainment cluster — the Hoe pub-circuit (the Dolphin, the Pilgrim) and the Barbican-area venues handle most pub-and-function bookings here. See the Plymouth scene page.
Royal William Yard & Stonehouse
Where the city's most distinctive bookings happen. Filter boutique acts on Explore. Average lead time 3–6 weeks, with peak summer Saturdays often 8–14 weeks out.
Mutley & Plymouth University
Most term-time bands cover the wider Plymouth-and-South-Devon market (up to 25 miles) within standard fees, including Saltash and Looe.
South Hams & Devon Wedding Corridor
Lead times 9–14 months for top venues; supply is constrained by South West geography. South Hams premium venues run a 78% summer fill rate (May-September), dropping to 35% in November-February. Average band cost as % of total wedding budget here is 6–9%, lower than UK average of 8–11%.
Plymouth Venues Listing Live Music
Bands for Hire in Plymouth: FAQ
Ready to hire a band in Plymouth?
Post a gig for free, no card on file. Membership is free, and we are keeping it free permanently for the first 250 sign-ups. Open alpha, you’re early.
Hiring from a different angle?